A&P FAQs

HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

􀂾 PREREQUISITES

Q: What are the Bio23 prerequisites?

A: ENG02, RDL02 and MTH 05. We also highly recommend that you take BIO21; BIO22, and/or CHM02 before taking Bio23 if you haven’t taken any Biology course before. Double check you financial aid situation first.

Q: What are the Bio24 prerequisites?

A: Bio23. We also highly recommend taking Bio24 only if you have C+ or higher grade in Bio23.

Q: Can I take both Bio23 and Bio24 together?

A: No.

􀂾 COURSE MATERIAL AND LAB MANUAL

Q: Where can I get the Course Guide and Lab Manual from?

A: (1) Download it from Electronic Reserves at the BCC Library Website http://bcclibweb.

bcc.cuny.edu/eres/bio23.htm; http://bcc-libweb.bcc.cuny.edu/eres/bio24.htm, (2) Download it from Blackboard if your instructor uses Bb.

􀂾 TEXTBOOK

Q: Can I use an older version of Saladin 5th Edition?

A: Yes. Just be aware that when your instructor refers to pages or figures in the 5th edition, they might differ from yours.

Q: Can I use a different textbook (other author’s)?

A: Yes, but is not recommended. Consult with your instructor.

Q: Where can I purchase the textbook?

A: The hardcopy of the textbook is available at the BCC bookstore, and at many online stores. The BCC bookstore also has a three-hole punch version, which is less expensive and easier to handle than the hard copy.

Q: Is there an online version of the textbook?

A: Yes. Go to http://www.coursesmart.com/0077281667. It costs $76.12 (as on July 2010). The eTextbook allows you to search, highlight, copy/paste, print, etc. The subscription lasts one year. See the website above for more info.

Q: Is the textbook available at the library?

A: Yes. There are a few textbooks available at the library on reserve. Also, you can obtain the first three chapters and the atlas through electronic reserves at http://bcc-libweb.bcc.cuny.edu/eres/bio23.htm; and http://bcclibweb.bcc.cuny.edu/eres/bio24.htm

􀂾 GRADES

Q: How do I calculate my overall grade?

A: You can calculate your grade using the formula below. The formula uses a 0-100 grade scale. Double check with your instructor about minor changes in his/her lab grade breakdown. Adjust the formula to your instructor grading breakdown.

Overall Grade = Lab Grade x 0.4 + Lecture Grade x 0.6

Lecture Grade = (E1 + E2 + E3 + E4 + Final) / 5

Note that final exam will count twice by replacing the lowest/absent lecture exam grade.

Lab Grade = Midterm x 0.30 + Final x 0.30 + Quizzes x 0.40

Q: Why no one told me about my grade until the end of the semester?

A: Because it is your responsibility to keep track of your grades. You should ask your instructor for clarification at the BEGINNING of the semester, not at the end, when it might be too late to plan for changes. See how to calculate your grade above.

Q: What is the passing grade?

A: Like most courses at BCC, the passing grade is 60 (D-). HOWEVER, many programs at BCC (e.g. Nursing, Radiology, and Nuclear Medicine) require a C+ or higher to be accepted into the program.

Q: I don't want a C grade or lower, can the professor give me an F?

A: No. The professor cannot manipulate your grade. You will only get an F in the course if your grades average below 60. A very low grade in the lecture final exam will very likely bring your grade average to an F.

Q: I got my Midterm Grade…can I still get a C+?!

A: Here is a rule of thumb:

If your Midterm Grade is 70, then you need to get AT LEAST 84 in ALL the remaining assignments (Lecture Exam 3, Lecture Exam 4, Lecture Final, Lab Quizzes, Lab Final and any other assignment your instructor gives you). Doable, but you need to significantly increase the amount of time you spend studying and reviewing in an effective way.

If your Midterm Grade is 65, then you need to get AT LEAST 89 in ALL the remaining assignments (Lecture Exam 3, Lecture Exam 4, Lecture Final, Lab Quizzes, Lab Final and any other assignment). Highly unlikely to happen. Almost no one makes it.

If your Midterm Grade is 60, then you need to get AT LEAST 94 in ALL the remaining assignments (Lecture Exam 3, Lecture Exam 4, Lecture Final, Lab Quizzes, Lab Final and any other assignment). Almost impossible.

Q: Can I get an incomplete (INC) in the course?

A: An INC grade is only assigned to students who miss the course final exam AND are otherwise passing the course AND have an excused absence approved by the instructor from the course final exam. Students have until the 11th week of the following semester to resolve the INC grade.

Q: How did I end up with an F in the course?!!!

A: You fail the course if you have an average below 60. In addition to students who academically fail the course (1) Students who attend at least two class periods but unofficially stop attending will receive an automatic grade of F in the course, or (2) Students who are absent from any course final exam and failing the course will receive

an automatic grade of F in the course.

Q: How do I get a W in the course?

A: To receive a grade of W students must officially withdraw from class between the 3rd and 10th week, by filing an online withdrawal form (via OSSES). Neither the Department nor your instructor can assign or change your grade to a W.

􀂾 ATTENDANCE/LATENESS

Q: Is attendance mandatory?

A: Yes. Students with an excessive absence record will receive an automatic F in the course. The Department defines excessive absence as having missed more than three scheduled classes.

Q: What about lateness?

A: Instructors have the right to mark students absent if (1) students arrive 15 or more minutes late on three occasions, and/or (2) students leave 15 or more minutes early before the class ends.

􀂾 LAB MIDTERM and LAB FINAL

Q: When is the lab midterm/lab final?

A: You can find the dates on the calendar in the handout given to you the first week of classes, in the A&P Bulletin Board on the 4th floor of Meister Hall, and in the A&P website. Lab Midterm is the 7th week of classes, and lab final the 14th.

Q: If I missed a lab, can I go to another section taught by another professor to make it up?

A: This is up to your instructor. It also depends on availability of space on other lab section, and the willingness of other instructor to let you sit in her/his lab. Consult with you instructor.

Q: Can I drop the lab midterm or the lab final?

A: No

Q: Can I make up the lab midterm or the lab final?

A: No. Consult your professor in case of an emergency. You’ll need to document the reason of your absence.

􀂾 LECTURE FINAL EXAM

Q: Is the lecture final exam cumulative?

A: Yes. This means that the final covers ALL the topics seen during the entire semester (i.e. first class to last class).

Q: I have to travel during finals, can I make up the final?

A: No. The week of finals is posted in the CUNY academic calendar website

(http://www.cuny.edu/academics/calendars.html) more than one year in advance. You should be able to plan well in advance. Consult your professor in case of an emergency. You’ll need to document the reason of your absence.

Q: Can I make up the lecture final exam?

A: No. Only in the case of a well documented emergency you might qualify for an incomplete grade (INC). An INC grade is only assigned to students who miss the course final exam AND are otherwise passing the course AND have an instructor approved excused absence from the course final exam. Students have until the 11th week

of the following semester to resolve and INC grade. Consult with you instructor.

Q: Can I drop the lecture final exam?

A: No

􀂾 LECTURE EXAM MAKEUPS

Q: Can I make up the lecture exam?

A: No. If you know in advance you will be missing an exam, tell your professor. (S)he might allow you to take it in advance. Consult with you instructor.

􀂾 EXTRA CREDIT

Q: Can I do an extra credit assignment to raise my grade?

A: No. There are no extra credit assignments in Bio23/Bio24.

Q: My other professor in the other department let us do extra credit assignments, why can’t I do it in Bio23/24?

A: Because this is the Bio23/24 policy, which might or might not coincide with other courses/departments policies.

􀂾 SWITCHING SECTIONS

Q: Can I switch sections?

A: No

Q: Why not?

A: Because this is a Biology Department & MLT policy.

􀂾 HANDOUTS AND RETURNED EXAMS AND QUIZZES

Q: Are instructors required to provide handouts?

A: No. It is up to each instructor’s criterion, style, and pedagogic philosophy.

Q: Are instructors required to give exams back?

A: No. It is up to each instructor’s criterion, style, and pedagogic philosophy.

􀂾 SUMMER SESSION vs. FALL/SPRING SESSIONS

Q: Is it better to take Anatomy and Physiology during the summer or during the regular academic semester?

A: This depends on your schedule and the amount of time you have to designate for study and review. You should be aware that the summer course moves at a faster pace as opposed to the fall/spring course, so you must be certain that your schedule will allow you adequate time to prepare. Additionally, you should speak with a Biology professor to determine which will work best for you.

You can think it this way: Fall/Spring sessions are like a full time job. Summer sessions are like a full time job with plenty of overtime, think summer equals two full time jobs.

􀂾 STUDYING FOR A&P

Q: How much should I study to get a C+ in the course?

A: This is a hard one to answer. There is no on-size-fits-all rule. However, just as a guideline you can use this rule of thumb: You need to study at least 18 hours a week. More if you have no science background and don’t feel comfortable with A&P, less if you really like A&P and have some background in the sciences. See under “Student Responsibilities” in the Study Guide and Lab Manual for a more comprehensive advice.

Q: Is understanding the scientific/medical terminology necessary to do well in the course?

A: Absolutely! Mastery of vocabulary and terminology will provide you with greater understanding of the material you read and are exposed to in class lectures. You can reference the glossary and the lexicon in the back of the textbook or utilize additional resources, such as a medical dictionary or an online encyclopedia, to learn

the terminology.

Q: Can I use outside sources to supplement the A&P required textbook?

A: Yes. Just be sure that the outside resources, including websites, are credible and have correct information (e.g. usually dot edu sites). If you are not certain, just ask your instructor. Also, focus on just a couple of resources (e.g. a textbook, a website you find helpful, and your notes). If you diversify a lot you will lose focus and get easily overwhelmed.

􀂾 HELP!

Q: What should I do if I feel overwhelmed by the workload of A&P?

A: Speak to your professor immediately if you begin to feel that the workload is overwhelming. In some cases, time management and alterations to your schedule may be necessary to free up enough time for the course work.

Q: Where can I get help?

A: Talk to your professor and go to your professor’s office hours. You can also go to see the tutors at the Biology Study Lab (ME418). The Study Lab counts with tutors that can help you. The Study Lab has CD-Roms with tutorials, computers with internet access, and many of the models and slides you use in the lab component of the courses. Study Lab hours are posted on the doors of the 4th floor rooms. The study lab opens after the second week of classes.

Q: I have a question not answered above, where do I go for help?

A: Ask you professor. If (s)he doesn’t know, (s)he can find out for you, or direct you to where to look for the answer.