Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Human Physiology (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 2420-02

Course: BIOL 2420-02
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Biology
CRN: 30729

Course Description

The purpose of BIO 2420 is to give you a basic knowledge of the functions of the human body. 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. Form follows function, so while this is not an anatomy class, you will be expected to learn some anatomy. The detail and level of comprehension required for learning this material may be a challenge. There’s some memorization and association, but most important is UNDERSTANDING and APPLICATION (that’s the tough part). That’s what I’m here for. Utilize office hours and lecture time to learn, ask questions, and test your understanding. I’ll do my best to explain processes and help you understand and apply the information, but the learning is still UP TO YOU. 
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. Co-requisite(s): BIOL 2425 or BIOL 2423| Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1610 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C 

Required Texts

Human Physiology, by Fox and Rompolski
          Print ISBN: 9781260720464           eBook ISBN: 9781264354740
                     -more comprehensive with supporting information
OR
Human Physiology, by Pillitteri
          Print ISBN: 9781792481062          eBook ISBN: 9781792486654
                    -more streamlined with only the necessary information
OR
There are also two free online physiology textbooks from reputable sources. They are not as user-friendly, but if you can figure out how to navigate them, they are useful.
          Anatomy and Physiology 2e by Openstax
          Human Physiology by Wikibooks

Learning Outcomes

Gain Factual Knowledge and Fundamental Principles of how the human body works (SUU and USHE Essential Learning Outcomes-ELOs: 11.0 Knowledge of Human Cultures & the Physical & Natural World)
-       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 an understanding of the connectedness of physiological variables to the cells, organs, and systems of the body.
Learn to apply course material (SUU and USHE ELOs: 4.0 Critical Thinking| Intellectual & Practical Skills)
-       understand how the various systems function together to sustain life
-       be able to apply physiological mechanisms to changes in body function

Course Requirements

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
·       4 exams will be given over the semester and will cover the material after the previous exam (not comprehensive). However, all physiological systems are very integrated, so there will inevitably be some overlap.
·       Exams cannot be made up except in the case of an excused absence (e.g., sanctioned university activities such as sports or academic field trips). Absences require a letter from a coach/instructor before the absence. Emergency/last-minute medical issues require documentation from a physician stating that you are physically or mentally not capable of attending. Make-ups must be done within 3 days of returning to school.
          FINAL EXAM
·       The final examination will be 1/3 comprehensive and 2/3 new material.
QUIZZES
·       Quizzes will be available on Canvas as practice questions for exams. They will open after the previous exam and close at 11:59 PM the day before the next exam.
·       You can take the quiz as many times as you would like.
·       Quizzes will be timed to give accurate exam practice. 
·       Answers will be available 24 hours before the quiz due date.
·       The intended approach to the quizzes is to study and then take the quiz without the book or notes. This will help you determine where you need to spend more time studying.
·       Quizzes are not intended to be comprehensive of what will be on the exam. They merely give an idea of what type of questions to expect.
·       No make-ups or late quizzes are accepted. 
ASSIGNMENTS
·       There are two types of assignments in this class: in-class activities and homework.
·       In-class activities are designed to help you study, learn the material, and collaborate with classmates, so you must be present to get the points. However, the resulting material will still be available to you.
·       Homework will primarily aid with the necessary draconian memorization of terms and some anatomy (form is needed to understand function). Instructions will be given on Canvas, and work can be turned in as a hard copy to me or electronically on Canvas.
·       No late work will be accepted. However, I understand that life happens. Because of that, two in-class activities will be dropped.

The grading scale is as follows:
 | Percent (%) | Grade | Work | % of total grade
   |       ≥92.0 |     A       | 4 exams       | 48
   | 91.9-89.0 |     A-      | Final            | 20
   | 88.9-86.0 |    B+      | Quizzes       | 18
   | 85.9-82.0 |    B       | Assignments | 14
   | 81.9-79.0 |    B-      | Total             | 100
   | 78.9-75.0 |    C+     |  
   | 74.9-71.0 |    C       |  
   | 70.9-68.0 |    C-      |  
   | 67.9-65.0 |    D+     |  
   | 64.9-62.0 |    D      |  
   | 61.9-59.0 |    D-     |  
   |       <59.0 |    F       |  

Course Outline

 | Week | Date |            Tuesday                     |         Thursday
    | 1 |    9/1-4 |                                              |   Introductions/Homeostasis
    | 2 |    7-11  | Membranes and Metabolism |    Membrane potentials
    | 3 |    14-18 | Action Potentials                  |     EXAM 1
    | 4 |    21-25 | Central Nervous System      |    Peripheral Nervous System: Afferent
    | 5 |    28-10/2 | PNS: Special Senses       |    PNS: Special Senses
    | 6 |    5-9 | PNS: Efferent                          |      EXAM 2
    | 7 |   12-16 | Skeletal Muscle                    |    Smooth Muscle
    | 8 |   19-23 | Fall Break (no class)          |     Endocrine system
    | 9 |   26-30 | Reproductive System            |     EXAM 3
    | 10 |  11/2-6 |          Heart                        |      Vasculature
    | 11 |  9-13 | Blood Pressure                     |     Blood Pressure
    | 12 |  16-20 | Blood                                  |    EXAM 4
    | 13 |  23-27 | Thanksgiving Break (no class) | Thanksgiving Break (no class)
    | 14 |  30-12/4 | Digestive System              |    Immune system
    | 15 |  7-11 | Respiratory System               |     Renal System
    | 16 |  14-17 |                              FINALS WEEK 

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

Exams cannot be made up except in the case of an excused absence (e.g., sanctioned university activities such as sports or academic field trips). Absences require a letter from a coach/instructor before the absence. Emergency/last-minute medical issues require documentation from a physician stating that you are physically or mentally not capable of attending. Make-ups must be done within 3 days of returning to school.
No make-ups or late quizzes are accepted. 
No late work will be accepted. However, I understand that life happens. Because of that, one in-class activity will be dropped.

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.
Show up to class on time and be present. Remove or silence all unnecessary distractions so you can focus on our class. Be courteous. Don’t be a distraction to your neighbor.

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.