Human Physiology (Biology 224); Fall 2001
MWF 8-850A, Darwin 139
Instructor: Dr. Nicholas Geist; Office: Darwin 217
Office Hrs.: Fri. 10-12 and by appointment
email: nick.geist@sonoma.edu; tel: 664-3056
Required Text: Human Physiology, an integrated approach, D. U. Silverthorn, 2nd ed.
Recommended Text: The Physiology Coloring Book, Capit, Macey, and Meisami, Harper Collins Publishers
Prerequisite: Biology 115 or equivalent
Objectives: This course is designed to provide a broad understanding of how the human “machine” functions. Though specifically tailored for students pursuing careers in the allied health professions, other students with a basic curiosity about the workings of the human body are welcome. We will examine physiological mechanisms from the chemical and cellular levels up to the level of the entire human organism, focusing primarily on the integrated functioning and homeostatic (“balancing”) mechanisms of the various organ systems (including skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, excretory, endocrine, and reproductive). Additionally, topical health issues (i. e., the use of performance enhancing drugs in sports, AIDs, Viagra™, treatment and prevention of osteoporosis, etc.) will be used to illustrate and complement class discussions whenever appropriate. Our goal is to see the “big picture”--I will try to integrate the information in a cohesive way, rather than have you merely memorize a bunch of facts. The text will be used to reinforce the material presented in lecture (not so subtle hint--don’t miss lectures and fall behind-there is a lot of material, and we will move through it rapidly!). I encourage you to stop me and ask questions during lecture; remember, if you don’t understand something, you are probably not alone.
Examinations:
Students will be responsible for all lecture material, as well as assigned
reading from the text, unless otherwise stated. There will be 3 midterm
exams (100 pts. each) plus a comprehensive final (150 pts.). The final will consist of approx. 33% new
material. There will be no make-up
exams given without absolutely valid
reasons (loss of body parts, illness with doctor’s note, etc.). I grade on the curve, with the mean score
generally representing the C+/B- cutoff.
One standard deviation above the mean is usually the B+/A- cutoff, one
below the D+/C- range, etc.
Examinations will consist of “fill-in-the-blank,” short answer, multiple
choice, and essay-type questions. Academic
Honesty: Academic policy regards cheating and plagiarism as grounds for
dismissal. I will expect an honest
effort from you and enforce these standards.
Laboratory:
Students in Bio 224 are required to enroll in one of the two lab sections (Mon.
9-1150 A, Weds. 9-1150 A). Labs are
designed to complement and reinforce lectures with a practical, hands-on
approach that emphasizes exercises that use your own bodies as the
physiological laboratory whenever feasible.
There will be two lab practical exams, worth 50 pts. each. Your lab notebook is worth 50 pts. The notebook should include a concisely
written title, purpose/objective, procedures/protocols, and results and
conclusions section from the experimental procedures. Write-ups should be no longer than 2 pages. We will use the
Interactive Physiology CDs in a number of labs. Questions at the end of CD
modules are to be answered and included in your lab notebook along with your
brief write-ups.
Lab. exams: 2 @ 50 pts.
=
100
Lab notebook (write-ups, questions from
CDs) = 100
Final Exam = 150
Total points =
650