Course Policies
- Objectives
- Requirements
- Teaching Methods
- Evaluation Methods
- Grading System
- Examinations
- Make-Up Assignments
- Drops
- Student Conduct
- Disabilities
Course Objectives
This course will provide you with conceptual and practical information regarding the anatomy and physiology of the human organism. At the completion of this course, you should be able to 1) correctly identify and express terminology and abbreviations associated with the disciplines of anatomy and physiology, 2) interpret the inseparable relationship between the structure and function of the human organism, and, 3) compare and contrast the microscopic and gross anatomy of the structures that constitute the human body.
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Teaching Methods
Lecture and laboratory
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Course Requirements
The study of human form and function requires exposure to the material from a practical as well as a theoretical approach. Consequently, regular attendance at all lab and lecture classes is recommended to successfully complete this course. You must also accept the responsibility to ask questions if you do not understand the concepts. If absence from lab or lecture is necessary due to illness, it is your responsibility to obtain notes from another student.
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Evaluation Methods
Your course grade will be determined by your performance in the lecture as well as the lab, according to the following evaluation methods:
Lecture examination one 100 pts (40 questions; 2 ½ pts each)
Lecture examination two 100 pts (40 questions; 2 ½ pts each)
Final examination 100 pts (40 questions; 2 ½ pts each)
Please note the final examination policy from the University of Montana Undergraduate Course Catalog 2007– 08:
“The time scheduled for final examinations is the only time period during which final examinations are to be given.”
“Students may seek relief from writing more than two examinations during the same day. Students who are scheduled for more than two examinations may contact the appropriate faculty to arrange an alternate testing time during the scheduled final examination period.” (http://www.umt.edu/registrar/finals_schedules.htm) For BIOL 313, any “alternate testing time” will be scheduled for a time after the originally scheduled examination, and will require written documentation of more than two final examinations on a given day. This documentation must be provided to Dr. Westphal by 2 May.
Laboratory Practical 1 100 pts.
Laboratory Practical 2 100 pts.
Quizzes and Homework 100 pts.
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Grading System
Grades will be calculated based upon the following system:
- A ≥ 90%
- B ≥ 80%
- C ≥ 70%
- D ≥ 60%
- F < 60%
Final grades will be based upon 600 total points, 300 points from lecture examinations, and 300 points from laboratory quizzes and examinations.
Please note that the grades for BIOL 313 are not assessed by a plus/minus (+/-) grading system.
Credit/No Credit
A freshman or sophomore with a grade point average of 2.00 or better may elect one undergraduate course a semester on a credit/no credit basis. Juniors and seniors may elect more than one credit/no credit course a semester.
No more than 18 CR credits may be counted toward graduation. Courses taken to satisfy General Education requirements must be taken for traditional letter grade. Courses required for the student's major or minor must be taken for traditional letter grade, except at the discretion of the department concerned.
A CR is given for work deserving credit (A through D-) and an NCR for work of failing quality (F). CR and NCR grades do not affect grade point averages.
The University cautions students that many graduate and professional schools and some employers do not recognize non traditional grades (i.e., those other than A through F) or may discriminate against students who use the credit/no credit option for many courses. Moreover, students are cautioned that some degree programs may have different requirements regarding CR/NCR credits, as stipulated in the catalog.
Audit
Students opting to audit BIOL 313 should make note of the University policy that an AUD is recorded for all students who register in courses as auditors, intending to listen to the courses without earning credit or being graded. The same fees are assessed as when registering for credit. Any attendance or participation expectations are established by the instructor of the course. If attendance expectations are not met, the instructor may request a notation be placed on the student’s academic record indicating attendance was not satisfactory.
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Incompletes
Students opting to request an “incomplete” should be familiar with the University policy that “the incomplete is not an option to be exercised at the discretion of students. In all cases it is given at the discretion of the instructor within the following guidelines:
- A mark of incomplete may be assigned students when:
- they have been in attendance and doing passing work up to three weeks before the end of the semester, and
- for reasons beyond their control and which are acceptable to the instructor, they have been unable to complete the requirements of the course on time. Negligence and indifference are not acceptable reasons.
- The instructor sets the conditions for the completion of the course work and notes these conditions on the final grade report.
- When a student has met the conditions for making up the incomplete, the instructor will assign a grade based upon an evaluation of the total work done by the student in the course.
- An incomplete which is not made up within one calendar year automatically will revert to the alternate grade which was assigned by the instructor at the time the incomplete was submitted.
- An incomplete remains on the permanent record and is accompanied by the final grade, for example, IA, IB, IC, etc.”
For additional grading information please refer to the University of Montana Undergraduate Course Catalog 2007-08 (http://www.umt.edu/catalog/policy_procedure.htm).
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Examinations
Students are expected to prepare, and be present, for lecture and laboratory examinations on the scheduled dates, and at the scheduled time. No student will be allowed to begin any examination later than ten minutes after the scheduled start time for that exam.
Note that the lecture and laboratory components are each worth approximately 50% of your final grade. Also, it is entirely possible for lecture and laboratory information to overlap. The nature of the laboratory examinations and quizzes will be covered in detail by your laboratory instructor.
If a dispute should arise regarding the answer to a lecture or laboratory examination item, the judgment of the faculty member will be final. Any disputes regarding test items, or examination grades, must be communicated within five (5) class days after
the examination has been returned to the class. Under no circumstances will examination grades be reconsidered after this time.
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Make-up Examinations
Make-up examinations are not considered a right, but are reserved for those students who are prevented from taking an examination on the originally scheduled date due to:
- a documented illness,
- or documentation of participation in a University-sanctioned activity
- Documentation of participation in a University-sanctioned activity requires written communication from the University of Montana Office of Academic Advising.
- Student athletes must provide this documentation to Dr. Westphal within the first week of class.
In the case of a lecture examination, you must call the course instructor (Dr. Westphal at 406-243-6058) before examination time in order to communicate the nature of the problem you feel precludes you from taking a test.
In the case of a laboratory examination, you must call your laboratory instructor before examination time in order to communicate the nature of the problem you feel precludes you from taking a test.
If you are unable to speak with Dr. Westphal or your laboratory
instructor personally, leave a voice message, or send an email
(kathe.westphal@mso.umt.edu or
cordellben@hotmail.com or heather.davis@mso.umt.edu or thurst@hotmail.com or UMgrizfan@hotmail.com [Angie Munger] or
brittney.tatchell@gmail.com.) Absolutely
no make-up examinations will be scheduled if you have not communicated with the instructor prior to the originally scheduled examination. Also, please note that simply informing Dr. Westphal or your
laboratory instructor that you will be absent does not constitute an excused absence. After receipt of the written documentation that supports the stated reason for an absence, Dr. Westphal (or your
laboratory instructor) will consider whether a make-up test is merited. If it is determined that a make-up examination will be provided, Dr. Westphal (or your
laboratory instructor) will notify you of the date and time, as well as the format of the test. (Make-up examinations most likely will have different test items, and a different format than the original examination.) If a make-up test is not provided, the student will receive a zero (0) as a score for that examination. If a make-up test is provided, the recorded score is the score received.
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Practical Examinations
Two practical examinations worth 100 points each will be provided during the semester. The laboratory practical examinations cover only the new material presented since the previous exam, but may incorporate some lecture material. [Please note that the only exception to this policy is that the second practical examination for students enrolled in the Honors laboratory section will be cumulative.] These examinations may have bonus points (no more than four points, and provided at the discretion of the laboratory instructor). Since these examinations are based on the use of slides or actual specimens, they must be taken during the assigned laboratory time. The nature of the laboratory examinations and quizzes will be covered in greater detail by your laboratory instructor during your first regularly scheduled laboratory.
If a dispute should arise regarding the answer to a laboratory examination item, the judgment of the faculty member (including the laboratory instructors) will be final. This dispute must be communicated within five (5) class days after the examination has been returned to the class. Under no circumstances will examination grades be reconsidered after this time.
Quizzes
Each week, each laboratory will have either an “in-house”, or take-home quiz worth ten points. Your two lowest quiz grades will be “dropped” at the end of the semester.
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Make-up (Extra Credit) Assignments
Under no circumstances will any additional assignments/projects be provided. For all students, the final grade for the course will be determined solely by performance on the evaluation methods mentioned above. [Please note that the only exception to this policy is that students enrolled in the Honors laboratory section will also be assessed regarding their participation during laboratory classes.]
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Dropping and Adding Courses or Changing Sections, Grading or Credit Status
Dr. Westphal will adhere to the instructions regarding these academic policies and procedures outlined in the University of Montana Undergraduate Course Catalog 2007 - 08 (http://www.umt.edu/catalog/policy_procedure.htm).
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Student Conduct
All students must demonstrate academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University. As stated in The University of Montana Undergraduate Course Catalog 2007 - 08: “The Student Conduct Code, embodying the ideals of academic honesty, integrity, human rights and responsible citizenship, governs all student conduct at The University of Montana-Missoula. Student enrollment presupposes a commitment to the principles and policies embodied in this Code."
All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at http://ordway.umt.edu/SA/VPSA/index.cfm/name/StudentConductCode.
Disabilities
Dr. Westphal and the laboratory instructors are committed to creating an environment of equal access for students with and without disabilities. In an attempt to be fair to all students, Dr. Westphal and the laboratory instructor will adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by only making accommodations based upon guidance received from the staff of the University of Montana Disability Services for Students (DSS) (http://www.umt.edu/dss/default.htm). Before these accommodations can be suggested and granted, “DSS requires comprehensive documentation of a disability and its impact on learning”.
Once accommodations have been made, it is assumed by the instructor that these modifications must be provided every class period. If you should discontinue taking advantage of these accommodations, a minimum of a two-day notice will be required before they will be re-initiated.
Please read the information at
http://www.umt.edu/dss/current/expect_access/ldver.html to more fully understand how a disability may be verified.
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