Human Anatomy and Physiology I

BIO 141 Syllabus

Part I:  Course Policies

Instructor: Cindy Miller

 

Any information in this syllabus is subject to change according to the needs of the class and at the discretion of the instructor

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MATERIAL AND COURSE DIRECTIONS CONTAINED WITHIN THIS SYLLABUS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY.

General Course Purpose This course is an introductory college transfer level offering designed to meet the anatomy and physiology needs of students pursuing programs in a medical or paramedical career, or a degree in physical education.

Entry Level Competencies: The student should have an expressed interest in biology and be able to read and express himself orally and in writing. Although it is desirable to take the courses, BIO 141 and BIO 142 - "Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II", in sequence, it is not essential. Accordingly, a student can enroll in these courses in any sequence they choose.  Further information about this course can be found at: http://www.nvcc.edu/depts/academic/coursecont/summaries/BIO141_.htm

E-mail: lmiller@nvcc.edu e-mail is checked daily and questions, concerns, etc will be answered. Please enter your LAST name as the first entry in your emails, followed by 141. Be concise in adding anything else you think is relevant. I am likely to delete WITHOUT READING emails that have blank subject lines or subject lines are not specific (e.g. Hello, test, etc.) or that have attachments. Sign your emails by typing your full name at the end of your message.  Note that it is a requirement of NVCC that you use VCCS email account for this course. It is the only way that I can initiate emails to you. Be aware, however, that you may go into your VCCS account and authorize a forwarding of your emails to a different account. You must initiate emails to me from your VCCS account.

 

Phone: 703 323 2157

Office CS 124; Office Hours:  9:30 AM to 11:50 AM on Mondays and Wednesdays.  

 

Blackboard Site:   In order to conserve paper, and to move some of our work into time frames of our own choosing, your grades and other components of this course will be available on Blackboard. To access your Blackboard course site, go to http://learn.vccs.edu/ and follow the directions from there. Help with this can be obtained at http://tac.nvcc.edu/blackboard . If you do not have a computer at home, you may use one in the library or in any of the computer labs on campus. There is a new open computer lab CT 105.  You can check your grades by going to the Bb site, clicking on ‘tools’ and then on ‘my grades.

 

Lecture Materials required

Hole's Human Anatomy and Physiology, Eleventh Edition by David Shier et al.
An Introduction to Chemistry for Biology, Ninth Edition by George I.  Sackheim

 

Lab Materials required

Hole's Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory Manual, Eleventh Edition by Terry R. Martin.

One loose-leaf notebook

Attendance is expected by me and by the college. If you do not attend class for 4 consecutive sessions and have not contacted me, then I will withdraw you if it is before the last day to withdraw.  If it is after the last day to withdraw you will receive whatever grade you have earned for the course based on the work you have done. I will not contact you.

Tardiness is not expected, but sometimes unavoidable. Please do your best to be on time, and if you need to be late, then please exercise common courtesy when you do enter. (Refer to learning statement below)

 

 

Student Considerations: If there are any students in this class who have special needs because of learning or any other kind of disability, please feel free to come and discuss your situation with me. Sometimes special accommodations can be extended only to students who have documented disabilities.

Please Read and heed this Learning Environment Statement. This is a statement of expectations developed by the Annandale Campus Council for all Members of the campus community.

·         That all backgrounds and cultures be respected

·         That a free and civil exchange of ideas takes place, so everyone in a class feels welcome to participate

·         That all members of the class arrive on time and leave the class only on breaks (or in cases of emergency)

·         That distractions be kept to a minimum

·         That Cell phones and other electronic devices are to be turned off in the class, labs and the library.  (If I hear one ring you will be ‘required’ to bring in cookies for the class at the following class meeting.J)

·         That students remain seated during class

·         That students refrain from talking while another student or the instructor has the floor

·         That each student submit his or her own work

·         That consideration be given to classes in adjoining rooms

·         That the members of each class and the instructor leave the classroom in good condition

Academic Integrity. Any cheating will be rewarded by a failing grade for the course. Cheating can extend to plagiarism, copying, improper collaboration, etc. Please familiarize yourself with the NVCC Student Handbook, page 63, Section VI: Academic Dishonesty. You can find an on line version of the handbook at http//:nvcc.edu or by clicking on the external links button of your Blackboard site.

Evacuation Procedures: In case of emergency please follow the emergency procedure as discussed on the first day of class and as posted in this classroom. We are to have a meeting point outside should an evacuation become necessary, and that will be the bench by the bus stop that is across the main access road and in front of the lake.  Please do go there so that I can be sure everyone has evacuated the building. 

Lecture Requirements: There are 4 non-cumulative lecture exams, 5 non-cumulative quizzes and 5 group discussion projects based on the systems that we will study. The exams are given in class and are untimed. However it is necessary to finish them within the class time. They will be of mixed formats and you will need to obtain a Scantron® form of the type that allows both objective (fill in the circles) and essay answers on the same form. Missed exams cannot be made up until the end of the semester if AND ONLY IF you provide a DOCUMENTED excuse for missing the exam.
Quizzes will be announced and may be in class, or may be on Blackboard. Group projects will be done in the Blackboard environment. More information to follow.   

Lab Requirements: You will be assigned by me to a permanent lab group at the beginning of the second week.  You will work with this group for the semester and so it is a good idea to negotiate a graded group charter after the group is formed. Each lab group is required to maintain a lab notebook that is turned in for grading with each lab exam.  The group work is graded per group, but it is modified by peer reviews so that individuals may receive a grade.  Additionally, there are 3 individual non-cumulative lab exams.  Missed lab exams cannot be made up under any circumstances.

Grading—The following should be self explanatory

Gradable Event

Number

Points each

total

Lecture Exams

3

100

300

“final exam”

1

30

30

Discussion forums 1&2

2

10

20

Lecture Quizzes

5

40

200

Lecture group projects

5

40

200

Lecture Total

 

 

750

Lab Exams

3

50

150

Group Charter

1

10

10

Lab notebooks

3

30

90

Lab Total

 

 

250

Course Total

 

 

1000

Letter Grades

A -- 895 points or more
B-- 795 – 894
C-- 695 - 794
D-- 595 - 694
F—693 points or fewer

 

 

 

 

FAQ

What if I need help—I’m just not getting this?   Tell me immediately—I can’t help you if I don’t know you are in trouble.  Join a study group (probably the most valuable thing to do), or seek tutoring.  The tutoring center is on the 4th floor of the Godwin Building, and often they can help you.

Is this going to be on the test—Yes!  Any material that is covered in lecture or lab is ‘fair game’ for an exam question.

Do I have to read the text?  Of course!

Why isn’t this in the book?  I don’t know.  But learn it anyway!

Is it OK if I am late everyday or leave early every day because of my job (etc.) schedule?  No, its not.

How many points to I need to get on this test to get an A (or B, etc.)?  Refer to the grade table in your syllabus.

Is there any extra credit?  Yes: The Extra Credit Challenge: If you ask a question during lecture or lab that I cannot answer I may offer it for extra credit. If you accept it, then you must turn in a one page (completely filled, no larger than 12 point font) paper answering the question, with at least 2 sources cited within one week of the date of the question. You will receive a maximum of three points for each extra credit you submit up to a maximum of 15 points. You will receive no points for a print out of a web page.   

You will also receive extra credit for attending seminars and/or lectures.  All of the Science Seminar lectures are approved for this, and other seminars or lectures will be announced in class as we learn of them.  You will receive a maximum of 10 points for each such occasion provided that you submit a one page paper that summarizes the seminar and also adds some independent research on a topic of the seminar that interests you.

A maximum of 50 extra credit points can be earned during the semester.

Will you write a letter of recommendation for me?  I am usually quite happy to write you a letter of recommendation.  However, you must come to my office during regular office hours to request it and this must be done at least two weeks before you need it or two weeks before the end of the semester.  When you come in be prepared to provide me with a list of criteria for the position for which you are applying.  Please also provide me with a copy of your application letter or personal goals statement and a list of courses and dates they were taken in your major program.  Indicate the grades you received for these courses!   I always appreciate an email to let me know what happened to your application.