Biology 203

 

HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY (BIOLOGY 203) Fall 1998 Instructor: P.E. Hogan Lecture: MWF 9:00a.m. - 9:50 a.m. TEXT: Fox, Stuart Ira. 1999. Human Physiology. Sixth Edition. McGraw-Hill Publishers; Boston, Mass. 203. Human Physiology. Lecture course in physiology of humans. Membrane physiology, control of cellular activity, digestion, metabolism and temperature regulation, nerve and muscle physiology, circulation, immunity, excretion, respiration, neurophysiology and endocrinology. Credit: three hours. Course Structure: This course meets for three hours of lecture per week, with no laboratory component. However, the "lecture" part of the course is a lecture/discussion/questions type of format. Much of the material will be presented in a lecture format, but discussions will take place and student questions are encouraged at any time during the class meetings. Learning Objectives: After completion of this course you should: 1. Know many of the basic facts of physiology, 2. Be able to utilize physiological "facts" to interpret "new" physiological situations, 3. Comprehend and be able to apply the basic principles of physiology, such as homeostasis and feedback, 4. Be able to critically think about the principles/facts of physiology in order to understand and/or interpret the interrelationships of bodily systems, 5. Be able to make connections from one system to another, by applying principles and facts. (e.g. being able to make reasonable assumptions about "black box" concepts from what is known about "white box concepts.), and 6. Be able to think physiologically, not just regurgitate facts. TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE FOR BIOLOGY 203 DATE TOPIC READINGS in FOX Aug. 26 Course Organization/General Information --------------- 28 An Overview of Physiology (Basic Physiological Ch. 1 (pp.4-8) Principles). (Students are expected to be familiar with the material in Chs. 2 & 3.) 31, Sept. 2 Membrane Physiology Ch. 6 Sept. 4, 7, 9 Control of Cellular Activity; DNA, RNA, Protein Ch. 3 (pp.57-68) & Synthesis, and Cellular Respiration. (Students Ch. 5 are expected to already be familiar with pp. 48-56). 11, 14 Tissue Physiology Ch. 1 (pp. 8-18) 16,18,21,23, Neurons, Nerves, and Neurophysiology Chs. 7-10 25, 28 30 Endocrinology Ch.11 & Ch.18 (pp.588-592) & Ch. 19 (pp.614-634) Oct. 2 FIRST EXAMINATION 5, 7, 9 Endocrinology, continued Ch.11 & Ch.18 (pp.588-592) & Ch. 19 (pp.614-634) 12 Part of the 4-Day Break 14, 16, 19 Endocrinology/Reproduction Chs. 11 & 20 21 Enzymes and Body Chemistry Chs. 2 & 4 23, 26, 28 The Digestive System Ch. 18 Oct. 30 SECOND EXAMINATION Nov. 2, 4 Metabolism and Endothermy Ch. 19 (pp.604-614) 6, 9, 11 Muscle Physiology Ch. 12 13, 16, 18 The Heart & Physiology of Circulation Chs. 13 & 14 Nov. 20 THIRD EXAMINATION 23, 25, 27 Thanksgiving Break 30, Dec. 2 Immunity Ch. 15 Dec. 4, 7, 9 Respiratory Physiology (If time permits) Ch. 16 11 Renal Physiology (If time permits) Ch. 17 Dec. 17 FINAL EXAMINATION: 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. TEXT: Fox, Stuart Ira (1999). Human Physiology. Sixth Edition. McGraw-Hill Publishers; Boston, Mass. GRADING POLICIES 1. The final grades will be derived from the following: (a). Three examinations, at 100 points each = 300 pts. (b). One comprehensive, final examination = 200 pts. (c). Ten quizzes, at 20 points each = 200 pts. (d). Five, group homework assignments, at 20 points each = 100 pts. (e). Class participation = 100 pts. ______________ Total = 900 pts. Total Points Earned 2. The final grade (%) = ----------------------------- x 100 900 3. The following will generally represent the distribution for the final grades in this course: A = 806 - 900; B = 716 - 805; C. = 626 - 715; D = 536 - 625; F = below 536 4. The three examinations are already scheduled (See your "Tentative Lecture Schedule"). If one of these exams needs to be rescheduled, we will attempt to do this as a class. The procedure for making up a missed exam is discussed under ATTENDANCE POLICIES. 5. Periodic homework will be assigned. These homework assignments are designed to give students an opportunity to apply physiological principles/facts to situations not specifically discussed during class. Such assignments are generally "open-ended" and therefore have no "right" answer. It is how the student approaches the assignment and demonstrates some critical thinking that is most important. In other words, the person who goes to the text and copies down an answer will not do as well on these assignments as the student who takes a more creative and critical approach. In fact, the "answers" to these assignments will generally not be found in any text book. Each of these assignments must be carefully thought out, clearly answered, typed, double-spaced, and only on one side of a piece of 8"x11" paper. Proper referencing is a must, if references are used. These homework assignments will be done as "group assignments". The class will be divided into groups of five students per group, since there are five assignments. Each group of 5 students will work on each homework assignment as a group; however, the actual write-up of the assignment will be done by only one member of the group, and a different member for each assignment. When the assignment is passed in, the only name on the assignment is the name of the person who actually wrote what is being passed in, along with the group number. The grade earned on that assignment will be given to all members of the group. You will be given more information about how this works when your first homework is passed out to you. 6. Class discussions are discussed under the heading of ATTENDANCE POLICIES. ATTENDANCE POLICIES 1. All students are expected to attend "lectures", since regular class attendance is considered essential to fully understand the course material. 2. Lecture attendance will be maintained for reports to advisors, final D, F, or I reports to Academic Standing, and as a possible partial criterion for decisions about borderline grades. 3. The dates for examinations are shown on your TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE. If one of these exams needs to be rescheduled, we will attempt to do this as a class. The date and time for the final is also shown on your TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE. 4. There will be a quiz at the end of class every Friday, with the exception of 8/30/96 and any Friday on which an exam is scheduled. Each quiz will last about 15 minutes and will generally cover the material from the preceding three classes. If a quiz is missed, a zero will be recorded. Make-up quizzes will be given, but only if the student has an acceptable excuse for missing the quiz, such as illness or because of participation in an athletic event. However, all such excuses must be verified by an appropriate authority. (Note that it is possible that a make up quiz could be more difficult than the original quiz.) Also, unlimited make-ups will not be given, regardless of the excuse for missing the quiz. 5. All of the qualifications about making up a quiz also apply to making up a missed exam. The exception to this is that I must be notified prior to an exam that you will miss the exam. (Note -- I do not consider a message left on my voice mail a valid notification.) THE FINAL EXAM CANNOT BE MADE UP! 6. Whenever a homework assignment is given, it is to be passed in to me during the class period that is one week from the date it is handed out. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE TO THIS, EVEN IF YOU ARE ABSENT DURING THE DAY IT IS DUE! 7. At the start of every class, except when an exam is scheduled, there will be a discussion which will generally last 10-15 minutes. Class will begin by my randomly drawing the number of one of the groups. That group will then be asked to explain some physiological principle that was talked about during the last class or two, or that was supposed to have been read for that day's class. This process will be more thoroughly elucidated in class. HOWEVER, THE PROCESS NECESSITATES THAT ALL STUDENTS BE PREPARED FOR EACH DAY'S CLASS. If you are absent on a day that your group number is called, you will receive a zero for that participation, regardless of the reason for missing class! 8. Always bring your book to class. SKILLS OBJECTIVES At Marietta College, we believe that "understanding" science is essential to a person's ability to succeed in today's society. By "understanding" we mean more than just possessing knowledge about the physical and natural world. "Understanding" also implies comprehending how science is practiced, and how scientists employ certain intellectual skills in their pursuit of knowledge. Therefore, you cannot claim to "understand" some area of science until you are able to apply the necessary skills in situations previously not encountered. Since this is a Human Physiology course, the skills listed below relate directly to that area of study, but most of these skills are applicable to any area of scientific endeavor. 1. To learn how physiologists think about things. It is no accident that Chapter 1 (p.4) of your textbook begins with a brief discussion of the Scientific Method. Although there is no lab component with this course, you will still need to train yourselves to use the scientific method in thinking about physiological situations. You will want to learn to use the scientific method as a critical thinking tool. Your homework assignments especially provide you with opportunities to utilize this method. 2. To realize that scientific knowledge has limits. Scientific knowledge is limited by the state of scientific instrumentation at any point in time. For example, one of the reasons there are still so many "black box" concepts in physiology is that we do not yet have instrumenta- tion sophisticated enough to allow a thorough investigation in some areas. However, be aware that science is also limited by attitudes and beliefs. 3. To learn some basic physiological "facts". There are certain facts that must be mastered, such as how DNA replicates itself or what route blood takes through the heart. However, you must realize that physiology is not a study of compartmentalized facts; rather, these "facts" provide the basis upon which you must begin to integrate the various systems of the body. You must be aware that the practice of physiology requires skepticism, tolerance of ambiguity, and openness to new ideas. If you merely memorize and regurgitate a bunch of facts, you will not do well in this course. 4. To learn major principles that underlie much of physiology. There are several major principles, such as homeostasis and feedback, that are essential to an understanding of physiology and that cut across all aspects of physiology. Therefore, you must be able to apply such principles to various situations. In other words, if you learn what feedback is, but are unable to apply the concept, then you will have problems in understanding physiology. 5. To critically examine lecture notes, class discussions, homework assignments, and reading assignments. The age-old question, "What will be on the exam", is inappropriate in a course such as this. The student must learn, at least partially, for herself/himself to discern the important from the unimportant and to not just rely on what happens in lecture for the subject matter of the course. The text book is a vital source for you to constantly use, read, and study, even the material that was not specifically gone over in class. This will require developing critical thinking skills. 6. To critically think about physiological principles and facts. Learning facts is not the same thing as understanding the importance of those facts and how those facts can be utilized to further one's understanding of physiological phenomena. Many questions on exams, for example, will require you to put facts to work, even in objective types of questions. In one sense, a "fact" is a useless piece of information unless you are able to put that fact to work. 7. To learn the importance of precise vocabulary and terminology in physiology. Physiological information must be communicated precisely and unambiguously, and thus technical terms are often used as well as the attachment of specialized meaning to everyday words. You will be expected to learn, and use, the language of a physiologist, at least to a degree. Your homework assignments and class discussions will help you to practice this skill. 8. To develop written communication skills. Part of learning the "language" of physiology includes being able to communicate ideas in a concise and accurate written form. This is one of the main objectives behind your homework assignments. Often I hear students say that they know the material but just can't communicate it. There may be some truth to this, but generally I have found that when such a statement is made the student either does not really know the material, or the student lacks the necessary writing skills to communicate the material. This latter skill requires you not only to properly utilize the English language but also to properly utilize physiological terminology and principles. WHERE DO YOU GO FOR HELP? There may come times in this course when you begin to feel overwhelmed or distraught and it is very important that you learn to recognize such times immediately and something about the problem. There are many support systems at Marietta College and perhaps one of the most important things to remember is that you are probably not alone in your anxiety; many of your classmates may be feeling the same way. The secret is not to merely commiserate about the situation, but rather to seek out those resources that can help you resolve the situation. The following resources should be helpful. 1. Dr. Peter Hogan, the professor for Human Physiology. I am always willing to help students having difficulty in this course. I maintain an open-door policy relative to office hours. However, if you have trouble getting to see me, catch me after a class and we will set up a specific time for you to come in for help. Do not wait until the problem gets worse! My campus phone extension is 4745 and my office is Room 104 of the Bartlett Biology Building. 2. Help Sessions. Help sessions are not formally scheduled for this course. However, if several students feel the need for such a session, one can be worked out with only a couple of days' notice. In the past such help sessions have been run before major examinations and this can be continued if students so desire. 3. Study groups. You may want to consider forming your own study group of 4 or 5 of your peers. This can be a very rewarding way to learn material and to find out if you can apply physiological principles. I would be happy to help any such groups. Perhaps the group you are in for homework assignments could also function as a study group. 4. Your Advisor. Every student at Marietta College has an academic advisor. This advisor has been assigned to assist you in your academic pursuits and your advisor may be able to help you with all sorts of problems, as well as assist you in finding the best help for your situation. 5. The Counseling and Career Center is in room 222 of Thomas Hall. The College Counselor has experience in helping students not only with personal problems but with problems associated with academics, such as study skills, test taking anxiety, etc. 6. The Writing Center. The Writing Center is in room 311 of Thomas Hall and you may wish to seek out their services if you are having problems with the homework assignments. 7. A student tutor. It may be possible to find you a student tutor if you think one is necessary. Sometimes the Honors House or the Biology Club provides such tutors free of charge. However, the availability of a student capable of tutoring you in physiology cannot be guaranteed. ASSORTED KEYS TO SUCCESS IN HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY 1. Attend all classes and actively participate when appropriate. 2. Read and reread the textbook assignments and look over the study helps at the start and end of each chapter. 3. Outline, rewrite or otherwise reorganize your lecture notes. 4. Ask lots of questions, both in class and out of class. Do not worry about what you might think is a "dumb" question. If you have a question chances are others in the class are also bothered by the same question. ASK IT!! 5. Get involved with a study group and use that group to quiz each other. This can be a very effective learning tool. 6. Frequently look over the course material. If you wait until a day or two before an exam to begin studying the material you probably will not do well. 7. Put in enough time on the material. There is no "right" amount of time that you should study for this course. However, a good rule of thumb might be that you should be studying 4 to 6 hours for a weekly quiz and 15 to 20 hours for a major exam. I mention this only because I have had students tell me they don't understand why they do so poorly on an exam and when I ask them how long they studied for the exam they say 3 or 4 hours. That simply is not sufficient. 8. Food for Thought: Study habits that have yielded poor results in the past cannot be expected to yield good results now or in the future; so why continue to use them????? DRESS CODE FOR CLASS 1. No hats of any kind are to be worn in class. 2. Shirts with "inappropriate" sayings on them are not allowed in class.