COLLIN COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Information
Course Number: Biology 1407
Course Title: Biology for Science Majors II
Course Description:
Lecture: The diversity and classification of life will be studied, including animals, plants, protists, fungi, and
prokaryotes. Special emphasis will be given to anatomy, physiology, ecology, and evolution of plants and
animals. Dissection included.
Lab: Laboratory activities will reinforce study of the diversity and classification of life, including animals, plants,
protists, fungi, and prokaryotes. Special emphasis will be given to anatomy, physiology, ecology, and evolution of
plants and animals. Dissection included.
Course Credit Hours:
Lecture Hours:
Lab Hours:
4
3
3
Prerequisite: Biology 1406
Student Learning Outcomes:

State-mandated Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
Lecture
1. Describe modern evolutionary synthesis, natural selection, population genetics, micro and
macroevolution, and speciation.
2. Describe phylogenetic relationships and classification schemes.
3. Identify the major phyla of life with an emphasis on plants and animals, including the basis for
classification, structural and physiological adaptations, evolutionary history, and ecological
significance.
4. Describe basic animal physiology and homeostasis as maintained by organ systems.
5. Compare different sexual and asexual life cycles noting their adaptive advantages.
6. Illustrate the relationship between major geologic change, extinctions, and evolutionary trends.
Lab
1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions, and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes and
laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data. (Teamwork)
2. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory.
(Critical Thinking Skills)
3. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations. (Communication Skills)
4. Demonstrate knowledge of modern evolutionary synthesis, natural selection, population genetics, micro
and macroevolution, and speciation. (Empirical and Quantitative Skills)
5. Distinguish between phylogenetic relationships and classification schemes.
6. Identify the major phyla of life with an emphasis on plants and animals, including the basis for
classification, structural and physiological adaptations, evolutionary history, and ecological
significance.
7. Describe basic animal physiology and homeostasis as maintained by organ systems.
8. Compare different sexual and asexual life cycles noting their adaptive advantages.
9. Illustrate the relationship between major geologic change, extinctions, and evolutionary trends.
Withdrawal Policy: See the current Collin Registration Guide for last day to withdraw.
Collin College Academic Policies: See the current Collin Student Handbook.
Americans with Disabilities Act Statement: Collin College will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws,
regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal
educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-D140 or
972.881.5898 (V/TTD: 972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See the current Collin Student
Handbook for additional information.
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INSTRUCTOR’S INFORMATION
Instructor’s Name: Elizabeth Felker
Office Number: F229
Office Hours: By appointment only Monday-Friday 8am -5pm
Phone Number: 972-377-1581
Email: efelker@collin.edu This is the best way to communicate with me
CLASS INFORMATION
Section Number: P1L
Meeting Times: MTWR 10:10 am-12:10 pm
Meeting Location: F231
Course Resources: Course Resources: Exploring Biology in the Laboratory, 1st edition: Customized for
Collin College, Pendarvis and Crawley
Supplies
REQUIRED
Safety Goggles and gloves are required during lab. These can be purchased from the bookstore.
Loose-leaf notebook to keep lab reports and handouts
Recommended
Labcoat or apron, if desired, for some labs
Attendance Policy: Laboratory attendance is mandatory. If a student misses a lab or one of the practical
exams, they can make-up the exam only after approval of the lab instructor (see details in the next
paragraphs). Instructors cannot count one practical exam grade twice. Contact your instructor immediately if
you miss a class or a practical. Students who stop attending class and do not officially withdraw from the
course will be assigned a grade of “F”.
Missing the first lab meeting: Students that miss the first day of the lab are required to view the “Starting
with Safety” DVD in the Science Den prior to being permitted to attend the next lab.
The Science Den staff will supply the student with the DVD to watch and with a confirmation note to return
to their instructor to verify completion.
Lab Make-ups: If you need to miss a lab for an appropriate and documented reason (for example: illness
requiring a doctor’s visit, death in the family, College related athletics and activities) you must contact the
instructor as soon as possible. You may only make-up the lab during the same week by attending another
section with prior approval from both the instructor of the lab you will be attending and your original lab
instructor (arrangements can be made ONLY by the lab instructors). If you miss a lab and do not
contact the instructor in an appropriate timeframe in order to attend a make-up lab you will receive a zero
for all quizzes and assignments missed and/or not turned in on time.
Practical Exam Make-ups: For any practical exam make-up to be approved, students must provide their
instructor with documentation verifying that the nature of their absence was for an acceptable reason. Please
note: a practical make-up will be approved ONLY for legitimate reasons. Every request for a make-up
should be accompanied by appropriate documentation. Arriving late or unprepared for the exam will not
qualify for a make-up approval. The make-up practical will be a comprehensive practical at the end of the
semester (during final exam week).
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In addition: The lab doors are locked for security reasons and they will only be opened for the first 5
minutes of class. Class will start on time. If you are late you will miss whatever activity that takes place at
the beginning of class (review before quiz, quiz, bonus activities or introduction to lab activity). If you are
late you can join the class only when the activity we started is over.
Students who will miss lab due to an illness, emergency, or previously scheduled engagement must email me
ASAP. If you miss lab, and do not email me, I will not allow you to attend another later lab sessions. If you
miss lab due to illness a note from your doctor must be presented.
LATERAL TRANSFER POLICY
Lateral transfers will not be granted after the 4th week of class or after the first exam, whichever comes first.
Exceptions to this are for documented changes in work schedule or family emergencies. If a student does
transfer to another section, all previous grades will accompany the student. However, the new instructor can
require the student to retake any exam or quiz. For questions concerning this policy, contact the Biology
Department Chair.
Additional Student Learning Outcomes:
Scholastic Dishonesty
Every member of the Collin College community is expected to maintain the highest standards of academic
integrity. Collin College may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of scholastic
dishonesty. For more details on Academic Dishonesty - Please see section 7-2.2 of the Collin Student
Handbook".
Method of Evaluation:
Overall course grade: Lecture 70%, lab 30%
Lab: 3 practical exams - 20% each
Quizzes - 20% of lab grade
Lab reports - 20% of lab grade
Lab Reports –will be due throughout the semester. Guidelines are outlined in the lab manual, and in
handouts provided by the instructor. Reports must be written using college-level writing, and are due at the
beginning of the class period on the date they are due. If lab reports are not turned in at the BEGINNING of
class on the day they are due, they are considered late, and I will not accept late work.
Weekly Quizzes –will be given daily and will usually involve material that has been covered in any previous
lab session or the lab being covered that day. Quizzes will be administered at the beginning of class, 5
minutes after class officially begins. Missed quizzes due to documented reasons may be made-up. However,
being late to the quiz will result in a zero.
Practical Exams – (3) are hands-on, and will involve questions covering topics discussed in the lab. Being
late constitutes missing the practical, which cannot be made up due to tardiness. If you miss a practical due
to illness a note from your doctor must be presented. In order to attend lab closed toe shoes must be worn at
all times, included practical exams
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BIOLOGY 1407 - BIOLOGY II LAB
COURSE CALENDAR
Week
1
Dates
6/8
6/9
6/10
6/11
2
3
4
6/15
6/16
6/17
6/18
6/22
6/23
6/24
6/25
6/29
6/30
7/1
7/2
5
7/6
7/7
7/8
LABORATORY TOPICS
Lab Orientation/ Lab Saftey
Population Genetics and Evolution,
Evolutionary Mechanisms
Classification
Protists
Census day
Review
Practical Exam I
Nonvascular plants
Seedless plants
EXERCISES
Handouts
13,15
Gymnosperms and Angiosperms
Stems, Roots, and Leaves
Last day to withdraw
Fungi
Review
Practical Exam II
Animal Planet Invertebrates
Animal Planet Ecdysozoans and
Deutrostomes
Animal Planet Chordates, Animal
Organization
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy,
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy,
Digestive and Urinary Systems,
Ecology
Practical Exam III
22,23
24
4
16
19
20
21
25
27,28
29,30
30,26
33
34,37
Addendum to Syllabus:
Everyone in this class is responsible for creating a positive educational environment. Participation in class
is strongly encouraged and often leads to discussions which broaden everyone’s perspective. Respect your
fellow students by being punctual and by being attentive as they participate.
Your work should be collegiate in nature. Neat papers, legible writing, and thoughtful answers are
expected on every assignment. Disorganized or illegible work will not be accepted and will be assigned a
grade of zero (0).
You should expect to spend time outside of class preparing for each lab by reading the appropriate chapters
in the textbook before coming to class. I will expect you to come to class each week prepared to discuss the
material being covered, and may give a quiz or assignment on material being covered that day.
Powerpoint slides of my lectures will be posted on my website throughout the semester. These slides are
NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR ATTENDING CLASS, but are merely a list of talking points I will expound
upon during the lecture. Posting these slides is done as a courtesy and may be discontinued at any time.
Please do not email me through this website or Blackboard, as I do not check email there. Emails should be
sent directly to efelker@collin.edu.
________________________________________________________________________________
Your First and Last Name:
________________________________________________________________________________
Your Biology lecture instructor
________________________________________________________________________________
What is your major and why are you taking this course?
________________________________________________________________________________
When are lab reports due?
_______________________________________________________________________________
Do I allow work to be turned in late?
_______________________________________________________________________________
Can you eat a grilled cheese sandwich in lab?
According to my website complete the following statements:
1.“Please email me any time during the week with questions. During the weekdays if you don’t get an
email back from me with in _________________I didn’t get it and you will need to resend. I do not check
emails over the ____________.
2. “Because grades ___________ fully be calculated until I receive all of your assignments, I cannot give
you an accurate current standing grade. Keep all of your assignments, and it should be easy to keep track of
where you stand in the course.”
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_______________________________________________________________________________
Are open-toed shoes allowed in the Biology 1407/1409 lab during practical examinations?
_______________________________________________________________________________
Are open-toed shoes ever allowed in the Biology 1407/1409 lab?
___________________________________________________________________________________
At what time are quizzes given and what topic will they cover?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
What will happen if you are late to a quiz?
____________________________________________________________________________________
What will need to be provided to me in order to make-up a lab session, quiz, report, or practical?
I have read and understood the contents of this syllabus. I realize if there is ever a question about the
content of this syllabus, I am to see Professor Felker for clarification. I also realize I can download a
replacement copy of the syllabus from Professor Felker’s Website.
Students Signature and date
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