Syllabus

UNE Summer Session

PHSL 1010: Medical Physiology 6W (Fall B 2024)

Credits - 4

Description

In this course, learners will be introduced to core concepts that shape our knowledge of the workings of the human body. Cell-cell communication and membrane dynamics will first be studied as central themes that govern coordination in individual cells and tissues, and within and between organ systems. Structure/function correlates will introduce the study of each system and the regulation of each system will be illustrated via lecture presentations, laboratories, discussions, and journal clubs. Students will learn to address problems in physiology, and to apply their knowledge and new understandings to case studies similar to those they may encounter in clinical settings.

Materials

Required:

Mastering A&P Access Code (Modified Mastering)

Note: You must register for Modified Mastering through Brightspace. We recommend that you always access your Modified Mastering course through Brightspace after that.

  1. Sign in to Brightspace and enter your course.
  2. Select any Pearson link in the Content area under “Pearson’s MyLab and A&P Mastering”.
  3. Enter your Pearson account username and password.
    • If you don’t have a Pearson account, select Create and follow the instructions.
  1. Buy access using a credit card or PayPal account.

NOTE: the eText for this course is included in the purchase of the Mastering A&P (Modified Mastering) digital suite.

    • Silverthorn, Dee U., et al. Human physiology: an integrated approach, 8e. San Francisco: Pearson, 2019

For the best experience, check the system requirements from the publisher.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

As a result of participating in the learning experiences in this course, students will be able to:

  • Apply the concepts of cell-cell communication and control of complex systems in laboratories, discussions, journal clubs, and assignments
  • Explain the basic components of systems physiology, particularly those associated with the neuromuscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and endocrine structure and function.
  • Apply the components of cellular and systems physiology to case studies in endocrine control and to complex problems such as exercise and environmental physiology.
  • Contribute to a learning community that will create and explore original applications of physiological concepts in discussions, journal clubs, and a lesson plan

Assignments

Lectures and Videos:

Before you complete your labs, please view the assigned lecture videos. The lecture videos are organized into playlists corresponding to each week’s topics.

Readings:

The majority of your readings are from the Silverthorn textbook. You will find specific pages in the text assigned to each week’s topics.

Labs and Practical Activities:

This course is organized into eight-week each containing two units of study.  In every week, you will complete multiple laboratory assignments. The labs and practical activities provide hands-on learning opportunities in each topic of study.

Exams:

There will be a total of 2 proctored and timed physiology exams and 1 timed histology practical exam which is not proctored. 

The Midterm and Final Exam are timed and proctored. Study guides will be provided to assist you in getting ready for the exams. These exams are closed book and closed notes. This course does not allow scratch paper or whiteboards during the proctored exams.

For all exams, you must review the Proctored Examinations information and requirements in the Policies section of this syllabus.

Discussions and Journal Club:

Throughout the course, you will participate and interact with peers in four Discussions and five Journal Club learning activities. You can access both of these activities through the links in the weeks where a Discussion question or Journal Club is included. You can also access both activities through the Discussion tab on the course menu.

Discussions will be organized around a topic and you will be given questions to answer. Once your answers are posted, you will be able to read the answers posted by your peers and respond to at least one peer to discuss their answers. The Journal Club assignments are an opportunity to practice and get feedback on the type of analysis needed to complete the final lesson plan. In the Journal Club, you will be given a scholarly article to review and a prompt to answer and discuss with your peers. Once again, you will be asked to post your answer and to respond to at least one of your peers.

Case Studies:

There are four case study assignments in the course. These assignments present a short case study scenario and several subsequent questions related to topics from the unit. Responses do not have a length requirement, so you may answer questions directly in the text box or file format of your choice. 

Analysis of Exercise Data:

Please read the instructions for the Project, which can be found on your main menu. Please keep a careful record of your data for each repetition of the exercise; you’ll need them for the final laboratory assignment of the course (Analysis of Exercise Data). You MUST use the data table in the Excel Spreadsheet shared with you for your personal data in this project. Please copy the spreadsheet before you begin entering your data; do not directly edit the template found at the link. Share your data with your instructor after each repetition of the Exercise Project by sharing your copy of the spreadsheet via email or via Course Messages.

Reproductive System Lesson Plan Portfolio:

In this course, will need to create a lesson and a presentation. The portfolio submission is divided into two parts.  Part one will include a lesson plan and study aid focusing on the reproductive system. Part two will be a video presentation to accompany your lesson plan. 

You must begin your video by showing yourself full-screen, looking directly into the camera, and clearly stating your full name while holding up a piece of paper on which your full name and the date are clearly written in bold writing. If you fail to do so, the assignment will not be graded. You will have to submit it again prior to your course end date.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

AssignmentsPercent of Final Grade
Discussions (Journal Clubs, Discussion Forums)15%
Case Studies5%
Practical Activities5%
PhysioEx Labs10%
Physiology Midterm Exam20%
Histology Exams (Not Proctored)10%
Review Questions5%
Lesson Outline and Presentation10%
Physiology Final Exam20%
Total100%

Grade Scale

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

Schedule

Week 1: Oct 30 – Nov 5
Week 2: Nov 6 – Nov 12
Week 3: Nov 13 – Nov 19
Week 4: Nov 20 – Nov 26
Week 5: Nov 27 – Dec 3
Week 6: Dec 4 – Dec 10

Week Content Due Dates
1 (Each week  contains several units)
  • Unit 1: Introduction to Human Physiology

    • Lectures/Videos: Introduction, Homeostasis, Histology Human Tissues: Epithelium
    • Readings: Silverthorn 8e: pp. 1-25; 73-88 (Chapters 1, 3)
    • Labs: Exercise Project: First Data Collection;
    • Introduction Discussion
    • Assignment Submission: Graphing Activity
  • Unit 2: Excitable Tissues; Membrane Dynamics
    • Lectures/Videos: Membrane dynamics, Excitable Tissues, Histology of Connective Tissue
    • Readings: Silverthorn 8e: pp. 61-71; 121-160 (Chapters 3, 5)
    • Labs: PhysioEx: Cell Transport Mechanisms and Permeability; 
    • Unit 2 Discussion
  • Unit 3: Nerve Physiology
    • Lectures/Videos: Functional Anatomy of the Nervous System, Peripheral Nervous System, Action potentials, Autonomic nervous system, Histology: Nerve
    • Readings: Silverthorn 8e: pp. 223-268; 307-352; 355-371 (Chapters 8, 10, & 11)
    • Labs: PhysioEx: Neurophysiology of Nerve Impulses; Sensory Module Activities; Exercise Project: First Data Collection; 
    • Assignments: Review questions
    • Journal Club Discussion

Discussions Initial Post due Friday, 11:59 PM.

Discussions Response Post due Tuesday, 11:59 PM.

Pearson Work due Tuesday, 11:59 PM.

First Data Collection for Exercise Project due Tuesday at 11:59 PM.

Assignments due Tuesday at 11:59 PM. 

  • Unit 4: Muscle Physiology
    • Lectures/Videos: Intro to Muscle Physiology: Skeletal Muscle and Smooth Muscle; Cardiac Muscle; Histology: Muscle Tissue
    • Readings: Silverthorn 8e: pp. 374-410 (Chapter 12)
    • Labs: PhysioEx: Skeletal Muscle Physiology; Exercise Project: Second Data Collection
    • Unit 4 Case Study 
  • Unit 5: Cardiovascular Physiology
    • Lectures/Topics: Functional Anatomy of the Heart and Electrophysiology; Regulatory Mechanisms and Peripheral Circulation; Control of Blood Pressure; Heart Disease; Cardiovascular Histology
    • Readings: Silverthorn 8e: pp. 432-472; 476-505 (Chapters 14, 15)
    • Labs: PhysioEx: Cardiovascular Physiology; PhysioEx: Cardiovascular Dynamics; 
    • Unit 5 Journal Club Discussion

Discussion Initial Post due Friday, 11:59 PM.

Discussion Response Post due Tuesday, 11:59 PM.

Pearson Work due Tuesday, 11:59 PM.

Second Data Collection for Exercise Project due Tuesday at 11:59 PM.

Assignments due Tuesday at 11:59 PM. 

  • Unit 6: Respiratory Physiology
    • Lectures/Topics: Functional Anatomy of Respiratory System, Mechanics of Regulation and Ventilation, Gas Exchange, Respiratory Histology
    • Readings: Silverthorn 8e: pp. 532-558; 562-586 (Chapters 17, 18)
    • Labs: PhysioEx: Respiratory System Mechanics; Exercise Project: Second Data Collection;  Exercise Project: Third Data Collection
    • Unit 6 Discussion
  • Unit 7: EXAMS
    • Readings/Practice: Study Guide, Practice Physiology Exam, Practice Histology Exam
    • Physiology Midterm Exam (Proctored)
    • Histology Exam #1 (Not Proctored)

Discussion Initial Post due Friday, 11:59 PM.

Discussion Response Post due Tuesday, 11:59 PM.

Pearson Work due Tuesday, 11:59 PM.

Assignments due Tuesday at 11:59 PM.

Third Data Collection for Exercise Project due Tuesday at 11:59 PM.

Exams due Tuesday at 11:59 PM.

  • Unit 8: Renal Physiology
    • Lectures/topics: Functional Anatomy of the Kidney, Renal Physiology, Histology: Kidney
    • Readings: Silverthorn 8e: pp. 587-615; 618-653 (Chapters 19, 20)
    • Labs: PhysioEx: Renal System Physiology, Submit Analysis of Exercise Data
    • Unit 8 Case Study
  • Unit 9: Endocrine Regulation
    • Lectures/Topics: Endocrine Regulation
    • Readings: Silverthorn 8e: pp. 195-204; 728-751 (Chapters 7, 23)
    • Labs: PhysioEx: Endocrine System Physiology
    • Unit 9 Case Study
  • Unit 10: Digestion 
    • Readings: Silverthorn 8e: pp. 654-690 (Chapter 21)
    • Labs: PhysioEx: Chemical and Physical Processes of Digestion; Dynamic Study Modules (for practice)
    • Unit 10 Journal Club Discussion
    • Assignment Submission: Review Questions

Discussion Initial Post due Friday, 11:59 PM.

Discussion Response Post due Tuesday, 11:59 PM.

Pearson Work due Tuesday, 11:59 PM.

Exam due Tuesday at 11:59 PM.

5
  • Unit 11: Histology Exam 2
    • Readings/Practice: Study Guide, Practice Histology Exam
    • Histology Exam 2
  • Unit 12: Reproductive System 
    • Readings: Silverthorn 8e: pp. 800-835 (Chapter 26)
    • Labs: Dynamic Study Modules (for practice)
    • Assignment Submission: Review Questions, Part 1 – Reproductive Lesson Plan Portfolio
    • Unit 12 Journal Club Discussion
  • Unit 13: Exercise Physiology
    • Lectures/topics: Exercise and the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems and Effects of Training on Systems Physiology
    • Readings: Silverthorn 8e: pp. 786-797; review pp. 562-585 (Chapters 25, 18)
    • Labs: PhysioEx: Acid-Base Balance; Blood Analysis
    • Unit 13 Case Study

Histology Exam 2 due Tuesday at 11:59 PM.

Discussion Initial Post due Friday, 11:59 PM.

Discussion Response Post due Tuesday, 11:59 PM.

Pearson Work due Tuesday, 11:59 PM.

Assignments due Tuesday at 11:59 PM.

6
  • Unit 14: Environmental Physiology/Exercise Project
    • Lectures/topics: Altitude Physiology; Microgravity
    • Readings: Silverthorn 8e: pp. 618-641 (Chapter 20)
    • Unit 14 Journal Club Discussion
  • Unit 15: EXAM
    • Reading: Study Guide
    • Final exam (Proctored)

Discussion Initial Post due Friday, 11:59 PM.

Discussion Response Post due Tuesday, 11:59 PM.

Pearson Work due Tuesday, 11:59 PM.

Assignments due Tuesday at 11:59 PM.

Exam due Tuesday at 11:59 PM.

 

Student Resources

Summer Session Online Student Support

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? Email: summersessiononline@une.edu.

Instructor and Support Contact Information

Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.

UNE Libraries

Further Assistance

Your student support specialist 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.

To request an accommodation a student needs to go through the process with our UNE office. If the student has a current/already established accommodation in place with UNE it is the responsibility of the student to notify the program at summersessiononline@une.edu to ensure it is applied properly.

If you need to inquire about a possible accommodation, please reach out to the Student Access Center by calling 207-221-4418 or send an email to pcstudentaccess@une.edu.

Online Student Support

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? Email: prehealth@une.edu.

Online Peer Support

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.

Instructor and Support Contact Information

Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.

UNE Libraries

Further Assistance

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.

Policies

Summer Session & Academic Engagement Policy

Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm EDT of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion by 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday of the first week, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the Student Summer Session Manual for full details.

Proctored Examinations

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, if the course has proctored exams, 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 website, 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.

Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements.

Course Length

A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.

Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 12 weeks.

  1. Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar.
  2. Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.

Withdrawal and Refund Policies

Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact summersessiononline@une.edu with any questions.

Grade Policy

Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course.

Transcripts

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:

  1. Log into uonline at http://uonline.une.edu
  2. Select Student Services
  3. Select Student Records
  4. Select Academic Transcript

To request your official UNE student transcript:

Please review your Unofficial Transcript prior to requesting an Official Transcript.

  1. Log into uonline at http://uonline.une.edu
  2. Select Student Services
  3. Select Student Records
  4. Select Request Printed/Official Transcript
  5. Follow the prompts

After you click Submit Request, your official transcript will be put into the queue to be processed in the Registrar's Office.

Academic Integrity

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:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the College. 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.

Attendance Policy

Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.

Assignments

Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted. Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded. Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Proctored Examinations

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 website, 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.

Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Length

A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.

Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 8 weeks

  1. Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar found on the Student Success Portal.
  2. Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.

Withdrawal and Refund Policies

Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact PreHealth@une.edu with any questions.

Grade Policy

Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course. Contact support with any questions.

Transcripts

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.

Academic Integrity

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:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

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.