Faculty

of Science; Department of Chemistry and Biology

BLG 600: Human Physiology

Instructor’s Name: Dr. Laura Graham
Email: laura.graham@ryerson.ca; NOTE: subject line on e-mail MUST include blg600_w21_01:
in order for the e-mail to be answered in a timely manner. If the e-mail is sent from within
D2L/Brightspace this is done automatically.

Winter Office Hours and Instructor Access: in ‘ask the instructor’ discussion boards on D2L
for inquiries pertaining to course material; e-mail request for personal and administrative
inquiries

Pre-requisites: as outline in the undergraduate calendar

Course Website: There is a BLG600 D2L Brightspace site located at https://my.ryerson.ca
where materials pertaining to this course such as course outline, access to synchronous zoom
lectures, lecture pdfs, assignment descriptions, announcements etc can be found. YOU MUST
COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT ‘ACADEMIC INTEGRITY IN SPACE’ TO ACCESS THE COURSE
MATERIAL ON D2L. Students are responsible for information posted on this site.

Course Description
A systematic approach to the function of the main physiological systems and their integration
and interaction in the human body. Functions of the integumentary, circulatory, skeletal,
muscular, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary and reproductive systems.
The physiological consequences of disease, aging, exercise, and pregnancy are also considered.

Required Text: Human Anatomy and Physiology, 11th ed by Elaine N. Marieb and Katja
Hoehn, Published by Pearson 2019 with Mastering A&P Access
Here are the various options:
In stock or available to order at Ryerson Bookstore:
Mastering A&P and e-text access -- 9780134763415
Loose leaf unbound textbook including Mastering A&P and e-text access -- 9780134763293
(this is the best value option)
Hardcover textbook including Mastering A&P and e-text access -- 9780134756363


Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course the student will have demonstrated:
• knowledge and critical understanding of the integumentary, skeletal, nervous,
endocrine, reproductive, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and urinary
systems.
• recognition of the modification of physiological systems by evolutionary pressures
• accurate and reliable scientific written communication

Teaching/Learning Mode:
The course consists of approximately 3 hours of lecture material per week in addition to
readings, assignments and assessments. A weekly synchronous zoom lecture will be on
Tuesdays at 12:10 – 1:00 pm. The rest of the lecture material will be provided as narrated
slide decks available via links on D2L. A tentative schedule is below but the pacing varies from
time to time.

The University has issued a minimum technology requirement for remote
learning. In addition, students enrolled in BLG600 are required to have a
web camera and to download invigilation software Respondus
(https://www.ryerson.ca/courses/students/tutorials/quizzes-respondus/)
and do the sample quiz in the Brightspace sample shell for students PRIOR
to the practice quiz in BLG600 D2L space.

Evaluation
The grades for the course components are weighted as follows:
Quiz (4 * 5%) 20%
Midterm 1 20%
Midterm 2 20%
Final Exam 30%
Written Assignment 10%
Total: 100%

Quiz/Exam Feedback: Individual feedback on a quiz/exam must be requested via e-mail by
the Friday following the quiz/exam.

Written Assignment: The complete directions and grading rubric will be available on D2L. In
brief it is a paper of between 700 and 900 words comparing and contrasting an aspect of
human physiology with the corresponding physiology in another mammalian species. Specific
allowable topics will be provided in the directions on D2L. The assignment should not take
more than 4 weeks and you will be given at least 7 seeks in total to finish it therefore NO
EXTENSIONS WILL BE GIVEN, even to students with accommodations.

Policy Concerning Missed Midterms/assignments: Students are responsible for writing
tests/exams and submitting assignments on the dates specified by the instructor. If a student
misses a scheduled quiz, midterm or final exam due to unforeseen circumstances, academic
consideration MAY (not must) be granted by the instructor provided BOTH of the following
are done (as per Senate Policy 134):
a) The student must inform his/her instructor by e-mail, in advance of the test. The student
should request academic consideration pending the submission of supporting documentation.
B) The student must present valid, verifiable supporting documentation including a health
certificate AND an academic consideration form to the home department within three
business days of the missed evaluation. These forms can be downloaded from the Dept
Chemistry and Biology website (www.ryerson.ca/cab): Undergraduate tab and then Forms and
FAQ links tab.

Late Penalties: Penalties for late assignments are assessed at 10%/day.

University Policies
Students are reminded that they are required to adhere to all relevant university policies found
in their online course shell in D2L and/or on the following URL:
http://ryerson.ca/senate/course-outline-policies

Important Resources Available at Ryerson
o Student Learning Support offers group-based and individual help with writing,
math, study skills and transition support.

Tentative Lecture/Assessment Schedule for BLG 600 (Winter 2021)

Week Date Topic (lecture and Chapters
narrated slides)
1 Jan 19 – zoom lecture Introduction, 1, 4, 5, 6
Homeostasis,
Tissues, Integument,
Skeletal tissue
2 Jan 26 – zoom lecture Nervous System 11-14
3 Feb 2 – zoom lecture Special Senses 15
Feb 5 - Quiz 1
(weeks 1+2)
4 Feb 9 - zoom lecture Endocrine System 16
Feb 15 - 19 Study Break - no
classes
5 Feb 23 – zoom Blood and 17, 22
lecture Respiratory System
Feb 26 - Quiz 2
(weeks 3 + 4)
6 Mar 2 – zoom lecture Reproduction and 27, 28
Mar 5 - Midterm 1 – Pregnancy
weeks 1 – 5)
7 Mar 9 – zoom lecture Muscle Tissue 9
8 Mar 16 – zoom Cardiovascular 18, 19
lecture system
Mar 19 - Quiz 3
(weeks 6+7)
9 Mar 23 – zoom Digestive system 23
lecture
Mar 26 – Written
assignment due by
5pm
10 Mar 30 – zoom Nutrition, 24
lecture Metabolism and
April 2 - Quiz 4 Energy Balance
(weeks 8+9)
11 April 6 – zoom Urinary System 25
lecture
April 9 - (Midterm 2
– weeks 6 – 10)
12 April 12 Fluid, electrolyte, 26
April 13 – zoom and Acid-base
lecture balance
Final TBA cumulative
Exam