Spring 2014 Course Syllabus
Subject: Pathophysiology
Teacher: Ms. Tomar
Email: stomar@houstonisd.org
Location: RM N233
Course Introduction
Welcome to Pathophysiology! This course will focus on the mechanisms of disease in the human body and will include discussion of
both infectious and noninfectious diseases with greater emphasis on the latter. We will discuss the effects of disease on the
molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, body, population, and species levels. We will build on material learned in medical microbiology,
introduce and make connections with various subdisciplines within biology, and draw inspiration from chemistry, environmental
science, public health, and history.
Grading System
Major (70%) tests and projects/presentations
You can expect to have approximately 2 tests and 1 project/presentation per six weeks grading cycle.
Minor (30%) quizzes, labs, class work, and participation
Daily activities and short assessments will account for nearly a third of your overall grade, and putting forth your best effort in
completing these assignments on time is vital to your success in this class.
Required Materials
1½” binder
dividers
loose leaf notebook paper
spiral notebook (optional)
pocket folder (optional)
pencils with erasers
pens
highlighter (optional)
Course Outline
Unit 1: Viruses & Prions
Unit 2: Cancer
Unit 3: Genetic & Non-Infectious Diseases
Class Expectations
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Be present, both physically and mentally.
Be punctual to class and in your seat when the bell rings.
Come prepared with materials for the day’s lesson.
Make it a habit to participate in class discussions and activities.
Bring a positive attitude to class.
Behave in a manner that is pleasant and professional.
Policies & Procedures
Minor Grades
All work must be neat, complete, accurate, and submitted on time if you wish to receive credit for it. I will stamp homework
assignments on the day that they’re due. Late, incomplete, or fraudulent work will not be stamped. You must turn in all relevant
stamped assignments as one stapled packet (stapled before coming to class) in chronological order (oldest assignment on top) at the
beginning of class on test day in order to receive credit for the assignments. Failure to follow directions will cost 10 points on each
assignment. You may turn in unstamped work for a late grade (minus 25 points for each late assignment). Late assignments that are
also incomplete will lose 50 points or more, depending on the level of completion.
Major Grades
Late work will result in a loss of 11 points for every day that it is late. (This applies to major grade assignments completed primarily
outside of class, such as papers and projects, and excludes tests.)
Absences
It’s your responsibility to collect make-up work from me on the day that you return to class. Ask classmates what you missed, and
get the notes from a friend. Check Gradespeed daily to see if you’re missing any grades and to find out what assignments are
coming up. Ask me during class and/or come to tutorials if you need additional help. If you were absent on the day that an
assignment was due, you must turn in the assignment the day that you return to school. If you were absent on a test day, you must
make arrangements with me to make up the test on a Monday or Friday during lunch within one week of the original test date.
Tardies
Get a tardy pass from the deans’ office before coming to class.
Electronic Devices
Cell phones, MP3 players, earphones, etc. may be used with teacher permission only. Put them away before the start of class. No
electronic devices may be used in class while tests or quizzes are out, even if you’re finished with your test/quiz.
Eating
No eating in class.
Tutorials
Mondays and Fridays in my classroom during lunch. Bring your curiosity and your questions!
Materials
It is your responsibility to be prepared for class every day. I will not lend materials or provide additional copies of handouts if you
lose yours or forget to pick them up.
Retakes
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Retakes are for tests with grades below 75 only.
Only one retake is allowed per six week grading cycle.
The maximum grade that can be earned on a retake is 80.
Bonus points will not be added to a retake grade.
You must sign up for the retake within 24 hours of the grade’s posting to Gradespeed.
In order to qualify for a retake, you must attend one full tutorial (Monday or Friday lunch only) and show me your notes,
warm-ups, and all assignments relevant to the test material. (Be sure always to write the date on your notes and warm-ups
and complete any missing notes or warm-ups before coming to tutorials. Have them organized and ready to go before
coming to tutorials. I highly recommend using a spiral notebook exclusively for warm-ups to keep them neat and orderly.)
Retakes must be completed either the Friday or the Monday following the original test date during lunch.
Since most tests will be given and grades posted on a Monday, you will be expected to sign up for the retake that Tuesday,
attend tutorials that Friday, and complete your retake the following Monday.
If you were absent on a test day, you have one week from your test date to complete your retake, unless it is the last week
of the six week grading cycle, in which case you must complete your retake sooner. You must notify me of your intent to
retake the test, meet all of the aforementioned criteria to qualify for a retake, and schedule a retake time with me.
Failure to meet any one of these criteria will disqualify you from the retake. NO EXCEPTIONS.
*This syllabus is subject to revision.
**Revised 3/4/14