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BIOL 230 is a six-credit introductory undergraduate course “that covers all major aspects of the physiology of the human body, including basic anatomy, fundamental organic chemistry, cellular structure and function, and the integration, organization, and control of the organism’s body systems.” This Human Physiology course aims to help students gain understanding of physiology, physiological adaptations to special conditions and the impacts of physiological factors in diseases.
The course has no prerequisites; however, it is recommended for students to have prior knowledge of the human anatomy (for example High School Biology 30 and Chemistry or equivalents would be good background). The course is accepted as a “science lab” course toward a degree at AU as well.
Why You Should Take This Course
If you are a science geek or interested in how the human body work, this is the course for you! This course is a beginner course for human physiology, and provides students the opportunity to learn about physiology, how our cells and metabolism works, how our nervous system functions, responses from our sensory system, what our endocrine system does, how our cardiovascular system functions and our digestive and reproductive system. With the pandemic ongoing, many of us wonder how the coronavirus really spreads, how people get infected and how vaccines work. Although this course may not give you that answer directly, what it will do is help you build an understanding of how your body works. This knowledge will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of the human body, and when you go about researching how viruses affect our body, what our body does to protect us and when it isn’t able to protect us, and why vaccines are important, you will understand much more.
I strongly recommend this course for everyone, regardless if you are a science geek or not! Understanding how your body works benefits you, and it helps you understand how to protect yourself and stay healthy. After you take this course, you may realize you wish to take more biology courses!
Course, Assignment, Midterm and Final Exam Details
BIOL 230 consists of three assignments worth 12% in total. The lab assignment is worth 10%. There are six quizzes in the course worth a total of 24%. There are two online midterm exams each worth 18% and an online final exam worth 18%. Students may hear two midterms and immediately worry, however, as someone who completed a biology degree, I can reassure you having more midterms is absolutely nothing to worry about. Sometimes midterms are used to help spread-out content, as biology courses can contain a lot of information.
How to Be Successful in the Course
Introducing Dr. John Ulici – Course Coordinator
John Ulici, PhD’s teaching philosophy has evolved from a combination of previous teaching experience and a well-formed knowledge base in a relatively large area of biology topics. He is continually involved in initiatives that improve the quality of teaching; he sees himself as a facilitator with the overall goal of developing in students the capacity for independent action, initiative, and responsibility—through this constructivist approach, the students can reinforce the recently learned concepts. Through exercises, practical assignments, and written examinations, Dr. Ulici encourage students to better understand the topics at hand and develop creative and investigative skills.
Dr. Ulici obtained his Ph.D. degree in Veterinary Sciences in 1996, but his academic experience started earlier in 1991 in Europe with post-secondary teaching and supervisory experiences until 2002; later, in Canada after 2004, he continued teaching at the post-secondary level in the fields of animal care, biology, anatomy and physiology, with the most recent appointment as Academic Coordinator at Athabasca University in Jan. 2006.
During the period Dr. Ulici has been with Athabasca University, he has completed major revisions for BIOL 230 and 235 including the addition of lab component for BIOL 230; years later he has developed the new course, BIOL 320 Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrates, which included supervised laboratory activities.
Dr. Ulici’s Course Advice
- Read the assigned portion of the AU customized textbook (PDF files). Important terms are highlighted in green, important concepts and processes are highlighted in yellow or underlined, and information that you do not need to study for this course is stricken through in red.
- It is very important that you practice as much as possible in WileyPLUS – it contains interactive exercises, flashcards, diagrams, self-quizzes, and self-tests.
- Complete the quizzes as if they were exams – do not use the textbook or help from others to complete quizzes and assignments as they set up to prepare you well for the exams.
- Establish the habit of weekly study – we estimate that you will need about 5–8 hours per week to complete this course within the 52-week course contract.
- Find a specific place in which to study, preferably one in which disruptions will be at a minimum during your study periods.
- Maintain regular contact with your course Academic Expert (AE) to discuss issues and ask questions – you will have the best chance of being successful in the studies.
- Read actively, not passively – when your attention lapses, do not continue, as you will be wasting your time; take a break, and then try again. When you have read a portion of a chapter, stop, and try to remember the main points; if you cannot remember, re-read the textbook and your study notes, and then try again.
- Review the upcoming assignment when you finish a chapter and answer any questions that relate to that chapter.
- Use the highlighted key terms and concepts as a guide to the important concepts about which you are required to learn details – write down definitions for all these terms and explanations for all these concepts.
- When you receive the feedback to your assignment from your AE, go over it carefully, and pay particular attention to your AE’s comments.
Questions?
If you have any further questions regarding the course, please do not hesitate to contact the Course Coordinator at fst_success@athabascau.ca. Happy studying!
