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PsTL 1135 Human Anatomy and Physiology is a freshman level life-science course that is organized around the major organ systems in the context of their roles in maintaining homeostasis. Students first are exposed to the concept of hierarchical organization of the body, then learn how these interrelationships lay the foundation for the study of the body's systems. Relationships between structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) are stressed. Using homeostasis to tie the systems together leads to discussion of both normal and abnormal (pathological) functioning.
Physiology, the study of function, readily lends itself to asking questions, constructing hypotheses, and designing experiments in order to collect data which may confirm or refute the hypotheses; students discover that this is a scientific "way of knowing." Even anatomy, which may seem fairly fixed, is always in a state of flux as new technologies, such as more powerful imaging devices, provide new insight. Understanding the scientific method allows students to achieve a healthy skepticism and provides the tools for evaluating health news and advertising. Students gain the ability to make knowledgeable choices regarding their health, medical care, and lifestyles.
In the weekly 2-hour wet lab, through demonstrations and hands-on activities, some of the methods used by anatomists and physiologists are presented: dissection, use of the microscope, "what will happen if..." experiments, and computer simulations. For example, students will learn how to use the microscope in order to examine different types and subtypes of tissues, and discuss how their differences might be related to function. Simple dissections of sheep hearts allow students to discover the heart's gross anatomy and how it is related to cardiac physiology. Examples from the history of science will be used to introduce and, in some cases, further illustrate specific issues in anatomy and physiology.
Our students are required to learn basic anatomy, but are encouraged to learn the anatomy in the context of the physiology. Students discover that the unfamiliar Latin- and Greek-based names and terms of biology have meaning, and can be used as a tool that provides information and aids in memorization. Each week, students participate in cooperative group work to complete quizzes and technology enhanced learning projects, such as creating web-based research projects on human diseases. Additionally, every student must read and write a report on a book outside of class that relates to human anatomy and physiology, e.g., Mapping Fate, When the Air Hits Your Brain, Genome, etc. Students engage in additional writing assignments in the wet lab where weekly lab summaries are collected and graded.
In a typical semester students meet in a large lecture hall for no less than 28 hours, meet in a computer lab for no less than 15 hours, and engage in lab activities in the wet lab for no less than 28 hours.
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PSTL 1135, Human Anatomy and Physiology, is a developmental education course intended for college freshmen. The course has three components: First, a traditional lecture where students are expected to take notes and exams, second, a computer lab where students engage in cooperative quizzes and activities such as a "do something cool" project, and third, a laboratory component where students dissect eyes, brains, hearts, etc., and participate in many other hands-on activities. The course is organized around body systems, e.g., the skeletal system, the nervous system, etc., and focus on many common diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and atherosclerosis. All students enrolled in PSTL 1135 will be required to read at least one book, such as "When the Air Hits Your Brain," outside of regular class time. This course makes considerable use of Web Vista and a course internet site. Do not take this course if you do not enjoy using computers or if you do not have access to a fast and reliable internet connection. Please look up the PSTL 1135 website for more details: http://www.msjensen.gen.umn.edu/1135/
