Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Human Physiology Lab (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 2425-04

Course: BIOL 2425-04
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Biology
CRN: 30670

Course Description

The purpose of this lab is to provide practical, hands-on learning of information and techniques about the concepts that are discussed in the lecture (BIOL 2420). The lecture and lab are intended to be synergistic. Every effort has been made to align lab and lecture schedules; however, this was not always possible. 

One two-hour meeting 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 2420 | Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll | Equivalent Course(s): BIOL 2423

Required Texts

There is no required text for this course. The laboratory manual will be provided via Canvas.

Learning Outcomes

Gain further understanding of physiological concepts presented in the lecture
SUU and USHE Essential Learning Outcomes (ELOs): Critical Thinking,  Integrative Learning,  Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World (Life Sciences),  Intellectual & Practical Skills 

Apply physiological concepts in experimental situations
ELOs:  Inquiry & Analysis, Problem Solving,  Integrative & Applied Learning,  Intellectual & Practical Skills (Inquiry & Analysis)  

Learn and practice physiological measurement techniques
ELOs: Inquiry & Analysis,  Quantitative / Technical Literacy,  Intellectual & Practical Skills (Quantitative Literacy & Empirical Skills),  Life Sciences Methods of Inquiry 

Course Requirements

LAB REPORTS
After each lab, you will turn in a lab report the following week. Lab reports will contain results from your experiments as well as comprehension questions. Results will be graded on a complete/not complete scale, while comprehension questions will be graded on content. Each lab report is worth 10 points: 5 points for completing the lab and 5 points from a sampling of comprehension questions. Lab reports will be turned in electronically on Canvas.
QUIZZES 
At the beginning of each lab, there will be a quiz on the previous week’s lab material. Because lectures and labs do not always align, all questions on the quiz will be taken from information given in lab (pre-lab, lab report, lab experiments, and pre-lab instruction). Each quiz will be worth 10 points. 
The grading scale is as follows:

 | Percent (%) | Letter Grade
 |      ≥92.0      | A
 | 91.9-89.0    | A-
 | 88.9-86.0    | B+
 | 85.9-82.0    | B
 | 81.9-79.0    | B-
 | 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

 | Wk | Date | Lab
 | 1 |   9/1-4  | NO LABS
| 2 |    8-11   | Intro and Syllabus
| 3 |   15-18  | Physiology of Nerve Impulses
| 4 |   22-25  | Reflexes
| 5 | 29-10/2 | Sensory Physiology
| 6 |     6-9    | Special Senses
| 7 |  13-16   | Neural Control of Sk. Muscle (EMG)
| 8 |  20-23   | Fall Break
| 9 |  27-30   | Skeletal Muscle Physiology
| 10 | 11/3-6 | ECG
| 11 |  10-13 | Cardiac Physiology
| 12 |  17-20 | Blood / Blood Pressure
| 13 |  24-27 | Thanksgiving Break
| 14 | 12/1-4 | Respiratory (Spirometry)
| 15 |    8-11 | Renal Physiology
| 16 |  15-18 | NO LABS

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

Only the computer simulation labs can be made up if missed. However, if you cannot make it to your regular lab, you can attend a different lab section that week. You will need to let me know you will be missing lab BEFORE your lab section and before you attend a different lab section. If you are attending the section of a different professor, you must also ask for permission from that professor before attending their lab. You may not turn in a lab assignment if you did not attend that lab. If you do need to miss a lab, it is your responsibility to try to organize attendance in another section of the lab for that week.
I understand that life happens, and you won't always be able to make it to another lab section. To help with that, the two lowest scores (either lab reports or quizzes) will be dropped from your grade. 

Attendance Policy

Labs are hands-on and often require significant setup and teardown. With the exception of the simulations, labs will only be offered during the week they are set up. Thus, to gain the required experience and knowledge, attendance is required.

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.