Anatomy and Physiology II Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information
Office Location
Science Bldg 210 A
Office Hours
Thursdays 8:00-8:20 or 12:30-1pm by appointment –
Course Information
AI Statement
Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting
Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.
Recording Policy
Disability Statement
If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.
Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement
Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.
If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.
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:
Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.
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.
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-2402-008 Anatomy and Physiology II
Prerequisites
Prerequisite: BIOL 2401
Course Description
Anatomy and Physiology II is the second part of a two-course sequence. It is a study of the structure and function of the human body including the following systems: endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive (including nutrition), urinary (including fluid and electrolyte balance) and reproductive (including human development and genetics). Emphasis is on interrelationships among systems and regulation of physiological functions involved in maintaining homeostasis. The lab provides a hands-on learning experience for exploration of human system components and basic physiology.
Student Resources Student 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
On Campus Course
Syllabus Information
Textbooks
Required Texts:
Text: Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology. Eleventh Edition. By Martini, Nath & Bartholomew.
Lab Manual: Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Manual, Cat Version. Custom edition for Amarillo College. By Marieb, Mitchell & Smith. (Note: you may also use the 13th edition of this lab manual.)
Optional Resources:
Online Materials: Mastering A&P – Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology; access code for online content
Supplies
-Regular available access to some type of technology hardware (ie desktop/laptop/chromebook/ipad/surface...to include all computers on campus as well)
- Writing utensil (pen/pencil) & a grading utensil of a different color
- A readily available paper source (i.e. notebook, loose leaf, etc) in class
- Colored pencils
- A folder or notebook to manage handouts & diagrams
Student Performance
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 associate with pregnancy.
13. Identify and describe the basic anatomy and physiology involved in the special senses.
Students Rights and Responsibilities
Student Rights and ResponsibilitiesLog 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
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.
Make-up policy: If you experience computer problems or miss an exam, you will not be able to make up or retake the exam. You are only allowed one dropped lecture exam and one dropped lab practical exam. I suggest that you use these dropped exams wisely. The final exam will not be dropped. A missed exam will result in a zero on that exam, no exceptions.
Mandatory tutoring: In an effort to increase retention in Biology courses, if you make less than a 75% on any exam, you must attend an online tutoring session prior to taking the next exam. You will use the Blackboard Collaborate tool to complete this tutoring. You will not be given credit for the next test unless you have 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 4th floor of Ware Building. 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 the subjection of another person to inappropriate, abusive, threatening, or demeaning actions will be subject to disciplinary actions. 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:
Copying from another student’s paper.
Using test materials not authorized by the person administering the test.
Collaborating with or seeking aid from another person 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.
If you have any questions about what constitutes your own work, definitely ask the professor.
Exam Testing procedures: Unit Tests will be taken at the SASC testing center. Students must make an appointment to test!
Science Testing Center & Science Academic Success Center: Ware Building 1st floor
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 (Dan Porter); the Dean of Academic Transfer(Frank Sobey), the Vice President for Academic Affairs (Frank Sobey), and the College President (Denese Skinner), in that order.
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 six drops and decide to try to drop a seventh class, you cannot do so.
Attendance: Daily attendance is strongly encouraged since a large amount of information is covered daily. You are responsible for obtaining any missed material. Attendance will be taken everyday in lab and lecture.
- Failure to remain in the classroom for the duration of the class or to leave early without first discussing the extenuating circumstance with the professor will result in an absence for that period.
- More than 4 unexcused absences and more than 7 total excused absences will result in forfeiting the privilege of dropping your lowest test and/or lab practical grades. The final exam will not be dropped under any circumstance per department policy.
- If you are asked to leave class for disruptive behavior or for inappropriate clothing, it is considered an unexcused absence.
Clothing/Attire: Any offensive, vulgar, or revealing clothing is prohibited & you will be asked to leave. If you chose to not comply with the request, the campus police will be contacted to escort you out of class.
For the purpose of safety, you must wear closed toed shoes in the Laboratory setting as well as refrain from long dangling jewelry. All long hair must be pulled back for experiments or dissections, regardless of the gender, and at the discretion of the professor.
Grading Criteria
Homework (5%) – There will be a number of homework assignments throughout the semester. All homework grades will be averaged and will be worth 5% of your final grade. Due to potential technical difficulties, two homework grades will be dropped.
Quizzes (5%) – There will be several quizzes for both the lecture and lab portions of the course in various formats. All quizzes will be averaged and will be worth 5% of your final grade.
Attendance (5%) - Taken daily. No more than 4 unexcused absences and a total of at lease 80% to be eligible for a dropped lecture exam grade and a dropped lab practical grade. For an absence to be considered excused, you must provide acceptable documentation for the absence in question. Refer to instructor for examples.
Lecture examinations (40%) – Five lecture exams will be given throughout the course of the semester covering online lecture lessons and reading materials. The lecture exams will consist of a variety of question formats. The lowest lecture exam grade will be dropped provide the attendance criteria is met.
Practical examinations (25%) – Your lab grade for the semester will be based on five lab practical examinations consisting mostly (but not all) of fill-in-the-blank questions. One lab practical examination grade will be dropped provided the attendance criteria is met.
Final examination (20%) – The final exam will be 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. Final grades are calculated on student performance and according to the aforementioned breakdown. Grades are curved up only when they reach a 69.5 but not before. Points are earned, not given. Per department policy, no EXTRA Credit will be awarded at any time.
89.5 - 100% = A 80 – 89.5% = B 70 – 79.5% = C
60 – 69.5% = D <59.5 = F
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 some additional time outside of class on the material in this course! Review the covered material daily. This course is 8 weeks long, and getting behind could easily be catastrophic to your grade.
Attendance
Regular and consistent involvement with online lessons and textbook materials is necessary for satisfactory achievement.
Motivation for Good Attendance – Dropped Exam Privileges!
Regular attendance is essential to your success in this course.
To encourage and reward consistent participation, students who meet the following attendance criteria will be eligible to have one lowest regular exam grade dropped at the end of the semester:
• No more than four unexcused absences for the entire term.
• An absence is considered excused only with official documentation (e.g., medical note, court summons, college-sanctioned event).
• Tardiness of more than 10 minutes counts as a half-absence; two half-absences equal one absence.
• Attendance will be taken at the start of each class session.
• Students with more than four unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, or who leave early without prior approval will not qualify for the dropped exam benefit.
Important: This policy is a privilege, not a right. Students who do not meet the attendance requirements will keep all exam grades in their final average.
**There are no individual extra credit options or assignments. Track your **Grade Progress and prepare accordingly throughout the term.
Calendar
Week 1 - Syllabus/Lab Safety/ Blood
Week 2 - Cardiovascular
Week 3 - Vessels & Lymphatic/Immune System
Week 4 - Digestive System
Week 5 - Urinary System
Week 6 - Fluid balance/ Electrolytes / Acid-Base Balance
Week 7 - Reproductive System / Embryonic Development
Week 8 - Review / Final EXAM May 14, 2026 9am-11am in Warren 212.
*This calendar is subject to change based on how efficiently & effectively we are covering material, as well as lab material availability. Any changes will be posted as early as possible and announced in class.
Additional Information
Tips for Success: Anatomy & Physiology II 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.
Read, view online lessons, and re-read. It’s helpful to skim through the readings from your textbook and lab manual before viewing the material online, jotting down questions or areas of confusion. Then, use your books while working through the online lesson material and mark on the text and the figures as needed. Finally, read a second time after viewing the online material, using a different color of highlighter and paying careful attention to topics covered in the lessons. Be sure to note any topics that still confuse you, because all online and reading materials are fair game for quiz and exam questions.
Ask questions. Learning is enhanced through collaboration. Therefore, if you don’t understand something, ask questions during virtual office hours, through email, or through online or in-person tutoring resources. 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.
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 you should begin by making your own study aids. For example, make outlines and flash cards of course material as you read and view the online lessons. 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 in your reading and online materials, 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 online 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.
Tutoring resources: In-person tutoring is available from the Science Enrichment Center, located on the 4th floor of the Warren building at Amarillo College’s Washington Street campus. Call 806.345.5536. for Enrichment Center hours of operation. Please take advantage of this great resource!
Syllabus Created on:
03/12/26 2:13 PM
Last Edited on:
03/23/26 3:03 PM