Course Syllabus

Fall 2025 | BIO-2011-VU02 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Alexandra McAleer
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Jen Guarino

General Education Requirements

Natural Science

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This is the first semester of a two-semester course which examines the structure and functions of the human body. Topics include fundamental principles of cell and tissue structure, gross anatomical and physiological organization, electrochemical communication systems and muscle physiology. This is a laboratory course that involves hands-on or simulated laboratory experiences. Prior learning in basic algebra, and chemistry or biology are recommended.

Essential Objectives

1. Describe cellular structure and communication as it relates to the use of organic and inorganic molecules, enzymes, membrane transport mechanisms, cell reproduction, and protein synthesis.
2. Demonstrate the use of anatomical terms for planes, directions, and locations as related to systems of the human body and describe the gross and microscopic anatomical organization of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
3. Identify and describe the histological characteristics of connective, epithelial, nervous and muscle tissues and explain how the physiological roles of each ensure homeostasis.
4. Analyze the integumentary system for its role and structure in the human body.
5. Discuss the gross and microscopic anatomy of the skeletal system and identify the functions and role of joints and articulations.
6. Discuss the gross and microscopic anatomy of the muscular system and the physiology of muscular contraction.
7. Describe the pathway and mechanisms by which skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems interact.
8. Describe the structure and function of the peripheral and central nervous systems, including how electrical signals are generated and communicated throughout the human body.
9. Describe diseased states and how they impact different organ systems.
10. Demonstrate proficiency in understanding, interpreting, evaluating and applying quantitative data and information.
11. Explain how knowledge created in the natural sciences has contributed to the creation, maintenance and dismantling of social inequalities and discuss the impacts of diversity and inclusion on scientific research and practice.
Lab Objectives:
1. Apply knowledge of the scientific method to:
a. formulate and evaluate real-world scientific questions;
b. ethically plan and implement accurate data collection;
c. analyze and evaluate data;
d. generate conclusions based on analysis and justify claims with evidence;
e. integrate the related work of other scientists; and
f. propose ideas for further inquiry.
2. Communicate findings in a format appropriate to the discipline and type of investigation, such as a laboratory notebook, laboratory report, observational study, field investigation report, poster, or presentation using appropriate evidence to support these findings.
3. Understand the structure and purpose of peer-reviewed publications.
4. Complete labs in the following areas: introduction to anatomy, cellular function, tissues (with an emphasis on skin), the skeletal system, the muscular system, and the nervous system (including the brain and integration of the nervous system).
5. Evaluate scientific information for validity, accuracy, reliability, and methodology.
6. Identify and follow lab safety techniques that are aligned with CCV’s Chemical Hygiene Plan, Lab Safety Agreements, and chemical Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations.

Fall 2025 textbook details will be available on 2025-05-19. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

BIO-2011-VU02 Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

Course Meetings: Mon/Wed 11:45 - 2:30 in Winooski

Contact Information

You may contact me at any time by email : agm02230@ccv.edu or after class. I am always happy to meet with students at office hours or by appointment, please email me to set up a time.

Text

Course Learning Format

Information for this course may be presented in any of the following forms: lecture, discussion, small group work, student presentation, movies, labs.

Course Evaluation:

Assignments/Lab (10) 30%

Examinations (4) 40%

Class Participation 20%

Research Paper 10%

Evaluation Scale:A+, 97-100%; A, 93-96%; A-, 90-92%; B+, 87-89%; B, 83-86%; B-, 80-82%; C+, 77-79%; C, 73-76%; C-, 70-72%; D+, 67-69%; D, 63-66%; D-, 60-62%; F, < 60%

Course Policies

Attendance/Participation – A regular participation in class discussion is expected and you cannot participate if you are not in class. Attending and participating are mandatory.

Assignments – Assignments should be submitted by midnight on the day that they are due. After this time the assignment is considered late. Late assignments will be accepted but 10 points will be subtracted from the grade each day it is late. Missing assignments will receive the grade of 0.

Examinations - Examinations will be 2 hour long, and will be administered in class. If you do not attend an examination, you may be given a zero unless there are extenuating circumstances. Exams may include questions in the form of multiple choice, fill in the blank, true/false, short answer, essay, compare/contrast, matching.

Cheating and Plagiarism - CCV has a commitment to honesty and excellence in academic work and expects the same from all students. Academic dishonesty, or cheating, can occur whenever you present -as your own work- something that you did not do. You can also be guilty of cheating if you help someone else cheat. Being unaware of what constitutes academic dishonesty (such as knowing what plagiarism is) does not absolve a student of the responsibility to be honest in his/her academic work. Academic dishonesty is taken very seriously and may lead to dismissal from the College.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Assignments should be submitted by midnight on the day that they are due. After this time the assignment is considered late. Late assignments will be accepted but 10 points will be subtracted from the grade each day it is late. Missing assignments will receive the grade of 0.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

Apply Now for this semester.