Syllabus for BIOL 164 - A851 - Introduction to Human

Anatomy and Physiology

Instructor: Jeanne S. McDowell
E-mail address: jmcdowell@asia.umuc.edu

Course Description

(Formerly GNSC 161.) Prerequisite Biol 101, 105 or 106. An introduction to the
anatomy and physiology of the human organism. Topics include basic concepts of
physics and chemistry that are necessary for understanding biological function and
structure and functions of cells, tissues, and the major organ systems in the body.
Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: Biol 164, Biol 201,
GNSC 161, Zool 201 or Zool 202.

Course Introduction

BIOL 164 is a three credit hour course designed to introduce students to the basics of
human anatomy and physiology. Why study human biology? The first and most obvious
reason is to satisfy our innate curiosity about ourselves. A second and more important
reason is to acquire the knowledge that will allow us to care for our bodies in something
more than a hit-or-miss way. Questions to be asked are: What is the structure and
function of various organ systems in the body? How do they interact and how are they
regulated? What are some of the common diseases and their treatment? What is cancer?

Course Goals/Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

• Describe the chemical composition of living matter. Compare and contrast

carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids in terms of their structures, and
their general functions in the body.
• Compare DNA and RNA and explain their role in protein synthesis.
• Name, describe and recognize the major organelles of a cell and understand the
cell cycle. Compare mitosis with meiosis.
• Name and recognize the 4 major tissue types and describe the process of tissue
repair.
• Name, describe, and recognize the important structures and functions of the major
organ systems. Explain how these functions are accomplished in each of the
organ systems.
• Understand that loss of homeostasis leads to pathology or disease. Become
familiar with the most common pathological conditions through an introduction of
clinical examples that are most often seen by medical personnel.
• Develop critical thinking skills.
• Develop written communication skills that are necessary to be successful in any
educational goal.
Course Materials
The textbooks for this course are:
Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Anatomy and Physiology Coloring
Workbook.
Both books are by Elaine N. Marieb, 9th Ed., Pearson Benjamin Cummings, 2009.
ISBN: 9780321533234

Textbooks can be ordered online at the Asia DE Website, http://webtext.asia.umuc.edu/

Books ordered from any other source will be at the student's own risk. UMUC Asia DE
cannot be responsible for problems encountered when textbooks are ordered from sources
outside of the Asia DE Website.

Grading Information

I follow the University of Maryland's guidelines pertaining to letter grades and grading
standards. I will follow the policies set forth in the 2008/2009 UMUC AD catalog
concerning attendance, make up work, academic dishonesty and plagiarism.

You will be graded as follows:

Weekly participation
36 %
in conferences
Online quizzes 24 %
Disease research
15 %
report
Proctored
examination (Week 25 %
10)
TOTAL 100 %

QUIZZES

There will be quizzes spaced throughout the course. They will consist of multiple choice,
matching or short answer questions. They are designed to ensure that you keep up with
the assigned reading, and they allow me to check to see if you understand the concepts
covered in this course. Answers to quizzes will be submitted in the Student Assignment
folder online.

CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION.

Each week there will be required readings from the text and online conference topic
assignments. Information on the assignments for the week will be posted in the
Announcements section of the Webtycho classroom. Always read the Announcements
section upon entering the classroom, because this will include directions on the week's
assignments, any changes in procedures and any new instructions.. This section is
updated regularly. Discussion topics and quizzes will be posted under the Conference
Heading.

Expect to spend a minimum of 6 to 8 hours per week on this course. You are also
expected to log into the course at least 3 times per week. Logging on frequently, even for
a short visit, will result in higher success with lower stress for you. You will be graded
on how well you participate in the conferences. Everyone must participate. Your grade
will reflect the quality of your responses. It follows that if you are checking in regularly
and making your presence in class known (by having something to say, add, ask, or
follow up on questions posed to you), and by keeping up with what's going on in the
class, then you are fully participating. Don’t put off responding; participating early in
the week is a must.. If you are not actively participating, the most you can expect is a
minimum passing grade.

PARTICIPATION DEADLINE

The deadlines for conference participation are outlined under "Additional Information -
How the Conferences Work".
You MUST participate in the conference area before this deadline to receive credit.

The deadline for quizzes is Midnight on Sunday of the week they are assigned.

PROCTORED EXAMINATION

The exam will consist of multiple choice, short answers, anatomy recognition questions
and essay questions. This will be a closed book exam, so highlight important points
while reading the textbook during the course, do the self quizzes, pay close attention to
conference discussions and online quizzes, and review all assignments. The proctored
exam will include the material covered through the 9th week of class.

Asia DE 10 week courses require all students to take a proctored exam at the end of the
term. Students that do not take the proctored exam will receive an "Fn" for the course.
Asia based students are responsible for scheduling their proctored exam appointment
(reservation) through the Asia DE online Proctored Exam Reservation System, or with
their own UMUC Asia approved alternate proctor during the two weeks prior to
Proctored Exam Week. All Europe based students must continue to make appointments
through their local UMUC Europe Field Rep Office.

Computer-Based Proctored Exams are also available, but only for students testing at
designated UMUC Computer Labs (ask your local UMUC Asia Field Rep or Computer
Lab Monitor if their location is participating), and only during the scheduled Proctored
Exam Week. All other students must take paper exams.

Important reminder: Sometimes exams (particularly paper exams) take time to arrive in
your instructor's hands or there are problems with exams being delivered. These
problems are usually easy to prevent or solve if we have adequate information. Therefore
when Proctored Exam week arrives, the faculty member will create a special "Proctored
Exam Reporting" conference where you should report when, where and how you took the
exam (paper or electronic version). If you do not report that you have taken the exam, and
your exam has not arrived by the end of the term, the faculty member will give you the
grade of Fn for the course.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS

Each student is responsible for keeping up with the class, completing reading
assignments on time, participating in online conferences, taking online quizzes, and
taking the proctored examination in the timeframe provided. It is the responsibility of the
student to meet the deadlines, complete all assignments on time and take the proctored
examination on the assigned day.

Missed deadlines may be made up if the absence can be shown to be caused by an

emergency or unforeseen technical difficulty and the student informs the teacher by e-
mail in advance of special circumstances. Full credit will not be given, however.

It is also important to keep your classmates informed. If you are going to be late posting
your answer to an assigned question, put up a note in the classroom saying so, and when
they can expect to see your work. It is unfair to everyone to leave us hanging, wondering
where you are. Whatever you do, don't just drop out without a word. It is up to you to
keep in touch with me and to officially withdraw if you find that necessary.

Project Description

DISEASE RESEARCH REPORT: Pick a disease and have this topic approved by the
instructor. The report should include the following subheadings:

• Background Information
• Cause of the Disease
• Description
• Prognosis
• Treatment
• Statistics
• Summary
• References (at least 3)

The paper should be 2 - 3 single-spaced typed pages using no larger than a 12 point font
size. This project will be submitted in the online classroom.

Course Schedule -- Caveat: Tentative *The syllabus (as well as the schedule) is
subject to change, if necessary. Changes will be announced with as much notice as
possible.
TERM LENGTH 10 WEEKS (Nov 10 - January 25)
PROCTORED EXAM WEEK IS WEEK 10 (January 19 - 25)

Week Readings, Assignments, and Due Dates

Prior to and during Week 1: Get acquainted and organized conference.
Look over the course layout. Review the syllabus.
1
Week 1 conference participation on
Nov 9 - 15
Chapter1: Introduction
Chapter 2 Chemistry Basics
Conference Participation on
2 Chapter 3: Cells and Tissues
Nov 16 - 22 Chapter 4 Skin and Body Membranes
Nov 18 Last day for 75% tuition refund
Conference Participation on
Chapter 5: Skeletal System
3
Chapter 6: Muscular System
Nov 23 - 29
Take Quiz #1
Nov 27 Last day for 50% tuition refund
4
Conference Participation on Chapter 7 Nervous System
Nov 30 – Dec 6
Conference Participation on
5 Chapter 8 Special Senses
Dec 7 – 13 Chapter 9 Endocrine system
Take Quiz #2
Week 6 Conference Participation on
6
Chapter 10 Blood
Dec 14 - 20
Chapter 11 Cardiovascular System
Dec 21 - Dec 27 Break (Mandatory - Official Dates Dec 23 - 29)
Conference Participation on
7 Chapter 12 Lymphatic and Immune System
Dec 28-Jan 3 Chapter 13: Respiratory System
* Take Midterm Exam (Quiz #3)
Conference Participation on
Chapter 14 Digestion and Metabolism
8
Chapter 15 Urinary System
Jan 4 - 10
*Research Paper due.
* Make appointment for Proctored Exam
Conference Participation on
Chapter 16: Reproductive System
9
Take Quiz #4
Jan 11 - 17
*January 15 Deadline for Official Student Withdrawal
* Make appointment for Proctored Exam
10 * Take Proctored Exam
Jan 18 - 24

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DISTANCE EDUCATION FORMAT HOW THE CONFERENCES WORK

The conference for each week begins on Monday morning and ends 11 days later on
Thursday morning. All times are Japan Standard times. I will post the announcements
for the week several days in advance (typically the Friday morning before each week
begins). Information and instructions regarding assignments will appear in the
Conference section.

The announcements will include information on your assignments for the week. Read
them carefully!

There will be 2-5 conferences in an average week. One or more of them will be
participation conferences, periodically there will be a quiz. There will always be a
Question/Answer Help Conference available too. You can use this for posting any
questions or comments you have. Remember -- there are no stupid questions.

1. *For the participation conferences, the initial posting of your assigned work must
be made no later than Thursday morning of the first week to be considered for full
credit. This enables others to respond, ask questions, and add information. I will be
reviewing work daily and may add or ask for clarification too. Participation does not
mean always having all the right answers; it means formulating intelligent discussion by
reading the textbook, researching the material and responding actively and regularly to
the discussion points. Timeliness is important: The forum for teaching/learning in this
class emerges during online participation. The assigned work in the classroom and the
discussion that follows it are examinable materials.

Your posting should have the following characteristics:

• It must be entirely in your own words. Your objective is to explain to your fellow
students to aid in their understanding of the biological concepts.
• For assigned questions, you must document your sources. Use your textbook and
its index to research your topic. Use outside sources to supplement the
information as necessary.
• There should be no copying of the text or any other sources. When you use
sources, they should be properly documented. Make sure that you introduce, cite
and provide references. It must be at least one paragraph and no more than three
paragraphs long.
• The posting must include the question and then answer the question posed in the
conference.

Your other responses to the conference must be posted no later than noon on Thursday of
the following week. You are required to post a minimum of two responses each week.
You can respond to others or participate in opinion topics. These secondary responses
should be at least 3-5 sentences long. They should add to the discussion; "I agree"
responses will not get any credit, as they are not really adding new pertinent information.
Also, if I (or any other student) asks you for corrections or wants additional information,
you should follow up with a reply.

2. You are expected to submit your own work. Late assignments without a documented
excuse will be penalized.

3. Guidance on how to avoid plagiarism can be found at the following sites:

• UMUC's Effective Writing Program "Helping Students Avoid

Plagiarism" - http://www.umuc.edu/ugp/ewp/plagiarism.html

• UMUC's Online Writing Center "How to Avoid Plagiarism" -

http://www.umuc.edu/prog/ugp/ewp_writingcenter/modules/plagiarism/start.ht
ml

• Indiana University's Writing Tutorial Service "Plagiarism: What It is

and How to Recognize and Avoid It" -
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml

Remember to document the sources that you use for your online submissions. Just
cutting and pasting another person's website is blatantly obvious and totally
unacceptable. It won't count for any participation points either! It is essential that you
give credit where credit is due and summarize information in your own words. This
shows that you really comprehend the information and can explain it to others.
Documenting your information also allows other readers access to the original source of
the information. If you have any questions concerning proper procedures for
documenting work, go to UMUC's online writing center and complete the module: How
to Avoid Plagiarism

4. This course assumes the student has e-mail, a computer, and access to the internet.
Please keep copies of all assignments. Keeping track of your submitted and returned
assignments is your responsibility. I respond to all assignments and answer e-mails
usually within 48 hours.

5. Course work via distance education requires more motivation, planning, and discipline
on the part of the student than traditional course work. If you cannot keep up, please
officially withdraw to avoid receiving an F(n). This course is designed to offer the same
content and level of difficulty as a traditional 3 credit college-level class. Its purpose is
not to overwork or intimidate the student. I want everyone to do well.

6. Help Needed. I am always available to answer questions about the text content,
assignments, syllabus, or anything you need help with regarding the course. If you have
specific problems related to the Webtycho classroom, please contact the appropriate
support staff.
For registration assistance: contact de@asia.umuc.edu
For WebTycho assistance: contact tycho@asia.umuc.edu.
For WebTycho assistance on Saturdays and Sundays: http://support.umuc.edu/
For proctored exam procedure information, please visit the DE Asia Website at
http://de.asia.umuc.edu and click on 'Proctored Exams'.

For textbook information contact detextbooks@asia.umuc.edu.

For GoArmyEd information contact goarmyed@asia.umuc.edu
For MyUMUC help visit UMUC 360 Helpdesk - http://support.umuc.edu

Support for Asian Division Students is also available by phone at 225-3696 (DSN) or
81-42-552-2510 Ext. 5-3696 (international comm.), Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30
p.m. (JST).

Online Etiquette and Conduct

1. Be polite
2. Do not write anything you would be embarrassed to have printed in the newspaper.
Computer massages are not private.
3. Keep in mind that any message you write can and may be forwarded to others. Again,
be careful what you write.
4. Do not forward personal notes or messages to others or a group unless you are certain
the content is appropriate and you have asked the author. Do NOT forward chain letters
to anyone who is enrolled in a UMUC course.
5. Be aware of how your words may affect others. Since you have no body language
cues, you must be more careful.
6. When using quoted material or someone else's idea, include the citation just as you
would in a hard-copy version.
7. Reread your message before sending it; edit if necessary
8. NO CHAIN LETTERS

Academic Policies
Academic Policies are not course specific and are therefore created and housed separately
from this syllabus. You may access and print Academic Policies from the Syllabus sub-
menu in your classroom.