NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Course title: BIOL1408 General Biology for non-science majors
Course prefix, number, and section number: BIOL1408 section 0190
Semester/Year of course: Fall 2025
Semester start and end dates: August 25, 2025 to December 13, 2025
Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Hybrid
Class meeting location, days, and times: Room 410, Tuesdays, 9:30 AM-10:20 AM; Online
Lab meeting location, days, and times: Room 402, Tuesdays, 10:30 AM-12:20 PM; Online
Semester credit hours: 4
Required course materials
Required Textbook/ISBN: eBook, Inquiry Into Life, 17th ed OLC(Online Compatible) by Mader & Windelspecht with McGraw-Hill Connect.
You need to purchase your textbook by the end of the first week of the semester. You may also purchase an optional discounted loose-leaf copy of the textbook from McGraw-Hill Connect or the bookstore if you would like to have a physical copy of the text.
Name of instructor: Audrey Whaley
Office location: Online in Canvas
E-mail address: awhaley@nctc.edu
Office hours for students: Tuesdays and Thursdays in Canvas via Webex, 2pm-3pm
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:
4 - 100-point Online Lecture Exams*, lowest score dropped at the end of semester.
3 - 100-point Online Lab Exams, lowest score dropped at the end of semester.
12 - 10-point Labs,
4 - 25-point Lecture Unit Quizzes,
1 - 50-point Project,
Final grade scale: 770 points
*The fourth exam will be offered as a make-up for a missed exam.
Final grade scale:
90% & up = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60- 69% = D
59% and below = F
Late work policy: Late work will not be accepted. All work is due on date listed on calendar in Canvas.
Make-up exams will be permitted. Exam 5 can be used to replace a missed exam grade or the lowest exam grade.
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)]”.
Artificial Intelligence Policy: AI STATEMENT
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.
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend class regularly and attendance will be recorded using Quickly Attendance in Canvas.
Withdrawal Policy: A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. The last day to drop and not get a “W” is Sept. 10, 2024. 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: November 3, 2025
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell structures.
2. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis.
3. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes, enzymes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.
4. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze results.
5. Describe karyotyping, pedigrees, and biotechnology and provide an example of the uses of each.
6. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation.
7. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection.
Lab Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- 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.
- Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell structures.
- Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis.
- Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes, enzymes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.
- Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze results.
- Identify the importance of karyotypes, pedigrees, and biotechnology.
- Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation.
- Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection.
Core Objectives:
Critical Thinking
Communication
Teamwork
Empirical and Quantitative Analysis
COLLEGE POLICIES
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
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.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
The student should contact the instructor to deal with any questions, concerns, or complaints specific to the class. If the student and faculty are not able to resolve the issue, the student may contact the chair or coordinator of the division. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may proceed to contact the instructional dean.
Name of Chair/Coordinator: Jaime Noles
Office location: Gainesville 408
Telephone number: 940-668-7731 ext. 4930
E-mail address: jnoles@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean: Mary Martinson
Office location: Gainesville 1403
Telephone number: 940.668.7731 ext. 4377
E-mail address: mmartinson@nctc.edu