Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Human Physiology (Online)

BIOL 2420-30I

Course: BIOL 2420-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: BIOL
CRN: 20798

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 such as neuromuscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, etc. The course will offer a description of all important physiological systems and will utilize controland 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 thebeginning. 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 its UNDERSTANDING and APPLICATION - that’s the tough part. You will be given the resources necessary (ppts, video lectures, study guides, problem sets, readings), but learning it is still UP TO YOU. The responsibility is yours alone.

Instructor

Professor: Paul Pillitteri, Ph.D.
Office: Science Center Addition 212
Office Hours: Through Zoom, by appointment.
Meeting ID:
https://suu-edu.zoom.us/j/2096095440
Meeting ID: 209 609 5440

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 a basic understanding of scientific terminology as it relates to human physiology
  • understand the homeostatic mechanisms working in each system

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
https://he.kendallhunt.com/pillitteri

Course Requirements

Pre-requisite:
Completion of BIOL 1610 with a minimum grade of C (2.0 or above)

Co-requisite:
BIOL 2425-30I Human Physiology Lab (online)

Grading

Grade will be determined from:
(5) Module Exams
(1) Comprehensive Final Exam
(5-6) 10-15 point Quizzes
Optional HW Assignments

  • The Module Quizzes and Exams have specific due dates.
  • Quizzes will be open for 24 hours for you to take them.
  • Exams will be open for 48 hours for you to take them.
  • All Exams/Quizzes/Assignments are due by 11:59 pm on the given due date.
  • The Comprehensive Final Exam will be open at the last week of the semester and is due by 5pm on the last day.
  • 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. NO HW ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THEIR RESPECTIVE DUE DATE.
  • 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**

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: May 21-22
 
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: Jun 11-12
 
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: July 6-7
 
Module 4: Cardiovascular
Heart: Chapter 13
Blood Pressure: Chapter 13
Vasculature: Chapter 14
Blood: Chapter 15
Immune System: Chapter 16
Exam IV approximate date: July 23-25
 
Module 5: Respiratory, Renal, Reproductive
Respiratory System: Chapter 17
Renal System: Chapter 18
Reproductive Systems: Chapter 19-20
Exam V approximate date: August 10-11
 
Final Exam: August 13-15

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

  • Quizzes will be open for 24 hours for you to take them.
  • Exams will be open for 48 hours for you to take them.
  • All Exams/Quizzes/Assignments are due by 11:59 pm on the given due date.
  • You may take the quizzes and exams at any time during their 24 or 48 hour window, respectively. Just remember – once you click on the exam you will have only 60 minutes to complete it and there are no re-dos. So, make sure you set aside an uninterrupted hour on an internet connection that you trust.
  • NO HW ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THEIR RESPECTIVE DUE DATE.

Attendance Policy

There is no required "attendance" for this online course.

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.