Course information

Announcements:

1. Grades for exam 4 posted.
2. Grades for lab exercise 2 posted.

Course descriptions and goals:

Biology 235 and biology 236 are part I and II of a yearlong survey course in anatomy and physiology.  The major goal of these courses is to give you a basic understanding of the relationship between the structure and function of the human body.   You will become familiar both with basic cellular processes essential for life, and with the functioning of the body's major systems.  The courses are primarily designed for students who plan on pursuing professions in the health care field, and are a foundation for future study in pathophysiology, anatomy, or related disciplines either at CSB/SJU or in a graduate health sciences program.

Biology 235/236 involve a close interaction and interdependence between lecture and lab.  Lecture focuses predominantly on physiology and functional anatomy, while lab is completely hands-on and the setting where the bulk of gross and microanatomy is studied and mastered. You will also study and review anatomy electronically by using recently developed interactive anatomy software.  Despite this "separation" of anatomy and physiology between course lecture and lab components, our overall goal is to integrate the material so you can develop an appreciation for the form-function relationships in the working of the human body.

In Biology 235/236 we will approach the material from the standpoint of the structural and functional hierarchy of the human body.  We will begin with a review and discussion of the chemistry of life, the biomolecules that are present in all living cells, and how these interact in the basic processes of metabolism, the chemical reactions that support life.  We will move on to discuss how biomolecules are put together to form the structural and functional units of life, cells, and closely examine cell structure and function.  We will then look at how cells are organized into tissues, discuss the four major tissues of the body, and how these tissues are grouped to produce a wide variety of organs.  We introduce the organization of organs into functional systems that have very specific roles and yet are completely interdependent.  From this point on, in Biology 235 we will cover the integumentary, muscular, and nervous systems; in Biology 236 we cover the endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems.

In these courses you should begin to develop two concepts critical for further study of the human body or biology in general.  First, our explorations into nerve and muscle cell function will give you an appreciation of how the function at the cellular level governs and produces events observable at the tissue, organ, or systemic tier, such as nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction, filtration of the blood, among others.   Second, you should begin to realize the interdependence of all biological systems from the molecular and cellular level, through the organismal, to the ecosystem.  Evolution has led to specialization which in turn gives rise to interdependency.  Any specific cell in our bodies is structurally and functionally very similar to an amoeba, yet it cannot exist in isolation as an amoeba.  It has committed to a specific role and its structural and functional adaptations are a reflection of that role.  In the process it has become dependent on the very specific adaptations of a multitude of other cells, and the existence and well being of the whole organism depends on the delicate balance and integration of the functionally diverse parts.  The understanding of such a balance or homeostasis is the true task of the physiologist, and our study of any system, structure, or organism will continuously probe such a topic.

Although we will introduce these basic concepts very early in Biology 235, they are underlying principles that can drive and help your study of anatomy and physiology.

Textbooks and other required materials: 

• Marieb, E.N. 2000. Human anatomy and physiology. 5th ed., Benjamin/Cummings Publ., Menlo Park CA.
• Marieb, E.N. 1998. Human anatomy and physiology laboratory manual, 7th ed. Benjamin/Cummings Publ., Menlo Park CA. A.D.A.M. Interactive Anatomy Software, Atlanta GA.
• Hutchinson, M., Mallat, J., Marieb, E.N., and Hutchings, R.T. 2001. Atlas of the Human Skeleton. Benjamin/Cummings Publ., Menlo Park CA.
• The Anatomy and Physiology Place -- a web site for Marieb's Human Anatomy and Physiology textbook;  see the inside cover of your text for directions on how to activate your account.
• Lab safety goggles (in bookstore).

We will use the Human Anatomy and Physiology textbook for lecture -- however, it is also a valuable lab tool for study of anatomy in lab.  The remaining materials are used primarily for lab.   Assigned readings and homework should be completed prior to lecture to be helpful in giving you a critical understanding of the material. 

Class and laboratory attendance are mandatory and you should notify me of absences in advance. If you miss a class or a lab you are responsible for material that was covered, announcements, assignments.  Laboratory attendance is essential for successful completion of assignments, and you must attend the laboratory section to which you are assigned.  

We will have regularly scheduled review sessions every cycle ran by either me or the course assistant. These are not mandatory but provide a good opportunity for you to review material and clarify any questions.  Review session dates will be announced in lecture or on this web page.

I believe in the honor system and have no tolerance for cheating and/or plagiarism.  I  will follow the CSB/SJU plagiarism policy guidelines and I expect you to be familiar with this document – see Plagiarism Policy for more information or consult a CSB/SJU academic catalog.

Grading for Biology 236 will be based on the following examinations and assignments: 

• Lecture exams will be administered during regular class periods at the announced times in the syllabus.  There is no comprehensive final exam -- the last midterm will be administered during finals week.
• Homework assignments will be periodically posted on the web -- you'll print them out and turn them in at the beginning of the indicated class period.
• Electronic quizzes from the Human Anatomy and Physiology Place will be periodically assigned in class -- their use is designed to have you keep up with the material on a regular basis.  You will complete them and submit them electronically by e-mail to Sarah Keane, course assistant (skeane@csbsju.edu). The assignments are graded on a percentage scale.
• For some lab periods you'll  be assigned a pre-lab exercise and/or an in-class exercise -- they must be turned in at indicated times.  All materials for a given lab cycle will be posted on the web page one cycle earlier -- it is your responsibility to download them and print them out.
• Lab practicals will be held either during the regular lab session or at specifically scheduled sessions.  You must attend the lab practical for you lab session or the specific time you signed up for.
• Two written lab exercises will focus on the cardiovascular and respiratory adjustments to exercise lab, and the control of urine formation lab.  You will work on this exercise in groups of two students and turn in one copy per group.

The specific contributions of the above assignments for your grade in Biology 236 are the following:

I will make cutoffs for letter grades based on class means and distribution at the end of the semester.  A typical  scale is:  90-100% = A, 87%+ = AB, 80%+ = B, 77%+ = BC, 70%+ = C, 67%+ = CD, 60%+ = D, <60% = F. 

Assignments are due by specified date - I don't accept late assignments.  Make up exams are considered by prior arrangement only.

General comments:

In order to do well in this course it is imperative that you be prepared for class.  This involves reading the material we are covering on any given day before coming to class.  By doing so you will understand the discussion, follow lecture, and be able to ask questions.  I also suggest that you carefully look at questions provided at end of each chapter -- multiple choice questions, short answer questions, essay questions, critical thinking questions.  The chapter summaries are also a good review tool.  

I will try to periodically assign homework.  Use these exercises as learning tools, and do not wait until the last minute to start on an assignment -- they are usually long.  If you get a head start, I am more than willing to meet with you to answer any questions that you have about the assignment.

Major exams and quizzes consist of a mix of objective questions (traditional multiple choice, parameter questions) and short answer questions.  The homework assignments closely mimic the content and format of the exams, and they provide the best review tools.   

Another way to stay on top of the material is to make use of office hours.  If you have questions, concerns, or are just curious about anatomy and physiology as a discipline and field of study, stop in to see me.  I schedule no specific set of office hours since most students prefer to schedule appointments.  My schedule indicates times when I'll be around -- if that doesn't work we can always find another time.  I strongly encourage you to use this resource, it really helps you understand and review material. 

Finally, check out the electronic resources provided with the course, and use them if they help your learn.  Lecture notes, lab notes and outlines, lecture and lab resources are posted regularly on this site, Powerpoint presentations are posted in public folders, and I will also provide links to pages that deal with material we are covering.  The Human Anatomy and Physiology Place is very useful in providing tutorials, animations, quizzes, and a multitude of other tools to help you study anatomy and physiology.