This is a one-semester course with a virtual laboratory designed to fulfill the physiology prerequisite for individuals applying for admission to health professions programs. These may include, but are not limited to, graduate programs in dietetics, nursing, physical therapy, physician assistant, nurse anesthesia, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, dental medicine and medicine.
For course content related questions, please contact the professor who is the lecturer for that content area, as seen in the lecture outline below.
Dave Johnson, PhD
Department of Biomedical Sciences
College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of New England
11 Hills Beach Road
Biddeford, ME 04005
Email: djohnson@une.edu
Phone: 207-602-2403
Fax: 207-602-5931
Margaret Nordlie, DA
University of Mary
7500 University Drive
Bismarck, ND 58504
Email: mgibson1@une.edu
Phone: 701-355-8148 Fax: 701-255-7687
James M. Norton, PhD
Professor of Physiology
Department of Biomedical Sciences
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
11 Hills Beach Rd.
, Biddeford, Me 04005
Email:
jnorton@une.edu
Office Hours:
Office hours by request – We are happy to meet with you by phone or in person (depending on location) at any time that is mutually convenient. To set up a meeting time with any of the instructors, please email him/her your request with 2-3 alternative meeting times, and the instructor will get back to you as soon as possible with a specific time to meet.
Further Assistance
Your student support specialist, listed on the course welcome page, monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Blackboard, and more.
We created the UNE Online Student Portal specifically for you, to be a useful collection of information to support you as you navigate your online course(s).
From the Student Portal you can access:
The portal also features:
The Study Lounge Discussion Board is a designated support forum in which students may engage with each other and grapple with course content. Feel free to post questions, seek clarification, and support each other, but be mindful of UNE’s Academic Integrity Policy.
Your instructor will monitor this forum. However, if you are seeking specific and timely answers to questions about content-matter or your personal grades, please contact your instructor via course messages. For questions about course materials, program policy, and how to navigate and proceed through the course, please contact your Student Support Specialist through the course messaging system.
This course will provide students with the fundamental knowledge of human physiology that will serve as an essential foundation for their future professional studies. The physiology of all organ systems will be covered, with emphasis on the central concept of homeostasis. Core concepts of cellular chemistry, function, and signaling mechanisms will also be included. Clinical scenarios will be incorporated throughout the course where appropriate to assist students in correlating basic physiology with the pathophysiologic outcomes they may encounter in the clinical setting.
On the course start date, students will have access to orientation. This must be completed to be able to gain access to the first module in the course. Students must complete the first module to gain access to the next one. We recommend that students spend about 15 hours per week to complete a course in 16 weeks. When trying to complete the course in less than 16 weeks, we typically see students do this successfully within 12-14 weeks. Instructors will be timely in grading and feedback, but it will not be instant.
UNIT 1
Reading/Slide Presentation |
Laboratory |
Instructor |
Chapter 1 – Homeostasis: A Framework for Human Physiology |
NO LAB |
Dr. Nordlie |
Chapter 2 – Chemical Composition of the Body |
NO LAB |
Dr. Nordlie |
Chapter 3 – Cell Structure and Protein Function |
NO LAB |
Dr. Nordlie |
Chapter 4 – Movement of Molecules Across Cell Membranes |
Ph.I.L.S Lab #1: Varying Extracellular Concentration |
Dr. Nordlie |
Chapter 5 – Control of Cells by Chemical Messengers |
NO LAB |
Dr. Nordlie |
EXAM 1
UNIT 2
Reading/Slide Presentation |
Laboratory |
Instructor |
Chapter 6 – Neuronal Signaling and the Structure of the Nervous System |
Ph.I.L.S Labs 10: Resting Potential and External [K+] Ph.I.L.S Labs 11: Resting Potential and External [Na+] |
Dr. Johnson |
Chapter 7 – Sensory Physiology |
Ph.I.L.S Labs 12: The Compound Action Potential |
Dr. Johnson |
Chapter 8 – Consciousness, The Brain, and Behavior |
Ph.I.L.S Labs 17: Temporal Summation of EPSP’s |
Dr. Johnson |
Chapter 9 – Muscle |
Ph.I.L.S Lab #5 Stimulus-Dependent Force Generation |
Dr. Norton |
Chapter 10 – Control of Body Movement |
Ph.I.L.S Lab #8: Principles of Summation and Tetanus |
Dr. Johnson |
EXAM II
UNIT 3
Reading/Slide Presentation |
Laboratory |
Instructor |
Chapter 12 – Cardiovascular Physiology |
Ph.I.L.S Lab #23: Starling’s Law of the Heart Ph.I.L.S Lab #26: The Meaning of Heart Sounds |
Dr. Norton |
Chapter 13 – Respiratory Physiology |
Ph.I.L.S Lab #38: Altering Airway Volume Ph.I.L.S Lab #40 (Deep Breathing and Cardiac Function) Ph.I.L.S Lab #34 (pH and Hb-oxygen binding) |
Dr. Norton |
Chapter 14 – The Kidneys and Regulation of Water and Inorganic Ions |
NO LAB |
Dr. Johnson |
EXAM III
UNIT 4
Reading/Slide Presentation |
Laboratory |
Instructor |
Chapter 11 – The Endocrine System |
Ph.I.L.S Lab #19: Thyroid Gland and Metabolic Rate |
Dr. Nordlie |
Chapter 15 – The Digestion and Absorption of Food |
Ph.I.L.S Lab #20: Insulin and Glucose Tolerance |
Dr. Norton |
Chapter 16 – Regulation of Organic Metabolism and Energy Balance |
Ph.I.L.S Lab #2: Size and Basal Metabolic rate |
Dr. Norton |
Chapter 17 – Reproduction |
NO LAB |
Dr. Johnson |
EXAM IV (NOT COMPREHENSIVE…COVERS ONLY MATERIAL IN SECTION 4)
Students will take an exam at the end of each of the four (4) units, and will complete all labs, including post lab quizzes that are assigned in the units (these are the Ph.I.L.S. laboratory exercises which are completed online). Completed Ph.I.L.S labs should be saved as PDF files and sent to the student’s instructor for grading. All lecture exams will be closed book.
All lecture exams must be proctored through ProctorU.
The student will receive a letter grade for this course, which will be officially recorded by the Registrar of the University of New England. The course grade will be determined as follows:
Four (4) Unit exams (125 points each) = 500 points
(85% of the final grade)
Fifteen (15) laboratories (5 points each) = 75 points
(15% of the final grade)
Total = 575 points
Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Corresponding Week |
Chapter |
Week 1 |
Chapter 1. Homeostasis: A Framework for Human Physiology |
Week 2 |
Chapter 2. Chemical Composition of the Body |
Week 3 |
Chapter 3. Cellular Structure, Proteins, and Metabolism |
Week 4 |
Chapter 4. Movement of Molecules Across Cell Membranes |
Week 5 |
Chapter 5. Control of Cells by Chemical Messengers, Unit 1 Exam |
Week 6 |
Chapter 6. Neuronal Signaling and the Structure of the Nervous System |
Week 7 |
Chapter 7. Sensory Physiology |
Week 8 |
Chapter 8. Consciousness, the Brain, and Behavior |
Week 9 |
Chapter 9. Muscle; Chapter 10. Control of Body Movement, Unit 2 Exam |
Week 10 |
Chapter 12. Cardiovascular Physiology |
Week 11 |
Chapter 13. Respiratory Physiology |
Week 12 |
Chapter 14. The Kidneys and Regulation of Water and Inorganic Ions, Unit 3 Exam |
Week 13 |
Chapter 11. The Endocrine System |
Week 14 |
Chapter 15. The Digestion and Absorption of Food |
Week 15 |
Chapter 16. Regulation of Organic Metabolism and Energy Balance |
Week 16 |
Chapter 17. Reproduction, Unit 4 Exam |
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Science Prerequisites page
Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.
Your student service advisor monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.
The Student Lounge Discussion Board is a designated support forum in which students may engage with each other and grapple with course content. Feel free to post questions, seek clarification, and support each other, but be mindful of UNE's Academic Integrity Policy.
Your instructor will monitor this forum. However, if you are seeking specific and timely answers to questions about course content or your personal grades, please contact your instructor via course messages. For questions about course materials, program policy, and how to navigate and proceed through the course, please contact your Student Service Advisor through the Student Portal.
The University of New England has contracted with ProctorU to provide students with the most convenient online exam proctoring system. This system provides a simple, no cost to the student, secure, online proctor for exams and allows the student to take all the exams at home and on their own schedule.
Upon enrollment into the course, each student will register with ProctorU and establish a login name and password. This will give the student access to all of ProctorU's services. When ready, students will schedule each of their proctored exams with ProctorU. Exams must be scheduled at least 72 hours in advance to avoid fees. Prior to taking their exams, students must be sure that they have downloaded the ProctorU Chrome or Firefox extension and are using the most current version of Chrome or Firefox. They must also be sure their testing site's connection meets the minimum requirements by using ProctorU's "Test It Out" utility.
Upon the exam day and hour, students will log in to ProctorU and click on "exams". After following the procedures outlined at ProctorU's web site, the student will log in to Brightspace and locate their correct exam. The proctor will then allow student access to that exam.
Students must use ProctorU and must follow all proctoring requirements for their exams to be credited.
Proctored exams are not available for review at any time. You will not be able to see the questions, nor the answers you've given, after completing the exams. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback.
Discussion board assignments cover interesting current events or materials related to this course that contribute to a deeper understanding of key concepts and allow you to interact with your classmates and the instructor. Each assignment may require you to conduct internet research, read additional materials (a short journal or magazine article), visit a specific webpage, AND/OR view a short video prior to writing a response following the specific guidelines in the assignment.
To earn full credit: you will need to post a response to the discussion topic, respond to the original posts of at least two other students, and then contribute meaningfully to an ongoing discussion. You will need to post your initial response before you will see any posts from your classmates. Please keep in mind that only this initial response is included in your assignment grade, so make sure you have followed all of the guidelines and written a complete response prior to submitting the post. For special cases where one or two students are accelerating faster through the course, the instructor will participate in the discussion so that everyone has the opportunity to interact.
Please see Brightspace for a full description, along with specific guidelines, for each assignment. Discussion board assignments should be completed, along with all other assignments in the course, in the order that they appear. Due to the course design, you may be unable to take a proctored exam if you do not complete all assignments that appear prior to that exam.
Please also refer to the Grading Policy/Grade Breakdown section of the syllabus to learn the percentage of your grade that each discussion board assignment is worth.
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements
A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus. This is, however a self-paced course and you can complete the course in less time.
Please visit the enrollment page to review the withdrawal and refund policies.
Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course. View the incomplete grade policy..
Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.
To view your unofficial UNE student transcript:
To request your official UNE student transcript:
Please review your Unofficial Transcript prior to requesting an Official Transcript.
After you click Submit Request, your official transcript will be put into the queue to be printed in the Registrar's Office.
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.