Functional Anatomy Syllabus for 2026-2027
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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.
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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:

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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Statement on State-Authorized Courses at Amarillo College

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

PTHA-1413-001 Functional Anatomy

Prerequisites

Course Description

The relationship of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems to normal and abnormal movement.

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

Supplies

Laptop or tablet computer with internet access

Student Performance

Course Description

This course explores the relationship between human anatomy and movement, with emphasis on the musculoskeletal system. Students will examine bones, joints, muscles, and related structures while learning how they work together to produce functional movement. Through classroom and applied learning activities, students will develop foundational skills in anatomical terminology, joint motion, muscle actions, and movement analysis that support future coursework and clinical practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant.  

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this course is to build a strong understanding of how the human body is structured and how it moves. Students will connect anatomy, kinesiology, and movement to develop the foundational knowledge and clinical thinking needed to analyze human movement and prepare for future learning and practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Successful completion of the Amarillo college PTA Program and achievement of a passing score on the National Physical Therapy Examination allows the graduate eligibility for licensure as a physical therapist assistant in all 50 states of the United States. 

COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. Apply principles of anatomy, kinesiology, and biomechanics to analyze normal and abnormal human movement, including joint mechanics, muscle function, force systems, posture, and gait.  (7A2)

2. Explain the structure, function, and interaction of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, lymphatic, and respiratory systems as they relate to human movement and physical therapy practice.  (7A2)

3. Analyze functional movement using biomechanical and kinesiological principles to recognize movement dysfunction and relate findings to common musculoskeletal conditions. (7A2)

4. Apply evidence-informed clinical reasoning to interpret patient findings, relevant research, and basic statistical evidence when making decisions related to musculoskeletal physical therapy interventions. (7C1)

5. Select and accurately perform appropriate musculoskeletal tests and measures to collect data related to posture, joint mobility, muscle performance, movement, gait, and other relevant patient impairments. (7D2)

6. Interpret and compare patient data collected before, during and following physical therapy interventions to determine patient response, recognize changes in status, and support appropriate clinical decision-making within the PTA’s scope of practice. (7C1 & 7D2)

7. Identify and accurately palpate major bones, muscles, bony landmarks, and joint structures of the head, neck, trunk, pelvis, upper and lower extremities. (7A2) and supports (7D2)

8. Analyze normal and abnormal gait and functional movement patterns using appropriate terminology and kinesiological and biomechanical principles. (7A2) and supports (7D2)

9. Explain how major body systems and anatomical structures contribute to movement, exercise, and functional mobility. (7A2)

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

TECHNOLOGICAL USE

Students will be required to bring a Wi-Fi compatible laptop for all PTHA coursework for testing and academic purposes. Students shall come prepared for lab and lecture with the laptop.

REQUIRED TUTORIAL SUPPORT

If the student scores below 75% on any course exam or practical, they are required to schedule a planning meeting with the course instructor.  At this meeting, the student will be expected to develop an action plan for successful completion of the course. This action plan should identify any areas of weakness in understanding course content and must include methods/strategies that will be used to correct the learning deficit. Failure to meet with the instructor or to complete the action plan may result in a 10-point deduction from the final course grade.  IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO SCHEDULE THE MEETING WITH THE COURSE INSTRUCTOR AND TO COMPLETE THE ACTION PLAN.

As part of the action plan, the instructor may assign the student a task of attending general instructional tutoring from the Amarillo College Tutoring Center or program-specific tutoring from the designated peer/professional tutor. The student may be required to complete both types of tutoring. In addition to the Verification of Tutoring in the Student Engagement Portal, official verification of tutoring must be uploaded by the student into the appropriate course drop box.

LATE WORK/MAKEUP POLICY

Late work will not be accepted without written permission specifying a new due date from the course instructor following a written request by the student. Extensions of the due date are at the discretion of the course instructor. There will be no rescheduling of quizzes. Missed lecture or practical exams may be rescheduled under all the following conditions:  the student must request a makeup exam in writing; the student must provide verification of the reason the exam was missed; and written permission is received from the instructor. Granting permission or imposing any point penalty is at the instructor's discretion.  Makeup exams will be scheduled based on the availability of the instructor. If permission for a makeup exam is not granted, the student will receive a grade of “0”.

Exam grades or practical grades may be dropped at the discretion of the instructor. In the event a student fails to pass a practical exam, the student will be given the opportunity to retake the practical exam one time; however, the maximum earned grade will be 75.0%. Failure of a practical exam retake will result in an “F” in the course.

Grading Criteria

Grade Breakdown

• Quizzes, Assignments, Participation - 5%
• Lecture Exams: 40%
• Practical Exams: 20%
• Final Exam - 35%

Grading Scale

• A = 100-92.0%

• B = less than 92-84.0%

• C = less than 84-75.0%

• F = less than 75%

• Important Note: You need a grade of C or better to successfully complete the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) major.

Attendance

PTA PROGRAM ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the student's responsibility to attend class in accordance with the course requirements established by the instructor. (Amarillo College Student's Rights and Responsibilities Publication). Absences and tardiness will be monitored and evaluated in the Student Engagement Portal to determine a student's final course grade.

The instructor will take attendance for each class and note absences for each student.  Students are expected to be present for the entire class/lab time. Students must report any anticipated class/lab absence to the instructor.

An excused absence is granted at the discretion of the instructor. Verification documentation may be required. A period of extended absences may be considered for approval upon submission of a written request by the student. This will be determined by an ad hoc committee of the 3 faculty members.  

Following an absence, the student is responsible for obtaining missed notes, assignments, copies of handouts, etc. from classmates. The student is also responsible for obtaining any needed clarification of missed information from the course instructor.  After 2 absences in a course, the course instructor will implement an educational contract with the student.

If there is a period where remote access to classes is required because of public health situations, the attendance policies will be revised.

Calendar

Additional Information

Last day to withdraw from classes is November 24, 2026 by 11:59pm