2024-2025 School Year

Human Anatomy and Physiology w/lab Honors GVL

Course Description

This course is designed for the mature student with a strong interest in science. Students will be expected to read text material before class and attain a basic understanding of the material. In class they will be expected to participate in class discussions, and laboratory exercises. The class time will be spent reinforcing and supplementing material in the text rather than presenting the material to the student for the first time. Students will be required to do additional reading, writing, and case studies..

Topics covered will include: Body organization, cellular structure and function, body tissues, the integumentary and skeletal systems, skeletal histology and movement, muscle histology and physiology, the skeletal muscle system, neurons and neuroglia, the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, the endocrine system, the cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system, the digestive system, the respiratory system, the urinary system, the reproductive system. Dissections of an eye, brain, heart, and fetal pig will be performed. In addition to mastering the information in the text, major objectives are to learn to use observational skills, the scientific method, good lab report writing skills, and proper handling of the microscope. Lab reports will be assigned for the experiments done in class. These will be collected and graded for feedback. Students will complete the material in the textbook in its entirety. The first module of the book will be completed over the summer in preparation for the class.

To be successful in this class:

Students will need to manage three to five hours of reading and study time, including coloring book exercises, be able to learn and communicate their knowledge of material on tests, turn in assignments on time, and follow directions during lab activities.

Parents will be asked to: Monitor their child’s progress. Help them at home if they need help with organization, motivation, studying, and clarification of assignments. Encourage them to interact with other students and teachers respectfully and in a self-advocating way. Check the student’s study guide answers with the answers in the solutions manual and proctor tests to ensure they are taken fairly.

Grades: 11th Grade, 12th Grade

Fees: $465 plus $40 lab fee

Prerequisites:

Completed Biology, Chemistry strongly recommended

Course Credit: 1 lab science (honors)

Required Materials

Textbooks: 

Other Materials:

  • A lab notebook with the pages sewn in.
  • Colored pencils
  • 2 inch, 3-ring binder
  • The Case for a Creator, by Lee Strobel

Honors Addendum Summary

In order to complete this course for HONORS SCIENCE credit, a student must cover more information than is done in the COLLEGE PREP version of the same course. The extra work will include covering supplemental material, being tested on the additional material, and completing additional work from the following five areas.

  • Additional Reading:
    • The instructor will provide links to articles and supplemental information which the students will be required to read and then show their understanding of the information. Additional chapters in Strobel will be completed
  • Additional Writing:
    • Honors students will research a human disease or disorder of their choosing. They will locate, read, and take notes on a minimum of six sources. A summary of their findings will be recorded in a research paper.
  • Additional Projects: 
    • A kidney will be dissected and its physiology discussed. Honors students will complete an additional honors level case study.
  • Oral Presentation:
    • All honors students will give an oral presentation.

Specific assignments and details for honors work will be provided by the teacher.

Meet Marna Costanzo

Education:  PhD in Molecular Biology from Harvard University, MSc in Zoology from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, Bachelor’s in Biology with a minor in German from Harvard University

Experience:  10 years experience teaching college level science courses, Homeschooling since 2013

UHC courses taught:

  • Health and Nutrition

Began teaching at UHC in 2021