BIOL 2401-31F
Course Information
Name of Department: Academic Science/Biology
Anatomy and Physiology I (lab), Biol 2401.31F
Instructor Name: Charlotte Barker, Ph.D.
Building/Office Number: LSCO New Academic Center, Room 105.33
Office Hours: Office hours are being held in my office Room 105.33 in the New Academic Building
Monday: 8:30 - 11:30 am; 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:30 - 9:30 am; 11:00 am - 12:00 noon
Wednesday: 8:30 - 11:30 am; 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Thursday: 8:30 - 9:30 am
Friday: I will check my email before 4 pm for any last minute issues.
Virtual Hours:
Monday: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Wednesday: 10:00 - 11:00 am
*These are times when instructor will be watching the email closely for a faster turnaround time; or you may telephone me at my office number.
Office Telephone: (409) 882-3395
Email Address: Charlotte.Barker@lsco.edu
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
Pre-requisites/Co-requisites
Each student must take both the Biol 2401 lab and the Biol 2401 lecture during the same 8 weeks session during the same 8 weeks session.
Required Textbook & Materials
The LSCO Anatomy and Physiology I Lab Manual is available in the Content section of your Biol 2401.31F blackboard sight. You are allowed to print out pages of this. A paper copy of the same lab manual is available in the LSCO print shop on campus and is located in the first floor of the LSCO library building.
The same Elaine Marieb Anatomy and Physiology textbook used in your Biol 2401 lecture section may also be used for its excellent illustrations in Biol 2401 Lab. You will not need a second copy of this, since if you are in the gatorpak, it will be in your Biol 2401 lecture section automatically.
Also, each student must have:
- A working webcam & microphone for proctored online exams and quizzes.
- Regular access to a reliable laptop or desktop computer (for taking online tests)
- Regular access to reliable Internet connection (a wired connection preferred above using wireless)
- Browser used for online tests must be Respondus lockdown browser (free download). More information about this will be on a separate page.
Upon registration, LSCO students are automatically charged $25 per semester credit hour for access to all required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes, and e-books through the Gator Book Pack program. Physical materials may be picked up in Beaumont or shipped for an additional fee. Information and FAQs are available on the LSCO Gator Book Pack webpage. Students have until the second class day of the semester to opt out of the program.
Students are expected to have access to all required materials during the first week of class and are responsible for completing all assigned coursework. Students who do not have access to their materials during the first week should notify the instructor immediately for guidance.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will acquire the following course learning outcomes:
Course Level Learning Outcomes (ACGM or WECM)Core Objectives Associated Course Activities/Assignments/Projects
Upon successful completion of this course, students will acquire the following course learning outcomes:
Course Level Learning Outcomes (ACGM or WECM)Core Objectives Associated Course Activities/Assignments/Projects
Core Objectives
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. |
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 |
Course Topical Outline
Anatomy & Physiology I
BIOL 2401 Tentative Lab Schedule
Fall I 2026
DATE TOPIC LAB PAGES
August 24, 25 Intro; Anatomical Position; Directional Terms 2 - 5
Regional Terms; Body Cavities; Abdominopelvic subdivisions
Aug. 26 – Sept. 1 Skull 7 - 9
Sept. 2/ Sept. 3 Lab Exam I(Introductory Exercises, Skull)
Sept. 3 - 9 Axial Skeleton 10 - 12
Sept. 9 - 15 Appendicular Skeleton 13 - 16
Sept. 10 - 15 Integumentary System 6
Sept. 16/ 17 Lab Exam II (Axial Skeleton, Appendicular Skeleton, Integumentary)
Sept. 17, 21 Muscles – Face, Head, Neck, Trunk 17 – 18
Sept. 22 - 24 Muscles – Limbs 19-20
Sept. 28 - 29 Lab Exam III (Muscles)
Sept. 24 - Oct. 6 Nervous System 21 - 24
October 1 - 5 Special Senses – Eye and Ear 25 - 26
October 7/ 8 Lab Exam IV (Nervous System, Eye, Ear)
Important Dates:
Sept. 1, 2026 Last day to drop without penalty
Sept. 16, 2026 Last day to drop/withdraw
Lab Exam dates can be changed, if needed, with advance notice to the students.
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.
Electronic Communication
LSCO students are required to use 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.
Attendance Requirements
Attendance is Not a grade in this class. Attendance is used by LSCO to verify that students are eligible for financial aid. Merely opening your blackboard site, although important for study purposes, does not count as attendance. Checking the blackboard announcements, and the Contents section, on your class's blackboard site are important in order to keep up with what is new in your class. Attendance is recorded by items that you submit to your blackboard site on the days that they are available in blackboard, including required attendance board, trial run mini-test, and lab exams.
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 This negatively affects their financial aid eligibility and disbursement and requires the student to repay any financial aid funds that have already been disbursed . 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 class during the scheduled meeting time. (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.
Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) courses utilize a blended course design that allows students to choose how they will ATTEND their class sessions. Students can choose to attend sessions in-person or live online without attending class on campus. A watch later option is available to students taking a HyFlex course, however, students may utilize watch later sessions no more than three classes during an 8-week term or five classes during a 16-week term.
Make-up Work Policy
When a student takes all four Biol 2401 Lab exams, the lowest test grade is automatically dropped. If a student misses a lab exam, that will be their "drop test" for the semester. The lab exams are given online blackboard with a two day time frame (from midmorning of the first day through 11:59 pm the second day). The student must complete their lab exam during these two days. Due to the "drop test" policy, there are no make up lab exams given. If a student has an extreme circumstance where they must miss a second lab exam, they will have to address that with the instructor. Such cases will be considered on an individual basis.
It is required to take all four lab exams even if the first three lab exam grades are acceptable.
Classroom Etiquette
• Online - Since face-to-face meetings in the classroom may be replaced by online meetings through discussion boards, emails, and/or Blackboard Collaborate, students are expected to follow the rules of netiquette in these forums.
• Face-to-Face - No food, drink, tobacco, cell phones, etc.
• Hybrid - When face-to-face meetings in the classroom are replaced by online meetings through discussion boards, emails, and/or Blackboard Collaborate, students are expected to follow the rules of netiquette in these forums.
• Hyflex - Whether attending in person or online (synchronously or asynchronously)—students are expected to engage respectfully and responsibly. Arrive prepared, minimize distractions, and participate actively using appropriate tools (e.g., microphones, chat, discussion boards). When joining remotely, keep your camera on when possible, mute your microphone when not speaking, and use the chat feature constructively. In the classroom, be mindful of peers who are joining online by speaking clearly and allowing space for all voices. All communication should remain professional.
Exam Policy
At LSCO, all online sections of Biol 2401, whether lab or lecture, or required to be monitored. You are allowed to take your tests off campus, but you must use the Respondus proctoring system. You will not be able to access the lab exams without having previously downloaded Respondus. More details about using Respondus will be available the first week of class in a separate page in the Contents section of your blackboard course. The LSCO website also has information about using Respondus.
For any student who experiences extreme difficulty taking their lab exams online, particularly Respondus issues, there are several options available to take the online blackboard lab exams on campus. This must be discussed with your instructor in advance.
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 Catalog. 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), 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. All Online/Hybrid students should expect to spend at least as much time in this course as you would in the traditional, face-to-face class.
Grading and Evaluation Method
There are four lab exams in Biol 2401 lab. When you take all four, the lowest lab exam grade is automatically dropped. Your lab average is used as 25% of the semester grade in Biol 2401. At the end of the semester, you do Not receive a separate grade from Biol 2401 lab. When you successfully complete Biol 2401, you receive 4 hours of college credit with the letter grade derived from lab as 25% and lecture as 75%.
A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = below 60
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
Students will need to study for and take all four lab exams offered in the Biol 2401 Lab.
There will be an attendance board, on certain assigned days, during the first week of class, which is required and is used to verify participation/attendance in this online lab class. There are Not any discussion boards in lab, other than the required attendance board. There are no reports or papers to turn in, specifically for Biol 2401 lab.
There will be a trial run mini-test during the first two weeks of lab, which will be available for certain assigned days, and will provide bonus points on the first lab exam.
Keep up with the blackboard announcements in your lab class's blackboard site, in order to know when the attendance board is available, and when the trial run mini-test is available as well as the lab exams. These are all items that are only available on certain days.
The lab is divided into four modules/lab exam study area folders, located in your Biol 2401 lab class's blackboard Content, with the contents for each test folder being a separate module posted in Content.
For each module/test there will be:
1) An extensive set of images to study for the lab exam - from lab photographs of laboratory models- these are frequently used to illustrate the questions on the lab exams, so study them carefully!
2) Assigned study from the LSCO Biol 2401 Lab Manual ed. 2020 to study including:
word lists of structures to know for the test,
homework pages (Not to turn in and Not for a grade)
appendices to label (Not to turn in and Not for a grade)
*Keys for each work sheet or appendix will be posted in Content after the student has had a chance to work those pages.
3) An accessory powerpoint which gives additional overview/pictures/information from the instructor which is helpful for the lab.
4) There may or may not be a short video or videos to go with the content depending upon which topic it is. Please note that when externally
produced videos are used, they sometimes differ slightly in terminology from the lab manual. Always go by the terminoloy in the lab manual.
5) The lecture textbook has good illustrations that are useful for the lab. However, lecture pictures sometimes include more details than are covered in the lab manual, so always learn what is in your lab manual.
Weekly participation and engagement in the courses are critical for student success. Assignments should be completed by the due date. Students should also refer to the instructor’s attendance policy for additional information. (See LSCO Catalog, Class Attendance.)
Review of Test Grades
The student must contact their instructor within 3 days of receiving the lab exam grade in question.
You may email me at Charlotte.Barker@lsco.edu about your lab exam.
You may call me, on my lsco office phone, during my (see above) posted office hours.
You may make an appointment to come to my office during my (see above) posted office hours at my office. When you have an appointment to come to my office, you will be able to look at your online test, but you will Not be allowed to take a cell phone picture of any part of your online Lab Exams in this class.
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.
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 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, housing, transportation, or childcare for minor dependents and believes this may affect their performance in the course is encouraged to contact the student care office (studentcare@lsco.edu)for guidance on how to access 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 Director of Student Care and Accessibility at studentcare@lsco.edu.
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, Rebecca Gentry rebecca.gentry@lsco.edu.
Blackboard Resources
LSCO students will access Blackboard through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: NetID@my.lsco.edu/Password. For help in identifying your NetID/Password, visit https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/userinfo1.asp.
Students needing help learning how to navigate Blackboard are encouraged to reach out to LearningTechnology@lsco.edu. 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. Access 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 Program
Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled students support for daycare and/or transportation costs on a first come first serve basis as funding allows.
Access https://www.lsco.edu/advising/gator-assistance.asp for details on assistance services.
OASIS Tutoring
Students needing course content or study skills support are encouraged to make an appointment or walk in to receive tutoring and academic support services. Our series of student success seminars, named Lifesavers, are available Face-to-face, online, and self-paced throughout the semester. Reach out to OASIS@lsco.edu for more information on how students can receive academic support. Visit https://www.lsco.edu/student-life/library/lifesavers.php for more information about Lifesavers.
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 Director of Student Care & Accessibility at studentcare@lsco.edu. 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 Director of Student Care & Accessibility must be submitted to the instructor at least two business days in advance of need.
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.
Access https://www.lsco.edu/tutoring/online-tutoring.asp for details on how to log-in to the FREE services.
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 OASIS.
Credit Transfer
Students should check in advance with the institution to which they plan to transfer credit to confirm transferability.
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 Criminal Justice, Barber, Cosmetology, Emergency Medical Technology, HVAC, Electrician, Plumbing, 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 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 and the Academic Grievance Process
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. 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:
• Critical thinking (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.
• Communication (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to effectively develop, interpret and express ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
• Empirical and quantitative skills (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to manipulate and analyze numerical data or observable facts and create informed conclusions.
• 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.
• 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.
• Personal responsibility (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.
• Professional competency (Technical) – Students will be able to recognize or demonstrate skills 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: NetID@my.lsco.edu/Password.
Students can set a password here: https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/
IMPORTANT: 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 Faculty Handbook, and LSCO Catalog.
Prohibited Items in the Classroom
No food or tobacco 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)
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, appendix D.