LAMAR STATE COLLEGE ORANGE SYLLABUS

Science

BIOL, 2401, Anatomy and Physiology I, 80F

COURSE INFORMATION

Instructor Name	Dr Charlotte Barker
Building/Office Number	Academic Center (AC), Room 224B
Office Hours	Monday: 10 – 12:00, 1 - 3 pm  Tuesday: 10 - 12 Wednesday: 10 - 12 Thursday: 10 - 12 Friday:  I will check my email by noon.">Monday: 10 – 12:00, 1 - 3 pm  Tuesday: 10 - 12 Wednesday: 10 - 12 Thursday: 10 - 12 Friday:  I will check my email by noon.
Virtual Hours	Monday:  11 – 12:00 noon Wednesday:  11 – 12:00 noon
Office Telephone	(409) 882-3395
Email Address	Charlotte.Barker@lsco.edu
Course Schedule	Building: Online, Room: TBA, Dates: 5/28/2024 - 7/1/2024, Days: TBA, Times: TBA
Course Description	BIOL 2401 - Anatomy & Physiology I (Lecture + Lab) 4-3-2 The first part of a two-course sequence. It is a study of the structure and function of the human body including cells, tissues and organs of the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous and special senses. Emphasis is on interrelationships among systems and regulation of physiological functions involved in maintaining homeostasis. The lab provides a hands-on learning experience for exploration of human system components and basic physiology. Systems to be studied include integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, and special senses. Course Identifier 26.0707 AC

Required Textbook & Materials
Required:  Anatomy and Physiology – digital for gator book pack
By:  Marieb, Elaine
Edition:  7 20
Publisher:  Pearson
ISBN 13:  9780135241646
 
Recommended:  Anatomy and Physiology (Looseleaf) – can be used instead if not using gator book pack
By:  Marieb, Elaine
Edition:  7 20; (6^th edition also okay)
Publisher:  Pearson
ISBN 13: 9780135206201

*class is Not using Mastering

Also, each student must have:

• 
  A working webcam & microphone for proctored online exams and quizzes.
• Regular access to a reliable computer. Be aware many Blackboard functions do not work with a smart phone.
• Regular access to reliable Internet connection (a wired connection above using wireless)
• Browser used for online tests must be Google Chrome 

Upon registration for classes, LSCO students are automatically charged $14 per semester credit hour for access to all required textbooks, lab manuals, lab codes, and electronic books on the first day of class through the Gator Book Pack. Information about the LSCO Gator Book Pack as well as responses to common FAQs can be found on LSCO's webpage. ALL STUDENTS WILL HAVE UNTIL THE SECOND DAY OF THE SEMESTER TO OPT-OUT OF THE GATOR BOOK PACK.

Every student MUST have access to the required textbooks by the week of class. The student will be responsible for all assignments given. Failure to have a text may result in being dropped from the class. Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.
Upon registration for classes, LSCO students are automatically charged $14 per semester credit hour for access to all required textbooks, lab manuals, lab codes, and electronic books on the first day of class through the Gator Book Pack. Information about the LSCO Gator Book Pack as well as responses to common FAQs can be found on LSCO's webpage. ALL STUDENTS WILL HAVE UNTIL THE SECOND DAY OF THE SEMESTER TO OPT-OUT OF THE GATOR BOOK PACK.

Every student MUST have access to the required textbooks by the week of class. The student will be responsible for all assignments given. Failure to have a text may result in being dropped from the class. Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.


Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

Upon successful completion of this course, students will acquire the following course learning outcomes:

Core Objectives

Core Objectives

Student Learning Outcomes	Learning Activities
1. Use anatomical terminology to identify and describe locations of major organs of each system covered.	Class and laboratory instruction, discussion, assigned readings, quizzes, exams, written assignments
2. Explain interrelationships among molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ functions in each system.	Class and laboratory instruction, discussion, assigned readings, quizzes, exams, written assignments
3. Describe the interdependency and interactions of the systems.	Class instruction, discussion, assigned readings, quizzes, exams, written assignments
4. Explain contributions of organs and systems to the maintenance of homeostasis.	Class instruction, discussion, assigned readings, quizzes, exams, written assignments
5. Identify causes and effects of homeostatic imbalances.	Class instruction, discussion, assigned readings, quizzes, exams, written assignments
6. Describe modern technology and tools used to study anatomy and physiology.	Class and laboratory instruction, discussion, assigned readings, quizzes, exams, written assignments
7. Apply appropriate safety and ethical standards.	Laboratory instruction, discussion, assigned readings, quizzes, exams, written assignments
8. Locate and identify anatomical structures	Laboratory instruction, discussion, assigned readings, quizzes, exams, written assignments
9. Appropriately utilize laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, dissection tools, general labware, physiology data acquisition system, and virtual simulations	Laboratory instruction, discussion, assigned readings, quizzes, exams, written assignments
10. Work collaboratively to perform experiments.	Laboratory instruction, discussion, assigned readings, quizzes, exams, written assignments
11. Demonstrate the steps involved in the scientific method.	Laboratory instruction, discussion, assigned readings, quizzes, exams, written assignments
12. Communicate results of scientific investigations, analyze data and formulate conclusions.	Laboratory instruction, discussion, assigned readings, quizzes, exams, written assignments
13.Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving skills, including, but not limited to, inferring, integrating, synthesizing, and summarizing, to make decisions, recommendations and predictions.	Class and laboratory instruction, discussion, assigned readings, quizzes, exams, written assignments

Core Objectives	Associated Class Activities	Associated Measures
Critical Thinking Skills: Creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.	Activities:Demonstrate critical thinking skills as evidenced by the ability to analyze facts, synthesize factual information, and evaluate opinions in light of the facts presented throughout this course.	Measures:Critical thinking is the intellectual practice characterized by the comprehensive exploration of issues, ideas, artifacts, and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.
Communication Skills: Effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.	Activities:Written assessments, class discussion of course materials, and cooperative learning groups.	Measures:Written exam questions and assignments.
Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.	Activities:Written activities including case studies, short answer questions, and written assignments.	Measures:Case studies, short answer questions and laboratory assignments.
Teamwork: Ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.	Activities:Students will read, analyze, and interpret readings from the course text and other materials in laboratory or assigned lecture assignments.	Measures:Team-based activities
Social Responsibility: Intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.	Activities:Explore real life clinical applications using logical thinking, anatomical and physiological principles that concern personal and social responsibility.  Students will assess consequences of lifestyle choices affecting global human health.	Measures:Studying the course materials; performance on written exams and assignments; attendance as measured by in-class assignments and/or activities.
Personal Responsibility: Ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.	Activities:Students will attend class regularly, observe and conform to requirements of course policies and procedures, and will meet assignment boundaries and deadlines.  Students will assess consequences of lifestyle choices affecting global human health.  Develop habits of personal well-being as they learn about human biology and medical science.	Measures:Studying the course materials; performance on written exams and assignments; attendance as measured by in-class assignments and/or activities.

 
 




Course Topical Outline

BIOL 2401 Summer 2024
TENTATIVELECTURE SCHEDULE
 
DATE                         TOPIC                                                _____        CHAPTER
May 28                         The Human Body                                                       1A, 1B           
May 29                         Chemistry Comes Alive                                              2A, 2B
May 30                         Cells:The Living Units                                                3A, 3B
June 3                          Tissues: The Living Fabric                                         4A, 4B
June 4                          Integumentary System                                               5A, 5B, 5C
June 4                          1^st and 2^nd choice topics for pathology report due
June 5 - 6                    EXAM I – (Chapters 1, 2, 3)                                   
June 6                          Bones and Skeletal Tissue                                         6A, 6B                       
June 10                        Joints                                                                          8A, 8B
June 11                        Muscles and Muscle Tissue                                        9A, 9B
June 12-13                  EXAM II - (Chapters 4, 5, 6)
June 13                        The Muscular System                                                 10A
June 17                        Fundamentals of the Nervous System                        11A, 11B
June 18                        The Central Nervous System                                      12A, 12B
June 19 - 20                EXAM III – (Chapters 8, 9, 10A)               
June 20                        The Peripheral Nervous System                                 13A, 13B                   
June 24                        The Endocrine System                                                15A
June 24                        Pathology Paper due
June 25                        The Endocrine System                                                15B                
June 26                        Complete Endocrine System; review  
June 27-28                   FINAL EXAM (11, 12, 13, 15 and Comprehensive)
 
Important Dates:
May 31                       Last day to drop without penalty
June 12                        Final Drop Date
 
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus and will inform students of any
changes.




Major Assignments Schedule

Major Assignments Schedule

Major required out of class assignment:
Biology 2401 Pathology Report Paper 

You will identify a topic which pertains to a disease or medical condition of interest that relates to an organ system that will be covered this semester in Bio 2401 including the following body systems only: integumentary (skin), skeletal/joints, muscles, nervous system, endocrine system.   Do Not attempt to choose a disease or condition from a body system covered next semester in Bio 2402.  E-mail me at charlotte.barker@lsco.edu and give your name, the lecture section you are in, and the topic which is the specific disease or condition you are interested in.  Email me a first choice topic, a second choice topic and tell which is the first choice.  Your first and second choices are due by 6/4/24.   I will e-mail you back to approve it unless it is too broad, doesn’t relate to organ systems covered this semester in class, someone in your class already has that topic, or it is otherwise inappropriate.  I will e-mail you back within a few days letting you if your topic is approved, or if your topic is not approved, I will let you know why and you can try again.

The pathology paper will include a title page with the title of the paper, your name, your class (including section), and the date submitted.  The paper is due to be turned in by 6/24/2024.  Pathology papers will be submitted at your class’s blackboard site at a folder I will prepare in Content. This site will be set up for multiple submissions, so if the plagiarism check comes back greater than 20% you can revise and resubmit your paper.  In order to avoid plagiarism, you should never use an entire sentence or an entire phrase from one source.  Take information from several different sources and combine them using your own words.  Plagiarism, as it shows on the plagiarism check for this paper, can also be avoided by submitting the works cited page separately, since works cited generally tends to show higher plagiarism.

The main part of the pathology research paper will include between two complete pages to three pages of content that is double spaced, Times new roman, size 12 font, and has a one inch margin on all side.  This will be in the form of complete sentences with a subject and verb and organized into paragraphs.

The Resources/works cited page is a separate last page where you will list three or more web sources or other sources that you have used in gathering information for the paper.  If using a web source include the web address with the title/subject included.  The agency/source may be included in the web address as in the first format or may be listed first as in the second format.  The pathology report will be graded using a rubric which will be posted along with more detailed information about the paper in Content in your class's blackboard site.





Final Exam Date

June 27, 2024 - 10:00 AM   Through  June 28, 2024 - 11:59 PM


COURSE POLICIES

Academic Honesty

Faculty who suspect violation of academic honesty, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or abuse of resource materials may assign an academic penalty. Students must be notified of their right to appeal before the academic penalty is imposed.

Students subject to penalty due to academic honesty have the right to appeal the decision. Refer to the current LSCO Catalog for details on the appeal process.
Academic Honesty

Faculty who suspect violation of academic honesty, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or abuse of resource materials may assign an academic penalty. Students must be notified of their right to appeal before the academic penalty is imposed.
Students subject to penalty due to academic honesty have the right to appeal the decision. Refer to the current LSCO Catalog for details on the appeal process.
A student will be warned, by email, after a first incident of cheating and/or plagiarism and a zero will be received for that assignment/test.  A second instance of cheating will result in a failing grade for the class.

Plagiarism consists of taking and using another person's writings as your own.  See the information about the pathology report for tips on how to avoid plagiarism when writing a paper.




Electronic Communication

LSCO students are required to use either their LSCO Blackboard account or their LSCO email account (Office 365 / Microsoft Outlook) for all electronic communication. In order to ensure the privacy and identity of the student communicating via electronic methods, LSCO faculty will direct students to use their LSCO email accounts rather than personal accounts. If a student has trouble accessing their LSCO email account, they should contact the LSCO Help Desk at (409) 882-3033 or helpdesk@lsco.edu.

Electronic Communication

LSCO students are required to use either their LSCO Blackboard account or their LSCO email account (Office 365 / Microsoft Outlook) for all electronic communication. In order to ensure the privacy and identity of the student communicating via electronic methods, LSCO faculty will direct students to use their LSCO email accounts rather than personal accounts. If a student has trouble accessing their LSCO email account, they should contact the LSCO Help Desk at (409) 882-3033 or helpdesk@lsco.edu.

LSCO students are required to use their LSCO email account (Office 365 / Microsoft Outlook) for all electronic communication. Do not use Blackboard Messaging or any other means not listed above to contact the instructor. In order to ensure the privacy and identity of the student communicating via electronic methods, LSCO faculty will direct students to use their LSCO email accounts rather than personal accounts. If a student has trouble accessing their LSCO email account, they should contact the LSCO Help Desk at (409) 882-3033 or helpdesk@lsco.edu.

Please email me at charlotte.barker@lsco.edu with all questions and correspondence pertaining to your Biol 2401 course.  





Attendance Requirements

Federal regulations require students who receive financial aid to have begun "attending" and participate substantially in each course for which they are enrolled on or before the official census reporting date outlined on the LSCO Academic Calendar. Students documented as "not attending" a course upon the census date are assumed (for financial aid purposes) to have not begun attendance for that course, negatively affecting their financial aid eligibility and disbursement.

Attendance in an ONLINE course is verified by substantial participation in the course on or before the census date published in the LSCO Academic Calendar. Substantial participation in this online course is defined as logging in and completing/participating in at least one requirement of the course. Note: Simply logging in to your online course does not constitute attendance.

Hybrid classes are a mix of face-to-face and online environments. Students will be expected to attend a certain number of classes as required by the instructor. (Include the policy on absences and tardiness.) In addition to classroom attendance, your weekly active participation in the online component (Blackboard and/or homework software) will be considered and expected.

Attendance:
Federal regulations require students who receive financial aid to have begun “attending” and participate substantially in each course for which they are enrolled on or before the official census reporting date outlined on the LSCO Academic Calendar. Students documented as “not attending” a course upon the census date are assumed (for financial aid purposes) to have not begun attendance for that course, negatively affecting their financial aid eligibility and disbursement.

Attendance is taken based upon participation in class.  Merely opening the class blackboard site is Not counted as attendance.  Anything that you submit on blackboard, such as a participation in a discussion board, a trial run mini test, or an online test will be counted as attendance as per LSCO policies.  Attendance is Not a grade; however, it is used by LSCO to determine eligibility for financial aid/scholarships.

For this online class, it is important to log in to your class's blackboard site every class day in order to keep up with new material.  However, in order to be counted present, you must do more than log in.  You will have the opportunity to participate in some 'attendance boards' particularly near the first of the semester.  You will also have the opportunity to participate in an introductory discussion board, content based discussion boards, and lecture tests.  Each of these will be used to evaluate whether a student is 'present.' An attendance score will show up in gradebook, but it is a score and is Not a test grade.  The attendance score is used by LSCO, as per government guidelines, in determining eligibility for financial aid/and or scholarships so it is important.

 




Make-up Work Policy

Make-up Work Policy

In Biology 2401 lecture, there are three regular tests and the final exam.  If a student takes all four of these, then the lowest regular test grade will be dropped.  If you have to miss a regular test for any reason, the first missed test will be your 'drop test' for the semester.  This will mean that you cannot miss any other tests without incurring zeros. 

Each of the three regular lecture tests is available for two days, which is designed to result in less missing of tests by the students.   It is recommended that you take the test on the first day of the test, or early the second day of test availability just in case of technical difficulties. If a student has an unusual circumstance that causes them to have to miss more than one lecture test, then they will need to discuss this with the instructor in advance.  

If a student has technical difficulty accessing or taking an online test, and the 24/7 online support desk personnel (936) 496-5378 can help you access your test, that is good. Each online test is designed to be taken at one sitting; the tests are Not designed to be reopened after the fact. The three regular online tests are available for two days each, and should be completed within this time frame. 

Each student can take the test one time.  In limited cases, where someone tried to take the test early in the two day time frame and got kicked out immediately, I have been able to delete their initial attempt at accessing the test and allow them a second attempt at the test (still within the two day time frame) after they emailed me right away.  Fortunately, that doesn't happen often at all.  If someone waits until the second evening of test availability, and then encounters technical difficulty which the online support desk personnel cannot help straighten out for them, then they will need to take that test as their 'drop' test for the semester. 




Classroom Etiquette

Civility:
Please be considerate of other classmates’ feelings, ethnic background, cultural differences, situations, and level of maturity. Students will be asked to leave the course if disruptive or inappropriate behavior is exhibited in any of the course requirements. If your instructor feels that you have not contributed appropriately to course requirements, your final course grade may be reduced accordingly.
 
The instructor reserves the right to manage a positive learning environment and will not tolerate inappropriate conduct in the course such as rude correspondence (discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way) in e-mails, telephone calls, in person, or comments made to other class members, the instructor, or the office staff.  
 
Classroom Etiquette:
Interaction with other students in an online class may be different than in a face-to-face classroom, but the same basic rules of courtesy apply.  You will be interacting with others in the discussion boards of this class (bonus points on the next lecture test may be earned by appropriate participation in the discussion boards).  Students are to be courteous to other students and to the instructor, and I will also endeavor to be courteous to you.  Please feel free to ask questions pertaining to the material being covered from the chapters for the upcoming test.  When you email me, please identify yourself by name and by your class and section number.



Exam Policy

Exam Policy: The lecture portion of your grade will be derived from several examinations, a pathology report, and a final examination.  
The lecture part of the grade will consist of: highest regular test (100 points possible, second highest regular test (100 points possible), pathology paper (50 points possible), and the final exam.  Neither the final exam nor the pathology paper may be dropped or omitted.  If you miss one regular test, that will be your 'drop' test.  If you miss a second regular test, you will receive a grade of zero for that test.  You must take the final exam even if you didn’t miss any tests earlier in the semester. 
 
If you take all three regular lecture tests and the final exam, the lowest regular test grade will be dropped. Tests will be blackboard online exams that are primarily multiple choice but with the possibility of some questions that are matching or true/false.  Regular tests will cover material from the chapters for the current test.  While regular tests are not intended to be comprehensive; general information, terms, and concepts learned earlier during the semester tend to reappear as background for questions on the current test.








Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Students should use AI technology responsibly and ethically. This includes refraining from using AI to engage in harmful or unethical activities, such as generating false information, spreading misinformation, or engaging in malicious behaviors. The use of AI should align with the principles of academic integrity, honesty, and respect for others. Students are responsible for adhering to LSCO's Academic Honesty policy found in the Student Handbook. LSCO's full AI policy can be found at AI Policy | Lamar State College Orange (lsco.edu)


Expected Time Requirement for this Course

For every hour in class (or unit of credit) taught in a 16-week session, students should expect to spend at least two to three hours per week studying and completing assignments. Example: For a 3-credit hour class taught in a 16-week session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 6 to 9 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in a 10-week summer session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 10 to 15 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in an 8-week session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 12 to 18 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in a 5-week summer session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 20 to 29 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments.


Grading and Evaluation Method

There will be 3 regular tests and a final exam, each of which will be worth 100 points.  If you take all 3 regular tests, the lowest regular test grade will be dropped.  The final exam is required and that grade will not be dropped. There will be a mini-research paper, which is worth up to 50 points.  Grades will be evaluated as follows:
A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = below 60
 
At the end of the semester, you will receive four hours of college credit with the grade calculated using lecture for 75% of your semester grade and lab for 25% of your semester grade. 

There will be discussion boards in this class.  Appropriate participation in the discussion boards of this class may result in "bonus points" to be added to the next lecture test.

Instructor Response Time

The instructor will respond to emails within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. On weekends and holidays, the instructor will respond to emails from students within 24 hours of the first business day following the weekend or holiday.


Participation Requirements

Participation requirements:

Frequent participation in Bio 2401 is expected and is critical for student success.  If you are going to be unable to participate for more than a couple of class days due to unusual circumstances, you should let me know by email.  Assignments must also be completed in a timely manner.  You will have a due date for sending my email your first choice topic and a second choice topic for your required pathology report.  Then later you will have a range of several days when the pathology report submission site 

This includes participation in the discussion boards of the class.  There is typically one discussion board for the chapters coverd in a test.  This is a valuable interactive learning platform which also supplies a few extra points toward a bonus on the next lecture test.  Discussion boards will be posted in Content and will be available typically for a few days only; so watch the class announcements on blackboard as to when they are available. I understand you can also have the blackboard announcements set to appear in your lsco email, so if this doesn't happen, you can check with the LSCO help desk at (409) 882-3033 during regular business hours about how to set this up. The discussion board participation is also one item used to check attendance/participation.

Worksheets with some questions are posted in Content for each chapter.  After you work the worksheets, then you can check your answers against the worksheet key that I will also post in Content.  You do Not turn the worksheets in, and you do Not gain extra points for doing the worksheets.  It is one way to begin studying for the next test, and it is strongly recommended that all students do these. 

Students are expected to read and study the powerpoints carefully on a daily or semi-daily basis. Please check the Contents section of your class's blackboard site frequently for newly posted powerpoints.  Most chapters will have 2 powerpoints (example 1A and a separate1B). For sections of the chapter covered in the powerpoints, you will also be reading your lecture textbook as background.  for each test, plan to spend a considerable number of hours studying spaced out over a number of days; do not wait until a day or two in advance of a test to study.

A very general test review will be posted prior to each test.  This is Not an assignment to be submitted, and you do Not get points for working through the test review.  The test reviews are to go through and verify items that we have had in this course so you can study them appropriately for the next lecture test.





Review of Test Grades

Review of Test Grades

If the student has an issue with his/her grade, the instructor must be contacted no later than three (3) days after receiving the grade. 
A student can email me with any questions about a test; this initial contact must be made within three days of receiving the grade. 
The student can also make an appointment to come by my office during office hours to look at their online test.  The student can look at the test, and see what the correct answers are, but they cannot take a cell phone picture of the test.  A student can also make an appointment to call me at (409) 882-3395 during my scheduled office hours to have a phone discussion of their test results. 


Student's Responsibility

This syllabus contains information, policies, and procedures for a specific course. By enrolling, the student agrees to read, understand, and abide by the rules, policies, regulations, and ethical standards of Lamar State College Orange as those contained in the current LSCO Catalog and schedule of classes.


Syllabus Content

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus if deemed necessary. All changes will be provided to the students orally or in writing before the implementation of the change.


Textbook and Required Materials Access

Every student MUST have access to the required textbooks by the second week of class. The student will be responsible for all assignments given. Failure to have a text may result in being dropped from the class. Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.


STUDENT SUPPORT RESOURCES

Mental Health Resources

TimelyCare is a virtual health and well-being platform that is available 24/7 for all non-dual credit enrolled LSCO students. There is no cost to eligible students for this service. TimelyCare’s providers offer emotional support, mental health counseling, health coaching, psychiatry, and basic needs support. Non-Dual Credit students enrolled in classes can log in to the TimelyCare website or app available at timelycare.com/LSCO.


Advocacy Information

Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing and believes this may affect their performance in the course is encouraged to contact the advising office for guidance on how to identify possible resources. Please notify the instructor of your circumstance if you are comfortable doing so.


Equal Opportunity to Educational Programs

Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) is an equal opportunity educational institution and does not discriminate against any person regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status, in admissions, educational programs, student activities or employment. For further information about this policy, contact the Accessibility Coordinator at (409) 882-3393.


Title IX of the Education Amendments

LSCO prohibits discrimination, including sexual harassment and retaliation, against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Any student who believes that he or she has experienced prohibited conduct or believes that another student has experienced prohibited conduct should immediately report the alleged acts to the Title IX Coordinator, Joseph Hargrave, at Joseph Hargrave@lsco.edu.


Blackboard Resources

LSCO students will access Blackboard through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: username@my.lsco.edu and Password. For help in identifying your Username/Password, visit https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/.

Blackboard student resource videos and help-sites are available at https://www.lsco.edu/distanceed/blackboard-student.asp.


Career Coach

Lamar State College Orange provides career advising services to all students and alumni through Career Coach, an online career planning tool. Career Coach assists students through all phases of developing, initiating, and implementing career plans.

Information regarding employment opportunities and career options are provided along with access to live local job postings. Full-time and part-time employment opportunities, as well as internships, are available through Career Coach. Visit https://www.lsco.edu/advising/career-planning.asp for more details on how to use LSCO's Career Coach to plan for and learn more about your future career.


Gator Assistance Services

Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled technical students support for daycare costs as well as other services.

Visit https://www.lsco.edu/advising/gator-assistance.asp for details on assistance services.


OASIS (formerly) Gator Success Center

Students are encouraged to make an appointment or walk in to receive tutoring, support services, or access to an open computer lab. Face-to-face and online supplemental instruction sessions are available to help students through any LSCO course. Reach out to learning.center@lsco.edu for more information on how students can receive academic support.


Library Services

Students are encouraged to visit library.lsco.edu to find the library's current operating hours, access the catalog to locate print materials, and access GatorSearch to explore the vast electronic collection. The library provides over 77 electronic database collections that include eBooks, newspapers, magazines, academic journals, and streaming video. The physical library contains a specialized collection of research materials specifically chosen to support the degrees and courses offered. Additionally, Students with research questions or questions about library services are encouraged visit the library in person, call 409-882-3352, access the chat on the library webpage, or to email their question to lscolibrary@lsco.edu.


Student with Disabilities

Under the Texas State System, Lamar State College Orange complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, pertaining to the provision of reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids for students with disability. We strive to provide reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids to students who request and require them.

Students who believe they have a disability requiring an academic adjustment/auxiliary aid are encouraged to contact the Accessibility Coordinator at (409) 882-3393 or visit the Advising Office. Students are encouraged to apply before the start of the semester when at all possible. The Accommodation Request Form and details regarding the appropriate documentation needed can be found here: https://www.lsco.edu/advising/disability.asp. Once approved, the signed accommodation form provided by the Special Populations Advisor must be submitted to the instructor at least two business days in advance of need.

Students with questions about the accommodations they receive in class should contact their instructor or the Accessibility Coordinator.


Upswing 24/7 FREE Tutoring Services

Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled students with access to online tutoring through a partnership with Upswing, an online tutoring platform. Tutors are available 24/7 online in almost every subject.

Visit https://www.lsco.edu/tutoring/online-tutoring.asp for details on how to log-in to the FREE services.


INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES

Campus Closure

In the event of an emergency campus closure in excess of three class days, Lamar State College Orange's classes will continue via the use of Blackboard. In such an instance, the college website, www.lsco.edu, will have information concerning the event and anticipated re-opening plans.


Civility

Please be considerate of other classmates' feelings, ethnic background, cultural differences, situations, and level of maturity. Students will be asked to leave the course if disruptive or inappropriate behavior is exhibited in any of the course requirements. If your instructor feels that you have not contributed appropriately to course requirements, your final course grade may be reduced accordingly.

The instructor reserves the right to manage a positive learning environment and will not tolerate inappropriate conduct in the course. Rude correspondence (discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way) in e-mails, telephone calls, in person, or comments made to other class members, the instructor, or the office staff.


Contingency Plans

Students should develop a backup plan should their computer system or their Internet provider fail. Computer or internet connectivity issues are not valid excuses for missing a deadline. The College provides many opportunities for using computer equipment, as do many public libraries. Refer to the LSCO website for operational hours of the Library and Success Center.


Credit Transfer

Students should check in advance with the institution to which they plan to transfer credit to confirm transferability. Refer to the LSCO Catalog for details on how to handle and resolve transfer disputes with public institutions of higher education in Texas.


Criminal Background Policy

LSCO awards some certificates and degrees in which a criminal history MAY disqualify candidates from becoming licensed, certified, and/or employed upon degree/certificate completion. Students with a criminal background enrolling in courses leading to a degree/certificate in Court Reporting, Criminal Justice, Cosmetology, Emergency Medical Technology, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Vocational Nursing (VN), Registered Nursing (RN), Pharmacy Technician, Real Estate, or Teacher Preparation program are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to discuss the certification and/or licensing regulations of the program with the program director listed in order to learn more about the current guidelines related to criminal history as well as the right of individuals to request a criminal history evaluation letter.


Drops and Withdrawals

Never attending or ceasing to attend classes DOES NOT constitute a drop or withdrawal. You remain registered until you request a drop from the instructor. Failure to act in a timely manner will result in an "F" grade for the course. It is the student's responsibility to follow up with the LSCO advising office to ensure that all drops/withdrawals are processed as desired.


Grade of "Incomplete"

The grade of "I" may be given when any requirement of the course, including the final examination, is not completed. Students seeking an incomplete should have completed at least 75% of the course requirements and be passing the course at the time of the request. Arrangements to complete deficiencies in a course should be made in advance of the end of the semester with the instructor. The instructor will process the Incomplete form online, and a confirmation will be sent to the student's LSCO email.

Incomplete work must be finished during the next long semester. If not, the Office of Admission and Records must change the "I" grade to the grade of "F." The course must then be repeated if credit is desired. An "I" grade also automatically becomes an "F" if the student registers for the course prior to removing the deficiencies and receiving a grade change. The instructor may record the grade of "F" for a student who is absent from the final examination and is not passing the course.


Grade Appeals (Complaints Related to Earned Grades)

Grade determination and awarding of grades in a course are the responsibility of the instructor and should be calculated according to college policy, procedures, and written details provided in the course syllabus. NOTE: Final grades are available to students within 48 hours of the instructor posting the grade in Banner. Students may view final grades by logging into MyGator and then accessing Gator Self-Service.

An academic appeal process is afforded to students who desire to dispute a grade or any decision that affects the student's ability to complete and earn a grade for the course provided it is not related to a violation outlined in the LSCO Student Code of Conduct. If an informal conference with the faculty member regarding an academic complaint fails to reach the outcome requested by the student, the student may initiate the formal process outlined below. Even after initiating the formal complaint process, students are encouraged to seek informal resolution of their concerns. A student whose concerns are resolved may withdraw a formal complaint at any time.

Refer to the current catalog or for details on the formal grade appeal process.


Institutional Educational Goals

Lamar State College Orange has identified seven educational goals to specify the knowledge and skills that students should gain from completing academic and technical programs with the College. These goals are:

1. Critical thinking (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.
2. Communication (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to effectively develop, interpret and express of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
3. Empirical and quantitative skills (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to manipulate and analyze numerical data or observable facts and create informed conclusions.
4. Teamwork (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
5. Social responsibility (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to recognize and acquire a sense of intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national and global communities.
6. Personal responsibility (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.
7. Professional competency (Technical) - Students will be able to recognize or demonstrate skills and that depict professional values and employability. If the career has licensure or certification requirements, students may prepare for the licensure and certification in a capstone course and sit for the licensure or certificate at the end of the program.

MyGator and Log-In Credentials

Current students will access many LSCO applications through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: username@my.lsco.edu/Password. For help in identifying your username/Password, visit https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/.

It is a violation of College policy, state laws, and federal laws for anyone to gain or help others gain unauthorized access to MyGator or any LSCO application or service. All accounts shall be for use by a single individual - the person for whom the account was approved or assigned. This includes Blackboard accounts as well as any application within MyGator. Sharing or loaning accounts is strictly prohibited, can be construed as a form of cheating, and violates College policy, state laws, and federal laws.


Policies and Procedures

LSCO adheres to the policies and procedures established in the Texas Education Code, Texas State University System Rules and Regulations, LSCO Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual, LSCO Faculty Handbook, and LSCO Catalog.


Prohibited Items in the Classroom

No food or tobacco (including smokeless) products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. It is inappropriate for minor children to be on campus due to the potential liability to the College, the risk of harm to the children, and decreased employee productivity due to distractions and disruptions.


Student Complaints (excluding Safety, Harassment, or Title IX)

Student-Staff and Student-Instructor Complaint Process excluding Safety, Harassment, or Title IX

LSCO believes that all matters involving a staff member (non-instructor) OR an instructor are best resolved directly with the employee. Should it not be resolved at that level, access and complete the Student Complaint Intake form within five (5) business days from the date of the offense. The Student Complaint Intake Form can be found in any of these locations:

• LSCO Website (Current Students)
• LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints)
• MyGator Card
• Blackboard (Student Resources, Student Services, Student Resources)

After a student completes the Student Complaint Intake Form, they will be contacted by an LSCO employee unrelated to the offense and provided guidance on how to proceed with the Complaint process.

Refer to the LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints) for details on the complaint process.


Student Complaints (involving Safety, Harassment, or Title IX)

Student-Staff and Student-Instructor Complaint Process involving Safety, Harassment, or Title IX:

Students who have experienced a safety, harassment, or title IX event should access and complete the Title IX/Clery: Anonymous Reporting Form found in any of these locations:

• LSCO Website (Sexual Misconduct & Title IX)
• LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints)
• MyGator Card
• Blackboard (Student Resources, Student Services, Student Resources)

After a student completes the intake form, they will be contacted by an LSCO employee and provided guidance on how to proceed.

Refer to the LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints) for details on the complaint process.


Student Privacy

The privacy of all students, including Distance Education students, is protected through strict adherence to the rules of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. LSCO's statement regarding the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act can be found in LSCO's Catalog. Additional information regarding privacy for Distance Education students can be found in the Distance Education Handbook.