Biology 235 Human Anatomy and Physiology

Course Information

Introduction

Welcome to Biology 235: Human Anatomy and Physiology, a six-credit, university-level course that covers all major elements of the human body, including basic anatomy, fundamental organic chemistry, cellular structure and function, and the integration, organization, and control of the body system. While completing this course, you will acquire an understanding of normal anatomy and physiology, of physiological adaptations to special conditions, and of some of the physiological factors in disease processes.

This Course Information is designed to supply you with essential information about the course design, the course materials, and the procedures to follow to complete the course successfully. Before you begin your studies please read this information thoroughly. If you have any questions about the course outline, or how to proceed with your course materials, please contact your Academic Expert or the course coordinator.

Note: These course materials have been designed for students who are taking the individualized-study version of this course. Students who are receiving financial assistance or those in the grouped study version of this course should check their course registration for special restrictions on the length of registration, and should be prepared to adjust their schedules.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to

1. Develop a vocabulary of terminology to communicate the information effectively for topics related to human anatomy and physiology.
2. Recognize and explain the principle of homeostasis and how the feedback systems control the physiological processes in the human body.
3. Understand and explain the connections within and between anatomical and physiological systems of the human body.
4. Recognize the anatomical structures, explain physiological functions, and recognize and explain the principle of homeostasis applied to all eleven systems of the human body.
5. Use knowledge of anatomy to predict physiological responses and use knowledge of physiology to predict the variations of anatomical structures.
6. Synthesize ideas and understand how changes to anatomy and physiology could result in situations of homeostatic imbalances.

Course Materials

If, for some reason, you did not receive access to the e-textbook, Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, please contact the Course Materials Department at Athabasca University as soon as possible by email: cmat@athabascau.ca.

The materials for this course are available online. The textbook for this course is an e-textbook:

Tortora, G., & B. Derrickson. (2014). Principles of anatomy and physiology (14th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Note: This is a digital textbook (eTextbook). Access and download it through the link on the course home page.

WileyPLUS Publisher Resources

WileyPLUS is a publisher website that accompanies your eTextbook. It is included with your course registration. Learn how to access WileyPLUS publisher resources.

Course Outline

Biology 235 comprises twenty-nine chapters, listed below:

Chapter 1   An Introduction to the Human Body
Chapter 2   The Chemical Level of Organization
Chapter 3   The Cellular Level of Organization
Chapter 4   The Tissue Level of Organization
Chapter 5   The Integumentary System
Chapter 6   The Skeletal System: Bone Tissue
Chapter 7   The Skeletal System: The Axial Skeleton
Chapter 8   The Skeletal System: The Appendicular Skeleton
Chapter 9   Joints
Chapter 10  Muscular Tissue
Chapter 11  The Muscular System
Chapter 12  Nervous Tissue
Chapter 13  The Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves
Chapter 14  The Brain and Cranial Nerves
Chapter 15  The Autonomic Nervous System
Chapter 16  Sensory, Motor, and Integrative Systems
Chapter 17  The Special Senses
Chapter 18  The Endocrine System
Chapter 19  The Cardiovascular System: The Blood
Chapter 20  The Cardiovascular System: The Heart
Chapter 21  The Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels and Hemodynamics
Chapter 22  The Lymphatic System and Immunity
Chapter 23  The Respiratory System
Chapter 24  The Digestive System
Chapter 25  Metabolism and Nutrition
Chapter 26  The Urinary System
Chapter 27  Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Homeostasis
Chapter 28  The Reproductive Systems
Chapter 29  Development and Inheritance

Course Evaluation

The table below shows the mark distribution for the assessments in this course.

Assessments

Quizzes

Quizzes comprise multiple choice questions and are time-limited, delivered via your online course site. Only one attempt is allowed per quiz; do not use the e-textbook, other books or help when completing the quizzes, as it might take longer to complete the quiz and will not reflect your knowledge. If you obtain less than the required passing grade on any quiz, you will be allowed to write a second attempt. You may not write a second attempt simply to boost your mark. [Quizzes are the best tools to assess your knowledge before attempting exams.] Quizzes might include diagrams and figures. You need to obtain a minimum grade of fifty percent (50%) on each quiz.

Important note: If you re-registered for this course, you can ask the Course Coordinator to transfer your passing grades from the quizzes you completed previously into the new registration. If you decide to re-attempt the quizzes, it is your responsibility to ask the Academic Expert to reset the quizzes for you.

The quizzes assess your knowledge as follows:

Assignments

Assignments comprise various numbers of long-answer questions delivered online via Moodle. You must submit each assignment and receive a minimum passing grade of 50%. If you obtain less than the required passing grade on any assignment, you will be allowed to write a second attempt. You may not write a second attempt simply to boost your mark. It will be an alternative version delivered by your Academic Expert. All the answers to assignment questions can be found in the e-textbook.

Important note: If you re-registered for this course, you can ask the Course Coordinator to transfer your passing grades from the assignments you completed previously into the new registration. If you decide to re-write the assignments, it is your responsibility to ask the Academic Expert for the alternative version of the assignments. If you wish to request a grade transfer, the request should sent to the coordinator as soon as you have course access and before you have submitted anything for marks.

The assignments assess your knowledge as follows:

Submitting Your Assignments

Fifteen percent of your grade in this course is determined by your performance on the written assignments and, so, it pays to do them well.

Copy the assignment from the assignment drop box and paste it into a word processor. Save the file in .doc or .rtf format. Type your answers under each question. When you consider that it is complete, upload the typed assignment into Moodle using the drop box, which delivers the assignment to your Academic Expert for grading. The “Suggested Study Schedule” suggests when you should complete and submit each one.

The hints below are designed to help you complete the assignments successfully.

• Type your assignment. This is a requirement.
• Know your subject matter well.
• Write an outline of each answer in point form first.
• Write a first draft, leaving the “polishing” until later.
• Reread your draft answers, revising and rewriting as you go.
• Leave the assignment for a day or so, and then reread it, checking for errors, omissions, and awkwardness in content and style.
• Proofread the final copy of your assignment thoroughly. Correct spelling and grammar are as important in a biology course as they are in an English course.
• Be sure to save a copy of the assignment for your files.

Exams

There are three exams in this course, and they are non-cumulative. The exams assess your knowledge as follows:

The exams are online, closed-book, and invigilated.

We recommend that you complete the appropriate quizzes and assignments and practice in WileyPLUS before you attempt to write the exams.

If you are not satisfied with an assignment or exam grade, please contact your Academic Expert first to request a review. If you are still not satisfied, contact the Course Coordinator to request a review (informal appeal of grades). The appeal of a grade and subsequent remarking, if appropriate, shall result in one of three possible outcomes:

1. The grade remains the same.
2. The grade is raised.
3. The grade is lowered.

Exam Strategies

The first strategy for writing exams is, “keep calm.” If you become nervous, you will not be able to think clearly. Remember that you know the material, because you have studied it conscientiously.

There are three exams in this course. All have been designed to ensure that you have enough time to finish (for an average level). You will have 90 minutes for Midterm 1 and Midterm 2, and 180 minutes for the Final Exam.

For students who have various disabilities, or are particularly slow in reading and answering the questions, we recommend contacting AU’s Access for Students with Disabilities and ask to be allotted extra time and other accommodations.

There are no “trick questions” in the examinations for this course. The statements and questions are straightforward. Read them carefully, and answer them as best you can.

Remember the following keys to examination success:

• Make certain that you have the correct examination.
• Read all of the instructions and make sure that you understand them.
• Ask for help if the instructions are unclear, or if anything seems to be missing from the examination.
• Review the whole examination, and budget your time.
• Read carefully and analyze each question. Make certain that you are answering the question asked.
• For multiple-choice questions, specifically:
  • treat the alternatives as true/false statements, eliminating those that are clearly false;
  • do not expect the answer to be obvious;
  • do not read into the question more information than is actually given;
  • answer the easy questions first, leaving those you are unsure of until later. You never know, something later in the examination may jog your memory;
  • when you review, do not change your answers unless you are very certain that your original answer was incorrect; and
  • review the entire examination before you hand it in, checking your answers for accuracy and completeness.

Supplemental Assessments

Your final grade in Biology 235: Human Anatomy and Physiology is based on the grades you achieve on three quizzes, three written assignments, and three exams. The “Study Schedule” in this Course Information suggests when you should complete each quiz and assignment, and when you should write the exams. The passing grade for this course is fifty percent (50%).

In order to complete the course, you also must achieve a minimum passing grade of fifty percent (50%) on each quiz, each assignment, and each exam. The policy for BIOL 235 is such that if you obtain less than the required passing grade on any assessment (quiz, assignment or exam), you may write one supplemental assessment for each. Your Academic Expert will provide you with supplemental quizzes and assignments.

You may not take a supplemental quiz or assignment for the purpose of boosting your mark. You may, however, take supplemental exams for the purpose of boosting your mark or if you obtain less than the required passing grade. There is a fee for supplemental exams. Athabasca University’s policy is such that you are allowed to write one supplemental exam for each and any of the exams in the course. You may wish to do this if you are not satisfied with your exam grades or you wish to improve your overall grade for the course. [This policy does not apply to assignments and quizzes.] It is highly recommended that you submit your request for supplemental exams before you plan to write the next regular exam (e.g., submit your request for a supplemental Midterm 1 before you write Midterm 2). Your requests must comply with AU regulations in the online Student Manual regarding supplemental exams.

In the case of exams only, you must apply to write a supplemental exam through the Office of the Registrar. AU regulations at the time this course was created require that supplemental exams be requested no later than 90 days from the date the first attempt for that exam was written.

Note: If you have already attempted this version of the course, you must contact your Academic Expert to request the alternative versions of the assignments. It is your responsibility to write the alternative versions of the assignments to the ones you completed before and for which you have already received feedback.

Consult the online Student Manual for more information about AU policies and procedures.

Fifteen Study Strategies

Begin your study of each unit by reading the objectives in the Study Guide. The objectives indicate what you should be looking for in the assigned chapters, and should guide your study. Read each objective summary and insist on each listed keyword and topic, and learn the details from the e-textbook. Pay attention to figures and tables.

Be prepared to read each assigned chapter at least twice: first to get an overview and then to make notes. Read each e-textbook chapter in conjunction with the list of “Keywords and Topics” that appears in the Study Guide for each objective. This detailed list specifies all of the detailsthat you must learn. Pay attention to figures and diagrams; you might be tested on these.

Note: Use the list of “Keywords and Topics” in the Study Guide to lead you through each objective and chapter.

Use the lists in the Study Guide as a check to ensure that you understand the lessons. Refer to the objectives to ensure that you can meet them and make certain that you can define, and use in context, each of the key terms identified in the Study Guide, as well as the concepts and processes listed. As you complete the assigned readings, you may come across concepts that you do not understand. When this happens, try the following strategies:

• reread the “difficult” part;
• make certain that you know the meanings of unfamiliar words;
• read about the topic in another context, or in a work written by another author; and
• set the material aside for a while (not more than a day!), and then read it again.

If you still have a problem, consult your Academic Expert.

We anticipate that you will learn a great deal in this course by reading the assigned material. However, learning does not occur just because you read something; it requires, instead, that you interact with the material. A good way of doing this is by asking yourself questions, such as:

• Why is this piece of information important?
• How does this statement relate to my experience?
• Can I apply this idea to my life or to the life of a friend?
• How does this piece of information relate to what I have studied so far in the course?

Another way to interact with the material in the course is to complete the written assignments in a timely manner and submit them using the assignment drop boxes. When you receive your graded assignments from your Academic Expert, review them carefully, and pay particular attention to your Academic Expert’s comments. If you have any questions or problems, please contact your Academic Expert to discuss them.

The following hints are designed to help you get the most out of your study time.

• Establish the habit of weekly study. We estimate that you will need about twelve hours per week to complete this course within the allotted time. Block out periods within your weekly calendar to be devoted to study, and be consistent in using them for that purpose.
• Find a special place for study. Make certain that the area is one in which disruptions will be at a minimum during your study periods. You will find it helpful to select a place where you can leave your study materials, rather than get them out and put them away each time.
• Maintain regular contact with your course Academic Expert. We have found that students who treat their Academic Experts as teachers, discussing issues and asking questions, have the best chance of being successful in their studies. Do keep in touch. If you leave a voice message for your Academic Expert, be sure to stateboth your first and last names and the course title (Biology 235).
• Read actively, not passively. Participate in what is happening. When your attention lapses, do not continue, as you will be wasting your time. Take a break, and then try again.
• When you have read a portion of a chapter, stop and try to remember the main points. Jot them down in your own words. If you cannot remember, reread the e-textbook and study notes, and try again. Check your own notes against the e-textbook material.
• You may find it helpful to review the appropriate assignment when you finish a chapter, and answer questions that relate to that chapter. Many students find that this strategy works better than trying to do the entire assignment at one time, just before it is due.
• The lists of key terms are provided to alert you to the important concepts. One method of learning the key terms is to build a deck of flash cards. Put the word or concept on one side of a 3 × 5 inch (7.6 × 12.7 cm) card, and write the definition, preferably in your own words, on the other side. Review your definitions regularly, and be careful to update and expand them as you work through the course.

Suggested Study Schedule

The suggested study schedule given below details the lessons and assignments for which you will be responsible in Human Anatomy and Physiology. We have indicated the approximate amount of time that you should spend on each lesson or assignment. You have a twelve-month contract period in which to complete the course, but you will note that the schedule is based on a forty-seven-week period. This time frame is more closely in line with the schedules of similar courses in traditional institutions, and also allows you some leeway in case any unforeseen circumstance interrupts your studies. You may modify this schedule to fit your personal timetable.

If you find yourself falling behind, contact your Academic Expert to discuss the situation. The course is challenging, but you should have no difficulty meeting these guidelines if you set aside a study period every week and do not procrastinate.

Note: Students who are receiving financial assistance or those in a grouped-study version (if applicable) of this course should check their course registration for special restrictions on the length of registration, and should be prepared to adjust their schedules.

Note: All examinations must be completed and submitted before the course contract end date. If you cannot complete all the course examinations by the end of your contract date, you are allowed to apply for extensions. Refer to “Applying for Extensions” in the online Student Manual for further information.

Athabasca University Calendar

You are encouraged to refer to the current Athabasca University online Calendar for important issues concerning the University’s policies, practices, and procedures.

Intellectual Indebtedness and Plagiarism

Students registered in an Athabasca University course are considered to be responsible scholars. As such, you are expected to adhere rigorously to principles of intellectual integrity. Intellectual integrity is an approach to the use and crediting of others’ ideas when it is merited as well as the practice of carefully citing and explaining other people’s theories or ideas when you use them, and carefully differentiating your own claims from those of primary or secondary sources in any of your academic writing or work.

Presenting another’s work as if it was your own is intellectual dishonesty and will result in the rejection and failure of a submitted work that contains it, investigation, and possible expulsion from the course or program, or legal action, if there are other incidents. You must fully document the sources for any quotations you use as well as any references you make to information, paraphrased passages, ideas, images, and tabular or statistical data that belong to another source. This includes electronic sources. Internet sources without an author or an academic affiliate are probably not suitable to use in an academic paper. Full citation of all bibliographic information must be given, and pagination for each instance of use must appear with that specific section so it is clear where that information can be found.

Dutiful citation of quotations and paraphrased material does not mean you can write an essay assignment by stringing together a series of quotations. Always try to summarize or describe someone else’s ideas in your own words. If you present your own ideas or opinions in a paper, provide substantiated evidence or arguments for your position.

All assignments must be original work for this course. The use of assignments from previous courses or from other students is considered a form of cheating and will be subject to discipline for academic misconduct.

For more information on this important matter, review the Student Code of Conduct and Right to Appeals Regulations in the undergraduate Calendar.

Good luck with your studies!