Human Anatomy and Physiology II

Biol. 204 Course Syllabus

General Information
Introduction
Course Organization
Course Evaluation
Policies
How to Succeed in this Course


General Information

Biol. 204
May Term 1997
Lectures: 7:45-9:30 AM, Sc 106
Labs: 10:15-12:15 AM, Sc 201 or 1:00 - 3:00 PM, Sc 201
(Lab times are made by instructor's assignment)
Textbook: Human Anatomy and Physiology by John Hole, 7th edition
Laboratory Manual: Fetal Pig Dissection Manual; supplied in class; the cost
will be billed to your student account.
Course Instructor: Dr. J. S. Miller, SC 218, phone 7308.
Course Prerequisite: one trimester of college level chemistry.


Introduction

Course Objectives: This course is a continuation of Biol 203, Human Anatomy Physiology, an introduction to the structure and function of the normal human body. Course objectives include understanding the various scientific terms that are used in describing the human body and its function.

It is important to recognize that you are a full-time student. Taking this course is a full-time job! The general college guidelines are that you should spend 2-3 hours of time outside of class for each class period. The lectures for this course are equivalent to two 50 minute lectures per day, and each lab period counts as one meeting. Therefore, for each day that we have classes, you should expect to be studying 6-9 hours outside of class. (2-3 of this on laboratory material, the rest on lecture material.) Of course, not all of this time needs to be put in on the same day -- some of it can be spread out over the weekend, and the second third Wednesdays, when there are no classes for this course.

Because of the large volume of material covered in this course, it is important that you keep up on a day to day basis. It is crucial that you NOT get behind! Each day of classes we cover almost as much material as in a week of classes during a regular trimester. If you goof off for two days, that is like being two weeks behind!

If you would like to have lectures taped, please ask and arrangements can be made. If you want outside of class help, please see me. I can work with you individually, or if extensive individual help is desirable, arrangements can be made for a tutor. In some cases, you might want to do this right at the beginning of the course.


Course Organization

1. Lectures: Lectures will cover textbook material. A general outline of dates, the subjects and chapters to be covered is on another handout.
2. Laboratory: Laboratory sessions will be used for animal dissections: fetal pig, sheep heart, sheep brain, and sheep eye. The schedule of dates and topics is on another handout with the lecture schedule. Dissection equipment will be provided for you in lab. We will not be asking for a deposit for lab equipment this year. However, if any equipment is lost, or damaged beyond normal wear and tear, the the responsible person will be billed through their student account. If it is not possible to determine who was responsible, then everyone in the group will be billed. Since the total cost of the equipment in these kits is only $12- $15, you shouldn't need to worry about this a lot -- just don't be careless.


Course Evaluation

There will be three tests throughout the course and one comprehensive final examination. Laboratory work will be evaluated separately by two practicals. The final evaluation will be determined as follows:

Weight Course Average Course Grade
Three Tests

50%

=90%

A
Final Exam

25%

80-90%

B
Practicals

24%

70-80%

C

60-70%

D
Total

100%

60%

F


Please bring a pencil to all tests. Please be on time (or early) for all and tests. You will not be given extra time to finish if you are late. Tests, and the final exam, will cover lecture material. Unless otherwise noted, tests will not include material that has not yet been discussed in class. Any material in the text which has not been specifically excluded may also be included, but the emphasis will be on material presented in lecture. Good lecture notes are essential. Laboratory material will be covered by the practicals.

As is the case with many science courses, tests are frequently too difficult to fit properly on this grading scale. Instead of adjusting the scale, I adjust the scores before returning them to you. (Consequently, the 'percentage' you receive as a test score is not a 'real' percentage.) Therefore, the test scores you receive, and your course average at any time, are a reflection of your grade using the above grading scale.

If you have any questions about the course, or don't understand material after reading about it and hearing it discussed in class, or if any other problems arise, please see me after class. I will also be available in my office most of the day when I am not in a class or a meeting. Please feel free to stop by my office or make an appointment by phone. I'm glad to see you in any of these settings. If you need more than occasional help, arrangements can be made for a tutor.


POLICIES

1. ATTENDANCE: I do not include attendance in the calculations that determine your class averages. However, I do expect you to attend all classes and labs, and to be on time, unless you are excused by me in advance (except in emergencies). Review sessions are optional. To facilitate taking attendance, I will ask that you sit in the same seat after the first week of classes. If you want to change after that, please see me. In cases of borderline grades, attendance may affect the outcome. The following may be acceptable for approval as an excused absence:
- illness (more than a minor cold) - death of a close relative or friend

- official school activities (field trips, interscholastic athletics)

- other serious personal/interpersonal problems if approved by the instructor

2. GRADING TESTING: I consider quizzes and tests to be useful not only for evaluating your work, but also as part of the learning process. For that reason, I allow you to leave the class with the quiz or test (EXCEPT NOT the final exam), so that you can immediately look up items that you have questions about, or are curious about. For the same reason, I return the results the next class period if at all possible, so that you get rapid feedback. It is OK to look at old quizzes and tests from previous years if you find that helpful. (Except NOT old final exams - I keep those.) If you would like to look at old quizzes and tests, but don't know where to get any, please ask me.

3. Questions about tests items: If something on a quiz or test seems ambiguous, please feel free to ask me about it during the test. If I can help you without 'giving away' the answer, I will do so. If you have questions about an item on a test after scores are returned, please feel free to ask me about that as well. However, to reserve class time for regular activities, please bring such questions to my attention after class. This can be immediately after class, or during lab, or any other convenient time. If you can convince me that there is a good reason why an answer other than the one I selected should be counted correct, I will give you credit for it. If you think that the computer has incorrectly scored your answer sheet, please see me about that as well.
I practice an open gradebook policy. You can at any time see the records that I have for you. I also try to always keep a current average, which you may also see.

4. MAKEUP POLICY - labs: see instructor or lab assistant - ordinary lectures: see instructor - tests practicals: absences must be made up - see instructor to arrange a time; there will be a penalty for unexcused absences: 10% will be deducted from the grade.


How to succeed in this course

1. ATTEND EVERY CLASS AND LAB SESSION - to do well in this class it is necessary to have a complete set of notes about what is covered in class.

2. TAKE CAREFUL, WELL ORGANIZED NOTES IN CLASS - if you are unsure about your note taking skills, please consult with the tutoring office or see me.

3. READ YOUR TEXTBOOK - keep up on your reading on a regular basis; you can't do it all at once!

4. REVIEW YOUR NOTES THROUGHLY BEFORE QUIZZES TESTS - rather than just rereading your notes several times, it is more helpful if you can put something else into it - at the very least, underlining or highlighting, or better yet typing, or recopying, possibly in a condensed format.


Academic Support

There are various resources available if you are having 'academic difficulty' (failing, not getting a 'C' if that is required in your major, or just not doing as well as you would like). You should consider the following:

A. Factors affecting your studying-time: are you spending enough time studying? As noted above, you should be spending about 2-3 hrs. per class session, or 8-12 hours per week in this course, in outside of class studying.

-concentration: study time can be wasted if you can't concentrate well - factors that can influence this can include noise, psychological stress, career and other motivation factors, interpersonal problems with family or friends, etc. It may help to frequently take short breaks. There are also a variety of different methods of studying that may help. Some counseling services are available through the college if that would be helpful.

-study skills: the ability to take good notes, study efficiently, read well, take tests efficiently, etc.

B. Places to get help
-friends: you might check your notes for completeness, discuss study methods, quiz or drill each other, or set up a study group. Some people find this helpful, others do better studying alone.

-professor: I will be glad to meet with you to discuss any factors that might be affecting your progress in the course. I can also give you some ideas to try on study methods.

-Peer Tutor: Christine Falcone (office in the Ad building) can make arrangements to find a tutor for you (there is no charge for this service) This person can work with you in any way helpful. Christine Falcone's office also has some resources available on developing your study skills. -Academic advisor:


Created by Todd Harris
Maintained by Dr. James S. Miller
Last updated 23 August 1997
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