Core Course Review Documentation
Foundational Component Area:
Component Area Option? No
Yes
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Yes
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Cultural & Global Understanding
Undergraduate Inquiry & Creativity
Proposed Course: BIOL 1134 Anatomy and Physiology I
Credit Hours:
Proposed by:
4 (3-2)
Biology Department
Date:
Please document how the proposed course meets each of the following requirements. (You may provide a written explanation or copy and paste the appropriate information from the syllabus.)
Courses in this category focus on describing, explaining, and predicting natural phenomena using the scientific method.
This course is intended to provide an overview of human anatomy and physiology. The lecture will focus on scientific vocabulary and the principles of physiology. The laboratory exercises will focus on mammalian anatomy stressing application to human anatomy. At the conclusion of the course, students should be able to describe specific anatomical features; explain the basic mechanisms of physiology; and make fundamental predictions of the effect that would be seen under normal conditions or abnormal circumstances.
Courses involve the understanding of interactions among natural phenomena and the implications of scientific principles on the physical world and on human experiences.
Students are introduced to basic biological concepts as functions of chemistry and physics.
Students are expected to consider the chemical and physical principles that govern life processes from the cellular level up through the organ system level.
In the laboratory, students develop skills in evaluating the chemical and physical principles associated with life. Students also develop interpersonal skills by working with instructors, teaching assistants and laboratory partners. Skills include the use of the microscope, dissection, recognition and classification of anatomical structures, making solutions, application of the scientific method and organizing / presenting information to a group.

Core Course Review Documentation
Assessments should be authentic, intentional and direct. The following four Core Objectives must be addressed in each course approved to fulfill this category requirement:
Critical Thinking Skills - to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information
Laboratory exercise (to be performed after the study of the Central Nervous System): Students will be divided into teams [one lab table (typically 4 students) = one team]. Each student will propose a case study. Each laboratory team will agree to develop one proposal from their group. The case study should suggest a specific lesion in the nervous system. Students will then be expected to apply their understanding of anatomy and physiology to describe the symptoms and findings associated with such a lesion. (Attachment: Anatomy and Physiology
Case Study Presentation Assessment Rubric).
The Biology Benchmark rubric (attached) will be used in assessment to determine if the student has achieved or exceeded the “benchmark” status of critical thinking skills. The benchmark is in-part derived from the AACU in the Critical Thinking Skills VALUE rubric (attached).
Communication Skills - to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication
The laboratory team will make a presentation to the laboratory section as a whole. The presentation will include written, oral and visual components in the form of posters, handouts or power points. Each student will present a portion of the project. Students will be evaluated by the instructor and the teaching assistant. (Attachments: Anatomy and Physiology Case Study
Presentation Assessment Rubric; Instructions for Poster/Case Study Presentation).
The Biology Benchmark rubric will be used in assessment to determine if the student has achieved or exceeded the “benchmark” status of communication skills. The benchmark is in-part derived from the AACU in the Written and Oral Communication VALUE rubrics
(attached).
Empirical and Quantitative Skills - to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or
observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
Students will be required to use the metric system and formulae for English/Metric conversions while completing an exercise using quantitative skills taken from the Anatomy and Physiology
Laboratory Manual (Attachment: Getting Started – What to Expect, The Scientific Method, and
Metrics).
The case study presentation will require the use of scientific journal articles and data from websites such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Students will analyze the information and make a presentation to their peers. During the presentation students will describe a given a set of observable deficits of sensation, motor capabilities and/or proprioception then draw a conclusion as to which nervous system pathway is involved.
(Attachment: Anatomy and Physiology Case Study Presentation Assessment Rubric).
The Biology Benchmark rubric will be used in assessment to determine if the student has achieved or exceeded the “benchmark” status of empirical and quantitative skills. The

Core Course Review Documentation benchmark is derived in-part from the AACU in the Quantitative Literacy VALUE rubric
(attached).
Teamwork - to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal
The teamwork objective will be assessed by the Teaching Assistants in each laboratory section.
The TAs will assess the ability of the students to work together during animal dissections and will grade individual students on their participation to the teamwork (Attachment: TA
Evaluation of the Student Teamwork Rubric).
The Biology Benchmark rubric will be used in assessment to determine if the student has achieved or exceeded the “benchmark” status of teamwork skills. The benchmark is derived in-part from the AACU in the Teamwork VALUE rubric (attached).
Provide any additional information supporting course inclusion in the core (optional).
1.
Syllabus: Attached / Biology Benchmark Rubric Attached
2.
Assessment for Critical Thinking Skills: Value Rubric Attached
3.
Assessment for Communication Skills: Value Rubric Attached
4.
Assessment for Empirical & Quantitative Skills: Value Rubric Attached
5.
Assessment for Teamwork: Value Rubric Attached
Students will be evaluated by the instructor and the teaching assistant.