Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Human Physiology (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 2420-04

Course: BIOL 2420-04
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: BIOL
CRN: 31025

Instructor

Professor: Paul Pillitteri, Ph.D.                            Class time and place:
Office: Science Center Addition 212                    MWF 8:00-8:50 SC 016
Office Hours: MWF 11-1

Course Description

The purpose of BIO 2420 is to give you a basic knowledge of the functions of the human body. Special emphasis will be given to particular systems important in healthcare such as nervous, cardiovascular, and renal. The course will offer a description of all important physiological systems and will utilize control and regulatory mechanisms specific to each system to explain its function. In summary, you will be learning how the human body works.   Most students will find this course quite challenging. The sheer volume of material is just the beginning. The detail and level of comprehension required for this material may be a good challenge for you. There’s some memorization, some association, but most of all, it’s UNDERSTANDING and APPLICATION (that’s the tough part). That’s what I’m here for. I won’t just give you the information and expect you to deal with it. I’ll EXPLAIN how it works and help you to understand, but the learning it is still UP TO YOU.

Learning Outcomes

Gain Factual Knowledge and Fundamental Principles of how the human body works:
- gain a basic understanding of the functions of each of the body’s systems
- develop an understanding of scientific terminology as it relates to human physiology
- develop and understanding of the connectedness of physiological variables to the cells, organs, and systems of the body.

Learn to Apply course material:
- understand how the various systems function together to sustain life
- be able to apply physiological mechanisms to changes in body function

Required Texts

Human Physiology, 2nd ed. by Pillitteri
Print ISBN: 9798385111787                 eBook ISBN: 9798385111794

Course Requirements

Prerequisite:
         
BIOL 1610/1615 General Biology I w/ Lab

Co-requisite:
         BIOL 2425 Human Physiology Lab

Attendance Policy

We’ll cover a lot of material every day and it’s not just memorization, it’s understanding. You can’t get that from someone else’s notes. If you want a decent grade, be in class.

Grading

Grading:
Your grade in this course is based on your knowledge of the material and your ability to apply that knowledge on Exams, Quizzes, and Assignments. Grades are NOT based on the amount of effort put into the class – that varies greatly with different classes and different students.
 
EXAMS:
  • 5 exams will be given over the course of the semester worth @50-75 pts each. The exams will be scheduled at the end of each Module.
 
FINAL EXAM: The final examination will be comprehensive and is worth 100 pts
 
QUIZZES: Periodic quizzes will be given between exams. Quizzes are worth 10-15 pts. Quizzes will be announced at least one class period in advance and cannot be made up.
  • All quizzes are through Canvas and will be open for 24 hours for you to take them.
  • All quizzes are due by 11:59 pm on the given due date. Because you have 24 hours to take the quiz and because Canvas makes the answers available when the quizzes are due, there are no make-ups or late quizzes accepted. 

ASSIGNMENTS: Optional assignments/homework will be given throughout the semester.
  • These HW assignments are graded, but are NOT required. If you complete and turn them in, the points will count for/against your total score. If you do not turn them in, they will not be counted against you. You may do as many or as few as you like.
  • HW assignments can account for 0-25% of your grade, depending on what you choose
  • NO ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THEIR RESPECTIVE DUE DATE.
 
LAB: The lab grade is separate from the lecture grade.

The grading scale is as follows: (no curve)
100-92.5% = A, 92.4-89.5% = A-
89.4-86.5% = B+, 86.4-82.5% = B, 82.4-79.5% = B-
79.4-76.5% = C+, 76.4-72.5% = C, 72.4-69.5% = C-
69.4-66.5% = D+, 66.4-62.5% = D, 62.4-59.5% = D-
59.4% and below = F
 
**THERE IS NO FORM OF EXTRA CREDIT*

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Exams cannot be made up except in the case of an excused absence. The only type of excused absence is one sanctioned by university activities such as sports or academic field trips. absences require a letter from a coach/instructor prior to the absence. Make-ups must be within 3 school days.
Personal/family issues, jobs, etc. are NOT valid excuses for rescheduling an exam. Emergency/last minute medical issues require documentation from a physician stating that you are physically or mentally not capable of attending.
Online Quizzes cannot be made up after the day they are due.

Course Outline

There will be an Exam for each Module
 
Module 1: Nervous Tissue
  • Introduction & Homeostasis: Chapter 1
  • Membrane Potentials: Chapter 5
  • Action Potentials: Chapter 5
Exam I approximate date: Sept 10
 
Module 2: Nervous System
  • Central Nervous System: Chapter 6
  • Peripheral Nervous System: Chapter 7
  • Autonomic Nervous System: Chapter 9
  • Special Senses: Chapter: 8
Exam II approximate date: Sept 29
 
Module 3: Muscle, Endocrine, Digestive
  • Skeletal Muscle: Chapter 10
  • Smooth Muscle: Chapter 10
  • Endocrine System: Chapter 11
  • Digestive System: Chapter 12
Exam III approximate date: Oct 22
 
Module 4: Cardiovascular
Heart: Chapter 13
Blood Pressure: Chapter 13
Vasculature: Chapter 14
Blood: Chapter 15
Immune System: Chapter 16
Exam IV approximate date: Nov 12
 
Module 5: Respiratory, Renal, Reproductive
Respiratory System: Chapter 17
Renal System: Chapter 18
Reproductive Systems: Chapter 19-20
Exam V approximate date: Dec 5
 
Final Exam: Tuesday, December 9; 7:00-8:50am

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.