BIOLOGY 436: HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY (Summer 2012)

Meeting Time and Location:

Lecture: TTh 12:00-1:15 PM, LS-132 (Krown)
Laboratory: TTh 2:00-5:20 PM, LS-324 (Brulte)

Instructor:
Dr. Kevin Krown
Office Hours: By appointment
Office: LS-125
E-Mail: kkrown@sdccd.edu

Course Details and Description:

This is an intensive laboratory course designed to prepare students who
are planning on entering a physical therapy Ph.D. program, a scientific Masters or
Ph.D program or medical school. This course is NOT applicable as an
introductory course to human physiology. It is assumed that students have a
fundamental knowledge of chemistry and chemical reactions, and that they have
taken or are concurrently enrolled in either Biology 336 (Principles of Human
Physiology) or Biology 590 (Physiology of Human Systems).

After completion of the course the students should be able to demonstrate an in-
depth understanding of the concepts and mechanisms that our bodies use to help
maintain homeostasis. At the cellular and biochemical level should understand
how the physical properties of a molecule will dictate how the molecule is
transported into and out of the cell, realize the importance of pH and temperature
with respect to an enzymes ability to work and understand how pH and
temperature changes are related to the stability of all proteins in the body.
Aspects of the nervous system that will be mastered include a basic understanding
of the anatomy of a neuron and how action potentials are transmitted down the
length of an axon. How the signals from neurons are translated to activation of
skeletal muscle tissue and an understanding of how neurons and the CNS help us
to interpret not only changing conditions inside our body but outside as well and
how we are equipped to respond to these changes. Students will explore and
understand how analysis of our blood is used in a variety of settings to help
ascertain the health of an individual. At the tissue level, this course will focus on
the cardiovascular, respiratory and renal systems to understand the anatomy and
functioning of these systems as they pertain to the maintenance of the
homeostasis of the body at rest and during exercise.

This will be a very fast-paced course and at times intensive. It is assumed that
since you have already taken a physiology course (or are currently enrolled), that
only comprehensive reviews of the material covered in the labs will be required
and given. Being an undergraduate, upper division laboratory course also implies
that you demonstrate a fairly in-depth knowledge of physiology as determined by
examination.
To do well in this course, you should keep up with the material on a weekly basis.
Attend all lectures, take thorough notes, go over notes while the lecture is still
 fresh, and use outside texts fill in the gaps and correct ambiguities. Be sure you
understand the material; memorizing facts without being able to integrate the
facts and overall concepts will not help you pass the difficult exams.

One of the best ways to study for a class such as physiology is to teach what you
have learned to a fellow classmate or friend. This often helps you see areas that
you thought you understood but really haven’t mastered.

Prerequisites: Credit for concurrent enrollment in Biology 336 or Biology 590

Course Website:
 http://blackboard.sdsu.edu
Includes course syllabus, lecture notes, study guides and weblinks

Other Websites of Interest:

 Nobel Laureates of Physiology and Medicine: www.nobelprize.org
 Preprofessional advising: www.sci.sdsu.edu/preprof/
 Other websites will be mentioned in class

Required Texts: Available at Aztec Shops

o Lab Exercises for Human Physiology, Norgard-Sumnicht, Brandt,
Sabbadini and Krown
o PhysioEx 9.0 for Human Physiology-Laboratory Simulations in
Physiology, Stabler, Smith, Peterson and Lokuta

Recommended Reference text: Any basic physiology textbook (Fox, Silverthorn, etc)
or DVDs

Grading:
Lecture Exams: Two exams (100 pts each) will be given during the lecture
portion of the course. Each exam will be approximately 75% multiple choice and
25% short answer questions and will consist of material covered during both the
lecture and laboratory (200 pts total).

You will need a Form 882 Scantron (long form) and a #2 pencil for the multiple
choice portion of each exam. I prepare the exam questions from my lecture notes
and laboratory assignments. I can also help you; so make use of my office hours.
If you miss a lecture, be sure to get the notes. It is your responsibility to know of
any changes to the scheduled exam dates announced in class.
IMPORTANT NOTE: I do not provide study guides. You will be responsible
for ALL material covered during lecture. We will have a review session prior to
each exam. Students who arrive late for the lecture exams will receive a failing
grade

Laboratory Quizzes: Quizzes will be given at the beginning of some laboratory

periods. They will be worth between 10-20 points and will be multiple choice
 format. The questions will consist of material covering previous
lecture/laboratory exercises

Laboratory Reports: Some labs will require group or individual laboratory

reports (short answers or write-ups). The write-ups will consist of the collected
data displayed in appropriately labeled graph form, with any conclusions or
answers to questions from the exercise included

The course grade will be determined by the percentage of the total point score:
A= 85-100%
B= 75-84%
C= 65-74.9%
D= 55-64.9%
F= < 54.9%

Make-Up Policy:
There are NO make-up labs. This includes laboratory quizzes and reports. If you
miss a midterm exam due to illness or emergency, you must either contact me by
email or leave a message with the department office (LS 104, 594-6767) no later
than the day of the exam. You must also bring documentation from your
physician Make-up midterm exams (100% essay) must taken with 2 days of the
original scheduled exam date and are to be arranged during my office hours at my
convenience.
No extra credit assignments will be considered, so please don’t ask.
.
Other Procedural Issues:
 Inquiries about exam grades will only be considered for 1 week after I have
returned the test to you
 Incorrect spelling and sloppiness on exams will result in a lower grade
 Anyone caught cheating or suspected (due to allowing a neighbor to look at
exam) will fail the exam

Formula for Passing the Course:

The following suggestions are indispensable for successful completion of the course:
 Attend lectures and labs regularly, take detailed notes, and obtain notes for any missed
lectures promptly.
 Keep up with the lecture and lab reading (don’t wait until the night before an exam).
 Study and understand the concepts presented in lecture. Memorizing and understanding
the concepts will enhance your knowledge better than just memorizing random facts.