This course is the first semester of a two-semester sequence (BIO 141-142 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I-II - 4 credits each). It integrates anatomy and physiology of cells, tissues, organs, and systems of the human body. It is an introductory college transfer level offering designed to meet the anatomy and physiology needs of students pursuing programs in medical or paramedical careers, or a degree in physical education. 

Entry Level Competencies: Students should have an expressed interest in biology and be able to read and express themselves orally and in writing. 

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

1. Diagram and describe the atomic structure of biologically important elements. 
2. Explain the principles of chemical bonding and apply those principles to the formation of both inorganic and organic molecules. 
3. Describe the composition and organization of water, acids, bases, salts, buffers, lipids,carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids and explain the biological role of each. 
4. Describe the fundamental principles involved in chemical reactions and apply them to specific examples. 
5. List the following anatomical terminology:

a. The systems of the human body and the organs comprising each system.
b. The levels of structural organization.
c. Directional terms.
d. Body cavities and their membranes.
e. Quadrants of the abdominopelvic cavity.
f. Surface areas of the body.
g. Sectional planes of the body.

6. Diagram a typical animal cell, label the component parts and explain their functions. 
7. Outline the movement of materials across the cell membrane. 
8. Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis. 
9. Diagram the types of tissues and state the function of each of the tissue types. 
10. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system of man and related clinical disorders. 
11. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system of man and related clinical disorders. 
12. Discuss the composition of human blood and the functions of each of the individual constituents. 
13. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the integumentary system of man. 
14. Describe the anatomy of bone and cartilage and name the major bones of the skeletal system of man and their associated anatomical landmarks. Classify each of these bones according to their shape and then according to the subdivision of the skeletal system to which they belong. 
15. List the signs, symptoms, and complications of a fracture. Then describe the different types of fractures. 
16. List the major types of joints and their several subtypes. 
17. List the major muscles of the muscular system and state their location, origin, insertion, action, and innervation. 
18. List the types of muscle tissue and state their location, appearance, and physiology. 
19. Describe the structure of the motor unit and identify the mechanism whereby the neuron activates the muscle cell and the mechanism whereby the muscle cell contracts.

Your course grade will be determined by the forums, quizzes and 8 exams, according to the following points:

NOTE: There are 9 quizzes throughout this course that you will have 1 opportunity to complete online at home on your honor (i.e., without the use of any of additional assistance). These quizzes are interactive (i.e., your answer is graded immediately and upon completion at the end of the quiz you are informed of your correct and incorrect answers). If your answer is incorrect, you will receive information regarding where you need to go in your text and/or study guide to get the correct information. Each quiz is worth 8 pts. What this means is that if you answer all the questions correctly on all of the quizzes, then you will have 72 points added to your final score.

There are 8 exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

We are here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here are how to contact us when they do:

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.