Anatomy and Physiology I Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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Course

BIOL-2401-023 Anatomy and Physiology I

Prerequisites

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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required Texts: 

1. Text:  Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology. Eleventh 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 use the 12^th edition of this lab manual.)
3. Note-taking guide:  Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 Note-taking Guide.  Dr. Amanda Rakhshandeh.  Posted online for each chapter.

Optional Resources:

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

Supplies

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.

Essential questions that students will ask during the course:

1. How does the shape of any part of the body cause it to function in a specific way?
2. What new functions can be seen once different anatomical structures begin working together?
3. How is homeostasis maintained and why is it important? 
4. How do cells obtain and use energy? 
5. How do biologists describe the body to one another?
6. How do biologists group the structures and functions of the body into categories? How do biologists use categorization to better understand the body?

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

Class Policies:

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Attendance:  Regular and consistent involvement with online lessons and textbook materials is necessary for satisfactory achievement.

 

Technical difficulties:  If you experience technical difficulties please immediately call AC help at 806.371.5000.    Please also immediately email your instructor and notify him/her about these difficulties.  You will be allowed one and only one reset on any assignment/exam for the semester.

 

Make-up policy: If you experience computer problems or miss an assignment, you will not be able to make up or retake the assignment. A missed assignment will result in a zero on that assignment, no exceptions.  Instead, you are allowed to drop grades, as listed in the above section.  Therefore, I suggest that you use your dropped grades wisely. 

  

Mandatory tutoring:  In an effort to increase retention in Biology courses, if you make less than a 70% on any exam, you must attend an online tutoring session prior to taking the next exam.  Your grade on the next exam will be changed to a zero if you have not completed the tutoring requirement.   You may also make an appointment with the Science Enrichment Center to receive mandatory tutoring in person.  The Science Enrichment Center is located on the first floor of Warren Hall, Room 110.  Appointments for tutoring can be made by calling 806.345.5536.  Mandatory tutoring is a Biology Department policy.

 

Cyber bully:  Disorderly conduct, such as verbally abusive or intimidating emails, or subjecting another person to inappropriate, abusive, threatening, or demeaning actions will be subject to disciplinary action.  Students who behave in a disorderly fashion may be required to withdraw from the course.

 

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.  Cheating on a test includes all of the following:

1. Copying from another student’s paper.
2. Using any materials (such as notes, any books, phones, smartwatches, etc.) when testing.
3. Collaborating with or seeking aid from another person during a test.
4. Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, an unadministered test’s contents.
5. The unauthorized transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of the unadministered test.
6. Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a test.
7. Bribing another person to obtain an unadministered test or information about an unadministered test.

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

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Mandatory proctoring of major exams:  All major exams will be given online and these exams must be proctored.  Therefore, students will be required to either 1) use webcam software that records them while taking exams, OR 2) take all quizzes and exams on the Washington Street campus in the Science Testing Center (first floor of Warren Hall, Room 112).  For either of these options, students will be required to show official picture identification prior to the start of the exam.   Please note that embedded webcams cannot be used, since they do not give good scans of the testing environment.  An external webcam is REQUIRED for the webcam testing option.

 

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Exam testing procedures:  The following table lists conduct requirements for online exams, as well as consequences for conduct violations:

Exam conduct requirement	Consequence for violation of exam conduct
Valid photo ID shown	A zero will be given for the exam until student identity is confirmed by a valid photo ID.
Correct placement of webcam	A 30% penalty will be given for incorrect webcam placement.  See the instructional video in the course website for a demonstration of correct webcam placement.
Complete environment scan	A 30% penalty will be given for an incomplete or insufficient scan of the testing environment.  See the instructional video in the course website for a demonstration of how to completely scan your testing environment.
Microphone turned on and recording	A 30% penalty will be given for an exam taken without the microphone being turned on and recording throughout the entire exam.
Sufficient lighting of the testing environment	A 30% penalty will be given for an exam taken without enough lighting for the instructor to assess the testing environment.
Student remains in webcam view during exam	A student who leaves the webcam view during an exam for any reason will receive a zero for that exam.
No unauthorized materials near desk area	A student who has any unauthorized materials (books, notes, blank paper, phone, another computer, etc.) near the testing area will receive a zero for that exam.
No talking with others during the exam or playing of music or other audio recordings.	A student who has any music or audio recordings playing during exams, or who talks with any adult for any reason during the exam, will receive a zero for that exam.
The exam is taken in an approved  proctored environment	Any exam taken without either the webcam software or in the Amarillo College Science Testing Center will receive a zero.

Consequences for violating the above requirements will be suspended on the prior knowledge quiz, so that instructors can educate students about proper testing behavior.  This suspending of consequences is done as service to students to prevent unintentional or honest mistakes during subsequent exams.  Consequences will be suspended only on the prior knowledge quiz.  Any student who thinks that a penalty was misapplied can request that the penalty be reviewed according to the grievance procedure listed below.    

 

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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, the STEM Dean, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the College President, in that order.

Grading Criteria

Evaluation Criteria:

1. Quizzes and critical thinking assignments (25%) – You will be required to take an online quiz for each chapter of the course.  Quiz questions are in various formats.  You will also be given a critical thinking assignment for most chapters in the course.  You will collaborate with classmates online to answer questions about this assignment using the Perusall tool.  All quiz and critical thinking assignment grades will be averaged and will be worth 25% of your final grade.  Due to potential technical difficulties, your two lowest grades from this category will be dropped.  The group project will be a part of this category, but it cannot be dropped.
2. Lecture examinations (55%) – Five lecture exams will be given throughout the course of the semester. A final exam will also be given that will cover every chapter of the course.  These exams will consist of multiple-choice questions.  The lowest exam grade will be dropped from this category.
3. Practical examinations (20%) – Your lab grade for the semester will be based on five lab practical examinations consisting of mostly fill-in-the-blank questions.  The lowest practical examination grade will be dropped.

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

89.5 - 100% = A                     80 – 89.5% = B                      70 – 79.5% = C                       60 – 69.5% = D                      <59.5 = F

Attendance

Regular and consistent involvement with online lessons and textbook materials is necessary for satisfactory achievement.

Calendar

Additional Information

Plan to study 20 hours a week.  To pass this course, most students need to study around 20 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 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 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.  Stick to your plan and then reward yourself at the end of the week for a job well-done.

 

Take good notes. In the videos, I will discuss the most significant concepts from the textbook and lab manual.  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 are 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 Note-taking guide is designed to help you structure your note-taking.

 

Use the tools that I provide.  As an instructor, I believe that my job is to help you rise up to the high standards of this course.  Therefore, I have provided you with a number of tools to support you in your learning. 

1. Videos – Videos are provided that show me talking through course concepts, as I would in a face-to-face class.  You may watch these videos at a pace that best fits your learning.  You can revisit these videos at any time.
2. Note-taking guide – These guides help you structure your note taking, know when you have missed important points, and better review material when studying. 
3. Visible Body online dissection tool – An online dissection tool is available that will help you to visualize body structures in a three-dimensional format.  I will use this tool in the videos and you can also use it to study on your own. 
4. Online tutorials – Online tutorials are available for each chapter of the course.  These tutorials often write about tough topics in a slightly different way than the textbook, and they contain interactive games that will help you fill out the Note-taking Guide and test what you know.  They also have helpful videos from outside sources embedded within them.
5. PowerPoint slides – The PowerPoint slides that I use in the videos can be printed out to help you with your note taking.
6. Lecture exam reviews – Each exam review lists topics from each chapter on which you will be tested.  Exams cover only the topics listed on reviews.
7. Practical exam “terms to know” – Each chapter contains many anatomical structures.  I will test you on only a subset of these structures, which are listed on the “terms to know” sheets for each chapter.

 

Ask questions.  If you don’t understand something discussed in the online content, ask questions by email, arrange to meet with me online, or arrange to talk with the course PAL (an Amarillo College student who has successfully completed A&P).  We 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.

 

Study effectively.  Any biology course these days will have a lot of information, so making the most of your study time is key.  Begin by making your own study aids.  For example, make outlines and flash cards of course material as you read and review your notes.  Create visual study aids where you draw out important structures and label key features.  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 practice writing out and linking concepts by memory, use blank versions of the note-taking guide as a study aid, create lists of questions that help you remember the material, and then practice answering those questions, filling out a blank note-taking guide, or recreating visual study aids by memory.   You should do at least one or two of these activities each day.  Finally, please note that reading text, notes, review guides, or images over and over again is the LEAST EFFECTIVE way to study for this class.  Students who do not test their memories of course concepts when studying typically earn around a 40 to 50% on major examinations.

 

Tutoring resources:  In-person and online tutoring is available from the Science Enrichment Center, located on the first floor of Warren Hall, Room 110 at Amarillo College’s Washington Street campus.  Call 806.345.5536. for Enrichment Center hours of operation.  Please take advantage of this great resource!