What Syllabus for Anatomy and Physiology?
Skim reading your A&P syllabus is a big mistake!
Have you asked: ‘What syllabus for anatomy and physiology?’ Did you skim read your syllabus for A&P and put it at the bottom of that pile of papers your received on the first day of class?
Check everything written in your syllabus carefully, Image: valiantsin suprunovich, Shutterstock
You know…that 10 or more pages of typewritten information with instructions, test dates, list of reading material, and rules and regulations of the Biology Department. It is so easy to skim read it for exam dates and decide that the rest of it will become clear in class. It is a very long and boring document, but you really need to read it in detail anyway.
What is an A&P syllabus?
Ask for an explanation when the item is unclear, Monkey Business Images, Shutterstock
What does an A&P syllabus do? Listen carefully to the words your instructor uses to explain what is in the anatomy and physiology syllabus. This a very important document to you. You need this information.
Write your instructor’s exact words down as soon as you can. Verbal mistaken communication is much more common than precise communication. And, because your syllabus often reads like a legal document, it is easy to miss important items.
The next day read what you wrote. Does it make sense? If not, go to your instructor’s office hours and get clarification. This document is like a contract between you, your instructor, and your educational institution.
Do not take your class syllabus lightly. Your instructor probably had some input about the wording, but this is a document dictated by your academic department.
Academic department administrators love the syllabus because, for them, it is a contract that helps them sort out complaints as they arise.
The syllabus/contract sets expectations for both the students and the faculty. Your instructor may or may not have had input to how your syllabus is written. But your instructor will know the document in great detail.
Reasons why A&P begins with a syllabus
Exam dates
There are many reasons why A&P courses begin with a syllabus on the first day of class. First, your anatomy and physiology syllabus lists exam dates and required reading assignments.
Most institutions give students a short time to drop a class without a grade. Often this drop date is before the first exam. Study your syllabus as soon as you get it to decide whether to stay in or drop out of the course before you are stuck in a no-win situation.
Your syllabus will have a list of reading assignments and the required study time commitment. If you are taking a heavy load of other classes this semester, it may be best to put off your class in anatomy and physiology until next semester. Calculate your available hours of study for A&P.
Exam formats
Scantron test where an A+ was achieved, Constatine Pankin/Shutterstock.com
Check whether there is anything in your syllabus about the format of quiz and exam questions. Will the questions be multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, matching ideas, short answer sentence, essay, or some predictable combination of all these?
How many types of exams will there be? How is each exam weighted toward your grade? If answers to these questions are not in your syllabus, ask your instructor.
Will you be filling in a Scranton answer sheet? It is very easy to get the right answer into the wrong box on Scantron answer sheets. Be careful at test time.
Instructors are happy to provide this type of information in advance when it is not spelled out clearly on the syllabus. But they become annoyed if you complain about something later that is clearly outlined in the syllabus.
Time conflicts
Make sure you are clear about test dates and required time in class to avoid time conflicts. Get out your calendar. Do you have any conflicts with your other classes on those dates? What happens if you miss a lecture or laboratory session? Does your syllabus address these situations? Is there a protocol described for arranging testing at other than the scheduled time? What happens if you become ill or weather cancels classes?
Search your syllabus for the course rules. Do this during the first week of class. Everything will go smoother if you do this early rather than late in the course.
Atmosphere of the course
The Couse atmosphere may be very serious or very easy going. The tone of the syllabus will tell you which to expect.
Ask your instructor to clarify all items in the syllabus that you find the least bit unclear. Your anatomy and physiology instructor will be pleased to answer all your questions, because it will be proof that you read the syllabus that took so much time to write in the first place.
Do not underestimate the importance of your class syllabus/contract. Read it often! Do not stick it at the bottom of your backpack and forget it.
Further reading
Space Anatomy and Physiology Study
Do you have questions?
Please put your questions in the comment box or send them to me by email at DrReece@MedicalScienceNavigator.com. I read and reply to all comments and email.
If you find this article helpful share it with your fellow students or send it to your favorite social media site by clicking on your favorite social media button.
Margaret Thompson Reece PhD, physiologist, former Senior Scientist and Laboratory Director at academic medical centers in California, New York and Massachusetts is now Manager at Reece Biomedical Consulting LLC.
She taught physiology for over 30 years to undergraduate and graduate students, at two- and four-year colleges, in the classroom and in the research laboratory. Her books “Physiology: Custom-Designed Chemistry”, “Inside the Closed World of the Brain”, and her online course “30-Day Challenge: Craft Your Plan for Learning Physiology”, and “Busy Student’s Anatomy & Physiology Study Journal” are created for those planning a career in healthcare. More about her books is available at https://www.amazon.com/author/margaretreece. You may contact Dr. Reece at DrReece@MedicalScienceNavigator.com, or on LinkedIn.
Dr. Reece offers a free 30 minute “how-to-get-started” phone conference to students struggling with human anatomy and physiology. Schedule an appointment by email at DrReece@MedicalScienceNavigator.com.
I would like to join the mailing list. 🙂
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can join the mailing list
Hi Matt, Yes I will be happy to put you on my mailing list.
I would like to be on your mailing list. Thank you!
I will add you today.
I’d like a copy of your study strategies please
Hello Marcie, I will add you to my email list. Look for an email from me with the study strategies I show on my website. You will also enter a sequence of weekly emails that go on for a couple months with more helpful approaches to this course. Anytime you want to opt out it is easy to do that at the bottom of any of the emails. Thank you for your interest.
I would like a copy of your study strategies and be added to your email list. Thanks!
Kristen you will soon receive an email asking you to confirm this request. Click on the link in that email and you will get the study strategies and be added to my email list. Thank you for your interest
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I want to start studying anatomy and physiology by myself to be more prepared for a massage course. Do you think I will be able to do it alone? If yes, I would like to be added to your mailing list.
Thank you 🙂
Hi Nadine, Anatomy and physiology is a very big field and beginning courses try to give students just enough of it that they can continue to learn it on their own. Many of the posts on this site are directed to helping students enrolled in anatomy and physiology learn their course material. But, there are also many posts written to attract the interest of people like yourself as well. Look for an email from Dr. Reece at DrReece@medicalsciencenavigator.com. In it I will give you links to some of my previous posts that may help you get started on your own. Yes, I will add you to my email list.
Please add me to your email list. Thank you.
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Please add me to your mailing list for tips on mastering Anatomy & Physiology ! Thank you so much !
I will do that today. I am glad to be a help.
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Will do.
I am a student of this course. but I do not know where to start …. I am a nznia also deaf
I am sorry that you are deaf. That will make communication with your instructor more difficult. Most of anatomy and physiology can be learned by reading. I still spend a large part of my time reading what is being published. But to do well in your course you must find out which parts of it your own instructor wants you to focus upon learning. This is a very large subject. No one ever knows all of it. Start with making an appointment with your instructor to work around the fact that you will not be able to hear his instructions. Maybe he or she could help you by writing them.
Could you please add me to your mailing list. I start my class next semester and would love anything that could help. Thank you for the tips!!
bestYes, I will add you to my list. Best of luck with your course.
I’m starting the courses after a month. Hope this will help me. I like to join your mailing.
I will add you to my email list. Best of luck with the course. If you get stuck email me at DrReece@medicalsciencenavigator.com and I will try to help.
I’d like to join the list.
Thanks.
i am about to start anatomy class in the next semester so i hope your tips will help me with the course.I am interested to look for more tips. i also like to have different links which has got important material related to the course. Thanks!
You can get more tips right now if you click on the Free Strategy Blueprint. You will be asked for your email address and first name to get that because it adds you to an email list where you will get weekly emails for about 10 weeks with more tips and links to sites that I think will be helpful for you. Best of luck with your course. If you get stuck just send me an email at DrReece@medicalsciencenavigator.com I will answer specific questions there.
Please add me to your mailing list.
Many thanks!
Will do. Thank you for your interest.
Please add me to your mailing list and send me any free information booklets if there is any. Thank You
Please add me to your mailing list.
Will do. Thank you for your interest.
Can I be added the the mailing list? Please and thank you!
Consider it done.
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Would like to join the mailing list please. Thanks!
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Hello Karan, I will add you to my mailing list. Thank you for your interest.
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i would like to be added in your email list…will you add me?…plz
I will do that. Then you will get an email with a link asking you to confirm that you want to be on my list and receive my Free Strategy Blueprint. Click on the link in the email and you will be all set.
Id like to join the mailing list.
I will add you to my list. You will receive and email requesting you confirm your request. Just click the link in that email and you will be added.
How can i join the mailing list?
Go to any post page and click on “Free Strategy Blueprint” and you will be automatically be added to my list. Thank you for your interest.
hello can I join mailing list?
Click on the picture of the lady with the skeleton. It will take you to the place where you can join my list. Happy to have you.
I would like to receive all correspondence to be successful in A & P. Please add me to the email list.
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Ok Victor I will add you to my email list.
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I will add you to my mailing list. Thank for your interest in my blog.