Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Human Physiology (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 2420-02

Course: BIOL 2420-02
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: BIOL
CRN: 12652

Course Description

Systematic study of the functions of the human body from the cellular to the systems. Three (3) hours of lectures per week. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a biological science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other biology course. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): BIOL 2425 or BIOL 2423 Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1610 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Required Texts

Human Physiology 2nd Edition, by Paul Pillitteri. ISBN 979838511178; https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/human-physiology

Learning Outcomes

1.     Gain factual knowledge and fundamental principles of how the human body works. Students will:

a.    gain a basic understanding of the functions of each of the body's systems

b.    develop an understanding of scientific terminology as it relates to human physiology

c.    develop an understanding of the connectedness of physiological variables to the cells, organs, and systems of the body


2.     Learn to APPLY course material (improve thinking/problem solving). Students will:

a.    understand how the various systems function together to sustain life

b.    be able to apply physiological mechanisms to changes in body function

Course Requirements

  • Small class assignments & quizzes: These will consist of in-class activities/quizzes or small take-home assignments to be completed on Canvas. The average score of all small class assignments is worth 20% of your final grade.
  • Midterm Exams: There are three midterm exams in total. Each midterm exam is worth 20% of your final grade.
  • Final Exam: About half of the final exam will cover topics covered after the third exam while the other half of the final exam will be cumulative, covering topics from earlier in the semester. The final exam is worth 20% of your final grade. 

Course Outline

Unit 1 (Weeks 1-3)
  • L1: Introduction
  • L2: Neurons, membrane potentials, and action potentials
  • L3: Central nervous system
  • L4: Peripheral nervous system: Afferent division
  • Exam 1: (tentatively) 1/27/2026

Unit 2 (Weeks 4-7) 
  • L5: Peripheral nervous system: Efferent division
  • L6: Muscles
  • L7: Endocrine system
  • Exam 2: (tentatively) 2/19/2026

Unit 3 (Weeks 8-11) 
  • L8: Digestive system & metabolism
  • L9: Cardiovascular system
  • L10: Immune system
  • Exam 3: (tentatively) 3/26/2026

Unit 4 (Weeks 12-15) 
  • L10: Respiratory system
  • L11: Renal system
  • L12: Reproductive system
  • Final Exam: Wednesday, April 22, 1:00pm - 2:50pm

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

  • There are no make-up exams except for documented medical emergencies, family emergencies, or other university approved absences. 
  • Late submissions of assignments without an excused absence will be deducted by 10% for each day late.
  • Upon student request, the automatic late deduction (which is administered by Canvas) will be waived once (on ONE assignment) with no questions asked. All other waivers of the automatic deduction for late work will only be granted with prior instructor approval for an excused absence or in case of emergencies. This waiver cannot be applied to extra credit assignments.
  • Late work, including all assignments and exams, must be turned in within 1 week after a student returns from an excused absence/emergency, or will receive a 0.
  • No late work will be accepted after the last day of Final Exam Week.
  • It is your responsibility to get in touch with the instructor about any makeup/late work requests and properly arrange for university approved absences.

Attendance Policy

While you do not earn points for attendance, attendance is expected and is essential for successful completion of the course. 
 

Group/Individual Work Policy

  • Studying human physiology with others is encouraged. Thus, you are allowed to work on small class assignments with (a) study partner(s), if you choose to do so. However, each student MUST make individual submissions of small class assignments. This means completing and turning in your own assignment with your own name written at the top of the assignment. 
  • All in-class quizzes, midterm exams, and the final exams are expected to be individual work. Use of unauthorized materials is strictly prohibited on all quizzes and exams. Unauthorized materials include other students, electronic devices (cell phones, smart watches, calculators, unauthorized windows open on the testing computer, ChatGPT, etc.), course notes, crib sheets, textbooks, etc. Sharing exam questions with other students is also prohibited.
  • Suspected cases of academic misconduct will be pursued following SUU policy 6.33. Possible sanctions can include but are not limited to: 0’s on assignments and exams, failure of the course, a permanent note in the students’ academic record, and suspension/dismissal from SUU. 

Extra Credit Policy

Extra credit assignments may be given to the entire class during the semester, but personalized extra credit to raise individual student grades will not be given. Extra credit will be added to your grade at the end of the semester.

Class recording policy

  • Each lecture will be recorded by the instructor and uploaded to Canvas. However, the instructor holds the right to temporarily or permanently withhold uploads of class recordings at any time for any reason, including AV issues resulting in failed recordings. 
  • Students may not publicly share still images or recordings from class without explicit permission from all identifiable people (voice and image) in the video.
  • Students may not make recordings of the class without instructor permission.

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.