Syllabus
Intro to Human Physiology Lab – PHSO V01 33090
Instructor: Katherine Gould
Spring 2016
Lecture Class Hours: MW 8:00-9:15 Room: ASC-130
Lab Class Hours: M or W 9:30-12:20 (Sci 316); T 1:00-3:50: Room Sci-318
Email: kgould@vcccd.edu
Text: Human Physiology by Stuart Ira Fox
Laboratory Experiments for Human Physiology by T. Pardee
Desire2Learn
PhysioEx Book/CD
This course presents a survey of the functional relationships between major organ
systems, tissues and cells within the human body. A heavy emphasis on the biochemistry
of major physiological mechanisms will lead to an understanding of the interactions
between tissues that contribute to overall homeostasis in the human body. Laboratory
exercises emphasize the development of both laboratory skills pertinent to physiology as
well as an understanding of the nature and significance of a variety of physiological
parameters which will be measured in the lab (including ECG, respiratory measurements,
electromyogram, pH and buffers, enzyme activity, and others). ANSI 287.1 safety glasses
and gloves are required.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate the
following measurable skills and abilities:
A. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of the Biopac computer system and various
other laboratory instruments to collect, record and analyze physiological data.
B. Research and evaluate contemporary scientific/medical literature and use that
information to prepare and present an oral seminar on pathophysiology.
C. Analyze the properties of important biological molecules and their relationship to
important anatomical and cellular structures and physiological processes
(including enzymes, buffers, acids/bases, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins,
minerals and water).
D. Appraise the nature and significance of basic homeostatic mechanisms, including
both positive and negative feedback mechanisms.
E. Inventory the important biochemical mechanisms performed by cells of the
human body which contribute to homeostatic balance (including cellular
energetics, immune mechanisms, membrane functions, receptor/ligand
interactions and signal transduction, etc.)
F. Assess the functions of the major organ systems of the human body and the
physiological and chemical mechanisms by which they work.
G. Apply the principles of the scientific method to solve problems encountered in the
laboratory, including the formulation and testing of hypotheses and evaluation of
data obtained from properly controlled physiological experiments.
Student Learning Outcomes:
 Students will demonstrate an understanding of neuron function, including the
details of conduction and transmission.
 Students will demonstrate an understanding of the details of cellular respiration,
including glycolysis, oxidative decarboxylation, Krebs' cycle, and electron
transport, and their contribution to the production of ATP and cellular energetics.
 Students will demonstrate an understanding of the cardiac cycle as well as the
electrical conduction system that regulates it, and will describe the relationship
between the components of the electrocardiogram, the electrical activity of the
heart, and the mechanical events of the cardiac cycle.
Date
Tentative Laboratory Topic (expect deviations from this schedule)
1/12
1/19
Homework
1/26
2/2
Homework
2/9
2/16
Introduction; Skills for Laboratory
pH and Buffers
PhysioEx #10
pH and Buffers (begin Glucose and Protein Lab)
Spectrophotometric Determination of Glucose & Protein
PhysioEx #1: Cellular Transport
Measurement of Enzyme Activity
Exam #1; Notebooks Due
Unit 1 Notebook Score:
2/23
Homework
3/1
3/8
Reflexes; Begin Sensory Phenomena
PhysioEx #3: Neurophysiology of Nerve Impulses
Sensory Phenomena Lab (contd)
Exam #2; Notebooks Due
Unit 2 Notebook Score:
3/15
3/22
Homework
3/29
Homework
Lecture
4/45
Muscle Physiology (Biopac)
Spring Break
PhysioEx #2: Skeletal Muscle Physiology
Electrocardiogram (Biopac)
PhysioEx #5 and #6: Cardiovascular Dynamics and Cardiovascular
Physiology
Poiseuelle’s Law: Cardiovascular System of the Frog
Exam #3; Notebooks Due
Unit 3 Notebook Score:
4/12
4/19
Homework
4/26
5/23
5/10
5/12
Digestion of Food
Respiratory Measurements (Biopac)
PhysioEx #9: Renal System Physiology
Oral Pathophysiology Presentations
Oral Pathophysiology Presentations
Exam #4; Notebooks Due
Unit 4 Notebook Score:
Begin Final Exams: No final in Lab… Questions on Lecture Final!
Laboratory Packets: Four packets of laboratory information will be available for the
four units of study. The professor will supply these packets, one before each unit. You
are required to read, highlight in yellow, and study the appropriate sections (as indicated
in the class syllabus) prior to arriving in class for the day’s exercise. You should bring
your unit packets and your notebooks to each laboratory session for recording data.
These laboratory packets (lab guides) are the basis of the laboratory investigations you
will be performing.
Notebooks: You should maintain a notebook with all of your laboratory packets,
assignments and other materials from the lab. This notebook is for your study
convenience and must be submitted on the day of each laboratory exam (10 points per
notebook; notebooks will count for 20% of the final laboratory grade. Notebooks will be
graded on completeness (you should give comprehensive answers to all study questions)
as well as neatness and presentation. Only the lab syllabus (must be the first page),
starred (*) pages from the packets, and other pages as instructed should be turned in with
the notebook.
Quizzes and Exams: There may be weekly quizzes (10 points per quiz; quizzes will
count for 5% of the final lab grade). Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class (do
not be late) and will cover material on the previous week’s work. Exams will be given as
per the schedule on the syllabus above. The format of these laboratory exams includes
essay, short answer, analysis, and/or calculation questions. There will be no laboratory
make-up exams unless extenuating circumstances apply (judged on an individual basis by
the professor). You must therefore be in attendance on the day of each exam during your
appropriate lab period (do not attend a different lab section without prior permission). A
make-up exam or the average percentage you receive on your weekly quizzes may
replace one missing exam if extenuating circumstances exist and dictate such need.
Exams and oral presentation will count for 75% of your final lab grade. Laboratory exam
questions will be posted on D2L for your observation and study.
PhysioEx Assignments: PhysioEx labs are simulated laboratory experiences that will be
performed at home on your computer. These exercises are an integral component of the
laboratory curriculum, and provide important information and present concepts critical to
a complete understanding of human physiology. I recommend that you get together in
study groups and perform the labs together, collaborating on the questions and learning
important physiology together, although you may choose to do these on your own. Each
PhysioEx lab should take about 2-3 hours to complete, although the learning of important
concepts may take additional study time. You are responsible for reading
introductory/informational material, performing the simulated lab measurements,
completing all questions in spaces provided, including the Review Sheet at the end of
each exercise. In your notebooks you will submit the Review Sheet for each exercise
performed during that unit of study, as well as any related questions provided in the
notebook itself. Laboratory exams will include questions taken from the PhysioEx
exercises.
Grading Scale: The grading scale will be: 90-100% = A, 75-89% = B, 60-74% = C, 5059% = D, 0-49% = F. Your grade in the lab will be averaged (on a 75%lecture/25%lab
basis) with your lecture grade and one grade will be assigned for the class. Students are
encouraged to attend all study sessions to augment the lecture as well as laboratory
activities; in addition, you are encouraged to access the website for study guides and
lecture notes as appropriate.
Oral Presentation: You will be required to develop and present a PowerPoint
presentation on some topic related to pathophysiology as per the schedule on the syllabus.
Details for this presentation are found on page one of the first lab packet. As indicated,
the lab exams and PowerPoint slide presentation will collectively count for 75% of your
lab grade.
Class Guidelines: Follow all guidelines found on D2L. All unit packet questions should
be answered in the spaces provided; however, any “numbered” work which is done
where no such spaces are provided must be titled, numbers must be circled in ink and
highlighted with yellow only, and there must be a single blank space between each item.
All submitted work must be accompanied with the following honor statement on the
bottom of the first page of the assignment or on the colored card cover of each unit
packet: “I have completed this assignment with character” in ink and must be signed.
In addition, all assignments must have the initials of your lab section in red ink letters in
the upper left corner of the page (ex: Tam for students in Tuesday morning lab). The
honor statement is part of the exam grade and is worth -5 points on 100 point
assignments and -1 point on ten point assignments if not done correctly. Ditto for
the lab section designation.
This syllabus is a tentative guideline and may be modified in an equitable manner as
deemed appropriate by the instructor to meet the needs of this unique class. You are
responsible for following all the guidelines under "Class Guidelines" on the Desire2Learn
site (ask for a copy if you do not have internet access).
If you have a disability that may require classroom or test accommodations, please see
me as soon as possible so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. If you
have not already done so you will also need to contact the Educational Assistance Center
at 654-6300 to receive authorization for your accommodations. Their office is located in
the Administration Building, just across from the Student Services Center.