\ 1.    Vocabulary and concepts mastery for anatomy and physiology of the human body

\ 2.    Identification and description of body systems and their proper functioning.

\ 3.    Awareness of the relevance of these studies, and

\ 4.    Basic laboratory techniques related to these studies.

\ GRADING: All chapter quizzes (Concept Checks) will be accessed through AC Connect (BlackBoard LMS) and you will have the opportunity of repeated attempts on each chapter quiz up to a designated deadline with each quiz being randomly generated from the pool of questions. Most questions will consist of short answer and identification, along with some multiple choice questions. There will be a maximum of 25 questions delivered within a 25 minute maximum time limit. These online chapter quizzes may be repeated up to a maximum of five (5) times. The emphasis will be upon learning and retaining the material at hand and the highest grade will be recorded and figured into your cumulative grade. Grading is 50% lecture (assessed by chapter quizzes worth 25% and four to five proctored unit exams worth 25% of cumulative grade), 25% lab (10% assessed by lab quizzes, RAB, critical thinking problems and case studies (CHALLENGE), 15% by lab practical exams) and 25% by the comprehensive final exam. Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact Disability Services (SSC 119, ph 371-5436) within the first two weeks of class.

\ COURSE CONTENT:

\ There will be online content that you may access any time you wish. The online portion will require that you be self-motivated and have a structure to your study habits (and that you follow that structure!).  There will also be a reading assignment titled RAB for Read a Book Project (instructions posted online) that will consist of one book that is assigned for 10 points, with the option of earning up to 25 more points for two more books worth extra credit (equivalent to 3.5 quiz grades).

\ Once you determine you are ready to go with the online portion, I would suggest the following:

\ Where to start: 

\ Review the calendar at the beginning of the course, and try to outline a schedule for yourself, that fits into your schedule.  I have tried to leave some flexibility in the course structure to accommodate schedules, but there are deadlines for assignments, quizzes, and exams.  It is more critical than ever that YOU take on the responsibility of staying on top of assignments and schedules.

\ Science courses in general require at least 3 hours of study for every hour spent “in class”.  Some students require more, some less, but the point here is that you need to be prepared to spend time on this course! 

\ Feel free to print off material from the course site. It may also help to write things down as you read from the screen.  The act of writing things down seems to greatly increase the retention rate of material (versus the simple act of reading it).  Many commonly asked questions might be answered in the FAQ section (located within “Start Here”).  Check it out to see if YOUR question might be there!

\ My suggestion for each unit is the following:

\ At the beginning of each week, check out the guidelines for the current unit as posted on the calendar.  The guidelines will include the following:

\ ü  Read the text as assigned; as you read, look up any words you do not know the meaning of and write down the definitions

\ ü  Print the Lecture Note Outlines and fill in additional material from the lecture material(s).

\ ü  Download and listen to the podcasts or the Special Topic lectures for each chapter.  Correlate with the lecture notes. 

\ ü  Complete any correlating labs in the lab manual.  An answer key is provided in the Biology Study Center.

\ ü  Answer questions on the study guide to finish preparing for the quiz/exam (note: some sections will have separate study guides for lab quizzes and practicals).

\ ü  Go back and study some more (especially those areas where you performed poorly on the quizzes)

\ ü  Post your “most difficult topic” question and best answer(s) in the Discussion area of AC Connect.

\ ü  Email me with questions if you cannot find the answers in your text, in the online reading material or from a fellow student via discussion or chat rooms.

\ ü  Be prepared for the Unit Exam!! 

\ Other things you might consider to increase your success in the course:

\ Ø  Take the syllabus quiz until you make 100!!

\ Ø  Try to redraw figures/diagrams that are included in the readings and PPT’s.  Make sure you can label them correctly and understand the diagram fully.

\ Ø  Visit as many of the suggested links for interactive online study aids as you can. 

\ Ø  Form a “study group” with one or two fellow students.  You can use online chats, face-to-face meetings, internal emails or the discussion threads to communicate with members of the study group.

\ Ø  Try to schedule time at the computer away from distractions, pets, children, etc. to get the most out of your time.  Try setting an early alarm (ex: 4:30 am) to get in study time each morning. 

\ ·         NOTE:  LECTURE will be conducted entirely online using the BlackBoard course management system.  Most activities are conducted asynchronously in order to benefit your personal time schedule.

\ Ø  Students are required to log into their course at least four times per week and must complete at least two course activities per week as designated by the course syllabus to receive full credit for each week.

\ Ø  You can expect to spend between 6-12 hours per week on lecture

\ Ø  Please note that this is not a self-paced course. The online lecture will be paced to support the face-to-face laboratory activities and all assignments/assessments will have strict due dates.

\ You are expected to complete quizzes and exams without the use of notes, textbook or other materials, just as if you were in the classroom.  Cheating may give you a better grade, but it does not serve you in the end…….after all, learning the material is in your best interest and is the point of this course!  For detailed information as to what constitutes cheating and plagiarism, see the section under Student Rights and Responsibilities.  

\  

\  

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

\ SAFETY:  The student will be expected to follow the safety rules and to notify the instructor immediately if any accident occurs.  While the risk is minimized as much as possible, there is the potential for contact with electrical appliances,  heating elements, sharp instruments, chemicals, and organic materials, some of which may be biohazards.  Any student deemed to be jeopardizing the safety of others will be asked to leave.

\ CHEATING: Do not give any indication of cheating. This involves talking during exams, use of notes, cell phones, texting, hiding hands, notes, books, etc. under the desk, and the like. Suspected cheating on any assessment will result in a zero for the grade and possible expulsion (removal) from the class.

\ FOOD/DRINK:

\ You may bring food and drink into the classrooms, just please nothing noisy or distracting.  Make sure any drinks have lids or caps.

\ CELL PHONES/PAGERS:

\ There will be no restriction except during examinations, but I would ask you to show common courtesy for your fellow students and your instructor and either turn off phones, or place on “silent” mode during class.  If you have a pressing need, please excuse yourself quietly and take care of it. No cells phones out in sight or on at all, when exams are present in class.  Be aware of the following consequence if your phone rings and violates the cell phone policy when in class.  Classroom Cell Phone Policy that Builds Community

\  

Grading Criteria

\ Lecture Grades: 

\ Chapter Quizzes:  (Called “Concept Check” online) Randomized questions,Unproctored,timed,repeatable until deadline, maximum of 25 questions (FIB, MC, SA format) highest score recorded in grade book.  100 points/quiz.  All quizzes comprise up to 25% of course grade.

\ Unit Exams: Randomized questions, Proctored, timed, repeatable 2X on due date with average of the two scores recorded in the grade book.  Delivery via AC Online (Angel LMS)  Maximum of 75 questions, primarily MC format and 100 points/exam.  4-5 exams comprise 25% of course grade. If you make less than a 70 on any major exam, you will be required to obtain 30 minutes of tutoring from the Science Enrichment Center prior to taking the next test.  You will not be allowed to take the next test until after I have verification that you have received this tutoring.

\ Final Exam: Proctored, timed, 100 multiple choice questions. Delivery via AC Online (Angel LMS) comprises 25% of course grade. The final exam will be available during final exam week as posted in the Amarillo College semester calendar. All other online chapter quizzes and unit exams will be available at appropriately scheduled times throughout the semester.

\ Discussion Board:  The Discussion board is a forum for the online class community to post questions, clarifications, suggestions, helpful links and the like. This is an asynchronous area of communication that will be instructor moderated, but is student centered and maintained. The Read A Book Project qualifies for discussion posts, as well. From time to time, I will post pertinent information for you on the discussion board. You will see when new posts appear, so please check them at least once or twice a week, minimum.   Read A Book Project qualifies for discussion posts, as well. 

\ You will have 3 hours of lecture for every 3 hours of laboratory. 

\ Laboratory grade:

\ Ø  determined by several laboratory quizzes (10 points/quiz),    

\ Ø  CHALLENGE questions (up to 25 points/CHALLENGE),

\ Ø  a reading assignment titled RAB for Read a Book Project (instructions posted in AC Connect) that will consist of one book that is assigned for 10 points, with the option of earning up to 25 more points of extra credit (equivalent to 3.5 quiz grades), and

\ Ø  3-4 laboratory practicals (up to 100 points/practical).  The best lab quizzes will be factored into your laboratory grade and the lowest score will be discarded. 

\ The laboratory portion of the course will constitute 25% of your course grade. 

\ Standard Grading will be Utilized: (based on 700 point total, for example, but total points available may vary).  Your grade will be calculated based on the following formula:

\             90% (630 +pts)  = A                Points earned               X 100 = grade

\             80% (560 pts)    =  B               Points available

\ 70% (490 pts)    =  C                                                   89.5 - 100 = A

\ 60% (420 pts)    =  D                                                   79.5 - 89.4 = B

\ Below 60%        =  F                                                   69.5 - 79.4 = C

\ 59.5 - 69.4 = D

\ Below 59.5 = F           

\ Grades are not curved. There may be the possibility of an extra credit opportunity for the equivalent of a quiz grade.

Attendance

\ There is much information to be covered during the semester; therefore, the student should be prepared to attend class regularly and keep up with the assignments.  If you stop attending class and do not officially drop the course, you will receive an “F” for the course.  A grade of “W” will be given for student-initiated drops or withdrawals on or before November 20, 2013.  There will be no MAKE UPS on assignments, quizzes, or exams past the posted deadline, so please do not ask. 

\   Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the student’s responsibility to attend class. 

Calendar

Additional Information

\ IMPORTANT DATES:

\ August 26        Classes begin

\ Sept 2              Labor Day Holiday      (No School!)  

\ Sept 11            Census Day                                                    Sept 26    Fall Fest

\ Nov 20                        Last Day to Withdraw

\ Nov 28-Dec 1Thanksgiving Holiday  (No School!)

\ Dec 9-13         Final Exams

\ Dec 14                        Commencement

\  

\ BIOLOGY STUDY CENTER: Hours will be posted in each class room.  If you make less than a 70 on any major exam, you will be required to obtain 30 minutes of tutoring from the Science Enrichment Center prior to taking the next test.  You will not be allowed to take the next test until after I have verification that you have received this tutoring.

\  

\ I reserve the right to amend this syllabus at any time during the semester!!

\  

\ Weather Closing Policy

\ If Amarillo College campuses are closed because of inclement weather, an official announcement will be made through all local television stations and KGNC radio. The message will also be posted on the college website and the College’s main telephone number (806) 371 5000.

\ Morning closings will be announced by 6:30 a.m. The decision to close or change evening classes will be made by 3:00 p.m. If a decision to cancel classes or close a campus is made during the day, students will be notified through the media and website. If no announcement is made, the College is open as normally scheduled.

\ Please listen closely to weather announce­ments as one campus may be closed while others remain open.

\ Levels of Learning

\ Bloom’s Taxonomy

\  

\ The Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) has set forth a complete list of learning outcomes for college-level Anatomy & Physiology courses.  HAPS also has a set of course guidelines for undergraduate instruction of Human Anatomy & Physiology. 

\ Click on the hyperlinked text for more information.