Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

General Biology Lab II (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 1625-06

Course: BIOL 1625-06
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: BIOL
CRN: 30948

Course Description

Lab to accompany BIOL 1620. One two-hour meeting per week. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a biological science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other biology course. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): BIOL 1620 Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll

Required Texts

Biology: Boswell-Taylor, Helen. Biology: Diversity of Life Laboratory Manual; Macmillan. (ISBN: 9781533914408)

All other required materials for lab will be supplied for you.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:
  1. Understand and discuss factual knowledge about the diversity of life (terminology, classifications)
  2. Learn fundamental principles about biology and the diversity of life
  3. Analyze and evaluate information gathered from disciplined scientific observation

Course Requirements

Lab handout assignments are found in your lab manual at the end of each lab. Handouts from previous weeks’ labs are due in the beginning of the next lab period (with the exception of lab 1, which is due at the end of that lab). You will lose ½ of possible points if you turn in your assignment later than this (except for an excused absence). Handouts will not be accepted more than a week after the due date regardless of excuse.

Quizzes will be available on Canvas starting midnight on the day of lab. You are responsible for completing these quizzes on your own time during the week before the next lab. Quiz questions will be on the lab you most recently completed and will also ask you general background information for the next lab so that you come prepared. These quizzes are available for an entire week, and if you forget to complete them, no makeups will be given.

Research project: Proposals and final papers are due on Canvas before lab on dates specified. These written assignments are submitted by each individual, not submitted as a group. A letter grade will be deducted for each day late; papers will not be accepted after the final "available" dates listed on Canvas. You must be present the day of the group presentation to receive credit and participation, no exceptions.

Your grade will be based on your performance on quizzes, lab activities/worksheets, participation, and lab practicals. Grades will be posted on Canvas. If you have questions about your grade on an assignment, you have one week after it is posted to contact me to discuss the grade. After one week, there will be no discussion or changing of the grade.
 
A breakdown of the course points can be seen below:
Lab Midterm: 100 pts.
Lab Final: 100 pts.
Lab Handouts: (9 @ 15 pts. ea.): 135 pts.
Research Proposal: 25 pts.
Research Paper: 75 pts.
Group Research Presentation: 50 pts.
Presentation Participation/Feedback: 25 pts. 
Quizzes: (8 @ 25 pts. ea.): 200 pts. 
Clean-up and Safety: 100 pts.
Total: 810 points

The following grade scale will be used to assign course grades: 
 | A: >= 93% | B: 84-86.9% | C: 74-76.9% | D: 64-66.9%
 | A-: 90-93.9% | B-: 80-83.9% | C-: 70-73.9% | D-: 60-63.9%
 | B+: 87-89.9% | C+: 77-79.9% | D+: 67-69.9% | F: <60%

I post all grades on Canvas in a timely manner so you can monitor your own progress throughout the semester. NO extra credit will be given to raise grades or make up labs/assignments (see policy on missed

Course Outline

Lab format and responsibilities:
  • Before each lab, you will need to complete a lab quiz (in class). You should read and review each lab before coming to lab each week.
  • On the day of lab, you will attend and complete the activity.
  • After lab, you will turn in a lab worksheet.
 
Unit 1: Scientific method and Evolution
Lab 1- The Scientific Method: in this lab, you will design a study/experiment to conduct over the course of the semester. This project will require that you test a hypothesis using observations and that you conduct observations for 1 hour a week (allocated as is appropriate for your particular project) for 5 weeks. Before you proceed with your observations, you will submit a short proposal describing your research project. At the end of the semester you will complete a research report and a presentation discussing your project and your findings.
Lab 2- Variation & Mechanisms of Evolution: In this lab you will participate in an activity simulating the mechanisms of evolution (natural selection, genetic drift, mutation)
Lab 3- Classification: In this lab, you will learn about the hierarchical classification system and complete an activity where you learn how to create/use a dichotomous key to identify a specimen.
Lab 4- Phylogenetics: In this lab you will learn how to create/interpret a phylogenetic tree.
 
Unit 2: Plant diversity, form, and function
Lab 5- Diversity of Seedless Plants: In this lab, we will discuss the different phyla of seedless plants and the features used to classify them. We will also discuss the alternations of generations (plant reproduction). 
Lab 6- Diversity of Seed Plants: In this lab, we will discuss the different phyla of seed plants and the features used to classify them.
Lab Midterm- will focus on Labs 1-6

Unit 3: Animal diversity, form and function
Lab 7- Diversity of Invertebrates (a survey): In this lab, we will learn about the major phyla of invertebrates and the developmental/morphological traits used to classify them. 
Lab 8- Diversity of Invertebrates, Dissections: In this lab, we will continue learning about specific morphological and anatomical traits associated with some of the major invertebrate phyla.
Lab 9- Diversity of Vertebrates, Dissections: In this lab we will learn about some of the major vertebrate classes and the morphological/anatomical features associated with them. We will do a comparison between two major vertebrate classes to determine the similarities and differences between the two.
Lab10- Data analysis: In this lab we will discuss ways to analyze data for your research projects.
Lab final practical- will focus on Labs 7-9.  

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late policy: All assignments and exams are due on the date/time set forth by the instructor. I will not accept assignments past the due date unless you have contacted me prior to the due date with a valid excuse, as listed below (except for extenuating circumstances, such as hospitalization or other documented reasons evaluated by me on a case-by-case basis).

The only exceptions for excusable late assignments are listed below: 
  • University sponsored travel
  • Extreme illness, hospitalization, family emergencies 
  • ADA Accommodations
If you need to turn in an assignment late due to any of the above reasons (excluding extreme illness and emergencies), please contact me at least 3 days prior to the due date, but preferably earlier.

Make-up work: Make-up work for in-class activities or lab practicals will only be allowed for the exceptions listed above as long as enough notice has been given to me (~3 days before the absence), or at my discretion in the case of emergencies.

If you absolutely must miss lab, you are responsible for contacting me ASAP (preferably before lab, if your absence is planned). You may make up the lab by attending another BIOL 1625 lab section later in the week or by completing a virtual lab if you are ill. If you do not contact me and make up the lab, you will not receive participation points or points for the post-lab handout for that lab, though you may still receive points for completing the pre-lab quiz by the deadline. Accommodations for extenuating circumstances, such as hospitalization or other documented reasons, will be evaluated by me on a case-by-case basis.

Please note, the following do not count as emergencies or acceptable excuses for late work/absences: vacations, weddings or family events, early departure for breaks, job scheduling conflicts, sleeping through your alarm. 

Attendance Policy

Class Attendance is Required: Attendance for this course is required. On the day of lab, you will attend and complete the activity based on the activity we did in lab that day. 

If you absolutely must miss lab, you are responsible for contacting me ASAP (preferably before lab, if your absence is planned). If you are traveling for a university-sponsored event, please send me an email at least 3 days before class to alert me of your absence. If you are ill, please email me as soon as symptoms have set in to let me know you will be absent. If you have an emergency, please email me as soon as you possibly can. I will work with you to develop a plan to complete coursework. Please refer to the make-up work policy to see how you can make-up a missed lab for credit. 

Laboratory Safety and Responsibilities

Laboratory Safety and Responsibilities: 
You are required to read and sign a safety contract in the beginning of the semester and adhere to safety policies throughout the semester. An electronic copy will be available here on Canvas for your reference.

Make sure that your entire group is following lab safety rules. If any equipment is/becomes broken or missing, you must notify me or your teaching assistant. Research supplies (e.g., additives, chemicals, rulers etc.) are shared among lab sections, and the groups must ensure that these supplies have been placed in their proper place when all group members are done with them. Lab tables must be clean at the end of lab and with all materials as they were at the beginning of lab. Everyone in the group should help clean and put things away. 


Academic integrity

This is an extension of the Academic Misconduct section of the syllabus. Please note, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is not allowed for this course. If AI is used for any assignment, you will get a zero on that assignment. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.