NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title: General Biology for Majors II

Course prefix, number, and section number: BIOL 1407.0340

Semester/Year of course: Spring 2026

Semester start and end dates: January 12, 2026 thru May 9, 2026

Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Online

Class meeting location, days, and times: Online

Lab meeting location, days, and times: Online

Semester credit hours: 4

Course Materials

Starting in Spring 2026 NCTC is partnering with Barnes & Noble College (BNC) to make purchasing course materials easy and affordable.  When students register for classes, they are automatically opted in to the Lion Book Bundle which will provide students first day access to course materials.  In this program students are charged $24 per credit hour ($96 for a 4-hour class) as a fee on their NCTC student account. (This is labeled as “Book Fee” on NCTC invoices). Students may choose to opt out of this program, but would then be required to purchase needed class materials on their own. If opting out, students would receive a refund on their NCTC student account. Students may choose to opt out starting one month prior to classes beginning through the first week of class. Students might benefit from opting out if they are enrolled in classes that use OER (free course materials).  Note: The Lion Book Bundle applies to all classes a student is registered for in a given semester (both 16-week and 8-week). A student must either opt in or out for ALL classes—not each class individually.  If you want to take advantage of the Lion Book Bundle, no action is needed as students are automatically opted in.  If you would like to opt out of the program, you must go to the Opt-out page.

Click here for more information: Lion Book Bundle information

Required Course Materials:

INCLUDED in the Lion Book Bundle:

Pearson – Campbell Biology 12^th edition.  Your ebook and assignments

NOT INCLUDED in the Lion Book Bundle:

Some materials are required for the course, but are not included in the Lion Book Bundle. 

Students must purchase these materials on their own or through the bookstore, if available, during the first week of the semester.

Science Interactive Lab Kit.  See Start Here Module for ordering instructions.

Computer with active webcam

Course description: Course Description: 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. 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. Upon successful completion, students will be able to: describe modern evolutionary synthesis, natural selection, population genetics, micro and macroevolution, and speciation; describe phylogenetic relationships and classification schemes; 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; describe basic animal physiology and homeostasis as maintained by organ systems; compare different sexual and asexual life cycles noting their adaptive advantages; illustrate the relationship between major geologic change, extinctions, and evolutionary trends; apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions, and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data; use critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory; communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations; demonstrate knowledge of modern evolutionary synthesis, natural selection, population genetics, micro and macroevolution, and speciation; and distinguish between phylogenic relationships and classification schemes.

Course prerequisites: Recommended prerequisite: MATH 1314 or concurrent enrollment in higher level mathematics; BIOL1406 Meets NCTC Core Curriculum Requirement

Required course materials: Modified Mastering Biology for Campbell Biology 12th Edition (Mastering Platform Update)

Textbook Publisher Website:  Author(s): Urry, Lisa | Cain, Michael | Wasserman, Steven | Minorsky, Peter | Orr, Rebecca

Textbook ISBN-13: 9780135855836

You will need to purchase an access code for mastering. You need to connect to mastering through the Lion Book Bundle in CANVAS which will take you directly to my course.  This is NECCESARY to have access to the e-book and perform the assigned homework, which represent 20% of your grade.

Lab Kit: You will need to purchase a lab kit from Science Interactive.  Information is in the Start Here Module of the course

Name of instructor: Robert Fenton

Office location: Online – I can be available to meet at the Corinth or Denton campuses by appointment

Telephone number: 940-668-4252 (Wendy Perkins; department assistant)

E-mail address: rfenton@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: Online

SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

List of graded assignments:

            Homework: 20%

            Labs: 30%

            Exams: 30%

            Final Exam: 20%

Final grade scale:

            90 – 100           A

            80 – 89            B

            70 – 79            C

            60 – 69            D

            59 – 0              F

Late work policy:

      Unit exams will be taken online using Respondus Webcam Lockdown Browser or at a NCTC Testing Center.  In the interest of being fair to all students, NO MAKE-UP EXAMS will be given.  Chapter Assignments and Labs are due the date of the Unit Exam and access will close. 

A Group Project will be assigned after March 30

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.

COURSE POLICIES

Academic Integrity Policy:

            Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

1.  Loss of grade for the assignment of exam   
2.  Grade of “F” for the course and removal from class

Attendance Policy:

            Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College.

Withdrawal Policy

A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.

Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: Monday, March30, 2026

Student Learning Outcomes

Lecture outcomes:

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 outcomes:

1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions, and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.

2. Use critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory.

3. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations.

4. Demonstrate knowledge of modern evolutionary synthesis, natural selection, population genetics, micro and macroevolution, and speciation.

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.

Core Objectives:

Critical Thinking

Communication

Teamwork

Empirical and Quantitative Analysis

ADA STATEMENT

NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations.  See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.

AI STATEMENT

Absent a clear statement from a course instructor, use of or consultation with generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or other similar technologies shall be treated analogously to assistance from another person, agency, or entity. In particular, using generative AI tools to substantially complete an assignment or exam is not permitted. Students should acknowledge the use of generative AI (other than incidental use) and default to disclosing such assistance when in doubt.

When students use generative AI to replace the rigorous demands of personal engagement with their coursework, it runs counter to the educational mission of the college and undermines the heart of education itself. Artificial Intelligence, large language models, and technologies hold promise for deploying knowledge in service to others and accelerating the discovery of new knowledge. However, such technology poses new challenges to pedagogy and to integrity. Within the context of the teaching mission of the college and consistent with the Student Code of Conduct, the authority to define the appropriate use, study, and deployment of these technologies rests with the faculty.

Individual course instructors, in coordination with their divisions, set policies regulating the use of generative AI tools in their courses, including allowing or disallowing some or all uses of such tools. Course instructors will set such policies in their course syllabi and clearly communicate such policies to students. Students who are unsure of policies regarding generative AI tools are encouraged to ask their instructors for clarification.

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.

STUDENT SERVICES

NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students.  See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.

https://my.nctc.edu/ICS/icsfs/mm/nctc_student_services___resources_-_syllabus_addendum_2025-2026.pdf?target=8a6beb27-72af-4b6c-9891-248ab5e1dc7c

Pregnant and Parenting Students:  Any student who, because of their pregnancy or parenting status, may require special accommodations to meet course requirements should contact the

Student Parent Liaison (studentparents@nctc.edu). Students may also self-report by visiting www.nctc.edu/cares and submitting a report for Pregnant & Parenting Students

ADDENDUMS

STUDENT SERVICES AND RESOURCES

https://my.nctc.edu/ICS/icsfs/mm/nctc_student_services___resources_-_syllabus_addendum_2025-2026.pdf?target=8a6beb27-72af-4b6c-9891-248ab5e1dc7c

https://my.nctc.edu/ICS/icsfs/mm/nctc_student_servim/nctc_student_services___resources_-_syllabus_addendum_2025-2026.pdf?target=8a6beb27-72af-4b6c-9891-248ab5e1dc7c

LIBRARY

NCTC has brick-and-mortar libraries on the Gainesville, Corinth, Flower Mound, and Bowie

campuses that are staffed by credentialed librarians wanting to help you succeed in your college

career. All students are welcome at any library.

On campus? Visit our website www.nctc.edu/library.

Off-campus? Our research databases are now available in OneLogin.

For Virtual Assistance from a librarian, please use https://www.nctc.edu/ask-a-librarian or

schedule a virtual appointment in Upswing, accessed through OneLogin

Please visit www.nctc.edu/library for the operating hours, phone number, and email of the

library nearest you.

THE OFFICE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students with
disabilities. OSD counselors and advisors also provide strategies for academic success; individual,
career, and academic counseling services; referrals to campus and community services; and
assistance with admission and registration.
Students with disabilities do not need to disclose their disabilities to college officials if they are not
requesting any accommodations.
OSD is federally funded through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Federal
Grant.
NCTC is committed to making its degree and certificate programs accessible to all qualified
persons in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA Amendments Act, and The
Rehabilitation Act (1973), Section 504.
REQUEST SERVICES
New Students
Accommodations require preparation in advance. Please make your request before the semester
begins to ensure complete coverage for the entire semester. You can certainly request
accommodations after the semester starts, but please be aware that accommodations are not
retroactive.
Accommodations begin when OSD approves them. In other words, the sooner, the better.
*Documentation is required before any accommodations can be provided. Depending on your
diagnosis, this documentation should come from a medical doctor, psychologist, or other licensed
or properly credentialed professional.
Current Students
Contact the OSD at the beginning of each semester well in advance of registration.
Contact Us
Please reach out to us to schedule an intake or if you have questions or concerns.
Wayne Smith, OSD Manager, kwsmith@nctc.edu, (940) 498-6207
Yvonne Sandmann, OSD Advisor, ysandmann@nctc.edu, (940) 668-3300
https://www.nctc.edu/osd

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS