Welcome to Biology 47! For many of you this will be your first comprehensive introduction to the structure of the human body. In this syllabus you will find descriptions of what you can expect from this course, from me as your instructor, and perhaps most important, what is expected of you. Please read through the following information carefully..

Instructor: Mr. Nathan Norris
Office: SM 55E
Phone: (408) 741-2634
E-mail: Nathan Norris Click to Contact

As your instructor I am here to facilitate your education by (1) presenting you with the material that you need to learn, and (2) by assisting you in your learning of the material. I will try to make it fun and I will do everything I can to help you, however, I cannot learn it for you - that is your responsibility. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask. With effort you will learn and be successful - the effort, however, is up to you.

General Course Information (return to top of page)

Biology 47 is a five (5) unit, semester length lecture and laboratory course. It is designed to satisfy the anatomy requirements for degrees in Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Human Performance, Nutrition, Dental Hygiene, and others. It is acceptable for credit by the University of California and the California State Universities (caution: if you plan to transfer it is your responsibility to confirm with the transfer institution/program to which you wish to transfer that this course meets the programs requirements, they have the final say). As a transferable course the academic rigor of the course will be comparable to a “university level” undergraduate human anatomy course. Although you will be held accountable for meeting this standard, it need not be overwhelming. The material will be presented from the perspective of this being the first college anatomy course you have ever taken.

The study of human anatomy involves the exploration of both microscopic and gross structure of human organ systems. The fundamentals of anatomy will be introduced through lectures and laboratory demonstrations. Students will complete their exploration through hands on examination of laboratory materials using microscopes, models, cadavers and cat dissection. You will find that there is a lot to learn, and it will be difficult, but I hope you will find it as exciting as I do.

Prerequisites: Completion of a high school or college biology course with a grade of C or better. However, students are expected to read and write at the college level and know enough mathematics to use and understand charts and graphs.

Note: If you have a learning or physical need that will require special accommodations in this class you will need to notify me in writing of your accommodation needs. West Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students should notify the Disability and Educational Support Program (DESP) at 741-2010 or (TTY 741-2658) of any special needs.

Texts and Support Materials (return to top of page)

Required:

Web Pages:

Purchasing Course Books: Several options are available to you.  West Valley Campus Bookstore: You can purchase all of the books listed in the course syllabus directly from the bookstore located on West Valley campus. The bookstore also provides an online service in case you do not want to go there in person (http://westvalley.bncollege.com). Note: bookstore profits help fund the campus center – purchasing your books from the campus bookstore will help support the campus center. Ordering Online (new or used): I am aware that new book prices are high and that this can place an undue burden on student budgets. One option to save money is to order books online from discount suppliers. The down side to this option is that, depending on the vendor, it can take several days to weeks for your books to arrive, and you will need the “required books” on the first day of class. Consequently, unless you have ordered your books several weeks in advance, this option may better serve you for the purchase of the “recommended and optional books” listed in your syllabus. The following online vendors may prove to be good resources:   Alternative Texts: In some instances the use of an older edition or a different textbook entirely may be possible. In general this is not an ideal option for several reasons, not the least of which is the difficulty in identifying the appropriate reading assignment. However, if this is an option you would like to pursue please contact the instructor to see if your alternative text is suitable for this course.

Course Objectives (return to top of page)

Nature of the Course (return to top of page)

Evaluation (return to top of page)

There will be five (5) non-comprehensive practical exams during the lab and one comprehensive final practical exam. The dates of these exams are listed on the schedule. The practical exams consist of true/false, multiple choice, short answer, fill-in and identification questions (with displays at multiple stations that you will need to be able to identify, name, describe and/or explain) and will cover all material from both the lecture and the lab.

Please bring a scantron (form #882), an eraser and #2 pencils to each exam. They can be purchased at the Bookstore. No practical exams will be dropped.

Exam Guidelines: Arrive early so that you may start the exam on time. Bring all items needed for the exam with you (scantron #882, an eraser and #2 pencils). Turn cell phones and pagers off and put them away. Put all materials not needed for the exam (i.e. books, binders, notes and other loose materials) away inside your backpack. Put your closed pack out of view under your seat or at the front of the room. Leave anything you don't want in the classroom in your car.  Sit far apart (i.e. in the lecture hall sit in every other row).  You may not leave the room for any reason once the exam has started. Use the restroom before the exam starts. If you must leave the room you must turn in your exam and forfeit your remaining time.  Once the first person leaves the room, no latecomers will be admitted to take the exam.  Cheating will result in a zero on the exam and probable expulsion from the class.  Put your name and exam form number on both your exam form and your scantron (#882).  You may write on your exam.  READ the questions! If you don't  understand a question, ASK.  Erase mistakes completely.

Warning:  DO NOT miss an exam! Due to the difficulty of setting up practical exams these exams cannot be made up. Only rarely, under extreme conditions, are make-up exams given. To qualify for a make up exam you must contact the instructor immediately and provide a documented reason for missing the exam (i.e. doctors note). At the instructors discretion and convenience a make up exam may or may not be offered. If given, make up exams may include oral and/or essay components. Exams cannot be made up after grades have been posted (usually the week after the exam). All assignments must be completed in order to successfully complete the course.

Grading (return to top of page)

Your grade will be determined by the number of points you earn, not on how hard you work. Effort is expected, not rewarded. However, you are not in competition with other students, your course grade will be based on the total number of points you earn from the following:  

 Your final course grade will be based on the following scale:

Periodically I will post your grades. This gives you the opportunity to confirm where you stand in the course, if you are missing any work or if I have made any errors recording your grades. Be sure to look it over. If you have any questions regarding any grade you receive and/or the grading method please feel free to talk to me. Note: you will need to provide a "secret identity" for posting of your grade.

Remember, you will be graded based on how well you do, not on how hard you work. Effort is expected, not rewarded.

Note:  Because of the importance of the lab, credit by examination is not possible. If unforeseen circumstances (other than poor performance) prevent your completion of the course an incomplete grade may be given by arrangement with the instructor (be aware that this often means repeating the entire course). In accordance with school policy, the incomplete must be made up by the end of one year following the semester in which the incomplete is given. This course may be taken again if the final grade is a D or an F.

Academic Dishonesty (return to top of page)

The college policy on cheating is clearly spelled out in the college catalogue and will be strictly enforced. Use of any method other than your knowledge and memory (such as notes, looking on other students papers, communication between students etc...) to answer questions on an exam or quiz constitutes cheating and will result in failure of that exam or quiz and probable failure of the course. Such behavior is disrespectful of other students and more importantly, of yourself. No dictionaries of any kind may be used during the exams or quizzes.

Attendance (return to top of page)

It is your responsibility to attend ALL class meetings. Class will start on time and last the entire time. It is expected that you are present at the start of class and attend the entire period. Your success depends on your attending regularly, taking good notes and studying. Please do not schedule appointments during scheduled class time or plan on leaving early. Unexcused absences may result in a loss of points. Failure to attend the equivalent of 10% (approx. 6 class meetings) of class for ANY reason may result in disqualification from the course (i.e. failure of the course).

It is critical to your success that you come to class prepared, having read the assigned material ahead of time, and that you take good notes. Failure to attend lecture or lab will result in missing announcements and valuable information that may not be covered in the text. Reading the text alone will not substitute for attendance. Students who attend, take good notes and study, have a good chance of doing well in this course.

Dropping (return to top of page)

If you decide to drop the course it is up to you to fill out the appropriate paperwork and inform the instructor. Do not assume that if you stop coming to class that you will automatically be dropped. Students who fail to attend but do not inform the instructor may receive a failing grade.

Miscellaneous Notes (return to top of page)

CELL PHONES: Due to the disruptive nature of cell phones and pagers all cell phones and pagers should be turned off while in class. If for some reason you must leave your cell phone on please switch it to silent mode and leave the room before answering it. Note: ringing cell phones and/or pagers may result in failure of quizzes or exams. Cell phones must be off during quizzes and exams. If, for any reason, you answer a cell phone during a quiz or exam you must turn in your quiz and forfeit your remaining time.

NON-SMOKING POLICY: It is the policy of the District to provide a safe learning and working environment for students and employees. It is the intent of the District to provide a smoke-free environment to the greatest extent possible. Smoking is prohibited in all indoor locations within the District. Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the Mission and West Valley campuses except in parking lot areas that are at least twenty five (25) feet away from buildings and pathways.

UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION / SEXUAL HARASSMENT: If you have a complaint or someone has shared information with you as a student or employee that is unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment, contact the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources at West Valley-Mission Community College District, Human Resources Department, (408-741-2060).  If the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources is not available, contact the President of the college in which you attend or are employed.  For West Valley College, contact the office of Dr. Lori Gaskin at 408-741-2668.

Tips For Success (return to top of page)

There is a lot of information to be learned in this class and how you utilize your time will greatly influence how much you learn.  Everyone can succeed in this course.  However, to do so you must make the effort.  You must be willing to work hard.  This includes attending regularly, coming to class prepared, asking questions when you don't understand, taking good notes... in general, developing good study habits.  These skills can be developed.  If you don't have these skills the instructor may be able to help.

Be aware that there is a lot of information to be learned in this class and how you utilize your time will greatly influence how well you do.  Plan on spending an average of 20-25 hours per week on this class (Note: For an average class you can expect 2 hours of study outside of class for each unit the class is worth each week.) Stay on top of the material by reading your assignments prior to class so that you may get the most out of the time you have in class.

It is just as important, if not more so, to be well prepared for lab ahead of time by reading through your lab assignments. Take advantage of the materials available during the lab (i.e. read the book at home so that you may get the most out of the time you have in lab), attend the lab time regularly, and take advantage of the entire lab period. Many specimens that you must know will only be available for review in the lab.

Forming study groups to review the material is strongly encouraged, however, it is important to learn the material on your own first (i.e. study the material on your own then form study groups to review the material you have learned). Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Once you feel comfortable with the material get together with your study group and go over it (the library has rooms available for group study). Answer the questions in the lab manual using your text and notes as a reference when needed. If you can apply the facts and concepts presented in the lecture, identify and describe the structures presented in lab, and learn the language (you will learn lots of new terminology) you should be well prepared for the exams.

Don't forget, the lecture and the lab make up one course thus they support each other. Also, please do not hesitate to talk to me if you have any questions or comments. I am here to help. I want you to be successful in this course.

Note: This is a challenging class. Those of you who put in the effort to study hard, attend class regularly and get thoroughly involved in the study of anatomy are more likely to pass. You are responsible for meeting the requirements of the course and therefore for your own success. You must take ownership of your learning. Remember, as your instructor I am here to assist you with your understanding. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask and I will do my best to help you, however, I cannot learn it for you - that is your responsibility. With effort you will learn and be successful - the effort, however, is up to you. Remember, learning is work!

For more information on study skills click here.