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 sections 342 or 343
Semester/Year of course: Spring - 2026
Semester start and end dates: January 12, 2026 – May 9, 2026
Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Asynchronous Online
Class meeting location, days, and times: Online on Canvas Monday Through Saturdday
Lab meeting location, days, and times: Online on Canvas Monday Through Saturday
Semester credit hours: 4
Required course materials: Inquiry Into Life, 17th ed., Mader & Windelspecht OLC(On Line Compatible) version.
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:
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.
Name of instructor: Wendy Roush
Office location: Online by appointment
Telephone number:
E-mail address: wroush@nctc.edu
Office hours for students: by Appointment anytime. can do webex meeting or schedule to meet in Denton, Gainesville or Corinth
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, 3 - 100 point Online Lab Exams, 12 - 10 point Labs, 4 - 25 point review quizzes, 1 - 20 point intro quiz, 1 - 50 point project, 40 point teamwork assignment, 10 point exit quiz, 2 - 50 point finals , and 1 - 10 point lockdown browser testing quiz.
Final grade scale: 1150 points
More assignments may be added throughout the semester
Late work policy: All work is due on date listed on calendar and summary of assignments on canvas. Late work will be accepted with a documented medical excuse or other documented reason. All exams must be taken on Monday and Tuesday of the week the exam is scheduled.
SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL. IT WILL ALSO SHOW HOW YOUR GRADE IS CALCULATED.
There are also multiple addendums to this syllabus located in the module and under the “ files” tab on the left side of canvas. Please review all of those. There are 6 parts in all to the syllabus.
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: Class is online and work for the week should be completed by Saturday
Attendance is based on completion of items in the modules.
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 January 27, 2026. 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: March 30, 2026
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