HOW TO TAKE A FANKHAUSER ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY COURSE ©David B. Fankhauser, Ph.D., Professor of Biology and Chemistry              University of Cincinnati Clermont College,  Batavia OH 45103
correct position for taking blood pressure	This page has been accessed  times since 27 August 2003.  rvsd. 20 Sept. '93, 27 Mar '95, 15 Sept. '95, 23 Sept. '96, 19 Sept '97, 31 Mar 98, 29 June 98, 10 June 99, 9 Sept 99, 28 Mar 00, 19 Sept 00, 25 Mar 02	Sample notebook page in correct format

    The prerequisite for this course is completion of two quarters of college-level biology and recent mastery of high school biology, chemistry and algebra. If you cannot meet this requirement, see the instructor immediately.
STUDY HABITS:
COMPLETE READING ASSIGNMENTS PRIOR TO CLASS:  To benefit maximally from this college course, you must possess the requisite study habits.  Disciplined completion of assigned reading before each lecture will improve your comprehension, allow us more freedom for class discussions and increase our joy in learning. Slacking off until test time turns interesting assignments into drudgery.
ATTENDANCE is crucial and attendance records will be kept.  Missing even one class will put you out of synchrony with the class, short-change your education and doubtless cost you points on the next test.
CLASS NOTES:  Do not attempt to record lecture material verbatim.  Instead, concentrate on these elements:
 title your notes each day or new major topic section accurately with CAPITALS at the left-most margin.
 words: Copy all words which are written on the board, correctly spelled.  Leave space in your notes for explanations.
 definitions of all key words should be filled out in detail as you rework your notes.
 drawings should be carefully copied.  Label all structures, processes or effects mentioned in lecture.
 text book should be brought to each class.  We use its illustrations and tables.  Highlight key features in your text.
 wordstems should be compiled on the last page of your notebook with their meanings.  Memorize the new ones prior to each quiz or test.  Note that these will comprise up to 20% of your grade.  (See attached cumulative list.)
PARTICIPATE IN CLASS:  Do not be afraid to speak up.  Offer answers to questions posed, ask your own questions.   Challenge my statements.   This participation in class is critical to the proper functioning of the class.
ELECTRONIC GADGETS: No beepers or cell phones. Taping lectures is permitted if it does not disrupt the class.
REWORK YOUR NOTES AFTER EACH CLASS:  Spend 15 minutes soon after each class to rework the day's draft lecture notes.  Compare with your text.  "Flesh out" skimpy material with detail while it is fresh in your mind.  I call for questions at the beginning of each class, so have questions prepared to ask from your reworked notes.
STUDY GROUPS are extremely helpful in the learning process.  See separate handout, and earn 30 points or more!
STUDENT NUMBER:  To ease collating and entering grades, I assign student numbers in each class according to alphabetical order.  All material which you hand in should carry your name and this number. Thanks.

QUIZZES and TESTS are scheduled regularly and are made as comprehensive as possible.  Quizzes are given during the last 15 minutes of class.  They are composed of the following:
 

LAB NOTEBOOKS are graded twice and reflect your success in the lab, worth ~120 pts each.  Late? -10%/week.
GRADE SLIPS are distributed after each grading showing your progress in the course. You earn points by taping them inside the back cover of your notebook.  Please do not telephone me to inquire about your grades.
YOUR GRADE in the course will be based upon a summation of all points awarded: approximately 5% per quiz, 12% per tests, 13% per each notebook grading, 20% for the final exam, 5% for study groups.  Sophomore class  cumulative median converts to ~85%.  Grades are assigned on the decimal system: 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, <60 = failing .  Within in a given grade range, minuses and pluses are awarded so: 80.0 to 83.3 = B-, 83.4 to 86.66 = B, 86.7 to 89.9 = B+.
HONOR CODE:  I assume that students will support the honor code during testing.  The class shares the responsibility of protecting the integrity of the testing process.  Please tell me if the honor system is being abused.  (Names of offenders need not be given.)  Make-up tests or quizzes are given only in the event of a valid excuse, and should be rescheduled and taken before they are returned to the class. There is a 5% deduction on unexcused make-ups.
Unsatisfactory quiz scores?   See me about your study habits (listed above).  You may also seek help from the Learning Lab: take your quizzes, notes & books.  They will help you, and may provide tutoring where appropriate.
If you cannot complete the quarter:  You must officially drop the course. I will sign drop slips with a WP (without prejudice) prior to the third quiz.  Failing students (<60%), who drop after the third quiz receive a WF.  The last day to drop is 19 November.  Grades for course will be posted on my web page according to last 4 digits of your SS#.