Human Physiology

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Draw and explain homeostasis loops for regulation of mean arterial pressure, volume and ionic composition, glucose levels, and pH of body fluids.

• Explain the central dogma of molecular biology and relate it to the main determinants of protein structure and function.

• Draw how neurons transmit information, including membrane potentials, and describe specific neurotransmitter functions and receptors.

• Predict how disturbances to the ionic composition of body fluids affect the function of excitable cells and alter protein function.

• Explain how hormones relay information: including source, stimuli for release, mode of travel in the blood, receptor location, and target tissue response.

• Explain, using the law of mass action, how enzymes regulate biochemical reactions.

• Compare and contrast the function, anatomy, and regulation of skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle.

• Describe the anatomy of the autonomic ganglia and explain how the autonomic nervous system influences its target tissues including the heart, endocrine glands, and smooth muscle of the vascular system, gut, and airways.

• Draw the oxygen-hemoglobin saturation curve, explain factors that affect the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen, and describe the role of hemoglobin in gas exchange and transport with respect to oxygen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide.

• Draw a nephron of the kidney, and describe how the kidneys regulate plasma pH, volume and ionic composition, and affect potassium balance.

• Explain how macromolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) are digested, absorbed and metabolized to make ATP, including enzyme function and hormonal regulation.

• Explain the role of genes in sex determination, and how hormones regulate the fetal phenotype, as well as adult reproductive function.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Lecture tests	70%
Post-lecture Quizzes	10%
Unit Homework Assignments	15%
iClicker polling & attendance/participation	5%

Grading Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
>89.5%	A
87.5-89.4%	A-
84.5-87.4%	B+
79.5-84.4%	B
77.5-79.4%	B-
74.5-77.4%	C+
69.5-74.4%	C
67.5-69.4%	C-
59.5-67.4%	D
<59.4%	F

Scores on all graded materials will be available on the BIO 277 Canvas site.

Students have 48 hours after any graded item is returned to contest their score on that item. Students must contact their instructor to contest the grade in question.

At the end of the semester, the numerical value shown as “TOTAL” in the Grades section of Canvas will be used to determine the letter grade earned as stipulated in the grading scale table above.

There will be no rounding or curving of any grades in this course. Final letter grades will be assigned automatically by Canvas using grading rubric shown above. Students will receive the grade they earn based on the outline of graded assignments above. Therefore, final letter grades are not negotiable.

Attendance/Participation:

Attendance to lecture is mandatory. Be there and be on time!

Your attendance will be registered automatically when you participate in the iClicker polling. Therefore, you must always bring your physical remote to class to record your attendance.

Tardy is defined as arriving after the class is scheduled to begin. Students should come to class even if they know they will be late. This course is fast-paced, and it is better to show up late than to miss out on valuable lecture time.

This course is fast-paced and missing several lectures will severely prevents the student’s ability to be successful.

If multiple absences begin to accumulate, then it is highly recommended to consider retroactive withdrawal through the Student’s First Office. It is also advisable to reach out to the Dean of Students office as quickly as possible to help your instructors work with you more effectively.

Students who join the class after the session has begun are responsible for reviewing and adhering to all policies outlined in this syllabus.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

• Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach. Dee Silverthorn, 9th edition. (New or used printed text, or e-text; older editions acceptable with small differences).

• Corequisite BIO 277L Laboratory manual: Laboratory Manual for Human Physiology, 2026, UNCG Biology Department. 10th edition (Red cover). ISBN 979-8-3197-1319-3 OR online lab manual: ISBN 979-8-3197-1320-9

• iClicker remote (students must create their clicker student account)