Syllabus

UNE Summer Session

BIOL 1011: Biology II – Summer Session A 2026

Credits - 4

Description

Biology II is a four-credit course incorporating an at-home laboratory component. Biology II can be both a standalone course or a continuation of Biology I (BIOL 1010) with an emphasis on providing a conceptual framework for understanding the basics of modern biology, evolution, ecology, biodiversity, anatomy, and physiology so that the student will be well equipped to apply this knowledge in their further studies.

Materials

Textbook

Biology, 6th edition by Brooker, Widmair, Graham and Stiling

The text for this course is an ebook with homework assignments as part of your purchase. You can buy access to these at the UNE bookstore or after you have enrolled in the course, you can buy it directly from the publisher by clicking on the first homework link. If you purchase it from the bookstore, it will ask for a course website. Simply go to the first week site and click on the first homework link. You can then enter your access code there.

Note: for students who took Biology I prior to this course, the same book and homework system will be used. The access that you purchase for Biology I will last for one calendar year so that if you complete both courses within this time frame, you will NOT need to purchase any additional text materials for Biology II. You will be able to use the same code that you used in Biology I for the text.

Lab & Exam Material

The cost of the laboratory materials is not included in the laboratory fee and must be purchased by the student directly from the supplier, Hands on Labs/Science Interactive (HOL). The lab pack includes access to the online HOL website and the supplies needed to perform the experiments that will accompany this course. You may need to supply other basic items such as paper towels, scissors, a pen, etc. but these will all be listed in the laboratory information from HOL. You should plan on ordering your lab kit once you have registered for the course.

For help ordering your lab kit, please follow the instructions on the SI site. NOTE: you do NOT need a microscope, we will be using the V-Scope (virtual scope) in these labs.

For customer service concerns, please use the HOL dedicated phone line: (720)-360-4034

It is mandatory for students enrolled in the course to order a lab kit.
The kit must be purchased directly through Hands-on Labs and cannot be purchased second hand or from another vendor.
Students must complete both parts of every lab – the assigned experiment and the corresponding assignment online – to earn a grade for the lab.

Webcam

An external webcam is required for proctored exams. If you do not have one, you may order one here: External Webcam.

This course permits the use of a dry-erase whiteboard for scratch work during one or more of your proctored exams – a recommendation can be found on the same site as the webcam.

You must show your proctor that your whiteboard is clear at the beginning of your testing session, and you must erase your whiteboard in front of the proctor before disconnecting from your session. If you do not do this, your exam will not be credited.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Course Objectives

After completing the lecture section, students should be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of the basic content of the discipline
Discuss and demonstrate how scientists solve problems in the discipline
Evaluate the validity of scientific arguments
Apply knowledge to scientific problems
Ask a question and develop a hypothesis that can be tested
Plan and conduct an investigation to test a hypothesis
Analyze data and apply scientific ideas to evaluate the strength of a hypothesis
Communicate results of scientific experiments by basing conclusions on valid and reliable evidence

Assignments

Lectures and Laboratories

Lectures

For the lecture portion of the course, Biology II is divided up into 4 units. Each unit, you will start by completing the reading assignment and finishing the homework associated with the reading. Then you need to view several mini-lectures, complete a laboratory experiment with laboratory assessment, and then complete the week quiz. Once you have completed these, you can then move on to the next unit’s material. (if you are waiting for the lab materials to arrive, you can move ahead with the next unit’s material and come back to complete the labs if necessary).

Laboratories

For the laboratory portion of the course, most units will also have an assigned laboratory exercise. Assessment for each lab lesson will be the questions that are listed throughout each lesson. These will be graded as soon as you complete them but it may take a few days for the grade to appear in your grades, as the instructor will be reviewing your lab data and then transferring the grades over. If you appear to only be taking the quizzes and not actually conducting the labs (i.e. you have no data or photos) a grade of zero will be entered for the lab. So, be sure to conduct the experiments, collect and record the data and then take the lab assessment.

In addition to conducting the laboratory exercises and taking the assessment, you will also need to write a lab report. This lab report will be based on the data you collect in the Cellular Respiration lab and is due by the end of Unit 3. There are additional guidelines for writing the lab report that will be found in the course.

Examination and Grading Information

Homework Assignments

Each unit contains a homework assignment associated with the textbook. You can find these by clicking on the homework links in the modules and then answering the “practice” questions in the text. These are LearnSmart assignments designed to help you understand the material. If you answer the questions correctly, you will move on to the next topic. If you struggle with the material, the software will continue to test you until you have a better understanding. It will also point you to sections of the text for additional clarification. The grade for the homework is based on the completion of the assignment, such that if you answer all of the questions, you will receive a grade of 100%.

Discussion Board Posts

Discussion questions cover interesting current events or materials that contribute to a deeper understanding of key concepts and allow you to interact with your classmates and the instructor. Most of the discussion questions are designed to accompany particular chapters (see specific discussion questions for more information). Each question will require you to conduct internet research, read additional materials (a short journal or magazine article), visit a specific webpage, OR view a short video. Then you will write a response following the guidelines in the assignment.

To earn full credit you will need to post an initial response, respond to the original posts of at least two other students, and then contribute to an ongoing discussion.

Discussion Question Guidelines

Read the assignment carefully so that you are familiar with the materials that you need to cover and how to craft your post.
Respect each other’s ideas, feelings, and experience. Some of the questions involve areas of disagreement. Expect your classmates to have different opinions.
Use proper writing style. Correct spelling and sentence structure are expected just as if you were writing a regular paper. Use spell check and grammar check before you submit.
Write your posting in a word document! That way you can save a copy and use spell check and grammar check.
Cite the sources that you use to write your response. Follow the AMA guidelines.
Avoid posting large blocks of text. Break your writing into paragraphs and use a space between paragraphs to make your posting easier to read online.
Use the “reply” button rather than the “compose” button when responding to someone else’s post.
When responding to a classmate, address them by name.
Do not use postings such as “I agree,” “I don’t know either,” or “ditto.” They do not add to the discussion, take up space on the Discussions, and will not be counted.
Everyone benefits from an active discussion. Check back in frequently to see what others are saying.
Plan your time carefully. You will need to give your classmates time to respond to your postings. This is an asynchronous class where students will be in different points of the class.
Contact your instructor if there are schedule problems or other issues that need to be resolved.

Laboratory Assignments

Each unit includes laboratory assessments. The laboratory assessments for each unit can be found in the course outline portion of this syllabus. You will perform all laboratory assessments in a non-laboratory setting, such as your kitchen. There will be 13 laboratory assessments distributed throughout the course. As you work your way through a laboratory exercise, be sure to record your data and answer the questions. Once you have completed the experiment and questions, these will be graded in the HOL software but it may take a few days for the grade to appear in the course, as the instructor will be reviewing your lab data and then transferring the grades over. If you appear to only be taking the quizzes and not actually conducting the labs (i.e. you have no data or photos) a grade of zero will be entered for the lab. So, be sure to conduct the experiments, collect and record the data and then take the lab assessment.

In addition to conducting the laboratory exercises and taking the quiz, you will also need to write a lab report, due by the end of Unit 3. This lab report will be based on the data you collect in the Cellular Respiration lab.

Weekly Quizzes & Lab Assessments

All weekly quizzes & lab assessments are open book and open notes and are not timed. The quizzes and lab assessments will be taken online through the course or the HOL site for the lab questions. Doing well on the quizzes and lab assessments will help prepare you for the midterm and final exams.

Midterm Exam

You must have a UNE Compliant External Webcam to take your proctored examinations. Remember to order your webcam at least three weeks prior to scheduling your first proctored exam.

The midterm exam can be taken once you have completed all of the assignments for Units 1 and 2, including the quizzes, labs and the first discussion board, as well as the Midterm Exam Honor Pledge. It is a timed and proctored exam.

This is a closed-book and closed-notes exam. You may have a single UNE-authorized whiteboard to use while taking this exam. You must show that your whiteboard is clear at the beginning of your testing session, and you must erase your whiteboard before disconnecting from your session. If you do not do this, your exam will not be credited.

While a calculator is not necessary for this, or any of the course assessments, you may bring a four-function calculator if you choose. Scientific and programmable calculators are not allowed.

You will not have access to any material saved on your or any other computer.

For all exams, you must review the Proctored Examinations information and requirements in the Policies section of this syllabus.

You must complete the labs assigned in Units 1 & 2 in order to access to the Midterm Exam.

Final Exam

The final exam cannot be taken until you have completed all of the assignments for the course, including the quizzes, labs, discussion boards and the lab report, as well as the Final Exam Honor Pledge. The final will be a timed-proctored exam that covers Unit 3 & 4.

While a calculator is not necessary for this, or any of the course assessments, you may bring a four-function calculator if you choose. Scientific and programmable calculators are not allowed.

You will not have access to any material saved on your or any other computer.

For all exams, you must review the Proctored Examinations information and requirements in the Policies section of this syllabus.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Category	Points Available
Lab Assessments	20%
Lab Report	5%
Homework	10%
Discussion	15%
Quizzes	10%
Midterm Exam	20%
Final Exam	20%
Total	100%

Schedule

Course Schedule:

Unit 1: 5/18 – 5/25

Unit 2: 5/26 – 6/5

Unit 3: 6/6 – 6/15

Unit 4: 6/16 – 6/26

Unit	Content
Unit 1	Discussion – Introduction Class Discussion Unit Labs Unit Homework Unit 1 Quiz Optional Practice Proctored Test
Unit 2	Class Discussion Unit Labs Unit Homework Unit 2 Quiz Midterm Exam
Unit 3	Class Discussion Unit Labs Unit Homework Lab Report Unit 3 Quiz
Unit 4	Class Discussion Unit Labs Unit Homework Unit 4 Quiz Final Exam

Student Resources

Summer Session Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies. If you are a current UNE undergraduate taking online Summer Session courses, please continue to work with your Advisor and include them on your outreaches.

Questions? Email: summersessiononline@une.edu.

UNE Libraries

Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.

Further Assistance and Accommodations

Your student support specialist monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.

To request an accommodation a student needs to go through the process with our UNE office. If the student has a current/already established accommodation in place with UNE it is the responsibility of the student to notify the program at summersessiononline@une.edu to ensure it is applied properly.

If you need to inquire about a possible accommodation, please reach out to the Student Access Center by calling 207-221-4418 or send an email to pcstudentaccess@une.edu.

If you are a current UNE undergrad, please continue to work with your coordinator at bcstudentaccess@une.edu and ensure any accommodations you have in place - are put in place for your online Summer Session course(s).

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.

ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.

Instructor and Support Contact Information

Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.

Policies

Summer Session & Academic Engagement Policy

Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm EDT of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion by 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday of the first week, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation.

Proctored Examinations

Your course may have proctored exams. For all proctored exams, an external camera is required. Please see the course for the exact exam requirements, test-taker guidance, proctoring format, and allowances (such as calculators or whiteboards, as indicated in the course). https://success.une.edu/science-prerequisites/honorlock/

Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.

Course Length

A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.

Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 12 weeks.

Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar. Students in online Summer Session courses will have early access the Saturday prior to the course start date to review course content as needed.
Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements.

Withdrawal and Refund Policies

Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact summersessiononline@une.edu with any questions.

Grade Policy

Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course.

Late Policy

Unless stated otherwise by your faculty: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days, the assignment will not be accepted. Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3-point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded. Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Transcripts

Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the College. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.

Using Generative AI When Completing Coursework

Generative AI (GenAI) applications (like ChatGPT) have proven to be powerful and effective tools, and students are encouraged to become familiar with and use them. However, as with any tool, students must use GenAI in ways that support learning, not replace it. Learning to use AI responsibly and ethically is an important skill in today’s society.

In their courses, students are not allowed to use advanced automated tools, such as generative AI tools, on assignments unless explicitly directed to do so. Each student is expected to complete each assignment, including labs and quizzes as applicable, without substantive assistance from others, including automated tools.

Using AI-content generators to complete assignments without proper attribution violates academic integrity. By submitting assignments in UNE courses, you pledge to affirm that they are your own work and you attribute use of any and all tools and sources.

Unauthorized Use

Unauthorized use of AI is treated as a violation of academic integrity.

Citing AI Use

If permitted, students should indicate and cite any use of AI tools.

Instructor Responsibility

Instructors should clearly reiterate, using UNE AI Use Policy, how students can use AI tools in their courses, and communicate this policy to students at the beginning of the semester.

Student Responsibility

Students must follow the academic integrity policy of the University of New England.