Anatomy and Physiology I Syllabus for 2026-2027
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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.

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For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

Course

BIOL-2401-035 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 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

Hours

(4 sem hrs 3 lec 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Anatomy and Physiology: An Integrative Approach 2025 Release, McGraw Hill

Laboratory Manual – Anatomy and Physiology: An Integrative Approach 2025 Release, McGraw Hill

Supplies

Always bring books with you, pen or pencil, and anything you will need to take notes and complete your work. 

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

Cell phones are not prohibited; however, please be considerate of others.  This means they should be on silent or vibrate mode.  Please be courteous to those around you with regard to cell phones  and do not disrupt class.  If the call is an emergency please take the call outside of the classroom.  No texting during class, no music devices can be used in class and head phones must be out of ears and out of sight.  If your cell phone goes off while we are taking a quiz, exam, or practical, you may receive a grade of zero on that test.  Cell phones in the “silent or vibrate” modes are not considered to be in the off mode and the preceding sentence will apply to these phones. 

Treat every one how you would want to be treated.

FOOD AND DRINK:

You may bring food and drink into both lecture and lab; however if you spill something, please clean up after yourself.  

Grading Criteria

• Lecture/Lab Activities, Quizzes, Homework (10%) – There will be a number of lab activities/quizzes/homework for both the lecture and lab portion of the course in various formats.  All of these assignments will be averaged and will be worth 10% of your final grade. Your two lowest of these grades will be dropped.
• Lecture Examinations (40%) – Four lecture exams will be given throughout the course of the semester covering lecture lessons and reading materials. The lowest lecture exam grade will be dropped.
• Practical Examinations (30%) – Your lab grade for the semester will be based on four lab practical examinations consisting of mostly fill-in-the-blank questions.  
• Final Examination (20%) – The final exam will be a comprehensive exam.The final exam is mandatory and cannot be dropped. This exam will be Tuesday Dec 15.                                     

NO MAKE UP will be given for missed major exams nor lecture/lab activities, quizzes, and  any other assignments.  A grade of zero will be given for any missed major exam, etc. NO EXCEPTIONS.  If you have a schedule conflict, you have one dropped lecture exam and two dropped Lecture/Lab Activities, Quizzes, Homework grades . There will be no other exceptions.

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

90 - 100% = A                  80 – 89% = B                   70 – 79% = C                   

60 – 69% = D                  <60 = F

Attendance

Regular and consistent attendance with textbook materials is necessary for satisfactory achievement.

Calendar

Additional Information

MSDS:

Material Safety Sheets (MSDS) are stored in the yellow storage cabinet.

SCIENCE ACADEMIC SUCCESS  CENTER - WARE 4TH FLOOR:

The Science Center is on the south side of the 4th floor. The hours are M-Th 8am-8pm, F-Sat 9am-6pm, with in-person and remote sessions available. We can accommodate some non-mandatory tutoring walk-ins depending on which tutors are available at that time. Students needing mandatory tutoring must have an appointment. 

The tutoring center will be closed in accordance with the AC calendar on the following dates:

• Labor Day, Monday, 9/07/2026
• Fall Break, Monday, 10/19 – Saturday 10/24/2026 *we will be open Sat, 10/17 to support 16-wk courses
• Thanksgiving, 11/25 close at noon – 11/28/2026
• End of semester, 12/18/2026 - 01/19/2027

Mandatory Tutoring:
Ware 4th Floor
In an effort to increase retention in Biology courses, any student whose overall grade falls below a 75 must complete a mandatory tutoring session in the Science Tutoring Center or with his/her instructor before taking the next exam. Before getting mandatory tutoring, students must first schedule a tutoring time with the Science Tutoring Center.

Tutoring Center Appointments

SCIENCE TESTING CENTER - WARE 1st Floor

Ware Student Commons, Room 123

806-371-5948

Hours: M - Th 8am - 9pm, Friday 8am - 8pm, and Sat 9am - 6pm

***last test started 90 minutes before closing.

You will need to make an appointment to test AND have a photo ID. They do accept a virtual ID if it has the student’s photo on it. Science students will need to use the door adjacent to the Oeschger Family Mall. 

Science Testing Center Appointments

The testing center will be closed in accordance with the AC calendar on the following dates:

• Labor Day, Monday, 9/07/2026
• Fall Break, Monday, 10/19 – Saturday 10/24/2026*we will be open Sat, 10/17 to support 16-wk courses
• Thanksgiving, 11/25 close at noon – 11/28/2026 (last appointment will be at 10:30am)
• End of semester, 12/18/2026 - 01/19/202

TESTING CENTER RULES:

Academic Integrity

I understand that if I cheat or attempt to cheat on any test, the Testing Center Supervisor will investigate and refer the suspected academic integrity incident to my instructor, the department chair, and the Vice President of Student Affairs, recommending an automatic F on the course.

Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy

All unauthorized technology and electronic devices are prohibited during exams, including cell phones, smart watches, wireless earbuds, smart glasses (such as Meta glasses), and any other device capable of recording, communicating, accessing information, or using AI.

Attempting to use, access, or conceal unauthorized technology during an exam is considered a violation of academic integrity and may result in an F for the course, in accordance with applicable departmental policies.

Math and Science (Written Tests): Cell phones, smartwatches, and all other electronic devices are NOT allowed in the testing room at any time.
Science (Online Tests): A cell phone is required only for DUO verification. The phone must be on silent to log in, then turned OFF and placed in the designated stand.

All electronic devices placed on the bookshelf must be turned OFF (not on vibrate or silent).
If any unapproved materials or devices are seen at any time, for any reason (other than DUO login), testing will be stopped and may result in an F for the course.

Food and Drink

No food or drink is allowed in the testing center.

Calculators

Personal calculators must be cleared of RAM before and after testing by the proctor.

Personal Belongings

Books, personal items, watches, electronic devices, drinks, and snacks must be placed on the bookshelf before testing begins. Amarillo College is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Students are encouraged to leave valuables at home or in a safe location.

Appointments

Science: Appointments are required, and tests must be taken outside of class time.
Math: No appointment is required.

Photo Identification

A picture ID is required to test. An AC ID card is preferred. We also accept a current driver’s license, a virtual AC ID with a photo, or any ID with a name and photo.

Testing Center Processes

The testing session begins when the proctor enters the password for an online test or hands out a paper test. Once testing has begun, students may not leave the Testing Center for any reason, including restroom breaks.

Student Conduct

I understand that I must abide by the AC Student Code of Conduct while in the Testing Center.

In an effort to promote academic integrity and reinforce the expectations of the Science Testing Center, students will be required to sign a contract before taking their first exam in the center. By signing the contract, students acknowledge that they have read and understand the Testing Center rules and expectations.

Instructor Instructions

I understand that the Testing Center follows the test instructions provided by my instructor.

Accommodations

If I have testing accommodations, I must speak with the proctors or supervisor before my first test, as not all accommodations can be provided.

 Important Notes

• No test will be started less than 90 minutes before the Testing Center closes.
• All tests will be collected 15 minutes before closing.
• Students have a 15-minute grace period after the last appointment/testing time to arrive.
• Students who choose the last appointment slot or arrive late will have less than 90 minutes to test.

For more information, call or email Angela McNabb at (806) 345-5602.

LAST DATE TO WITHDRAW: 

Tues, November 24

CAMPUS POLICE:

For help, call Campus Police at 371-5163

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 Department of Biological Sciences Chairperson, the Dean of STEM, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the College President, IN THAT ORDER.