Northern Virginia Community College - Alexandria Campus
Course Outline and Syllabus – Fall 2015
BIO 141
Instructor: Dr. Leslie Orzetti
Office: Bisdorf (AA) 352
Email: lorzettigollhofer@nvcc.edu
Office Hours: Monday & Tuesday 830-930
Tuesday & Wednesday 130-330
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
General Course Purpose: This course is to provide students with an opportunity to acquire fundamental
knowledge of the principles of living systems and offer an integrated approach to human anatomy and
physiology, microbiology, and pathology. BIO 141-142 is a college transfer-level course designed to meet
the needs of students pursuing programs in various health technology fields.
Text:
Human Anatomy & Physiology (9th Edition) by Marieb & Hoehn (Mastering A&P access optional)
[ISBN 9780321743268]
Additional resources can be found on our blackboard site.
Lab Manual and Study Guide:
Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory Manual (Customized for BIO 141/142 Labs)
Laboratory: Labs will begin the first week of classes
http://blogs.nvcc.edu/albio/
Evaluation: The lecture component of this course (totaling 70% of your final grade) will be based on 7
hourly exams (worth a total of 550 points), and study quizzes and assignments totaling up to 70 points.
Quizzes will be done on blackboard (under assignments) during the week assigned. Since you will have at
least three days to take the quiz on your own time, there will be NO make-up quizzes. Make-up exams are
only given with prior approval and done in the testing center within the week of the exam. Exams consist
of multiple choice, matching, and short answer questions. Lecture % = points received/points possible x
100. Lab % = points received/points possible x 100. Overall course grade (0.7 x Lecture %) + (0.3 x Lab
%). Be on time to class. Attendance is mandatory.
Electronic Devices: Please put away/silence all electronic devices. If you must take a phone call, please
leave the classroom. Please be courteous to your professor and fellow students. This means: no texting,
facebook, twitter, email, you-tube, movies, videos, or web browsing during class. You may take use your
device for classroom purposes ONLY. This means note taking, following along with blackboard
presentations, or recording the lecture if need be. I understand we are in the digital age, but please keep
personal communication to a minimum in this classroom. I will take your device or ask you to leave if I
feel you or the people around you are distracted by your actions.
TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE
Week 1: August 24
Introduction, Human Body, Chemistry
Week 2: August 31
Cells, Cell Processes
Week 3: September 7
Exam I (100 points)
Week 4: September 14
Tissues
Week 5: September 21
Integumentary System
Week 6: September 28
Exam II (100 points)
Week 8: October 5
Skeletal System
Week 9: October 12
Muscular System
Week 10: October 19
Muscular System
Week 11: October 26
Exam III (100 points)
Week 12: November 2
Nervous System - Tissue
Week 13: November 9
Nervous System - Tissue
Week 14: November 16
Nervous System – Spinal Cord
Week 15: November 23
Exam IV (100 points)
Week 16: November 30
Nervous System – Brain
Week 17: December 7
Nervous System - Autonomic, Senses
Final Exam (150 points):
TUESDAY: December 15, 930 – 1110
WEDNESDAY: December 16, 930 – 1110
Students with Special Needs: Students with physical disabilities who require accommodations are
encouraged to contact the college center for students with disabilities. Students with learning disabilities
should contact disability services (http://www.nvcc.edu/depts/disability/; contact also Dr. Sharon Murphy,
disability services counselor, 703-845-6076, smurphy@nvcc.edu). After disclosing, students should
provide documentation and discuss his/her individual needs with the instructor; this should be done at the
beginning of the semester. Instructors, in conjunction with the appropriate college officials, will provide
assistance to students who have completed the aforementioned process.
Plagiarism and Academic Honesty: At Northern Virginia Community College, we expect the highest
standards of academic honesty. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in accordance with subsection II of the
Student Conduct, Rights and Responsibilities described on pages 71-80 in the student handbook
(http://www.nvcc.edu/resources/stuhandbook/). This policy prohibits cheating on examinations,
unauthorized access to examinations or course materials, plagiarism and other proscribed activities.
Plagiarism is defined as the use of another’s idea(s) or phrase(s) and representing that/those phrases as
your own, either intentionally or unintentionally. Students that violate plagiarism and academic honesty
codes will receive a failing grade and will be expelled from this course.
Cancellation Days: In the event of class/lab cancellation, we will carry on at the next meeting as though
the cancellation did not occur. For example, if we were to have an exam scheduled on September 1, and it
snowed, the exam would take place on our next scheduled meeting on September 7th
Important Dates, Audit Policy and Incompletes: For critical dates regarding refunds, withdraw, etc. see:
http://www.nvcc.edu/academics/academic-calendar/index.html. Last day to drop with a refund is
September 10; last day to withdraw without a refund and grade penalty is November 3. A student may
decide to audit the course with the instructor’s permission only. If a student decides to audit the course
he/she must begin the course as an audit. Students may not take the course for a grade and then switch to
audit status. Incompletes are only granted if the students’ circumstances are dire (health issues, deaths in
the family). Incompletes will only be granted if students have completed all lab assignments and all but
one lecture exam. Incompletes must be approved by the division dean and the provost. Heath claims must
be documented by medical professionals. See http://www.nvcc.edu/academics/academic-calendar/#fa11
for a list of all important dates for the semester.