Course Syllabus

Honors Anatomy and Physiology

 

Welcome to Anatomy at CATA! Teacher:    Elizabeth Cross Reach me at elizabeth.cross@ucps.k12.nc.us or call 704 296 3088 and leave me a message.

 

Anatomy Expectations

Elizabeth Cross

 

 

Dear Parent/Guardian and Student,

 

As we begin this semester, I want to welcome and familiarize you with this year’s Anatomy and Physiology objectives and requirements.  If you have any questions, conferences can be arranged with me.  Arrangements can be made by contacting your child’s guidance counselor or by emailing me at elizabeth.cross@ucps.k12.nc.us.  I believe it is important to maintain communication with parents/guardians for both positive feedback and feedback on areas of concern.

Human Anatomy and Physiology is a laboratory-based course that investigates the structure and function of the human body. Topics covered will include the basic organization of the body; biochemical composition; and major body systems along with the impact of diseases on certain systems. Students will engage in many topics and competencies related to truly understanding the structure and function of the human body. Working from the topics of basic anatomical terminology to the biochemical composition of the human body, all the way into great detail of each of the major systems of the body, students will learn through reading materials, study guides, unit worksheets, group work, projects, and labs. High levels of achievement will be in effect. Students will be responsible for proper use of lab equipment, lab reports, and projects assigned throughout each unit.

 

Materials:

The following materials are required for anatomy.  These should be purchased during the first few days of class.  If this is not possible, please let me know.

• A 3-ring binder
• A minimum of 12 tabbed dividers
• Loose leaf paper
• Colored pencils for lab drawings and projects
• Ear buds or headphones for the lap top

Optional Item:

• One Roll of Paper Towels
• A box of tissues

Resources:

• Each class has a variety of resources available to students to study at home and maximize their success in the class. For this course, students have access to a digital textbook. (Click here to access the textbook)
• Each unit of Honors Anatomy and Physiology is linked to a resource module in Canvas, specific to that unit, which contains class Powerpoints, vocabulary, video clips and more. (Students can access these modules using the home page for this course.)
• UCPS subscribes to a variety of resources for students to use in all their classes located on the student "Start Up Page" linked to the UCPS web page. Students will find access to many resources including videos, current events, and software for creating digital projects.( Click here to access the High School Student Start Up Page.) 
• EmpowerED Family Portal:  UCPS online resources are available by grade level and subject!  (Click here to access the EmpowerED Family Portal)
  • You will find links to UCPS provided resources as well as guides instructing you how to access these materials.
• CATA provides a wide variety of  print and digital resources through our media center. Students will find resources for researching any topic, writing citations, and a lot more. (Click here to access The Media Center.)

 

Please consider the following expectations, pacing, and objectives before committing to this elective.

Each Unit, starting with Unit 2, will focus on a major body system.  Each unit will consist of two parts. Part 1: the structures of that system (anatomy). Part 2: The functions of the system (physiology). Please note there  is an entire unit involving a mammalian dissection. 

For the anatomy portion, students will be expected to memorize the names and locations of the structures using whatever method works best for them, coloring, flash cards, practice quizzes, etc. This is memorization and will be mostly independent.  

The majority of instructional time will be spent on learning the physiology of each system.  Students will be doing labs, projects, research, presentations, and more. Students will learn the functions of each system as well as the effects of common disorders and aging.

Approximate pacing for this course is as follows.  Minor adjustments will be made as necessary.

 

Unit	Objectives	Days of Instruction
Unit 1: Introduction	Lab Safety , Review of Biology, Macromolecules, Cells, Levels of Organization, Homeostasis, Heredity, Tissues, Regions, Cavities, Anatomical Positions	9
Unit 2: Integumentary System	Body Membranes, Layers of Skin, Appendages, Burns, Cancer, Disorders, Aging	5
Unit 3: Skeletal System	Bone Formation, Axial Skeleton, Appendicular Skeleton, Joints, Disorders, Aging	5
Unit 4: Muscular System	Types of Muscles, Muscle, Anatomy, Identification, Disorders, Aging	5
Unit 5: Nervous System	PNS & CNS, Autonomic / Somatic NS, Action Potential, Neurotransmitters/Hormones, Brain Anatomy, Disorders/Addictions, Sight, Sound, Smell, Taste, Disorders, Aging	10
Unit 6: Endocrine System	Glands, Hormones, Functions, Feedback Loops, Disorders, Aging	5
Unit 7: Blood and The Cardiovascular system	Composition, Types of Blood, Cells, Blood Groups, Vessels, Heart Anatomy, Conduction, Circulation, Disorders, Aging	6
Unit 8: The Lymphatic System and Immunity	Lymph Nodes, Lymph Transport, Immune Defense, Antibiotics, Disorders	4
Unit 9: Respiratory System	Lungs, Pulmonary Systemic Loop, Breathing, Movement of Oxygen, Disorders	4
Unit 10: Digestive System	Mechanical & Chemical Digestion, Alimentary Canal, Nutrition & Metabolism, Disorders	4
Unit 11: Urinary System	Anatomy of Urinary Tract, Kidney, Nephron, Urine Composition, Disorders	6
Unit 12: Reproductive System	Male vs. Female Anatomy, Hormones, Cycles, Fertilization, Disorders	5
Mammalian Dissection	Exploratory investigation comparing human anatomy to the structure of a cat.	9
Review	Final Exam Review	5

 

 

Honors:

Honors students will be provided extension opportunities, including an in depth cat dissection.  Tests will be challenging and projects and presentations will be in depth. Students will have to focus and study regularly to master the content. I am available for tutoring Tuesdays and Thursdays after school by appointment, as well as some days before school.  I am also available some Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, by appointment, for students who were absent and need to make up tests or work. 

Prerequisites:

Biology is a prerequisite for this course.  Students will be provided with on-line resources to review biology topics that are essential to this course on the instructor's Canvas page.  It is the student's responsibility to ensure he or she has reviewed and mastered this content.

 

 

 

Procedures: 

All classroom expectations will be implemented according to the Central Academy Handbook.  This covers a wide range of expectations so you need to be familiar with EACH and EVERY aspect of this handbook.  

 

 Expectations:

1. Be prepared with notebook, pencils, and required materials each day.
2. Food and drink are not allowed in class. Water is allowed if it is in a clear bottle.
3. Be in your seat and copying the question of the day when the bell rings.
4. Raise hand for everything. Choral responses are accepted upon teacher’s request.

Respect the teacher, fellow classmates and school property while following all aspects of the Central Academy Handbook.  This includes keeping your desk and lab area CLEAN!

 

Daily:

When you arrive in the classroom, you need to be seated and do the following:

• take out all class materials
• READ the agenda board. Be sure to copy your homework into your planner
• begin working on your Question of the Day - you may use your textbook, notes and homework, however this is an individual task

 

 

Homework:

Homework may not be assigned every night. Students will sometimes be given the opportunity to finish classwork if they find themselves behind the rest of the class.  Review the student handbook for excused absences and turning in assignments for full credit.  LATE WORK MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED. Occasional exceptions must be arranged with the instructor and will never receive greater than 70%.

 

 

Tutoring:

Students are expected and encouraged to attend tutoring as necessary to enable their maximum success in class.  I welcome the opportunity to help students on an individual basis. I am available for tutoring a minimum of two days per week from 3:30 - 4:30 and I will work with students to determine the days as needed.  I am also available for students to make-up tests and quizzes most mornings M-F (7:40 - 8:10) just contact me to confirm. 

 

Grading:

Grades will be based on tests, quizzes, homework, class work and lab work.  

Notebook/Lab Notebook:  Your notebook will be a crucial aspect of your course work and grade.  You will be required to keep your papers ALL YEAR!  Your notebook will be graded once per grading period (or more) on the following criteria…

1. All handouts are in the proper notebook sections.
2. Student notes/lab drawings are complete and in the proper sections.

Canvas: The majority of assignments not kept in the science notebook will  be submitted on our new "learning platform," Canvas.  Assignments can be submitted a variety of ways including, uploading files, typing into text boxes, and sharing Google documents/presentations.  Students will be shown how to submit assignments on Canvas as well as create a shared Google folder for submitting Google documents and presentations on Canvas at the beginning of the semester.  Individual assignments will indicate which method of submission on Canvas is expected.  If students need a refresher or have questions, they can access the Canvas Student Guide for specific instructions.  It is the student's responsibility to ensure assignments are submitted on time and to contact the instructor if there is a problem. Please note that student activity is logged while in Canvas. This includes a log of student activities during on-line tests and quizzes.  Students are not allowed to leave the testing window during assessments.  Doing so is considered cheating and will be handled as set forth in the CATA handbook.

Graded Assignments:   Include many assignments such as classwork and at home projects.

Tests and Quizzes:  Tests will generally cover the structure and function of a particular body system as a single unit.  Quizzes will be given as needed.

• Unit Tests: Will usually consist of three parts: a vocabulary section, an anatomy section (usually consisting of labeling a diagram), and a physiology section (usually multiple choice and short answer.)
• Final Exam: Is comprehensive. Students will complete 100 multiple choice questions and label 10 diagrams. 
• Mammalian Lab Practical: Will count as a test grade.

Your grades for each six-week period will be based on the following criteria:

            Tests                                                   40%

            Labs                                                     15%

            Quizzes                                             20%

            Graded Assignments                15%

            Homework                                      10%

 

NOTICE:  The notebook will count as more than one grade. You will pass the notebook checks by following the above guidelines. 

 

Absences and Snow Days: 

This course is extremely fast paced. Since we are on the block schedule, it is extremely important that you practice good attendance.  If you are absent, please check the Canvas site, and see me in the morning when you get back to school, before classes begin. You may ask your classmates for any missed notes. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to get your make up work within the allowed limit. If you miss a test, be prepared to make-up the assignment on the day you get back, or arrange a time before or after school to come take it if you don’t want to miss instruction.

 

Assignments will be posted on the Canvas site to be completed in the event school is cancelled for inclement weather to prevent students from having to “double up” when they return to class.

 

PLEASE NOTE: All make up work must be completed in accordance with school policy.  Any work that is not completed in the established time frame is late and will not be accepted.

  

Lab Privilege:

 

In order to retain lab privileges, students must:

• follow all instructions and rules on laboratory safety sheets in addition to all verbal instructions from the teacher
• dress appropriately based on pre-lab discussion (closed-toe shoes, long pants, etc.)
• wear protective eye-wear - keeping these on at all times during the activity
• refrain from loud talking, running or moving too quickly, throwing items, horseplay and performing unauthorized lab procedures
• refrain from eating, drinking and gum-chewing
• come to lab prepared with all lab materials - including pre-lab work

 

Students who fail to follow these regulations will be removed from the lab setting and will receive a zero for the activity.  An alternate assignment on the same material or making up the lab may be required to receive partial credit, depending on the circumstances and teacher's discretion.

Anatomy will consist of many hands-on activities including projects, labs, presentations, discussions and cooperative learning. We will be applying much of what we learn to “real world” issues. This class will also include an extensive cat dissection worth several grades.  Students should consider this when signing up for this course. I am very excited about this year and I believe with the help of parents and students, we can have a productive and enjoyable experience. 

 Sincerely,

 Elizabeth Cross