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Core Course Review Documentation
Foundational Component Area: LIFE & PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Component Area Option? No
Proposed Course: BIOL 1233 Anatomy & Physiology II
Credit Hours: 3 (2-2)
Proposed by: Biology Department
Date: October 16, 2012
Please document how the proposed course meets each of the following requirements. (You
may provide a written explanation or copy and paste the appropriate information from the
syllabus.)
Content: Courses in this category focus on describing, explaining, and predicting natural
phenomena using the scientific method.
Course Description:
The lecture component of the course focuses on structure and function of the endocrine,
cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive
systems of humans.
Concurrent laboratory participation with animal dissection and physiology of the above
mentioned organismal systems is required.
SKILLS: Courses involve the understanding of interactions among natural phenomena and the
implications of scientific principles on the physical world and on human experiences.

Demonstrate effective use of a compound microscope

Identify the glands, organs and vessels comprising the body’s several systems (Endocrine,
Cardiovascular, Lymphatic, Respiratory, Digestive, Urinary, and Reproductive)

Identify the histologic structure of tissues associated with the body’s organs and glands

Identify the various formed elements in blood and describe their functions

Describe the underlying principles of blood typing and evaluate the results of a blood typing
test

Accurately determine a subject’s apical and radial pulse, and blood pressure, and describe
how subject activity might affect blood pressure

Define, explain and measure the physiological volumes relevant to respiration

Describe the processes and end products of digestion of the various foodstuffs

Describe and explain the effects of temperature and pH on digestive enzyme activity

Carry out urinalysis assays to determine urine composition

Demonstrate ability to work as a member of a team as small as a laboratory group
ASSESSMENT OF CORE OBJECTIVES: Assessments should be authentic,
Critical Thinking Skills - to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation
and synthesis of information
The students will be asked to provide a proposal for a case study presentation based on their
understanding of the topics taught in lecture and covered in the laboratory. They will be provided with
a template of the Scientific Method to utilize in the development of the proposal and eventually of the
presentation (Attachment: Getting Started – What to Expect, The Scientific Method, and Metrics).
A standardized rubric will be used to assess the critical thinking skills employed by the students to
develop the case study presentation. (Attachment; Anatomy and Physiology Case Study Presentation
Assessment Rubric)
The Biology Benchmark rubric will be used in assessment to determine if the student has achieved or
exceeded the “benchmark” status of critical thinking skills. The benchmark is derived in-part from the
AACU Critical Thinking VALUE rubric (attached).
Communication Skills - to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas
through written, oral, and visual communication
The students will present the case study chosen and developed by the group members in the laboratory
section. The presentation must include a poster board, powerpoint or a handout of the presentation
and an oral presentation of the case study by individual members of the group. The students will be
provided with instruction on how to develop the poster, powerpoint or a handout of a case study.
(Attachment: Instructions for Poster/Case Study Presentation)
A standardized rubric will be used to assess the communication skills employed during the case study
presentation. (Attachment: Anatomy and Physiology Case Study Presentation Assessment Rubric)
The Biology Benchmark rubric will be used in assessment to determine if the student has achieved or
exceeded the “benchmark” status of communication skills. The benchmark is derived in-part from the
AACU Written Communication and Oral Communication VALUE rubrics (attached).
Empirical and Quantitative Skills - to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or
observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
Students will be required to learn the metric system and convert from traditional measurements to
metric measurements utilizing the exercise for performing quantitative skill from the Anatomy and
Physiology Laboratory Manual (Attachment: Getting Started – What to Expect, The Scientific Method,
and Metrics).
In the preparation of the case study for presentation, students will also use scientific journal articles and
obtain data from websites such as CDC. They will analyze and present the data in an understandable
format to their peers (Attachment: Anatomy and Physiology Case Study Presentation Assessment
Rubric).
The Biology Benchmark rubric will be used in assessment to determine if the student has achieved or
exceeded the “benchmark” status of empirical and quantitative skills. The benchmark is derived in-part
from the AACU Quantitative Literacy VALUE rubric (attached).
Teamwork - to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with
others to support a shared purpose or goal
The teamwork objective will be assessed by the Teaching Assistants in each laboratory section. The TAs
will assess the ability of the students to work together during animal dissections and will grade
individual students on their participation to the teamwork (Attachment: TA Evaluation of the Student
Teamwork Rubric).
The Biology Benchmark rubric will be used in assessment to determine if the student has achieved or
exceeded the “benchmark” status of teamwork skills. The benchmark is derived in-part from the AACU
Teamwork VALUE rubric (attached).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Provide any additional information supporting course
inclusion in the core (optional).
PLEASE ATTACH THE FOLLOWING
1. Syllabus
2. Assessment for Critical Thinking Skills
3. Assessment for Communication Skills
4. Assessment for Empirical & Quantitative Skills
5. Assessment for Teamwork