Summer I 2026
Biology for Science Majors I
BIOL 1306 Biology for Science Majors I Lecture Summer I 2026 Credit: 3 semester credit hours (3 hours lecture) Prerequisite/Co-requisite: TSI Complete Biology 1106 Corequisite *PLEASE NOTE Summer courses are six weeks long but cover the same amount of material as courses offered during the regular semester. Because the timeline is significantly condensed, you should expect to devote substantial time each week to keeping up with readings, assignments, and assessments. Consistent engagement is essential for success in this accelerated format. Course Description Fundamental principles of living organisms will be studied, including physical and chemical properties of life, organization, function, evolutionary adaptation, and classification. Concepts of cytology, reproduction, genetics, and scientific reasoning are included. Course Objectives Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Describe the characteristics of life. 2. Explain the methods of inquiry used by scientists 3. Identify the basic requirements of life and the properties of the major molecules needed for life. 4. Compare and contrast the structures, reproduction, and characteristics of viruses, prokaryotic cells, and eukaryotic cells. 5. Describe the structure of cell membranes and the movement of molecules across a membrane. 6. Identify the substrates, products, and important chemical pathways in metabolism, cell respiration, and photosynthesis. 7. Identify the principles of inheritance and solve classical genetic problems. 8. Identify the chemical structures, synthesis, and regulation of nucleic acids and proteins. 9. Describe the unity and diversity of life and the evidence of evolution through natural selection Core Objectives 1. Critical Thinking Skills: To include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information 2. Communication Skills: To include effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication 3. Empirical & Quantitative Skills: To include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions 4. Teamwork: To include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Leah Alsibaa Email: lalsibaa@lit.edu Office Phone: N/A Office Location: Online Only Office Hours: See Starfish for available office hours - Click Here for Starfish TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS: • REQUIRED = Textbook - OpenStax Biology 2e – https://openstax.org/details/books/biology-2e?Book%20details • Your textbook for this class is available for free online and a print copy, can be purchased online, or obtained through Eagle Learning Essentials. Click Here for Eagle Learning Essentials ATTENDANCE POLICY 1. You must log into Blackboard and access this course a minimum of 3 times per week. 2. Late assignments will be accepted with a deduction as a late penalty. Students will receive a zero for assignments not completed. 3. If you wish to drop this course, you must drop it administratively. If you do not drop, you will receive an F for the courseDrop Policy If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process by the specified drop date as listed on the Academic Calendar. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. Tentative Weekly Schedule *Instructor reserves the right to modify as needed Week: To Do: Due Date: Week 1 June 1st - June 4th Introduction Study of Life Chemistry of Life Biological Molecules Total Video Time: 26 minutes • Discussion Board: Netiquette for Online Learners • Discussion Board: Introduction • Syllabus Quiz/Syllabus Acknowledgment • 06.04.26 • Video Quiz: Characteristics of Life (Chap 1) [7minutes 57 seconds] • Video Quiz: Levels of Organization in the Body (Chap1) [2m 45 s] • Video Quiz: Elements of the Body (Chap 2) [1m52s] • Video Quiz: The 5 Most Important Molecules in Your Body (Ch 2) [7m 55s] • Video Quiz: Biological Molecules (Chap 3) [4m23s] • Discussion Board: Chemistry of Life • Look over instructions for Individual Project: Biology Careers Due 06.15.26 • Join a group for Group Project: Genetic Disorders Due 06.26.26 • 06.07.26 Week 2 June 8th - 11th Cell Structure & Function Structure & Function of Plasma Membranes Total Video Time: 28 minutes • Video Quiz: Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes (Chapter 4) [4m 42s] • Video Quiz: Cell Structure (Chapter 4) [7m 22s] • Discussion Board: Cell Structure and Function • Video Quiz: Cell Membrane Structure & Function (Chap 5) [2m 9s] • Video Quiz: Membranes & Transport (Chap 5) [11m 45s] • Discussion Board: Plasma Membrane Structure and Function • Quiz 1: Chapters 1 – 5 Opens 06.13.26 and closes 06.14.26 • Work on Individual Project: Biology Careers Due 06.15.26 • Join a group for Group Project: Genetic Disorders Due 06.26.26 • 06.12.26 Week 3 June 15th - 18th Metabolism Cell Respiration Photosynthesis Total Video Time: 36 minutes • Video Quiz: Metabolism & ATP (Chap 6) [4m22s] • Video Quiz: Enzymes & How they Work (Chap 6) [3m 9s] • Video Quiz: Cell Respiration (Chap 7) [14m 14s] • Discussion Board 5: Metabolism • Discussion Board: Photosynthesis & Cell Respiration • Video Quiz: Photosynthesis (Chap 8) [12m27s] • Quiz 2: Chapter 6 – 8 Opens 06.20.26 and closes 06.21.26 • DUE 🡪 Individual Project: Biology Careers Due 06.15.26 • Work on Group Project: Genetic Disorders Due 06.26.26 • 06.19.26 Week 4 June 22nd - 25th Cell Communication Cell Reproduction Meiosis & Sexual Reproduction Total Video Time: 36 minutes • Discussion Board: Cell Reproduction and Cancer • Video Quiz: Cell Communication (Chap 9) [8m59s] • Video Quiz: Cell Reproduction (Chap 10) [10m48s] • Video Quiz: How do Cancer cells behave differently than Normal ones? (Chap 10) [3m 51s] • Video Quiz: Meiosis (Chap 11) [11m43s] • Discussion Board: Biology Poster Project Gallery Walk • DUE → Group Project: Genetic Disorders Due 06.26.26 • 06.28.26 Week 5 June 29th - July 2nd Mendel & Heredity Modern Inheritance DNA Structure & Function DNA Replication Genes & Proteins Gene Expression Biotechnology & Genomics Total Video Time: 72 minutes • Video Quiz: Mendel & Heredity (Chapter 12) [16m4s] • Video Quiz: Non-Mendelian Inheritance (Chapter 13) [7m 12s] • Discussion: DNA & Heredity • Video Quiz: DNA Structure (Chap 14) [3m 52s] • Video Quiz: DNA-Book of You (Chap 14) [4m28s] • Video Quiz: DNA Replication (Chap 14) [3m 28s] • Video Quiz: DNA to Protein (Chapter 15) [2m 42s] • Video Quiz: Protein Synthesis (Chapter 15) [4m55s] • Video Quiz: Epigenetics (Chapter 16) [9m 29s] • Video Quiz: Molecular Biology (Chapter 17) [14m32s] • Video Quiz: CRISPR (Chapter 17) [5m 29s] • Discussion: Biotechnology and Genomics • Quiz 3: Chapter 9 – 17 Opens 07.03.26 and closes 07.05.26 • 07.03.26 Week 6 July 6th - 7th Final Exam • FINAL EXAM Opens 07.05.26 and Closes 07.07.26 (Chapters 1 – 17) • Congratulations!! You made it!! Celebrate ☺ • 07.07.26 Student Expected Time Requirement For every hour in class (or unit of credit), students should expect to spend at least two to three hours per week studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit-hour class, students should prepare to allocate approximately six to nine hours per week outside of class in a 16- week session OR approximately twelve to eighteen hours in an 8-week session. Online/Hybrid students should expect to spend at least as much time on this course as in the traditional, face-to-face class. Course Evaluation Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: 1. Discussion 10% 2. Quizzes 20% 3. Midterm & Final Exam 30% 4. Individual & Group Project 20% 5. Assignments (Video Quizzes, etc.) 20% 100 GRADING SCALE 90-100 = A 80-89 = B 70-79 = C 60-69 = D 0 – 59 = F Academic Dishonesty Students found to be committing academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, or collusion) may receive disciplinary action. Students need to familiarize themselves with the institution’s Academic Dishonesty Policy available in the Student Catalog & Handbook at http://catalog.lit.edu/content.php?catoid=3&navoid=80#academic-dishonesty. AI STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignment appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own, original work, unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to acceptable use of AI / ChatGPT in their courses. Technical Requirements (for courses using Blackboard) The latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc. can be online at https://lit.edu/online-learning/online-learning-minimum-computer-requirements. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or WiFi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. Quizzes and Exams in this course are administered through Blackboard. Exams will be administered with Respondus LockDown Browser + Respondus Monitor (webcam) Requirements to take exams include: • A reliable computer, desktop or laptop (phones, chromebooks, tablets, and iPads are not allowed). • Windows: 10, 8, 7 • Mac: OS X 10.10 or higher • Adobe Flash Player (bundled with the LockDown Browser installation) • Web camera (internal or external) & microphone • A reliable internet service provider. A broadband internet connection. • A room to take the exam where you are alone (other individuals in the room are not allowed) Watch these overview videos to understand the tools your will be using to take the exam. Respondus LockDown Browser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuX8WoeAycs#action=share Respondus Monitor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv2L8Q2NpO4 - action=share Respondus LockDown Browser + Respondus Monitor (webcam) Download Instructions: • Select the quiz in the course • Under Quiz Requirements you will see "To take this quiz you must use the Respondus LockDown Browser" • Below this will appear: "You can use the button below if you have not already downloaded LockDown Browser". Click the button to go to the download page and then follow the instructions • Use the link to download Respondus LockDown Browser to your computer; follow the installation instructions • Return to the Quiz page in Brightspace (it may still be open in another tab) and select the quiz • Select "Launch LockDown Browser" • The quiz will now start Note: LockDown Browser only needs to be installed once on a computer or device. It will start automatically from that point forward when a quiz requires it. Guidelines while taking online quiz, follow these guidelines • Ensure you're in a location where you won't be interrupted. • Turn off all other devices (e.g. tablets, phones, second computers) and place them outside of your reach. • Before starting the test, know how much time is available for it, and also that you've allotted sufficient time to complete it. • Clear your desk or workspace of all external materials not permitted - books, papers, other devices. • Remain at your computer for the duration of the test. • If the computer, Wi-Fi, or location is different than what was used previously with the "Webcam Check" and "System & Network Check" in LockDown Browser, run the checks again prior to the exam. • To produce a good webcam video, do the following: o Avoid wearing baseball caps or hats with brims. o Ensure your computer or device is on a firm surface (a desk or table). Do NOT have the computer on your lap, a bed, or other surface where the device (or you) are likely to move. o If using a built-in webcam, avoid readjusting the tilt of the screen after the webcam setup is complete. o Take the exam in a well-lit room, but avoid backlighting (such as sitting with your back to a window) • Remember that LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted. The following violations during testing will result in a grade of zero or reduction in points: o Using technology or electronic devices including, but not limited to, iPads, phones, smart glasses, earbuds, smartwatches. o Leaving the testing environment or face missing from frame or obscured. o Noises that might indicate external help. o Any other questionable activities indicating cheating. Disabilities Statement LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. https://lit.edu/student-success/starfish Student Code of Conduct It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. Course Requirements • A Midterm and Final is required with two attempts given per assessment and uses Respondus Lockdown Browser. The final score will be an average of attempts. • Five quizzes will be given using Respondus Lockdown Browser with two attempts given per assessment. The final score will be an average of attempts. • Students will complete video quizzes and discussion boards for each unit. • Students will complete an individual project and a group project. A deduction in points will be given for completing group project without partners. • Late assignments will be accepted with a deduction as a late penalty. Students will receive a zero for assignments not completed.