Computer Requirements:

You will need access to a computer with the following minimum technical requirement:

• Operating Systems: Windows Vista/Windows 7

  Student Performance

  PURPOSE AND GOALS OF COURSE:

  By the end of the semester, the student will be able to satisfactorily complete all the listed learning objectives with a minimum of 60 percent competency level based on the completion of the chapter quizzes, unit exams, lab practicals, reading project/research presentation, and a comprehensive final examination.

  COURSE OBJECTIVES:

  By the end of the semester, the student will be able to satisfactorily complete all the listed learning objectives with a minimum of 70 percent competency level based on the completion of a minimum of four (4) major exams and a comprehensive final examination.

  1.   Describe each endocrine gland and its hormones including actions, regulation, and disorders.

  2.   Define the principal physical characteristics of blood and its functions in the body.

  3.   Identify and describe the structure of the heart and the functions of each part to include the flow of blood through the heart and the body.

  4.   Describe the principal events of the cardiac cycle and cardiac output.

  5.   Contrast the structure and function of arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins.

  6.   Identify and describe the functions and components of the lymphatic system.

  7.   Identify and describe the structure and functions of the organs of the respiratory system, including the events involved in inspiration and expiration.

  8.   Identify and describe the structure and function of the digestive system, and distinguish between the chemical and mechanical phases.

  9.        Identify and describe the structure and functions of the organs of the urinary system.

  10.      Describe the process of urine formation, its physical characteristics, and normal chemical components.

  11.      Identify and describe the structure, histology, and functions of the organs of the reproductive system.

  12.      Explain and describe the events associated with pregnancy.

  13.      Identify and describe the basic anatomy and physiology involved in the special senses.

  At designated times; the student will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:

  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.
  4. Basic laboratory techniques related to these studies.

  Students Rights and Responsibilities

  Student 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

  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.

  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.

  FOOD/DRINK:

  You may bring food and drink into lecture, just please nothing noisy or distracting.  Lab rules will be determined by the lab instructor.

  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 exam forms 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

  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.  

  Lecture Grades: 

  Chapter Quizzes:  (Called “Concept Checks” online) 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 20 - 25% of course grade.

  Unit Exams: Proctored, timed, repeatable 2X on due date with average score recorded in 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.

  Final Exam:  Proctored, timed, approximately 100 m/c 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:  Points may be earned for appropriate Discussion Board postings.  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: 

  • determined by several laboratory quizzes (10 points/quiz),   
  • CHALLENGE questions (up to 25 points/CHALLENGE),
  •  Topical Presentations (multimedia student research) guidelines distributed via BlackBoard LMS)
  • a reading assignment titled RAB for Read a Book Project (instructions posted in AC Online) 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
  • 2-4 laboratory practicals (up to 100 points/practical). 
  • The lowest lab quiz 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

              60% (420 pts)    =  D

              Below 60%        =  F

  Attendance

  ATTENDANCE POLICY:

  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 April 24, 2014.  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. 

  IMPORTANT DATES: 

              Jan 21              Classes begin

              Mar 10-16          Spring Break

              Apr 19-20          Easter Holiday

              April 27             Honors Convocation

              April 24             Last Day to Withdraw

              May 12-16         Final Exams

              May 16             Graduation

  Calendar

  TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF LECTURE AND LABORATORY TOPICS

   

  WEEK	LECTURE	LABORATORY
  Week 1 Jan 21 - 25	Introduction Chapter 15  Special Senses	Labs 23 General Senses
  Week 2 Jan 26 – Feb 1	Chapter 15 cont’d   Chapter 16 Endocrine	Labs 24-26 Taste/Smell Hearing/Equilibrium/Vision
  Week 3 Feb 2 – 8                                  Exam 1	Chapter 17  Blood	Labs 29  Blood Cells & Hematology
  Week 4 Feb 9 - 15	Chapter 18 The Heart	Labs 30-31 Heart & Cardiac Cycle
  Week 5 Feb 16 - 22	Chapter 17  Blood Vessels & Circulation	Labs 32-33 Vessels, BP, Pulse
  Week 6 Feb 23 – Mar 1	Chapter 17  cont’d	Dissection #4/5 –Cat vessels Lab 35  Lymphatics
  Week 7 Mar 2 – Mar 8                          Exam 2	Chapter 19 Lymphatic System & Immunity	Cat Practical I -Cat Arteries & Veins (Oral)
  SPRING BREAK!!!
  Week 8 Mar 16 - 22	Chapter 20 Respiratory System	LAB PRACTICAL I A
  Week 9 Mar 23 - 29	Chapter 20  Respiratory (cont)	Lab 36-37  Respiratory System
  Week 10 Mar 30 – Apr 5                         Exam 3	Chapter 21 Digestive Ch 22 Metabolism & Energetics	Lab 38  Digestive System
  Week 11  Apr 7 - 12	Chapter 23 Urinary System	Labs 40-41  Urinary System/Urinalysis
  Week 12 Apr 13 - 19	Chapter 24 Fluid, Electrolyte,and Acid-Base Balance	Labs 42  Male/Female Reproductive Systems
  Week 13 Apr 20 – 26                               Exam 4	Chapter 25  Reproductive System	Labs 43-45 Cat Dissection #6-9 Cat Practical
  Week 14  Apr 27 – May 2	Chapter 25 cont’d	Labs 43-45 cont’d Development & Genetics
  Week 15 May 4 – May 10                        Exam 5	Chapter 26 Heredity	LAB PRACTICAL II
  Week 16 See Final Exam Schedule for times/day	FINAL EXAM	NO LABORATORY

  Additional Information

  GRADING:  All chapter quizzes will be accessed through AC Online (BlackBoard) and you will have the opportunity for repeated attempts on each chapter quiz up to a designated deadline.  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 set number of attempts.   The emphasis will be upon learning 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 could 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 of 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 some assignments.  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). 

  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:

  • Read the text as assigned; as you read, look up any words you do not know the meaning of and write down the definitions
  • View the PowerPoint slide show as assigned; read and/or print notes if this is helpful to you.
  • Download and listen to the mp3 recordings available for most chapters.  Correlate with study outlines.    
  • Complete any correlating labs in the lab manual.  An answer key is provided in the Sciences Study Center in Warren 119.
  • Answer questions on the study guides or end of chapter reviews to finish preparing for the quiz/exam (note: some sections will have separate study guides for lab quizzes and practicals).
  • Review with MASTERING A&P.
  • Go back and study some more (especially those areas where you performed poorly on the quizzes)
  • Post your “most difficult topic” question and best answer(s) in the Discussion area of AC Online.    
  • 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.
  • Be prepared for the Unit Exam(s)!! 

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

  • Take the syllabus quiz until you make 100!!
  • 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.
  • Visit as many of the suggested links for interactive online study aids as you can. 
  • 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.
  • Try to schedule time at the computer away from distractions, pets, children, etc. to get the most out of your time spent online.  Many do quite well setting an early alarm (4:30 am or so) to get in some study time each morning. 
  • 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.
  • You can expect to spend between 6-12 hours per week on lecture
  • Please note that this is not a self-paced course. The online lecture (hybrid course option) will be paced to support the face-to-face laboratory activities and all assignments/assessments will have designated due dates.

  BIOLOGY STUDY CENTER: Science Testing Center:  Warren Hall 112

  All exams, excluding the Final Exam, will be taken in the Science Testing Center and may be taken during normal Science Testing Center hours, day or evening.  Exams are to be taken outside of class lecture time.  If an exam is retaken, the higher of the scores is counted.  Please note:  No exams will be given out less than one hour before the Science Testing Center closes. You must present an Amarillo College student ID every time you take an exam. The Science Testing Center staff will retain your ID while you take your exam and it will be returned to you when you turn in your exam.

  When using the Science Testing Center students should scan in and out with their Amarillo College student I.D.

  Mandatory Tutoring:  Warren Hall 110  In an effort to increase retention in Biology courses, any student who scores below a 70 on any exam (excluding the Final Exam week) must complete a mandatory 30 minute tutoring session with the Science Enrichment Center or his/her instructor or before taking the next exam.

  Appointments for 30 minute tutoring are required and can be scheduled in the Science Enrichment Center or by calling (806)371-5536.

  A Record of Tutoring form will be given to you when you complete 30 minutes of required tutoring. You will not be allowed to take the next exam without the complete Record of Tutoring form.

  Free Drop-in: Peer tutors are available at the Science Enrichment Center

  Testing Center Policy on Cheating: 

  Cheating will not be tolerated in any biology course at Amarillo College. On the first day of class, you will be required to sign and date a Course Contract. Included in the contract is the following statement: "I fully understand that if I cheat, or attempt to cheat, on any test I will receive an automatic “F” in the course. This grade will go on my permanent transcript and cannot be removed. Cheating includes, but is not limited to: the illegal use of books, notes, cell phones*, copying or leaving the Science Testing Center with a test or questions from a test. Cheating also includes helping, or attempting to help, other students to cheat on a test."

  You will not be allowed to take your tests until this contract is signed and on file in the Science Testing Center.

  *Please Note: NO CELL PHONES in the Testing Room. If we see your cell phone out AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, while in the testing room, YOU WILL RECEIVE an "F" for the course!

  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.

  Syllabus Created on:

  11/30/-1 12:00 AM

  Last Edited on:

  11/30/-1 12:00 AM