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Hawaii Pacific University
BIOL 1200 Human Biology Section ____
Semester and year, meeting times
Instructor: Name, contact information and other relevant information about the instructor.
Course description: Human Biology is a survey course for non-science majors covering topics such as
the scientific method, human evolution, hierarchal anatomical structures (atoms to organs), and the
normal physiology of organ systems in humans. Although an emphasis is placed on students'
understanding of the non-diseased systems, topics such as AIDS, Cancer, use of supplements, and other
environmental impacts are introduced.
Course prerequisite: None
General Education Requirement: This course is classified under the Global Systems Theme and meets
the requirement for a course in Global Systems C: Other Global Systems Courses.
General Education Student Learning Outcomes and the Five Themes: HPU’s general education
curriculum is focused around five themes. This course emphasizes the Global Systems Theme and
provides students with opportunities to achieve the following related general education student
learning outcomes.
Students will utilize various systems approaches or theories to comprehend natural global
processes (GS 1)
Human Biology is a survey course designed to introduce non-science majors to a scope of
biology has an emphasis on the human organism and its internal functions and interactions with
the environment. As in all introductory level courses of this type, BIOL 1200 also emphasizes the
basic scientific thought processes. The scientific method and evolutionary principles from the
genomics, proteomics, gross anatomy, and physiology are woven into each and every section.
Human Biology is a one-semester course that covers all areas of human biology from molecular
to whole organism along with ecological interactions with the environment.
Students will integrate knowledge and understanding from various disciplines in the analysis of
global systems. (GS 2)
Students will need to apply basic concepts from biology, chemistry, and physics in order to
understand key issues relevant to global themes in human biology, from level of cell to whole
organism along with homeostatic from external and internal environments. Students are
challenged with the ethical issues of human biology by being asked to explore such topics as
embryonic stem cell research clinical treatments, impact of fad diets, etc.
2
Students will understand the importance of global environmental systems and the interactions
between humans and the environment. (GS 5)
Biology 1200 initially deals with internal environments and the potential for pathology. A major
underlying theme of Human Anatomy and Physiology is centered on homeostasis (internal
steady state environment of factors such as temperature, blood sugar, Ca++, pH, etc). Some of
the parameters are system specific while others are more global. Thus the effects of diet or
environmental pressures are discussed and how the body responds in order maintain the steady
state internal environment. In the latter portion of the class there is discussion on how humans
impact their environment and how this can eventually lead to problems where certain pressures
(physical or chemical pollutants) are too much for the human body to compensate and can lead
to problems with maintaining internal steady state conditions.
The course also addresses the Values and Choices Theme by providing students with opportunities to
achieve the following related general education student learning outcome:
Students will analyze cultural forces that have influenced customs and choices of conflict and
peace in contemporary lifestyles and world views. (V&C 3)
The study of Human biology is filled with opportunities to discuss choices, policy and actions and
their potential to impact human health. As well, the course addresses technologies especially in
the area of cancer (treatments) and genetics. Presentations will cover topics related to this
outcome as will questions on the final exam drawn from course readings.
Note: Purple text shows places where specific course information must be filled in. Red text contains
explanatory notes to the instructor which should be deleted before using the syllabus. Blue explanations
above should be rephrased by the individual instructor to reflect the specific approach in that section of
the course. Course specific outcomes below are provided as an example and may also be rephrased or
modified by the instructor but the digital literacy standards should be included.
Course-Specific Student Learning Outcomes for BIOL 1200 Human Biology

By the end of the course the students should be able to describe
o
the basic hierarchal structures (cellular to organ level) of the eleven organ systems
associated with the human organism.
o
the scientific method as it relates recent biomedical information in the news. An
understanding of results from biomedical research requires students to gain an
understanding and appreciation of

comparative anatomy to related organisms (related to the human organism)
o
the basic pattern of homeostasis and provide specific examples such as the
maintenance of blood glucose, temperature, blood Ca++, and blood pH.
o
energy balance of different systems with an emphasis on muscle and nervous systems.
o
the holistic level of human biology (complementary to point one above).
3
O
the impact of the environment on humans (topical studies, e.g., diving physiology) and
to a lesser extent how humans impact their environment .
For the rest of these required syllabus items see the details in the faculty handbook. Delete this note
once the syllabus is complete. For online courses there are some additional requirements given at this
link.
Texts List textbooks with ISBN’s and include this language as well
All textbook information (pricing, ISBN #, and e-books) for this course can be found on the HPU
Bookstore website: hpu.edu/bookstore.
If you have any questions regarding textbooks, please contact the HPU Bookstore at:
Phone:
808-544-9347
Or e-mail:
jyokota@hpu.edu
mmiyahira@hpu.edu
Assignments and mode of evaluation
Summary of important dates and deadlines (if the schedule is a separate document and due dates are
not given with the description of the assignments).
Class rules and policies (including regarding attendance, late work and academic dishonesty)
Schedule of events (may be attached separately)