Course information

Announcements:

1. I updated body's defenses notes.  NEW, 4/3/02, 10:30 p.m.

2. I posted blood notes.  

3. PP presentation for blood in public folders; web notes to come soon. 

Course descriptions and goals:

There are many dimensions to a study of human biology.  There are the workings of molecules, how specific physiological processes are accomplished, and particularly how a variety of cells, tissues, and systems interact with one another to form a stable community, the body.  

There are interactions of the body with society, how bodily needs have shaped society, how society influences our physiology and our perceptions of ourselves.  Our cultural backgrounds, ethnicity, religious beliefs, and economic status have an impact on our biology as humans and how we deal with societal issues that affect us:  disease, health care, diet, reproduction, family, parenting, development, death, work, and recreation, among many others.

Finally there are the dynamics of the human population and its interaction with both the living and non-living environment that surrounds us, our ecosystem.  Human population growth and sustainability is governed by the same ecological principles that affect dynamics of other populations, yet more often than not we ignore this and see ourselves separate from the Earth, indeed the species that governs the Earth.  We are one of  the components of an ecosystem and our biology as organisms deeply affects and is affected by our biotic and abiotic environment.

So where do we go with this course?  First you will develop an understanding of the human body from a cellular and organismal perspective that you can apply to your day to day life in society.  Through lectures, discussions, and laboratories we will examine the basic processes that make human life as we know it possible, and gain an appreciation for the level of structural and functional complexity represented by the human organism.  

Beyond this however, we will examine the interaction of the human body with society.  We will examine a number of diseases and health issues, focusing on the underlying physiology, but also on the societal impacts of these issues.  For example, we'll examine the cellular basis of cancer, but at the same time relate it to environmental changes shaped by our population dynamics.  We will look at the etiology and pathogenesis of AIDS, but also discuss factors that are involved in the onset of the AIDS epidemic in the latter part of the twentieth century:  increased population growth, poverty, environmental degradation.

Finally we will look at characteristics and dynamics of the human population, and how it has affected its ecosystem. We will focus on how human activities such as uncontrolled population growth and energy use have disrupted complex interactions in our ecosystems and lead to environmental problems such as air and water pollution, deforestation, and waste accumulation.

In many ways it's a gross overstatement to call this course human biology.  Its simple goal is to give you an understanding of the workings of your body in the context of society and our ecosystem.  Your life on Earth is human biology:  the flying molecules and floating cells of your internal environment, and how these are shaped by and shape the external world surrounding you.

Textbooks and other required materials: 

• Starr, C. and McMillan, B. 2001. Human Biology. 4th ed., Brooks/Cole, Pacific Grove, CA.
• Fadiman, A., 1997.  The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down:  A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures.  The Noonday Press, New York, NY.
• Brooks/Cole Human Biology interactive web site:  a web site for Starr's Human Biology textbook;  see the inside cover of your text for directions on how to access/activate your account.

We will use the Human Biology textbook for lecture, and I will post materials required for lab on the Lab Materials section of this site.  Starr's text, however will also be used for lab preparation and assignments.  At times I will post other materials to help you understand concepts presented in lecture and lab in the Lecture and Lab Resources sections of this site.  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 -- 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 112 will be based on the following examinations and assignments: 

• Four lecture exams
• Class talks
• Lab exams
• Lab exercises/homework
• Class participation

The specific contributions of the above assignments for your grade in Biology 112 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 -- review questions, self-quiz questions, critical thinking questions.  The chapter summaries are also a good review tool.  

I may 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 lecture exams consist of a mix of objective questions (traditional multiple choice, parameter questions) and short answer/essay questions.  In addition to above types of questions, lab exams will also have straightforward identification questions.

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 biology 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 Brooks Cole site is very useful in providing tutorials, animations, quizzes, and a multitude of other tools to help you study human biology.