Coordinator: Dr. Seung M. Hong

Office: 028 McKinly Lab (phone, 831-2898)

E-mail Address: smhong@udel.edu

Office Hour: any time with appointment

Lab Room: 027 MKL

Lab Meeting Time

"Elementary Human Physiology Lab Manual" at the Copy Maven on the Main street

Safety glasses for dissection, available at the University Book Store

The Elementary Human Physiology Lab is designed for non-science majors who mostly have a minimum science background and interest. In most cases, the professional goals do not require obtaining thorough knowledge on human physiology. Instead, owning a greater sense of science literacy and attitude through a window of human body better equips them to function as leaders in future career; they begin to understand how scientific facts are being discovered, and get to recognize the place of science in our society. Thus the major course objectives are 1) to provide a minimum vocabulary kit in human body which will lay a foundation for understanding relevant terms on human body, and 2) to create an optimal environment where students experience science first-hand as they perform a self-designed experiment on physiological processes.

At the end of this course, a student will be able to:

1. Identify major structures in the skeletal system.

2. Identify major structures in the muscular system.

3. Identify major structures in the nervous system.

4. Identify major structures in the cardiovascular system.

5. Explain how the cardiovascular function is regulated.

6. Explain how the pulmonary function is regulated.

7. Form a hypothesis for experimental investigation on a body function.

8. Design an experiment to test the hypothesis.

9. Construct a poster/web page as a means of communication on the discovery.

10. Critique on investigations from other groups.

During the first half of the semester, we will spend much time on learning key terms on body structure with various means; examining models and specimens, working with interactive CD-ROM, and group discussions. Then we will move on to focus more on body functions. Two major physiological processes, cardiovascular and respiratory functions, will be quantitatively assessed by using simple recording instruments. The highlight of this lab course will be the "investigation lab" which is held over three lab meetings toward the end of the semester. In this lab exercise, students will choose what they wish to study, design an experiment, test the hypothesis, and communicate the findings. This science experience will be evaluated, by group, through poster/oral/web presentation and, by individual, at the final exam. This investigative type of lab not only allows students to experience wet-bench life as a scientist, but also helps them see the integration and dependency among organ systems in a human body.

Quiz 40 %

Investigation 30 %

Final Exam 20 %

Participation 10 %

A quiz will be given every week at lab meetings.

Each investigation will be evaluated on four aspects:

1) Construction of question (the question is logical and the result is predictable?)

2) Background research (background informations are relevant and thorough?)

3) Design of experiment (independent variables are well controlled and dependent variables are accurately measurable?)

4) Communication skill (posters are put together in organized fashion including all sections, and appear attractive?)

The final exam will cover the following areas;

- Critique on winning posters

- Integrated knowledge of lab contents

Any type of plagiarism will not be tolerated, and it will result in official report to the Office of Students’ Dean according to University Policies. Please refer to "Student Hand Book" in University home page for details.