Course Description
Of all the subjects you learn in school, there is one that you carry around with you every day. You use this subject every minute of your life, even when you are sleeping. Without this subject, you could not learn any of the other subjects. Of course, we are referring to human anatomy and physiology.
In this course, you become the subject of your own study. You will learn about the shape, structure, and complex and interrelated systems that keep you moving, breathing, and thinking. We’ll do lab experiences that will enhance your understanding of the design and function of your body. In addition, we’ll participate in virtual dissections (and a few optional real dissections for students who so choose) that will allow you to observe structures closely analogous to the human body in other organisms.
This course is designed so that you come away with a much better understanding of how your body works, which will be beneficial no matter what career field you choose. It will be especially useful for those wishing to pursue a career in healthcare or the life sciences. This course will use a combination of teacher-created lessons and readings from OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax is a free online textbook.
Course Structure
A typical week in Anatomy and Physiology will consist of online lessons on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Lessons will include a combination of online instruction, audio and video sections, and hands-on activities as well as daily short quizzes and periodic longer examinations to support and assess understanding. I use numerous audio recordings and videos to help students learn the correct pronunciation of new terms as well as to deepen their understanding of the content. Since this course provides a high school credit, there will be some lab activities, one or two lab reports, and a few additional short writing assignments. Students generally spend about 30 minutes per day doing course work.
On Wednesdays at 1 pm Eastern time, we will have a live class. The live classes may include reviews of topics from the previous week, an introduction to the coming week, topics to provide extension of the content and/or a case study that brings the current topic to life. Although it is always best if students attend the live classes, I will post the recording of the class so that students who can’t attend can watch later.
Honors Level
Honors Anatomy and Physiology is designed for students with exceptional abilities and high achievement levels. We will cover the same subject matter as the Aim Academy Human Anatomy and Physiology course, but in more detail. Honors level students will do additional reading, writing and research activities. The live classes will include both levels.
Recommended Prerequisites: high school biology and chemistry
Who should enroll?
This course is for students in grades 10-12 who have already taken biology and chemistry (strongly recommended). Anatomy and Physiology builds on concepts learned in biology and chemistry, so it is in the student’s best interest to have completed these courses first or concurrently.
Technology Requirements
- High speed, broadband Internet
- Web cam, sound card, and microphone (for live sessions)
- Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures
Evaluation and Feedback
Students will complete daily computer graded quizzes, periodic teacher graded quizzes and short essays, numerous lab experiments and projects, virtual and/or real dissections, three to four lab reports, etc.
Communication
I respond to emails containing questions from students within 24 hours. I make every attempt to grade assignments within 48 hours. Lab reports and longer essays are graded within one week.
Lisa Coyle –
This is the third year my daughter has had the opportunity to take a science class with Dr Jospeh. The Anatomy & Physiology class she is taking this year has been exceptional. Dr Joseph is extremely knowledgeable and great at explaining difficult concepts. Class time and daily assignments are varied with short videos, case studies, quizzes, games, projects, and an exam after each unit of study. Exam questions are well-written and require students to think critically.
Dr Joseph is always pleasant, upbeat, and has a wonderful rapport with her students. Students will be well-prepared for any future/college health science classes after completing Anatomy & Physiology with Dr Joseph.
Leon R. –
I highly recommend Dr. Karen Joseph’s course “Human Anatomy and Physiology!” The class contains a LOT of information, and Dr. Joseph presents it in a very fun and interactive way. You spend practically no time on “boring homework,” but instead learn the material and apply it in many projects and case studies. Dr. Joseph is a very nice teacher and a fair grader too, so you can rest assured that you can learn all the required material and complete all of the activities without risking damaging your grade.
The class really does give a super comprehensive overview of everything about the human body in an interesting and challenging way for everyone. I really recommend this excellent class!