Course Description

Students will explore the fascinating aspects of how the human body performs its vital functions. Students learn about ten body systems, the structures that make it up, and how these structures work together to carry out their functions. Students will learn about the interdependence among the systems, and how these systems interact with the environment. The course includes studying the major bones, muscles, and organs of the body, the learning of physiological concepts, the application of these concepts to practical situations and the performance of physiological assessment skills. Students also study each of the organ systems under the framework of health and disease, with a focus on how specific diseases affect homeostatic balance in the human body. Students perform dissections of the brain, heart, kidney, eye, and fetal pig to closer examine the interrelationships between structure and function. In addition, students learn practical skills such as perform urinalyses, measure blood pressure, type blood and examine histologic slides under the microscope.

Topics:

First Semester

Anatomical Terms (Planes and Directions)
Biological Concepts Review
Integumentary System
Skeletal System
Muscular System
Nervous System Part I

Second Semester

Nervous System Part I
Endocrine System
Circulatory System
Digestive System
Excretory System
Immune System

Prerequisite: Completion of two years of science: 1 year of life science and 1 year of physical science recommended.