For more information, please see the complete syllabus below for additional information.

Required Course Materials:

(1)  Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology, 8th edition, by Martini and Bartholomew. Bring it to every class. If you signed up for First Day Access, your ebook and Mastering will be available through Blackboard. If you opted out, they can be purchased from the bookstore.

(2)  Safety eyewear (safety glasses or safety goggles) that meets Z87 standards. You must provide your own appropriate safety eyewear for any lab that involves chemicals,         dissections, or biohazards. See the course schedule on page 12 for specific dates.

(3)  Closed shoes (no open back, fully covers foot) must be worn in every lab, including days  we have practical exams scheduled. If you do not have closed shoes, you will           not be allowed to attend the lab.

For more information, please see the complete syllabus below for additional information.

Course Description:

• Credit hours: 4
• Classroom contact hours per week: 3
• Laboratory contact hours per week: 3

Introduction to the structure and function of the human body with an emphasis on anatomy. Designed for students in the ACC health science programs.

Skills Requirements:

Reading, writing, and mathematics proficiency as determined by the COMPASS or ASSET test, or by the statewide THEA test, or by providing an official transcript from another college.

Course Rationale:

Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology prepares students requiring a one-semester anatomy & physiology course and those applying to one of the following ACC Allied Health Science programs: (1) DMI–Radiology, (2) EMS Professions, (3) Medical Coding, (4) Medical Laboratory Technology, (5) Nursing (LVN), (6) Occupational Therapy Asst/OTA, (7) Personal Fitness Trainer (Certificate), and (8) Surgical Technology (Certificate/AAS).

Course Prerequisite: None

Course Overview

Students are introduced to essential concepts required for an understanding of the human body. Information is placed in a structured and meaningful way to help students develop and improve their problem-solving skills preparing them for a career in medicine or allied health field. Anatomy and physiology are introduced in structured and methodical fashion improving the student’s retainment of the information presented. Anatomy and physiology are first defined, followed by anatomical terms, then the student is introduced to the different organ systems: Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous, Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Lymphatic, Respiratory, Digestive, Urinary, and Reproductive System. Students are introduced to the material in both lecture and lab. As a general rule, anatomy is covered mainly in lab while physiology is covered in lecture. 

Introduction to A&P Lecture and Lab Schedule

Spring 2026

* Indicates either a physiology lab (with lab report) or a dissection lab. You must be present and actively participate to earn points for the lab report or dissection activity. Safety eyewear is required for these labs and dissection activities. If you do not have safety eyewear, you cannot attend the lab. Lab reports are due at the beginning of the next lab.

Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class, posted as a Blackboard Announcement, or sent out by email.

ACC is closed for Spring Break, from Monday, March 16 through Sunday, March 22.

Schedule for Homework Assignments

Spring 2026

All homework assignments will be completed on Blackboard. Start with the paper-based assignment. Then, use your answers on the paper-based assignment to complete the Blackboard-graded quiz. After the quiz is submitted, students will receive feedback on their answers. Afterwards, you can review the assignment quiz by going to “My Grades” and clicking on the name of the homework assignment. Then click on the blue-highlighted grade. This will take you back to the quiz so you can see your answers, correct answers, and any feedback that I have left.

For more information, please see the complete syllabus below for additional information.

Course Prerequisite: None

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES & GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES

Student Learning Outcomes:

Course-Level:

Specific skills and competencies expected of students who complete this course include the following:

• Identify and explain gross and microscopic anatomical structures of all body systems and on an appropriate level (knowledge, comprehension, application, and analysis)
• Identify and explain anatomical location, gross structures, and histological structure of tissues and organs of the human body
• Explain basic physiological processes of all body systems and on an appropriate level (knowledge, comprehension, application, and analysis)
• Explain the role of body systems and mechanisms in maintaining homeostasis
• Work safely in a lab setting

General Education Competencies:

As a Core Curriculum course, students completing this course will demonstrate competence in:

• Critical Thinking - Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information. 
• Interpersonal Skills - Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.
• Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning - Applying mathematical, logical and scientific principles and methods.
• Written, Oral and Visual Communication - Communicating effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.
• Technology Skills – Using appropriate technology to retrieve, manage, analyze and present information.

Departmental Common Course Objectives:

The ACC Biology Department has specified the content for this course in the departmental common course objectives. Go here: Biology Department.  Under “Course Information”, click on “Common Course Objectives.” Then click on the link for BIOL 2404.

Course-Specific Objectives: 

You will find specific learning objectives for each unit posted in Blackboard.  You are responsible for and will be tested on all material specified by lecture and lab objectives, whether it is covered in class, lab, or assignments. Other course-specific skills and competencies expected of students include:

• Use anatomical terminology correctly to describe body directions, regions, and planes.
• Describe the structure and components of a cell and their functions.
• Identify anatomical features of the body, including cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems on models, preserved tissues, microscope slides, and charts.
• Describe the gross anatomy of the organs composing organ systems.
• Relate gross anatomy with tissue level organization and develop histological relationships.
• Identify, label, and draw important anatomical structures.
• Relate biological structure and function of organ systems of the human body.
• Handle standard equipment, including microscopes, and perform techniques (including dissection) in lab while adhering strictly to lab safety protocols.
• Work effectively and safely in a group, both in lecture and in lab.
• Follow verbal and written instructions.

For more information, please see the complete syllabus below for additional information.

Summary of Grading

Your grade is based on both lecture and lab components. Your grade will be based on these assessments. Please note that additional classroom assessments and assignments may be added during the semester*. If this occurs, the number of points will change. Any changes to the grading scheme will be posted on Blackboard and will affect the total points and average**. Grades for each graded component will be posted on our Blackboard site.

            Lecture Exams (5 x 100 pts each)          =     500 points

            Assignments                                            =     210 points*

            Lab reports and dissection activities       =       90 points*

            Lab Practicals (5 x 60 pts each)             =     300 points

                                             Total Points           =     1100 points**

Students can take an optional final to try to bring up their lowest non-zero lecture exam grade. The grade on the optional final will not replace a zero grade from an exam that was not taken.

You must pass the lab portion of the class (lab practicals, lab reports, dissection activities) with a minimum grade of 60% to pass the class with a grade of C or better. There are ample extra credit activities, so I do not round grades and there are no curved scores. Your grade is based solely on the points that you earn in lecture and lab, plus any extra credit. (Please see page 7 for information about extra credit.)  In the case of a borderline grade (such as 89.5%), you will receive the higher grade only if your exam average for all exams is that higher grade.  Example:  Both Susie and Bill have an average of 89.2% for all course work. Susie’s exam average is 87%, so she will get a B in the course. Bill’s exam average is 92%, so he will get a grade of A.

Grading Scale: I use a standard grading scale. A = 90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F=59% or below.

Assessments for Lecture and Lab:

(1) Lecture Exams: There will be five lecture exams, each worth 100 points. The exams will be given in class. See the schedule for specific dates (pages 19-20). The exam format will be a combination of objective questions (such as multiple-choice, true-false, and matching questions), draw and label questions, and written questions (such as short-answer and essays). Exams will be based on all material presented in the course: lecture materials (covered in class, assignments, activities) and lab materials. Exams usually include extra credit questions.

Cell phones and pagers must be turned off during exams. Anyone using a cell phone or texting during the exam will receive a grade of 0 for the exam or practical and will be referred to student services for academic dishonesty. If you have a work phone or pager that you cannot turn off, you can leave it with me during the exam or practical. All watches must be taken off during lecture exams and lab practicals. Once you take an exam, you may not take it again to try for a better grade.  All exams will be given in class on the scheduled days unless the instructor thinks there is a valid reason for changing the date. You may not leave the room during an exam. If you do leave without permission, your exam will be collected. Your grade will be assigned based on what you have completed.

If you are late, you will not be given extra time. If you are late and another student has already turned in the exam, you cannot take the exam. This policy applies to both lecture exams and lab practicals. 20-minute rule: You are not allowed to turn in your exam within the first 20 minutes.

If you have a medical condition that would prevent you from taking the lecture exam without a break, you are responsible for arranging in advance to take the exam at a different time, either with student services or with me. Documentation of your medical condition may be required by student services.  These arrangements must be made in advance. 

(2) Assignments:  Homework assignments and classroom assessments will be given throughout the semester during lecture. These are worth a total of 210 points. (If the instructor gives more assignments, the grading system will be adjusted.)  See the schedule on page 13 for due dates.  If you are not present for the lecture and we did a graded classroom assessment, you cannot earn these points with an alternate activity. Your grade for these activities will be zero. I do not accept late assignments except for documented medical emergencies. 

(3) Lab Reports. There are five physiology-based labs this semester. See the lab schedule for specific dates. Each physiology-based lab has a lab report that will be given to the instructor at the beginning of the next lab or on a specified date given by the instructor. Each student will turn in their own lab report for credit.  Each lab report is worth 10 points. If there are calculations, you must show the formula and show your work. I do not accept late lab reports.

You must be present in the lab and actively participate to earn any credit for the lab reports. If you are not present or do not actively participate, your grade on the lab report will be zero (0). There are no make-up labs or alternate activities.

Up to 100% of the lab report grade may be deducted for any of these reasons: (1) You are not present for the entire lab, (2) You do not fully participate in the lab activities (based on the instructor’s evaluation), (3) You did not follow instructions, or (4) You do not assist in cleanup.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn in the lab when required by the lab instructions. If you do not have your PPE, you will have to leave the lab and will not earn points for the lab report or dissection activities.

Closed shoes are required for all labs, including lab practicals. Safety eyewear (safety glasses or goggles) is required for labs with dissection or chemicals or biohazards.

(4) Dissection Points:  Three labs involve dissection. (See the lab schedule for specific dates.)  Each dissection is worth 10 points.  You must be present in the lab and actively participate to earn any credit. If you are not in lab, you cannot earn these points and your grade will be zero (0).  Your grade is based on participation and other criteria determined by the instructor.

You must be present in the lab and actively participate to earn any credit for dissection activities. Points will be deducted if you are not present for the entire lab, do not follow instructions, or do not assist in cleanup. If you are not present or do not actively participate, your grade will be zero (0). There are no make-up dissection labs or alternate activities.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn in a dissection lab. If you do not have your safety eyewear, you will have to leave the lab and will not earn points for the dissection. Closed shoes are required for all labs, including dissections.

(5) Lab Practicals: There will be five lab practical exams during the semester, worth 60 points each, for a total of 300 points. See the schedule for specific dates (page 12). Each lab practical will test you on the material covered during the unit labs, including anatomical structures, slides, and physiology labs. Lab practical exams over anatomical structures and slides focus on your ability to recognize and identify things (such as structures, slides, equipment) by sight.  There are no word banks for practicals and these questions will not be multiple choice. You will be expected to spell all terms correctly to receive full credit. 

Lab practicals also include questions that test you over the physiology labs covered in that unit. These questions will test you over the material from the lab and lab report. You may be tested over formulas and calculations, interpretation of graphs, or answer critical-thinking questions based on the information covered in the physiology-based labs and lecture.

The exam policies described above also apply to lab practicals.  If you are late and another student has already completed and turned in the lab practical, you cannot take the lab practical.  If you are late but the practical is still in progress, you will not receive any additional time to complete the lab practical (or at an alternate time depending on instructor availability.). If you are not wearing closed shoes, you will not be allowed to take the practical. If you miss a lab practical, a makeup lab practical will be given to you on the last Thursday or Friday of the semester. This must be scheduled in advance. If you miss more than one lab practical, the makeup practical will substitute for one grade only. See more information below. 

Optional Final Exam:  There will be an optional final exam worth 100 points given in lecture on the last class day of the semester. The exam format will be all objective questions covering both lecture and lab materials. Use the assignments and your lab reports as a review. If the grade on the optional final is higher than a student’s lowest non-zero exam grade, the final grade will substitute for the lowest exam grade. The optional final grade cannot replace a zero grade for an exam that was not taken by the student.

Taking Exams and Lab Practicals for SAS Accommodations

Students with disabilities must contact an SAS office if special accommodations are needed. Before making accommoations, I must first receive your letter of accommodations.  To make accommodations for the first exam, I will need to receive your accommodation letter no later than 5:00 pm on Tuesday, February 3. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Extra Credit:  Exams and lab practicals have extra credit questions. You can also earn extra credit points for completing practice study activities for lab and lecture. These extra credit activities will be given by the instructor during class or by email. Each extra credit activity is worth 2-3 points of extra credit. Each will have a specific due date set by the instructor. There are no extensions for the deadlines for extra credit activities.

Timely return of papers:  I will return graded papers within one week of submission. It usually takes me at least one week to grade lecture exams and lab practicals.

Missed Exams and Late Work Policy

Makeup Lecture Exams:  If you have a documented reason that is accepted by the instructor, you can miss one lecture exam and make it up. Makeup exams will be given in the RRC Testing Center only. Due to Testing Center policies, there are no makeup exams for lecture exam 5 or the optional final exam.  Makeup exams should be taken within one week of the original test deadline (except for medical reasons). Makeup exams are mainly written exams (fill-in-the-blank, draw and label, short answer, essay). If you miss an exam, you must contact the instructor, provide documentation, and schedule a makeup exam.

Makeup Lab Practicals: You can miss one lab practical and make it up. All makeup practicals are given on the last Thursday or Friday of the semester. Please schedule a makeup practical with the instructor before the last week. The formation may be different on a makeup lab practical.

Late Work Policy:  I do not accept late work except for documented medical illnesses.

BIOL 2404 Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

Section 022, Synonym 15605

Lecture: RRC3, Room 3330.00, Mon/Wed 10:30-11:50 am

Lab: RRC3, Room 3325.00, Mon/Wed 12:00-1:20 pm

Spring 2026

Instructor:                Bernice Speer

Office Location:       RRC 3322

Office Hours:           Mon/Wed     9:00 am to 10:15 am and 4:30 pm to 5:45 pm (office & Zoom)

                                   Thursday      3:30 pm to 5:00 pm (Zoom office hours only)

                                   Other hours by appointment (email me to set up private session on Zoom)

Office Phone:           512-223-0323 (with voice mail; leave your name and phone number)

e-mail:                       bspeer@austincc.edu or use Blackboard to email instructor

Course Description:

• Credit hours: 4
• Classroom contact hours per week: 3
• Laboratory contact hours per week: 3

Introduction to the structure and function of the human body with an emphasis on anatomy. Designed for students in the ACC health science programs.

Skills Requirements:

Reading, writing, and mathematics proficiency as determined by the COMPASS or ASSET test, or by the statewide THEA test, or by providing an official transcript from another college.

Course Rationale:

Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology prepares students requiring a one-semester

anatomy & physiology course and those applying to one of the following ACC Allied

Health Science programs: (1) DMI–Radiology, (2) EMS Professions, (3) Medical Coding, (4) Medical Laboratory Technology, (5) Nursing (LVN), (6) Occupational Therapy Asst/OTA, (7) Personal Fitness Trainer (Certificate), and (8) Surgical Technology (Certificate/AAS).

Course Prerequisite: None

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES & GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES

Student Learning Outcomes:

Course-Level:

Specific skills and competencies expected of students who complete this course include the following:

• Identify and explain gross and microscopic anatomical structures of all body systems and on an appropriate level (knowledge, comprehension, application, and analysis)
• Identify and explain anatomical location, gross structures, and histological structure of tissues and organs of the human body
• Explain basic physiological processes of all body systems and on an appropriate level (knowledge, comprehension, application, and analysis)
• Explain the role of body systems and mechanisms in maintaining homeostasis
• Work safely in a lab setting

General Education Competencies:

As a Core Curriculum course, students completing this course will demonstrate competence in:

• Critical Thinking - Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information. 
• Interpersonal Skills - Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.
• Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning - Applying mathematical, logical and scientific principles and methods.
• Written, Oral and Visual Communication - Communicating effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.
• Technology Skills – Using appropriate technology to retrieve, manage, analyze and present information.

Departmental Common Course Objectives:

The ACC Biology Department has specified the content for this course in the departmental common course objectives. Go here: Biology Department.  Under “Course Information”, click on “Common Course Objectives.” Then click on the link for BIOL 2404.

Course-Specific Objectives: 

You will find specific learning objectives for each unit posted in Blackboard.  You are responsible for and will be tested on all material specified by lecture and lab objectives, whether it is covered in class, lab, or assignments. Other course-specific skills and competencies expected of students include:

• Use anatomical terminology correctly to describe body directions, regions, and planes.
• Describe the structure and components of a cell and their functions.
• Identify anatomical features of the body, including cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems on models, preserved tissues, microscope slides, and charts.
• Describe the gross anatomy of the organs composing organ systems.
• Relate gross anatomy with tissue level organization and develop histological relationships.
• Identify, label, and draw important anatomical structures.
• Relate biological structure and function of organ systems of the human body.
• Handle standard equipment, including microscopes, and perform techniques (including dissection) in lab while adhering strictly to lab safety protocols.
• Work effectively and safely in a group, both in lecture and in lab.
• Follow verbal and written instructions.

ACC Biology Department Animal Use Policy:

Labs in this class contain dissection components.  Please see the biology department policy below.  You can also find it at: Biology Department.  Click on “Labs,” then “Lab Animal Policy.”

 “Most ACC biology classes, particularly those with laboratory components, use actual organisms during instruction in addition to images and models. ACC students generally are preparing for real-world careers requiring workers with hands-on experience. These careers include health care, veterinary work, horticultural and agricultural work. Other students plan to transfer to four-year colleges and will be participating in biological research where hands-on experience is equally important.

Organisms used at ACC are fundamental in biology instruction and they are utilized to teach specific skills and knowledge. Their condition and usage varies from course to course. Students will be expected to actively participate in these activities. Students with particular concerns in this matter should consult with their instructor and/or departmental officials before enrolling in a laboratory course so that they can know what will be required of them.

Some organisms are observed alive while others are dead and preserved in various ways. These organisms are dead and incapable of feeling pain although some tissues remain viable for a short period of time. Student manipulation of organisms ranges from culturing living organisms to dissecting preserved ones. Some examples include but are not limited to: bacterial culturing for microbiology courses; cat, rabbit, pig or rat dissection for anatomy courses; skeleton and pelt examination for field biology; and use of frogs in physiology experiments.”

Required Course Materials:

(1)        Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology, 8th edition, by Martini and Bartholomew. Bring it to every class. If you signed up for First Day Access, your e-book will be available through Blackboard. If you opted out, they can be purchased from the bookstore.

(2)        Safety eyewear (safety glasses or safety goggles) that meets Z87 standards. You must provide your own appropriate safety eyewear for any lab that involves chemicals, dissections, or biohazards. See the course schedule on page 12 for specific dates.

(3)        Closed shoes (no open back, fully covers foot) must be worn in every lab, including days we have practical exams scheduled. If you do not have closed shoes, you will not be allowed to attend the lab.

Recommended Materials:

Some students have found The Anatomy Coloring Book (Kapit and Elson) to be a useful study tool while other students have told me they prefer A Visual Analogy Guide to Anatomy and Physiology (Paul Krieger).  Coloring books can be useful study tools, especially for bones, muscles, blood vessels and organs.

Instructional Methodology:  This course is taught as a lecture and lab combination. The lab emphasizes detailed dissections of preserved materials, studies of human models, and examination of tissues. Most labs are self-directed, and they provide a hands-on learning environment. You must be registered for the linked lecture and lab in the same semester. Active learning is an important component of this class. Students are expected to participate in classroom activities. There is a homework assignment every day. Most assignments will be due the next class day, at the beginning of lecture. Extra credit assignments are given in class and will not be available on Blackboard. Homework and other assignments will be available on Blackboard. Students will use Blackboard to access course materials and announcements. Students are expected to independently study lecture and lab materials outside of class time.

Blackboard Site for This Section:

A Blackboard site has been set up for this class. You will be using Blackboard extensively throughout this class to access course materials for lecture and lab.  You will also use Blackboard to submit assignments. Announcements and grades will be posted on Blackboard.  I will also use Blackboard to send e-mails to the class.  

To get started on Blackboard, go to the login site at: Blackboard  and click on the “Student Guide – Getting Started with Blackboard” link. This will help you set up your Blackboard account and get you to the course site. You will need an ACCeID to use the ACC Online Services and Blackboard.  If you don't already have an ACCeID, go to the ACC eID Login.  Click on "First-Time Login" and follow instructions. 

You are expected to check Blackboard regularly.  Announcements clarify course materials, remind about deadlines, correct problems with web sites, and provide other information. You are expected to check Blackboard regularly.  You can use Blackboard to send e-mails to me.  I post lecture and lab materials, homework, and other info on Blackboard. Check the announcements.

You should also use Blackboard to keep track of your grades. Blackboard will calculate your point total and current average. I post results in Blackboard as soon as I have graded them. 

Due to privacy issues, I cannot discuss specific details about your grades on the phone or by e-mail.  We can meet during office hours or set up Collaborate/Zoom meetings at other times to discuss grades and any questions you have.

Student Technology Support

Austin Community College provides free, secure drive-up WiFi to students and employees in the parking lots of all campus locations. WiFi can be accessed seven days a week, 7 am to 11 pm. Additional details are available at Student Technology Access

Students who do not have the necessary technology to complete their ACC courses can request to borrow devices from Student Technology Services. Available devices include iPads, webcams, headsets, calculators, etc. Students must be registered for a credit course, Adult Education, or Continuing Education course to be eligible. For more information, including how to request a device, visit Student Technology Access.

Student Technology Services offers phone, live-chat, and email-based technical support for students and can provide support on topics such as password resets, accessing or using Blackboard, access to technology, etc. To view hours of operation and ways to request support, visit Student Technology Access.

If you have trouble accessing a web page, make sure that pop-ups are not blocked on your computer, or try a different browser or a different computer.  If you still have problems, contact the ACC Help Desk at Student Services Help Desk or call 512-223-4636. 

Tips on How to Succeed in This Class

• Attend every class and be on time.  Don’t leave early.
• Fill out your lab reviews and study them! Study your lab reports and assignments.
• Make and use a study schedule. Short study periods every day are much more effective than one long study session right before the exam.  Practice, practice, practice! 
• Schedule a regular time to study lab materials. This will help you learn lecture materials.
• Use active learning.  Make flash cards or use the Cornell system of note taking. Quiz yourself. Make simple models or play toys or posters to help you with concepts.
• Use animations to help you visualize physiological processes.
• Don’t start over at the beginning of the material every time you study. Start where you left off.  That way, you cover all materials. When you study, flag problem areas with Post-it notes and keep reviewing. Then, go back and study flagged areas intensively.
• Once you have learned a concept and understand it, don’t keep reviewing it again and again.  If you’ve got the concept, use your study time wisely to study something else.
• Learn as you go. By the weekend, you should know the material covered that week.
• Ask for help if you are struggling to learn a concept.

GRADING SYSTEM

Summary of Grading

Your grade is based on both lecture and lab components. Your grade will be based on these assessments. Please note that additional classroom assessments and assignments may be added during the semester*. If this occurs, the number of points will change. Any changes to the grading scheme will be posted on Blackboard and will affect the total points and average**. Grades for each graded component will be posted on our Blackboard site.

            Lecture Exams (5 x 100 pts each)          =     500 points

            Assignments                                            =     210 points*

            Lab reports and dissection activities       =       90 points*

            Lab Practicals (5 x 60 pts each)             =     300 points

                                             Total Points           =     1100 points**

Students can take an optional final to try to bring up their lowest non-zero lecture exam grade. The grade on the optional final will not replace a zero grade from an exam that was not taken.

You must pass the lab portion of the class (lab practicals, lab reports, dissection activities) with a minimum grade of 60% to pass the class with a grade of C or better. There are ample extra credit activities, so I do not round grades and there are no curved scores. Your grade is based solely on the points that you earn in lecture and lab, plus any extra credit. (Please see page 7 for information about extra credit.)  In the case of a borderline grade (such as 89.5%), you will receive the higher grade only if your exam average for all exams is that higher grade.  Example:  Both Susie and Bill have an average of 89.2% for all course work. Susie’s exam average is 87%, so she will get a B in the course. Bill’s exam average is 92%, so he will get a grade of A.

Grading Scale: I use a standard grading scale. A = 90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F=59% or below.

Assessments for Lecture and Lab:

(1) Lecture Exams: There will be five lecture exams, each worth 100 points. The exams will be given in class. See the schedule for specific dates (pages 19-20). The exam format will be a combination of objective questions (such as multiple-choice, true­-false, and matching questions), draw and label questions, and written questions (such as short-answer and essays).  Exams will be based on all material presented in the course: lecture materials (covered in class, assignments, activities) and lab materials.  Exams usually include extra credit questions.

Cell phones and pagers must be turned off during exams. Anyone using a cell phone or texting during the exam will receive a grade of 0 for the exam or practical and will be referred to student services for academic dishonesty. If you have a work phone or pager that you cannot turn off, you can leave it with me during the exam or practical. All watches must be taken off during lecture exams and lab practicals. Once you take an exam, you may not take it again to try for a better grade.  All exams will be given in class on the scheduled days unless the instructor thinks there is a valid reason for changing the date. You may not leave the room during an exam. If you do leave without permission, your exam will be collected. Your grade will be assigned based on what you have completed.

If you are late, you will not be given extra time. If you are late and another student has already turned in the exam, you cannot take the exam. This policy applies to both lecture exams and lab practicals. 20-minute rule: You are not allowed to turn in your exam within the first 20 minutes.

If you have a medical condition that would prevent you from taking the lecture exam without a break, you are responsible for arranging in advance to take the exam at a different time, either with student services or with me. Documentation of your medical condition may be required by student services.  These arrangements must be made in advance. 

(2) Assignments:  Homework assignments and classroom assessments will be given throughout the semester during lecture. These are worth a total of 210 points. (If the instructor gives more assignments, the grading system will be adjusted.)  See the schedule on page 13 for due dates.  If you are not present for the lecture and we did a graded classroom assessment, you cannot earn these points with an alternate activity. Your grade for these activities will be zero. I do not accept late assignments except for documented medical emergencies

(3) Lab Reports. There are five physiology-based labs this semester. See the lab schedule for specific dates. Each physiology-based lab has a lab report that will be given to the instructor at the beginning of the next lab or on a specified date given by the instructor. Each student will turn in their own lab report for credit.  Each lab report is worth 10 points. If there are calculations, you must show the formula and show your work. I do not accept late lab reports.

You must be present in the lab and actively participate to earn any credit for the lab reports. If you are not present or do not actively participate, your grade on the lab report will be zero (0). There are no make-up labs or alternate activities.

Up to 100% of the lab report grade may be deducted for any of these reasons: (1) You are not present for the entire lab, (2) You do not fully participate in the lab activities (based on the instructor’s evaluation), (3) You did not follow instructions, or (4) You do not assist in cleanup.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn in the lab when required by the lab instructions. If you do not have your PPE, you will have to leave the lab and will not earn points for the lab report or dissection activities.

Closed shoes are required for all labs, including lab practicals. Safety eyewear (safety glasses or goggles) is required for labs with dissection or chemicals or biohazards.

(4) Dissection Points:  Three labs involve dissection. (See the lab schedule for specific dates.)  Each dissection is worth 10 points.  You must be present in the lab and actively participate to earn any credit. If you are not in lab, you cannot earn these points and your grade will be zero (0).  Your grade is based on participation and other criteria determined by the instructor.

You must be present in the lab and actively participate to earn any credit for dissection activities. Points will be deducted if you are not present for the entire lab, do not follow instructions, or do not assist in cleanup. If you are not present or do not actively participate, your grade will be zero (0). There are no make-up dissection labs or alternate activities.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn in a dissection lab. If you do not have your safety eyewear, you will have to leave the lab and will not earn points for the dissection. Closed shoes are required for all labs, including dissections.

(5) Lab Practicals: There will be five lab practical exams during the semester, worth 60 points each, for a total of 300 points. See the schedule for specific dates (page 12). Each lab practical will test you on the material covered during the unit labs, including anatomical structures, slides, and physiology labs. Lab practical exams over anatomical structures and slides focus on your ability to recognize and identify things (such as structures, slides, equipment) by sight.  There are no word banks for practicals and these questions will not be multiple choice. You will be expected to spell all terms correctly to receive full credit. 

Lab practicals also include questions that test you over the physiology labs covered in that unit. These questions will test you over the material from the lab and lab report. You may be tested over formulas and calculations, interpretation of graphs, or answer critical-thinking questions based on the information covered in the physiology-based labs and lecture.

The exam policies described above also apply to lab practicals.  If you are late and another student has already completed and turned in the lab practical, you cannot take the lab practical.  If you are late but the practical is still in progress, you will not receive any additional time to complete the lab practical (or at an alternate time depending on instructor availability.). If you are not wearing closed shoes, you will not be allowed to take the practical. If you miss a lab practical, a makeup lab practical will be given to you on the last Thursday or Friday of the semester. This must be scheduled in advance. If you miss more than one lab practical, the makeup practical will substitute for one grade only. See more information below.

Optional Final Exam:  There will be an optional final exam worth 100 points given in lecture on the last class day of the semester. The exam format will be all objective questions covering both lecture and lab materials. Use the assignments and your lab reports as a review. If the grade on the optional final is higher than a student’s lowest non-zero exam grade, the final grade will substitute for the lowest exam grade. The optional final grade cannot replace a zero grade for an exam that was not taken by the student.

Taking Exams and Lab Practicals for SAS Accommodations

Students with disabilities must contact an SAS office if special accommodations are needed.   Before making accommodations, I must first receive your letter of accommodation. To make accommodations for the first exam, I will need to receive your accommodation letter no later than 5:00 pm on Tuesday, February 3. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Extra Credit:  Exams and lab practicals have extra credit questions. You can also earn extra credit points for completing practice study activities for lab and lecture. These extra credit activities will be given by the instructor during class or by email. Each extra credit activity is worth 2-3 points of extra credit. Each will have a specific due date set by the instructor. There are no extensions for the deadlines for extra credit activities.

Timely return of papers:  I will return graded papers within one week of submission. It usually takes me at least one week to grade lecture exams and lab practicals.

Missed Exams and Late Work Policy

Makeup Lecture Exams:  If you have a documented reason that is accepted by the instructor, you can miss one lecture exam and make it up. Makeup exams will be given in the RRC Testing Center only. Due to Testing Center policies, there are no makeup exams for lecture exam 5 or the optional final exam.  Makeup exams should be taken within one week of the original test deadline (except for medical reasons). Makeup exams are mainly written exams (fill-in-the-blank, draw and label, short answer, essay). If you miss an exam, you must contact the instructor, provide documentation, and schedule a makeup exam.

Makeup Lab Practicals: You can miss one lab practical and make it up.  All makeup practicals are given on the last Thursday or Friday of the semester. Please schedule a makeup practical with the instructor before the last week. The format may be different on a makeup lab practical.

Late Work Policy:  I do not accept late work except for documented medical illnesses.

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance/Class Participation Policy:

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.  It is important for you to attend class if you wish to succeed.  You are expected to be on time and to stay in class until it is dismissed. You are responsible for all materials and announcements covered in class and on Blackboard.  Course materials are posted in Blackboard. If the event where classes are cancelled due to weather, pandemic, or other emergency, the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor.

Please review the course materials before class. It is important for each student to participate actively in class activities to gain the most from them. So, jump in and get your hands on the stuff, engage your mind, and discuss. Passive behavior ¹ learning!

To pass the course (with a grade of 70% C), you should expect to spend at least 2-3 hours outside of class for every hour spent in class.  For this class, that means a minimum of 12-15 hours of quality study time outside of class per week to prepare for class, read the textbook, study lab materials, study lecture materials, and prepare for exams and lab practicals.  

Withdrawal Policy: 

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that their name is removed from the roll should they decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should she feel it is necessary.  If a student decides to withdraw, he/she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date (see below).  The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises. Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veteran’s benefit, or international student status. Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a “W”) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count towards this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals. You can find more information about the “Rule of Three or Third Course Attempt” at Third Attempt.  Information about the “Texas Six Drop Rule” can be found at Six Course Limit

The last day to drop the class without a W on your transcript is February 4, 2026.  If you withdraw by this date, you do not have to worry about the six-course withdrawal rule.

The last day to withdraw for the semester (the Final Withdrawal Date) is Monday, April 27, 2026.  If you withdraw between February 5 and April 27, you will get a W on your transcript, and it will count toward the six-course withdrawal limit.

Student-Initiated Withdrawal:

You are responsible for monitoring your progress in the course and determining if you need to withdraw.  You are responsible for completing the paperwork. If you stop attending class and do not withdraw yourself from the course, you may end up with a course grade of F. Please make sure you withdraw from the course if you decide to drop.

Instructor-Initiated Withdrawal:

You will be withdrawn from the course if:

(1) I do not receive your signed student information sheets by the end of the third-class period.

(2) You do not complete all mandatory safety training by the end of the first week. (Safety training must be done in the lab room for F2F classes. If F2F classes are moved online, the instructor will notify you of the revised deadline after we return to campus.)

(3) Safety policies are not followed in lab or in lecture,

(4) A student is disruptive in class, creating an environment that is not conducive for learning, or

I reserve the right to drop students who: (1) stop attending class or (2) miss exams and/or lab practical exams without scheduling and completing makeups or (3) misses five labs.

Retroactive withdrawals will not be given in this class.  

Reinstatement Policy: 

If you are dropped from the class for these reasons, you will not be reinstated.

Incomplete Grade Policy: 

An incomplete (grade of I) will only be given for extenuating circumstances. What constitutes “extenuating circumstances” is left to the instructor’s discretion. If a grade of I is given, the remaining course work must be completed by a date set by the student and professor. The date may not be later than two weeks prior to the end of the following semester. A grade of I also requires completion and submission of the Incomplete Grade Form to be signed by the faculty member (and student if possible) and submitted to the department chair.

Students may request an Incomplete from their faculty member if they believe circumstances warrant. The faculty member will determine whether the Incomplete is appropriate to award or not. The following processes must be followed when awarding a student an I grade.

1.       Prior to the end of the semester in which the “I” is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date. This meeting can occur virtually or in person. (For this class, it will be a virtual meeting.) The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.

2.       The faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name), and then email it to the student. The student will then complete his/her section (by typing in name and any other required information) and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement. A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty member submits by the end of the semester.

3.       The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form above. This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long semester.

4.       Students will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to log on to Blackboard and have access to the course section materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded.

5.       When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F.

If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an “F.” Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session deadline is not frequently granted.

Incomplete grades are rarely given in this class, will be given solely at my discretion, and only if a major emergency comes up towards the end of the semester after the withdrawal deadline.  Please be advised that you must have completed more than 70% of the course work and have a current C average (70%) in both lecture and lab on completed work. The reason for the incomplete grade request must occur after the official drop deadline for the semester. Also, once you receive an incomplete grade, it will not be converted into a withdrawal for any reason.

Lab Safety

Health and safety are of paramount importance in classrooms, laboratories, and field activities. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies.  Emergency Procedures posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom and should be reviewed at the beginning of each semester.  All incidents (injuries/illness/fire/property damage/near miss) should be immediately reported to the course instructor. Additional information about safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency can be found at Emergency

Everyone is expected to conduct themselves professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual may be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action.

Safety training is mandatory for all students. You must complete the safety training by the end of the first week of face-to-face (F2F) labs. If you miss the safety training, you must contact the instructor. Makeup safety training will be held on the first Friday in the lab room. Otherwise, you will be withdrawn. If dropped for safety reasons, you will not be reinstated into the class.

Questions about safety training will be asked on the first lab practical and may be asked on other lab practicals, depending on the lab unit’s activities.

Students must wear closed shoes to all labs, even to lab practicals. You will not be able to attend lab if you do not have the proper footwear approved by the instructor. 

If the lab involves chemicals, dissections, or biohazards, you will wear your safety eyewear (safety glasses or goggles) during the lab. If you do not have your safety eyewear with you when the lab safety guidelines require them, you will have to leave the lab. You will not be able to earn points for dissection activities or physiology-based lab reports if you do not have the required safety eyewear or closed shoes.

Student Injury Insurance:

Students enrolled in lab and field courses are covered by student insurance if they are injured as a result of the face-to-face lab or field activity.  The instructor will provide the student with the necessary forms and complete an injury report for the office of Environment, Health, Safety and Insurance.  There is a small deductible.  You are covered by a student accident insurance policy if you are physically injured by an accident during A&P lab that was caused by the lab activity.  See more information at: Student Insurance

COLLEGE POLICIES

College policies and student support services can be found on Blackboard. Click on the START HERE folder and scroll down to find “College Policies and Student Support Services.”  You are responsible for this information so please read it carefully.

Additional Information about Academic Integrity

ACC values academic integrity in the educational process. Acts of academic dishonesty or misconduct undermine the learning process, present a disadvantage to students who earn credit honestly, and subvert the academic mission of the institution. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include but are not limited to: plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, falsifying documents, or the inappropriate use of the college’s information technology resources. Read more about the Academic Integrity Process.

In this class, I want students to use the course materials to learn the concepts and then apply those concepts to course assignments and activities, including classroom activities, homework, case studies, and lab reports. I expect students to answer all questions in their own words. This allows you to consolidate the information as you work through the questions and scenarios and explain those concepts as best as you can. You can work with other students, but your final answers should be an individual process, not a group effort. Your work should not be copied from another source or generated by a generative AI Chatbot. (See the AI policy below.)

GAI (Generative Artificial Intelligence) Policy for This Course

Generative AI (GAI) is a tool which is increasingly used in many fields of study and everyday life, including all aspects of medicine. However, two of the core values for this course are your ability to (1) evaluate and apply information, and (2) apply logic, knowledge and scientific principles and methods. Critical thinking and reasoning are crucial skills that must be developed and practiced over time and in different situations. This also involves activating brain pathways that allow us to become familiar with processing and evaluating information. Just like developing muscles, brain skills need to be practiced and repeated. An adult brain is powerful and can become adept at critical thinking and finding patterns if the person works at developing these skills. An essential part of the learning process is working with new concepts, information, and problems. Consequently, the use of GAI is prohibited in this course. This means that students should apply their own reasoning, instead of seeking answers using GAI to provide their answers. This means that students should not be using Chat GPT or any type of AI to write their answers to questions that are asked. A student that ignores this policy and uses GAI to write their answers will not receive credit for their work and will not be allowed to redo the assignment for credit. Their grade will be a zero for that assignment.

The use of AI grammar checkers and spelling checkers is permitted.

If you are looking for additional information about a topic that catches your interest, the use of GAI as a research tool is permitted. I use GAI to help me learn more about science topics that catch my attention. For example, GAI has provided me with new terminology or concepts that I then use to track down more information about a specific topic. GAI is a tool and like all research tools, it can be used wisely or improperly. If you have any questions about the use of GAI, please reach out and discuss the issue with me. I do not want or expect my students to ignore research tools (such as GAI) for brainstorming or basic research, but I do expect students to use them appropriately, without plagiarism. And, like all tools, you are ultimately responsible for evaluating whether the material is accurate or biased or flawed. You are responsible for your work.

Additional Information about the Use of ACC email

All ACC instructors can communicate with students only through the official ACC e-mail addresses.  I cannot respond to an e-mail from another address.  It is important that you set up and check your ACCMail account regularly.  By ACC policy, I cannot respond to a student e-mail sent from another e-mail address.  If you send me an e-mail from a non-ACC e-mail account and I respond by mistake, you accept responsibility for any possible breach of student privacy, and you cannot hold the instructor responsible for your actions.

Additional Information about the Use of the Testing Center

This course will use the RRC Testing Center for makeup lecture exams only. To request an exam, you must have an ACC photo student ID or government ID to use the testing center. 

To request an exam, you will need the following:

• ACC Photo ID or Government ID
• Course Abbreviation:                          BIOL
• Course Number:                                             2404
• Course Synonym:                                           15605
• Course Section:                                                          022
• Instructor’s Name:                                          Bernice Speer
• Instructor’s Home Campus:    RRC

DO NOT bring cell phones to the Testing Center. Having your cell phone in the testing room, regardless of whether it is on or off, will result in disciplinary action and your testing privileges will be revoked for the semester. You will receive a zero (0) on the makeup exam.  Guidelines can be found at Testing Center Guidelines, then click on “Campuses”. In this class, you will only use the RRC Testing Center for makeup exams. Please note: The testing center will close promptly at its stated closing time. See Hours and Locations

ACC Policy Concerning Copyrighted Materials

All class materials provided on ACC web pages, electronic reserves, on diskette, and in printed form are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the copyright holder. This may be the instructor, ACC, or a publisher.  Reproduction consists of photocopying, scanning and copying files, or posting on a server or web site.  For more information about ACC’s policy on copyright material, go to Copyright   Students registered for this section have permission to print copies of the course materials for personal use. No permission is given to post any course materials on websites.

Introduction to A&P Lecture and Lab Schedule

Spring 2026

* Indicates either a physiology lab (with lab report) or a dissection lab. You must be present and actively participate to earn points for the lab report or dissection activity. Safety eyewear is required for these labs and dissection activities. If you do not have safety eyewear, you cannot attend the lab. Lab reports are due at the beginning of the next lab.

Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class, posted as a Blackboard Announcement, or sent out by email.

ACC is closed for Spring Break, from Monday, March 16 through Sunday, March 22.

Schedule for Homework Assignments

Spring 2026

All homework assignments will be completed on Blackboard. Start with the paper-based assignment. Then, use your answers on the paper-based assignment to complete the Blackboard-graded quiz. After the quiz is submitted, students will receive feedback on their answers. Afterwards, you can review the assignment quiz by going to “My Grades” and clicking on the name of the homework assignment. Then click on the blue-highlighted grade. This will take you back to the quiz so you can see your answers, correct answers, and any feedback that I have left.

BIOL 2404 Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

Section 022, Synonym 15605

Lecture: RRC3, Room 3330.00, Mon/Wed 10:30-11:50 am

Lab: RRC3, Room 3325.00, Mon/Wed 12:00-1:20 pm

Spring 2026

Instructor:                Bernice Speer

Office Location:       RRC 3322

Office Hours:           Mon/Wed     9:00 am to 10:15 am and 4:30 pm to 5:45 pm (office & Zoom)

                                   Thursday      3:30 pm to 5:00 pm (Zoom office hours only)

                                   Other hours by appointment (email me to set up private session on Zoom)

Office Phone:           512-223-0323 (with voice mail; leave your name and phone number)

e-mail:                       bspeer@austincc.edu or use Blackboard to email instructor

Course Description:

• Credit hours: 4
• Classroom contact hours per week: 3
• Laboratory contact hours per week: 3

Introduction to the structure and function of the human body with an emphasis on anatomy. Designed for students in the ACC health science programs.

Skills Requirements:

Reading, writing, and mathematics proficiency as determined by the COMPASS or ASSET test, or by the statewide THEA test, or by providing an official transcript from another college.

Course Rationale:

Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology prepares students requiring a one-semester

anatomy & physiology course and those applying to one of the following ACC Allied

Health Science programs: (1) DMI–Radiology, (2) EMS Professions, (3) Medical Coding, (4) Medical Laboratory Technology, (5) Nursing (LVN), (6) Occupational Therapy Asst/OTA, (7) Personal Fitness Trainer (Certificate), and (8) Surgical Technology (Certificate/AAS).

Course Prerequisite: None

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES & GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES

Student Learning Outcomes:

Course-Level:

Specific skills and competencies expected of students who complete this course include the following:

• Identify and explain gross and microscopic anatomical structures of all body systems and on an appropriate level (knowledge, comprehension, application, and analysis)
• Identify and explain anatomical location, gross structures, and histological structure of tissues and organs of the human body
• Explain basic physiological processes of all body systems and on an appropriate level (knowledge, comprehension, application, and analysis)
• Explain the role of body systems and mechanisms in maintaining homeostasis
• Work safely in a lab setting

General Education Competencies:

As a Core Curriculum course, students completing this course will demonstrate competence in:

• Critical Thinking - Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information. 
• Interpersonal Skills - Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.
• Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning - Applying mathematical, logical and scientific principles and methods.
• Written, Oral and Visual Communication - Communicating effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.
• Technology Skills – Using appropriate technology to retrieve, manage, analyze and present information.

Departmental Common Course Objectives:

The ACC Biology Department has specified the content for this course in the departmental common course objectives. Go here: Biology Department.  Under “Course Information”, click on “Common Course Objectives.” Then click on the link for BIOL 2404.

Course-Specific Objectives: 

You will find specific learning objectives for each unit posted in Blackboard.  You are responsible for and will be tested on all material specified by lecture and lab objectives, whether it is covered in class, lab, or assignments. Other course-specific skills and competencies expected of students include:

• Use anatomical terminology correctly to describe body directions, regions, and planes.
• Describe the structure and components of a cell and their functions.
• Identify anatomical features of the body, including cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems on models, preserved tissues, microscope slides, and charts.
• Describe the gross anatomy of the organs composing organ systems.
• Relate gross anatomy with tissue level organization and develop histological relationships.
• Identify, label, and draw important anatomical structures.
• Relate biological structure and function of organ systems of the human body.
• Handle standard equipment, including microscopes, and perform techniques (including dissection) in lab while adhering strictly to lab safety protocols.
• Work effectively and safely in a group, both in lecture and in lab.
• Follow verbal and written instructions.

ACC Biology Department Animal Use Policy:

Labs in this class contain dissection components.  Please see the biology department policy below.  You can also find it at: Biology Department.  Click on “Labs,” then “Lab Animal Policy.”

 “Most ACC biology classes, particularly those with laboratory components, use actual organisms during instruction in addition to images and models. ACC students generally are preparing for real-world careers requiring workers with hands-on experience. These careers include health care, veterinary work, horticultural and agricultural work. Other students plan to transfer to four-year colleges and will be participating in biological research where hands-on experience is equally important.

Organisms used at ACC are fundamental in biology instruction and they are utilized to teach specific skills and knowledge. Their condition and usage varies from course to course. Students will be expected to actively participate in these activities. Students with particular concerns in this matter should consult with their instructor and/or departmental officials before enrolling in a laboratory course so that they can know what will be required of them.

Some organisms are observed alive while others are dead and preserved in various ways. These organisms are dead and incapable of feeling pain although some tissues remain viable for a short period of time. Student manipulation of organisms ranges from culturing living organisms to dissecting preserved ones. Some examples include but are not limited to: bacterial culturing for microbiology courses; cat, rabbit, pig or rat dissection for anatomy courses; skeleton and pelt examination for field biology; and use of frogs in physiology experiments.”

Required Course Materials:

(1)        Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology, 8th edition, by Martini and Bartholomew. Bring it to

                        every class. If you signed up for First Day Access, your e-book will be available through                           Blackboard. If you opted out, they can be purchased from the bookstore.

(2)        Safety eyewear (safety glasses or safety goggles) that meets Z87 standards. You must

                        provide your own appropriate safety eyewear for any lab that involves chemicals,

                        dissections, or biohazards. See the course schedule on page 12 for specific dates.

(3)        Closed shoes (no open back, fully covers foot) must be worn in every lab, including days                        we have practical exams scheduled. If you do not have closed shoes, you will not be                                            allowed to attend the lab.

Recommended Materials:

Some students have found The Anatomy Coloring Book (Kapit and Elson) to be a useful study tool while other students have told me they prefer A Visual Analogy Guide to Anatomy and Physiology (Paul Krieger).  Coloring books can be useful study tools, especially for bones, muscles, blood vessels and organs.

Instructional Methodology:  This course is taught as a lecture and lab combination. The lab emphasizes detailed dissections of preserved materials, studies of human models, and examination of tissues. Most labs are self-directed, and they provide a hands-on learning environment. You must be registered for the linked lecture and lab in the same semester. Active learning is an important component of this class. Students are expected to participate in classroom activities. There is a homework assignment every day. Most assignments will be due the next class day, at the beginning of lecture. Extra credit assignments are given in class and will not be available on Blackboard. Homework and other assignments will be available on Blackboard. Students will use Blackboard to access course materials and announcements. Students are expected to independently study lecture and lab materials outside of class time.

Blackboard Site for This Section:

A Blackboard site has been set up for this class. You will be using Blackboard extensively throughout this class to access course materials for lecture and lab.  You will also use Blackboard to submit assignments. Announcements and grades will be posted on Blackboard.  I will also use Blackboard to send e-mails to the class.  

To get started on Blackboard, go to the login site at: Blackboard  and click on the “Student Guide – Getting Started with Blackboard” link. This will help you set up your Blackboard account and get you to the course site. You will need an ACCeID to use the ACC Online Services and Blackboard.  If you don't already have an ACCeID, go to the ACC eID Login.  Click on "First-Time Login" and follow instructions. 

You are expected to check Blackboard regularly.  Announcements clarify course materials, remind about deadlines, correct problems with web sites, and provide other information. You are expected to check Blackboard regularly.  You can use Blackboard to send e-mails to me.  I post lecture and lab materials, homework, and other info on Blackboard. Check the announcements.

You should also use Blackboard to keep track of your grades. Blackboard will calculate your point total and current average. I post results in Blackboard as soon as I have graded them. 

Due to privacy issues, I cannot discuss specific details about your grades on the phone or by e-mail.  We can meet during office hours or set up Collaborate/Zoom meetings at other times to discuss grades and any questions you have.

Student Technology Support

Austin Community College provides free, secure drive-up WiFi to students and employees in the parking lots of all campus locations. WiFi can be accessed seven days a week, 7 am to 11 pm. Additional details are available at Student Technology Access

Students who do not have the necessary technology to complete their ACC courses can request to borrow devices from Student Technology Services. Available devices include iPads, webcams, headsets, calculators, etc. Students must be registered for a credit course, Adult Education, or Continuing Education course to be eligible. For more information, including how to request a device, visit Student Technology Access.

Student Technology Services offers phone, live-chat, and email-based technical support for students and can provide support on topics such as password resets, accessing or using Blackboard, access to technology, etc. To view hours of operation and ways to request support, visit Student Technology Access.

If you have trouble accessing a web page, make sure that pop-ups are not blocked on your computer, or try a different browser or a different computer.  If you still have problems, contact the ACC Help Desk at Student Services Help Desk or call 512-223-4636. 

Tips on How to Succeed in This Class

• Attend every class and be on time.  Don’t leave early.
• Fill out your lab reviews and study them! Study your lab reports and assignments.
• Make and use a study schedule. Short study periods every day are much more effective than one long study session right before the exam.  Practice, practice, practice! 
• Schedule a regular time to study lab materials. This will help you learn lecture materials.
• Use active learning.  Make flash cards or use the Cornell system of note taking. Quiz yourself. Make simple models or play toys or posters to help you with concepts.
• Use animations to help you visualize physiological processes.
• Don’t start over at the beginning of the material every time you study. Start where you left off.  That way, you cover all materials. When you study, flag problem areas with Post-it notes and keep reviewing. Then, go back and study flagged areas intensively.
• Once you have learned a concept and understand it, don’t keep reviewing it again and again.  If you’ve got the concept, use your study time wisely to study something else.
• Learn as you go. By the weekend, you should know the material covered that week.
• Ask for help if you are struggling to learn a concept.

GRADING SYSTEM

Summary of Grading

Your grade is based on both lecture and lab components. Your grade will be based on these assessments. Please note that additional classroom assessments and assignments may be added during the semester*. If this occurs, the number of points will change. Any changes to the grading scheme will be posted on Blackboard and will affect the total points and average**. Grades for each graded component will be posted on our Blackboard site.

            Lecture Exams (5 x 100 pts each)          =     500 points

            Assignments                                            =     210 points*

            Lab reports and dissection activities       =       90 points*

            Lab Practicals (5 x 60 pts each)             =     300 points

                                             Total Points           =     1100 points**

Students can take an optional final to try to bring up their lowest non-zero lecture exam grade. The grade on the optional final will not replace a zero grade from an exam that was not taken.

You must pass the lab portion of the class (lab practicals, lab reports, dissection activities) with a minimum grade of 60% to pass the class with a grade of C or better. There are ample extra credit activities, so I do not round grades and there are no curved scores. Your grade is based solely on the points that you earn in lecture and lab, plus any extra credit. (Please see page 7 for information about extra credit.)  In the case of a borderline grade (such as 89.5%), you will receive the higher grade only if your exam average for all exams is that higher grade.  Example:  Both Susie and Bill have an average of 89.2% for all course work. Susie’s exam average is 87%, so she will get a B in the course. Bill’s exam average is 92%, so he will get a grade of A.

Grading Scale: I use a standard grading scale. A = 90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F=59% or below.

Assessments for Lecture and Lab:

(1) Lecture Exams: There will be five lecture exams, each worth 100 points. The exams will be given in class. See the schedule for specific dates (pages 19-20). The exam format will be a combination of objective questions (such as multiple-choice, true­-false, and matching questions), draw and label questions, and written questions (such as short-answer and essays).  Exams will be based on all material presented in the course: lecture materials (covered in class, assignments, activities) and lab materials.  Exams usually include extra credit questions.

Cell phones and pagers must be turned off during exams. Anyone using a cell phone or texting during the exam will receive a grade of 0 for the exam or practical and will be referred to student services for academic dishonesty. If you have a work phone or pager that you cannot turn off, you can leave it with me during the exam or practical. All watches must be taken off during lecture exams and lab practicals. Once you take an exam, you may not take it again to try for a better grade.  All exams will be given in class on the scheduled days unless the instructor thinks there is a valid reason for changing the date. You may not leave the room during an exam. If you do leave without permission, your exam will be collected. Your grade will be assigned based on what you have completed.

If you are late, you will not be given extra time. If you are late and another student has already turned in the exam, you cannot take the exam. This policy applies to both lecture exams and lab practicals. 20-minute rule: You are not allowed to turn in your exam within the first 20 minutes.

If you have a medical condition that would prevent you from taking the lecture exam without a break, you are responsible for arranging in advance to take the exam at a different time, either with student services or with me. Documentation of your medical condition may be required by student services.  These arrangements must be made in advance. 

(2) Assignments:  Homework assignments and classroom assessments will be given throughout the semester during lecture. These are worth a total of 210 points. (If the instructor gives more assignments, the grading system will be adjusted.)  See the schedule on page 13 for due dates.  If you are not present for the lecture and we did a graded classroom assessment, you cannot earn these points with an alternate activity. Your grade for these activities will be zero. I do not accept late assignments except for documented medical emergencies

(3) Lab Reports. There are five physiology-based labs this semester. See the lab schedule for specific dates. Each physiology-based lab has a lab report that will be given to the instructor at the beginning of the next lab or on a specified date given by the instructor. Each student will turn in their own lab report for credit.  Each lab report is worth 10 points. If there are calculations, you must show the formula and show your work. I do not accept late lab reports.

You must be present in the lab and actively participate to earn any credit for the lab reports. If you are not present or do not actively participate, your grade on the lab report will be zero (0). There are no make-up labs or alternate activities.

Up to 100% of the lab report grade may be deducted for any of these reasons: (1) You are not present for the entire lab, (2) You do not fully participate in the lab activities (based on the instructor’s evaluation), (3) You did not follow instructions, or (4) You do not assist in cleanup.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn in the lab when required by the lab instructions. If you do not have your PPE, you will have to leave the lab and will not earn points for the lab report or dissection activities.

Closed shoes are required for all labs, including lab practicals. Safety eyewear (safety glasses or goggles) is required for labs with dissection or chemicals or biohazards.

(4) Dissection Points:  Three labs involve dissection. (See the lab schedule for specific dates.)  Each dissection is worth 10 points.  You must be present in the lab and actively participate to earn any credit. If you are not in lab, you cannot earn these points and your grade will be zero (0).  Your grade is based on participation and other criteria determined by the instructor.

You must be present in the lab and actively participate to earn any credit for dissection activities. Points will be deducted if you are not present for the entire lab, do not follow instructions, or do not assist in cleanup. If you are not present or do not actively participate, your grade will be zero (0). There are no make-up dissection labs or alternate activities.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn in a dissection lab. If you do not have your safety eyewear, you will have to leave the lab and will not earn points for the dissection. Closed shoes are required for all labs, including dissections.

(5) Lab Practicals: There will be five lab practical exams during the semester, worth 60 points each, for a total of 300 points. See the schedule for specific dates (page 12). Each lab practical will test you on the material covered during the unit labs, including anatomical structures, slides, and physiology labs. Lab practical exams over anatomical structures and slides focus on your ability to recognize and identify things (such as structures, slides, equipment) by sight.  There are no word banks for practicals and these questions will not be multiple choice. You will be expected to spell all terms correctly to receive full credit. 

Lab practicals also include questions that test you over the physiology labs covered in that unit. These questions will test you over the material from the lab and lab report. You may be tested over formulas and calculations, interpretation of graphs, or answer critical-thinking questions based on the information covered in the physiology-based labs and lecture.

The exam policies described above also apply to lab practicals.  If you are late and another student has already completed and turned in the lab practical, you cannot take the lab practical.  If you are late but the practical is still in progress, you will not receive any additional time to complete the lab practical (or at an alternate time depending on instructor availability.). If you are not wearing closed shoes, you will not be allowed to take the practical. If you miss a lab practical, a makeup lab practical will be given to you on the last Thursday or Friday of the semester. This must be scheduled in advance. If you miss more than one lab practical, the makeup practical will substitute for one grade only. See more information below.

Optional Final Exam:  There will be an optional final exam worth 100 points given in lecture on the last class day of the semester. The exam format will be all objective questions covering both lecture and lab materials. Use the assignments and your lab reports as a review. If the grade on the optional final is higher than a student’s lowest non-zero exam grade, the final grade will substitute for the lowest exam grade. The optional final grade cannot replace a zero grade for an exam that was not taken by the student.

Taking Exams and Lab Practicals for SAS Accommodations

Students with disabilities must contact an SAS office if special accommodations are needed.   Before making accommodations, I must first receive your letter of accommodation. To make accommodations for the first exam, I will need to receive your accommodation letter no later than 5:00 pm on Tuesday, February 3. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Extra Credit:  Exams and lab practicals have extra credit questions. You can also earn extra credit points for completing practice study activities for lab and lecture. These extra credit activities will be given by the instructor during class or by email. Each extra credit activity is worth 2-3 points of extra credit. Each will have a specific due date set by the instructor. There are no extensions for the deadlines for extra credit activities.

Timely return of papers:  I will return graded papers within one week of submission. It usually takes me at least one week to grade lecture exams and lab practicals.

Missed Exams and Late Work Policy

Makeup Lecture Exams:  If you have a documented reason that is accepted by the instructor, you can miss one lecture exam and make it up. Makeup exams will be given in the RRC Testing Center only. Due to Testing Center policies, there are no makeup exams for lecture exam 5 or the optional final exam.  Makeup exams should be taken within one week of the original test deadline (except for medical reasons). Makeup exams are mainly written exams (fill-in-the-blank, draw and label, short answer, essay). If you miss an exam, you must contact the instructor, provide documentation, and schedule a makeup exam.

Makeup Lab Practicals: You can miss one lab practical and make it up.  All makeup practicals are given on the last Thursday or Friday of the semester. Please schedule a makeup practical with the instructor before the last week. The format may be different on a makeup lab practical.

Late Work Policy:  I do not accept late work except for documented medical illnesses.

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance/Class Participation Policy:

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.  It is important for you to attend class if you wish to succeed.  You are expected to be on time and to stay in class until it is dismissed. You are responsible for all materials and announcements covered in class and on Blackboard.  Course materials are posted in Blackboard. If the event where classes are cancelled due to weather, pandemic, or other emergency, the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor.

Please review the course materials before class. It is important for each student to participate actively in class activities to gain the most from them. So, jump in and get your hands on the stuff, engage your mind, and discuss. Passive behavior ¹ learning!

To pass the course (with a grade of 70% C), you should expect to spend at least 2-3 hours outside of class for every hour spent in class.  For this class, that means a minimum of 12-15 hours of quality study time outside of class per week to prepare for class, read the textbook, study lab materials, study lecture materials, and prepare for exams and lab practicals.  

Withdrawal Policy: 

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that their name is removed from the roll should they decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should she feel it is necessary.  If a student decides to withdraw, he/she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date (see below).  The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises. Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veteran’s benefit, or international student status. Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a “W”) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count towards this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals. You can find more information about the “Rule of Three or Third Course Attempt” at Third Attempt.  Information about the “Texas Six Drop Rule” can be found at Six Course Limit

The last day to drop the class without a W on your transcript is February 4, 2026.  If you withdraw by this date, you do not have to worry about the six-course withdrawal rule.

The last day to withdraw for the semester (the Final Withdrawal Date) is Monday, April 27, 2026.  If you withdraw between February 5 and April 27, you will get a W on your transcript, and it will count toward the six-course withdrawal limit.

Student-Initiated Withdrawal:

You are responsible for monitoring your progress in the course and determining if you need to withdraw.  You are responsible for completing the paperwork. If you stop attending class and do not withdraw yourself from the course, you may end up with a course grade of F. Please make sure you withdraw from the course if you decide to drop.

Instructor-Initiated Withdrawal:

You will be withdrawn from the course if:

(1) I do not receive your signed student information sheets by the end of the third-class period.

(2) You do not complete all mandatory safety training by the end of the first week. (Safety training must be done in the lab room for F2F classes. If F2F classes are moved online, the instructor will notify you of the revised deadline after we return to campus.)

(3) Safety policies are not followed in lab or in lecture,

(4) A student is disruptive in class, creating an environment that is not conducive for learning, or

I reserve the right to drop students who: (1) stop attending class or (2) miss exams and/or lab practical exams without scheduling and completing makeups or (3) misses five labs.

Retroactive withdrawals will not be given in this class.  

Reinstatement Policy: 

If you are dropped from the class for these reasons, you will not be reinstated.

Incomplete Grade Policy: 

An incomplete (grade of I) will only be given for extenuating circumstances. What constitutes “extenuating circumstances” is left to the instructor’s discretion. If a grade of I is given, the remaining course work must be completed by a date set by the student and professor. The date may not be later than two weeks prior to the end of the following semester. A grade of I also requires completion and submission of the Incomplete Grade Form to be signed by the faculty member (and student if possible) and submitted to the department chair.

Students may request an Incomplete from their faculty member if they believe circumstances warrant. The faculty member will determine whether the Incomplete is appropriate to award or not. The following processes must be followed when awarding a student an I grade.

1.       Prior to the end of the semester in which the “I” is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date. This meeting can occur virtually or in person. (For this class, it will be a virtual meeting.) The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.

2.       The faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name), and then email it to the student. The student will then complete his/her section (by typing in name and any other required information) and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement. A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty member submits by the end of the semester.

3.       The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form above. This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long semester.

4.       Students will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to log on to Blackboard and have access to the course section materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded.

5.       When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F.

If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an “F.” Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session deadline is not frequently granted.

Incomplete grades are rarely given in this class, will be given solely at my discretion, and only if a major emergency comes up towards the end of the semester after the withdrawal deadline.  Please be advised that you must have completed more than 70% of the course work and have a current C average (70%) in both lecture and lab on completed work. The reason for the incomplete grade request must occur after the official drop deadline for the semester. Also, once you receive an incomplete grade, it will not be converted into a withdrawal for any reason.

Lab Safety

Health and safety are of paramount importance in classrooms, laboratories, and field activities. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies.  Emergency Procedures posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom and should be reviewed at the beginning of each semester.  All incidents (injuries/illness/fire/property damage/near miss) should be immediately reported to the course instructor. Additional information about safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency can be found at Emergency

Everyone is expected to conduct themselves professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual may be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action.

Safety training is mandatory for all students. You must complete the safety training by the end of the first week of face-to-face (F2F) labs. If you miss the safety training, you must contact the instructor. Makeup safety training will be held on the first Friday in the lab room. Otherwise, you will be withdrawn. If dropped for safety reasons, you will not be reinstated into the class.

Questions about safety training will be asked on the first lab practical and may be asked on other lab practicals, depending on the lab unit’s activities.

Students must wear closed shoes to all labs, even to lab practicals. You will not be able to attend lab if you do not have the proper footwear approved by the instructor. 

If the lab involves chemicals, dissections, or biohazards, you will wear your safety eyewear (safety glasses or goggles) during the lab. If you do not have your safety eyewear with you when the lab safety guidelines require them, you will have to leave the lab. You will not be able to earn points for dissection activities or physiology-based lab reports if you do not have the required safety eyewear or closed shoes.

Student Injury Insurance:

Students enrolled in lab and field courses are covered by student insurance if they are injured as a result of the face-to-face lab or field activity.  The instructor will provide the student with the necessary forms and complete an injury report for the office of Environment, Health, Safety and Insurance.  There is a small deductible.  You are covered by a student accident insurance policy if you are physically injured by an accident during A&P lab that was caused by the lab activity.  See more information at: Student Insurance

COLLEGE POLICIES

College policies and student support services can be found on Blackboard. Click on the START HERE folder and scroll down to find “College Policies and Student Support Services.”  You are responsible for this information so please read it carefully.

Additional Information about Academic Integrity

ACC values academic integrity in the educational process. Acts of academic dishonesty or misconduct undermine the learning process, present a disadvantage to students who earn credit honestly, and subvert the academic mission of the institution. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include but are not limited to: plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, falsifying documents, or the inappropriate use of the college’s information technology resources. Read more about the Academic Integrity Process.

In this class, I want students to use the course materials to learn the concepts and then apply those concepts to course assignments and activities, including classroom activities, homework, case studies, and lab reports. I expect students to answer all questions in their own words. This allows you to consolidate the information as you work through the questions and scenarios and explain those concepts as best as you can. You can work with other students, but your final answers should be an individual process, not a group effort. Your work should not be copied from another source or generated by a generative AI Chatbot. (See the AI policy below.)

GAI (Generative Artificial Intelligence) Policy for This Course

Generative AI (GAI) is a tool which is increasingly used in many fields of study and everyday life, including all aspects of medicine. However, two of the core values for this course are your ability to (1) evaluate and apply information, and (2) apply logic, knowledge and scientific principles and methods. Critical thinking and reasoning are crucial skills that must be developed and practiced over time and in different situations. This also involves activating brain pathways that allow us to become familiar with processing and evaluating information. Just like developing muscles, brain skills need to be practiced and repeated. An adult brain is powerful and can become adept at critical thinking and finding patterns if the person works at developing these skills. An essential part of the learning process is working with new concepts, information, and problems. Consequently, the use of GAI is prohibited in this course. This means that students should apply their own reasoning, instead of seeking answers using GAI to provide their answers. This means that students should not be using Chat GPT or any type of AI to write their answers to questions that are asked. A student that ignores this policy and uses GAI to write their answers will not receive credit for their work and will not be allowed to redo the assignment for credit. Their grade will be a zero for that assignment.

The use of AI grammar checkers and spelling checkers is permitted.

If you are looking for additional information about a topic that catches your interest, the use of GAI as a research tool is permitted. I use GAI to help me learn more about science topics that catch my attention. For example, GAI has provided me with new terminology or concepts that I then use to track down more information about a specific topic. GAI is a tool and like all research tools, it can be used wisely or improperly. If you have any questions about the use of GAI, please reach out and discuss the issue with me. I do not want or expect my students to ignore research tools (such as GAI) for brainstorming or basic research, but I do expect students to use them appropriately, without plagiarism. And, like all tools, you are ultimately responsible for evaluating whether the material is accurate or biased or flawed. You are responsible for your work.

Additional Information about the Use of ACC email

All ACC instructors can communicate with students only through the official ACC e-mail addresses.  I cannot respond to an e-mail from another address.  It is important that you set up and check your ACCMail account regularly.  By ACC policy, I cannot respond to a student e-mail sent from another e-mail address.  If you send me an e-mail from a non-ACC e-mail account and I respond by mistake, you accept responsibility for any possible breach of student privacy, and you cannot hold the instructor responsible for your actions.

Additional Information about the Use of the Testing Center

This course will use the RRC Testing Center for makeup lecture exams only. To request an exam, you must have an ACC photo student ID or government ID to use the testing center. 

To request an exam, you will need the following:

• ACC Photo ID or Government ID
• Course Abbreviation:                          BIOL
• Course Number:                                             2404
• Course Synonym:                                           15605
• Course Section:                                                          022
• Instructor’s Name:                                          Bernice Speer
• Instructor’s Home Campus:    RRC

DO NOT bring cell phones to the Testing Center. Having your cell phone in the testing room, regardless of whether it is on or off, will result in disciplinary action and your testing privileges will be revoked for the semester. You will receive a zero (0) on the makeup exam.  Guidelines can be found at Testing Center Guidelines, then click on “Campuses”. In this class, you will only use the RRC Testing Center for makeup exams. Please note: The testing center will close promptly at its stated closing time. See Hours and Locations

ACC Policy Concerning Copyrighted Materials

All class materials provided on ACC web pages, electronic reserves, on diskette, and in printed form are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the copyright holder. This may be the instructor, ACC, or a publisher.  Reproduction consists of photocopying, scanning and copying files, or posting on a server or web site.  For more information about ACC’s policy on copyright material, go to Copyright   Students registered for this section have permission to print copies of the course materials for personal use. No permission is given to post any course materials on websites.

Introduction to A&P Lecture and Lab Schedule

Spring 2026

* Indicates either a physiology lab (with lab report) or a dissection lab. You must be present and actively participate to earn points for the lab report or dissection activity. Safety eyewear is required for these labs and dissection activities. If you do not have safety eyewear, you cannot attend the lab. Lab reports are due at the beginning of the next lab.

Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class, posted as a Blackboard Announcement, or sent out by email.

ACC is closed for Spring Break, from Monday, March 16 through Sunday, March 22.

Schedule for Homework Assignments

Spring 2026

All homework assignments will be completed on Blackboard. Start with the paper-based assignment. Then, use your answers on the paper-based assignment to complete the Blackboard-graded quiz. After the quiz is submitted, students will receive feedback on their answers. Afterwards, you can review the assignment quiz by going to “My Grades” and clicking on the name of the homework assignment. Then click on the blue-highlighted grade. This will take you back to the quiz so you can see your answers, correct answers, and any feedback that I have left.