San Diego State University logo

Biology 590-  Fall 2006

This site was last updated on 6-26-06

Course Information:

Course Title:  Physiology of Human Systems Fall 2006
Course Number:  04686
Course Credit Hours:  4 units
Prerequisites:  Chem 365, Physics 180B, 182B; or for the bioengineering emphasis:  Physics 195, 196, 197.
Strongly Recommended:  Biology 366

Meeting Day/time: Tue/Thur 2-3:40  note this change

Meeting Location:  GMCS-333

Final Exam Day/time and Location: Tu Dec 12;1 to 3 pm
Department:  Biology
Department Location:  North Life Sciences

Instructor Information:

Instructors:  Chris Glembotski, Professor of Biology, LS 326, 594-2959
                      Greg Harris, Professor of Biology, LS 311, 594-5655
Office Hours: TBD
e-mail:  cglembotski@sciences.sdsu.edu
              gharris@sciences.sdsu.edu
Department Web Page: Biology

Course, Description, Scope, Purpose and Student Learning Objectives:

Description:  This course is designed for students who have already had previous course work in biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology.  Although a previous physiology course is not required, the pace of this course will be brisk; so if you have not had physiology previously, be sure to keep up with the assigned reading.  The assigned text is required, as is the assigned reading.  The lectures are based heavily upon the assigned text, but also include significant amounts of material that are described in more detail than in the text.  Accordingly, you cannot rely on the text only to perform your best in this course.  During the semester we will discuss most, but not all organs and systems.  Since this is a human physiology course, most examples will be related to human physiology in health and disease.  Moreover, since a clear understanding of human physiology involves the cellular and molecular basis of organ function, we strongly recommend that you have a firm knowledge of fundamental biochemistry, cell and molecular biology (see above).

Scope:  (see course syllabus).

Purpose:  The purpose of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to learn about organ, systems, cellular and molecular basis of physiology.

Student Learning Objectives:

  1. discuss and write about the anatomical features and physiological functions of the human body
  2. discuss and write about the prevailing theories underlying the tissue, organ, cellular and molecular basis of human disease

Course Syllabus

Course Grading-  Your grade in this course will be determined by your score on 5 quizzes that will be given throughout the semester.  Together, the quizzes amount to a maximum of 600 points.  Since we will grade on a curve, your final letter grade in the course will be assigned only after all the quizzes have been administered.  Although the grading cut-offs differ from semester to semester, an example of a possible final grade break-down is as follows:

An Example Letter Grade Breakdown:

Letter Grade

%

points

 

 

 

A

> 80

> 480

B

70-79

420-479

C

54-69

324-419

D

35-53

210-323

F

< 35

< 210

 

 

 

Typical median grade = approx. 70%

Use this table as a general guide only.  If, during the course of the semester, you come to one of us and ask what your letter grade is currently, we will refer to this table and say “If the final course curve follows the example on the web page, you’ll get ….; however, until all the quizzes have been taken, and the final grading curve established, we cannot tell you for certain what your grade will be.”

Class Policies:

1.  Unless otherwise instructed, turn off cell phones, computers, and other devices that can access the internet while you are in class.

2.  No text-messaging or other form of e-communication will be allowed during class.

3.  Come to class on-time; it is very disruptive and disrespectful to the instructors and the other students when you some to class late.

4.  You are expected to attend EVERY class session; we make it a point to get to know all of you early on in the semester, since we conduct a very interactive class.  Accordingly, your absence will be noticed.  Moreover, you will get the most out of this class if you attend every session.

5.  You must notify Dr. Glembotski or Harris at least 1 week before an exam if you must be absent.  You must have a valid excuse and written documentation for the excuse in order to qualify for a make-up exam.  The nature of the make-up exam is variable, but most likely it will be an oral exam and must be completed before the next class session.