You'll now find information about Practicum 1 under Official Information.

I'm glad that some students are already using the Anonymous Comments link. But I've received a couple of submissions that were questions needing answers. Keep in mind that the form is anonymous, meaning that I don't know who is sending it, and I therefore cannot respond. The form is there for you to speak your mind. If you have a question to which you need a reply, you will need to email me. Enjoy the weekend.

You should consider attending an information session that's being held Friday 23 January in DB223. It's about the expectations and rigor of the BIO201/202/205 classes and how to succeed using the various resources available to you, including the Success Center. Even if you can't make it to this 11:00 session, you should be aware of the Success Center.

Under Course Materials, I've added links to skeletal practice practica that you can use at home. Each practicum comes in answered and unanswered versions. DON'T make the mistake of thinking you don't need to practice in the laboratory with real bones!

I've added the official Laboratory Schedule to the website. Also, I've slightly changed the syllabus and the textbooks page:
http://www.pc.maricopa.edu/Biology/thoffman/CommonGlobal/textbooks.html

I've added a randomization feature to the vocabulary pages. I think this is important, because people tend to memorize terms in a list based on their positions in the list. Don't underestimate the importance of vocabulary. If you don't know the meanings of biological terms, you won't be able to make sense of many of my test questions. On the other hand, if you know the terms WELL, you'll probably realize that many of my test questions are really quite obvious. This can have a big effect on your grade.

I've added the Course Syllabus for Spring 2009, but don't consider it to be engraved in stone yet.

If you're trying to get into one of my closed sections for Spring Semester 2009, use this form.

IMPORTANT:
Examination 6 is at 4:00 on 16 December, NOT 5:30. It's hard to imagine that there could be students who still don't realize that, but I'm telling you again just to be sure.

IMPORTANT:
If you accept Examination 6 into your hands, you will no longer be allowed to withdraw. This means you will receive a letter grade, and it will affect your GPA. If instead you choose to withdraw, you need to tell me before Examination 6 is handed out. In that case, you will receive a W, which will NOT affect your GPA. Look closely at the class standings to determine whether it is possible for you to pass. THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

I've added the breakdown of questions for Practicum 4 (under Official Information). See it.

I've added information to the Class Standings page, and I've amended the explanation. Be sure to see both.

Well, tonight, when I started my BIO202 lecture, I cleared my recorder (as usual). It was a small fraction of second later that I realized that I'd forgotten to upload Tuesday's BIO201 lecture from the recorder. So, unfortunately, I'm going to have to substitute another recording from The Greatest Hits of Summer Semester. I'll do that when I'm at a different computer. Right now I have to give a BIO202 practicum. If the recording is not online by tomorrow (20 November), send me a reminder. I apologize for the recording mishap.

The PrePharmacy club is hosting Dr. Jamie Joy from the U of A School of Pharmacy in Phoenix on Wednesday 12 November at 4:30 in the Student Life Conference Room. The URL for the club is http://www.freewebs.com/phoenixcollegeprepharmacyclub/index.htm.

Look under Course Materials for several new links pertaining to Practicum 3: a color version of Muscle Man (with and without labels); the answer form that you'll actually be using for the performed actions on Practicum 3 (to replace the one that was handed out); and the correctly completed muscle-action tables.

The Laboratory Schedule is officially correct. Therefore, even though Activity 8 (of PhysioEx Exercise 2) is not crossed out on your handout, you do NOT have to do Activity 8.

The meeting times and instructors of all the BIO201 laboratory periods are now posted under Official Information.

So that I don't have to keep answering the same question, I've added a link explaining the Policy for Late Assignments. Be sure to read it. The link is under Assignments and Scores.

I added a link to another Skeletal System website (listed under Potential Useful Study Links). It looks like it will be helpful in studying for the practicum. Here's the link:
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072919329/student_view0/chapter7/labeling_exercises.html#


Notice that you can drag the structure labels to the figure pointers (and see whether you're correct).

I forgot to mention to the class as a whole that there's no need to print out pages of data from PhysioEx (even though PhysioEx tells you to do so). It's just a waste of paper and toner and electricity. All you need to do is transcribe the appropriate data from the screen to the pages in the PhysioEx workbook that were handed out to you (and that you will hand in).