Anatomy and Physiology I Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

BIOL-2401-020 Anatomy and Physiology I

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills; SCIT 1307 recommended

Course Description

Anatomy and Physiology I is the first part of a two course sequence. It is a study of the structure and function of the human body including cells, tissues and organs of the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous and special senses. Emphasis is on interrelationships among systems and regulation of physiological functions involved in maintaining homeostasis. The lab provides hands-on learning experience for exploration of human system components and basic physiology.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required Texts: 

1. Text:  Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology. Tenth Edition. By Martini, Nath & Bartholomew. 
2. Lab Manual:  Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Manual, Cat Version. Custom edition for Amarillo College.  By Marieb, Mitchell & Smith.  (Note: you may also purchase and use the 11^th edition, but it may cost more than the custom edition for Amarillo College.)
3. Notes:  Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 Study & Note-taking Guide.  Amanda Pendleton.  Available through the AC bookstore.

Recommended Materials:

1. Online Materials:  Mastering A&P – Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology; access code for online content 

Supplies

No supplies available

Student Performance

Learning outcomes:

1. Use anatomical terminology to identify and describe locations of major organs of each system covered.
2. Explain interrelationships among molecular, cellular, tissue and organ functions in each system.
3. Describe the interdependency and interactions of the systems.
4. Explain contributions of organs and systems to the maintenance of homeostasis.
5. Identify causes and effects of homeostatic imbalances.
6. Describe modern technology and tools used to study anatomy and physiology.
7. Apply appropriate safety and ethical standards.
8. Locate and identify anatomical structures.
9. Appropriately utilize laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, dissection tools, general lab ware, physiology data acquisition systems and virtual simulations.
10. Work collaboratively to perform experiments.
11. Demonstrate the steps involved in the scientific method.
12. Communicate results of scientific investigations, analyze data and formulate conclusions.
13. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving skills, including, but not limited to, inferring, integrating, synthesizing and summarizing to make decisions, recommendations and predictions.

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

1. Electronic devices:  Please turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices prior to entering the classroom.  If you would like to take notes on your personal laptop in class you must seek special permission from the instructor.  Use of laptops for surfing the web, Facebook, Skype, or other networking/chat during class is not appropriate or respectful classroom behavior.
2. Lecture exam protocol (Warren Hall 112):  All tests, excluding take-home exams and final exams, will be taken in the Science Testing Center during days scheduled by the teacher during normal Science Testing Center hours.  Tests will be taken outside of class lecture time.  Please note:  No test may be started less than one and a half hours before the Science Testing Center closes. You must present an Amarillo College student ID every time you take a test. The Science Testing Center staff will retain your ID while you take your test and will return it to you when you turn in your test.  When using the Science Testing Center students will scan in and out with their Amarillo College student I.D.
3. In-class quiz & lab practical protocol:  A student should place all book bags, purses, and other belongings at the front of the room while sitting for quizzes or lab practicals.  Desktops should be clear except for the materials needed and authorized for testing.  Do not take any exam with notecards in your pockets or on your person.  All cell phones are to be turned off and either in your bag in the front of the room or on the instructor’s bench. Do not write notes or study material, or anything that could be construed as these, on your body.  Check for such notations and remove them before the exam time.  A violation of any of these policies is considered a breach of the Student Code of Conduct. Students should feel free to ask for clarification about any question during quizzes or the lab practical.
4. Cheating:  Honesty and ethical behaviors are imperatives in any career.  Therefore, cheating will not be tolerated.  Amarillo College’s “Student Code of Conduct” will apply to all work in this course.  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.”  You will not be allowed to take your tests until this contract is signed and on file in the Science Testing Center.  Cheating on a test includes all of the following:

• Copying from another student’s paper.
• Using test materials not authorized by the person administering the test.
• Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test without permission from the test administrator.
• Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of an unadministered test.
• The unauthorized transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of the unadministered test.
• Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a test.
• Bribing another person to obtain an unadministered test or information about an unadministered test.
• The use of any testing materials that are prohibited.

If you have any questions about what constitutes your own work, definitely ask!

5. 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 tutoring session in the Science Enrichment Center or with his/her instructor before taking the next exam. Before getting mandatory tutoring, students must first schedule a tutoring time with the SEC by either calling (806 345-5536) or visiting (Warren Hall 110).  The SEC will do its best to accommodate a student’s schedule within the SEC hours of operation. This may require plenty of advanced notice by the student as time slots fill quickly.  Upon arrival in the SEC, students must inform SEC staff that they are there for mandatory tutoring. Mandatory tutoring will not require remediation over a failed test. The first instance of mandatory tutoring will be for 30 minutes. Subsequent instances of mandatory tutoring will be for 60 minutes.
6. Make-up policy: According to Biology department policy, if you miss a lecture exam you will not be able to make up or retake the exam because you are allowed a dropped grade.  I suggest that you use this dropped exam grade wisely.  Only one lab practical exam can be made up if documentation of a serious life event (such as death or hospitalization in the family) is provided.  The make-up day for any lab practical exam is Friday, May 6.  The final exam cannot be made up and will not be dropped.  A missed final exam will result in a zero on that exam.  If you already know of a conflict with an exam date, you are welcome to contact me prior to the start of the exam and make arrangements to take it early.
7. Grievance procedure: If a student is having a problem with the course policies or the instructor, he or she should first try and resolve any such problems with the instructor. If the problem is not resolved, the student may proceed to the Biology Department Chair (Dr. Claudie Biggers); the Interim Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Dean (Dr. Dan Ferguson), the Vice President for Academic Affairs (Dr. Deborah Vess), the College President (Dr. Russell Lowry-Hart), in that order.
8. State law on dropping courses:  Effective with the Fall 2007 semester a new Texas law mandates that students may only drop or withdraw six (6) times in their entire college career. If you transfer to another Texas school, you do not start over; so, if you drop four classes at AC, then you only have two drops left. If you drop before the census date, then that does not count in the six drop status. As I understand the law, if you use you six drops and decided to try to drop a seventh class, you cannot do so.

Grading Criteria

• Homework assignments (5%) – There will be several homework assignments throughout the semester in various formats.   The lowest two homework grades will be dropped.  All other homework grades will be averaged and will be worth 5% of your final grade.

• Quizzes (5%) – There will be several quizzes in lecture, in lab an online.  The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.  All other quizzes and homework grades will be averaged and will be worth 5% of your final grade.
• Lecture examinations (40%) – Five lecture exams will be given throughout the course of the semester. The lecture exams will be a combination of multiple choice, true/false, matching, identifications, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions.  The lowest lecture exam grade will be dropped.
• Practical examinations (25%) – Your lab grade for the semester will be based on four lab practical examinations.  No lab practical grades will be dropped.
• Final examination (25%) – A comprehensive exam equal to one-fourth of the total grade for the semester. The final exam is mandatory and cannot be dropped.                                                      

Final grade determination: Grades are not curved under any circumstances.

90 - 100% = A         80 – 89.9% = B      70 – 79.9% = C                       60 – 69.9% = D      <60 = F

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.

Calendar

Additional Information

Tips for Success:  Anatomy & Physiology I is an intensive course that requires time and commitment.  To perform well in this course, you must manage your time appropriately and have a proper study plan, beginning from the first day of class.  The following are some tips that will help you succeed:

• Make a study schedule.  To pass this course, most students need to study around 12 hours per week.  The best overall study strategy is to work consistently, in small doses.  “Cramming” for an exam is rarely successful.  I suggest that you plan out your study time at the beginning of each week.  Begin by marking down the times for each day that you have family or work commitments, as well as other non-negotiable time commitments.  Then plan out the specific days, hours, and places that you will study throughout the week.  Be sure to pick a study location that is as free from distractions as possible.  Be sure to stick to your plan as much as possible and then reward yourself at the end of the week for a job well-done.
• Skim before class and read after class.  It’s helpful to skim through the readings from your textbook and lab manual before coming to class, jotting down questions or areas of confusion.  Use the exam reviews as you read and study to help you determine which portions are most important to understand.  Then, bring your books to class and mark on the text and the figures as needed.  Finally, read after class, using a highlighter to mark the topics that were just covered in class.  Be sure to note any topics that still confuse you, because all material covered in class is fair game for quiz and exam questions.  This second reading is critical because it will help you to connect class discussions to the textbook assignments.
• Take good notes. During class, we will discuss the most significant concepts from your readings.  At times, I will present examples that may not be given in your textbook.  You are responsible for all of this information.  Good note-taking will help you to remember which concepts were most important and why.  Additionally, the act of note-taking is itself a learning exercise that helps you to stay actively engaged in the topic and better remember class discussions.  The “Basics” worksheets are designed to help you structure your note-taking.
• Ask questions.  Anatomy & Physiology I is a collaborative course.  Therefore, if you don’t understand something discussed in class, ask questions in class, ask questions of your peers, form productive study groups, or arrange to meet with me.  I welcome your questions, and if you’re struggling, it’s important to get help early.  Additionally, by asking questions, you take charge of your own learning.
• Build a foundation of knowledge, but aim high in your thinking (adapted from www.cas.lsu.edu).  While studying, keep in mind that you will need to do more than simply learn facts; you will need to think.  We will use a learning pyramid posted in the syllabus given in-class as a guide for our thinking this semester:
  • Level 1 = Remember, Understand & Explain: Memorize and understand information. Recognize a correct answer.  Restate in your own words.  Explain a step-by-step process (even a complicated one).  Identify an anatomical structure.
  • Level 2 = Analyze & Apply: Identify patterns in new information or anatomical structures.  Discover similarities and differences, or arrange anatomical structures or physiological processes in a logical order or in categories.  Use information to solve new problems; transfer abstract ideas from the textbook to a practical, new situation.
  • Level 3 = Evaluate & Create:  Predict the consequences of abnormal anatomical structures.  Deduce the causes of abnormal physiological functions.  Evaluate the potential effectiveness or worth of a solution or idea.  Take a position on an issue and using evidence to support that position.  Combine information from a number of different sources to form a unique product that requires creativity and originality.

Notice how each level of the pyramid builds on the foundation that precedes it.  You must learn the lower level knowledge before you can effectively think at higher levels.  In general, students who earn lower grades have not gone past the ‘Remember, understand & explain’ level.  Students who earn higher grades generally know the course material well enough to perform higher level thinking tasks.

• Study effectively.  Any biology course these days will have a lot of information, so making the most of your study time is key.  To master the course material at the lowest level you should begin by making your own study aids.  For example, make outlines and flash cards of course material as you read and review your notes.  Doing this will help you to not only remember course concepts, but also better understand how they relate to each other.  I also suggest that you study the diagrams from your readings, practice writing out and linking concepts by memory, prepare your own tables and diagrams as a study aid, create lists of questions that help you remember the material, and then practice answering those questions by memory.   Remember, all quizzes and exams are timed, so it’s important to know the material well before beginning an exam.  Additionally, good preparation before an exam can reduce the testing anxiety that many students experience.  To practice higher level thinking, complete all worksheets and problems given during class and assigned outside of class.  You should do at least one or two of these activities (in addition to your reading) each day.
• Tutoring resources:  24-hour online tutoring is available for all students of this course.  Simply, log on to the AC Online homepage and go to Institutional Resources.  Then click on the Smart Thinking Online Tutoring icon.  In-person, free, peer tutoring is also available from the Science Enrichment Center, located on the first floor of Warren Hall, Room 110 at Amarillo College’s Washington Street campus.  Hours are posted throughout Warren Hall and in the Science Lab Building.  You are welcome to drop in at any time.  Please take advantage of these great opportunities. 
• Other resources:  Disability Services (SSC 199, 806.371.5436) will help any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements.  Please contact them as soon as possible if you think you might need their services.