Anatomy & Physiology of Animals
Ag 511
Fall 2009

Professor:  Dr. L. S. Shapiro
Office:   TTh 12:35, Tue at 5:00 p.m. by appointment (drcows@aol.com) -  AS4107B
Lecture Text:  Colville, T. and J.M. Bassert. Clinical Anatomy & Physiology for Veterinary Technicians,2nd Ed. 2008.
     Shapiro, L., Lecture Outline for Anatomy and Physiology of Animals,  Revised, Fall 2006
Laboratory Texts:  1. Gilbert, S. G., Pictorial Anatomy of the Cat
                  2. Shapiro, L., Anatomy & Physiology Lab Syllabus
                  3.
Shapiro, L., Anatomy Laboratory Test Question Study Guide, Revised Spring 2006

Recommended: A good medical dictionary (i.e., Tabers or Stedman’s).
                         Shapiro, L. , Pathology and Parasitology for Veterinary Technicians, 2nd ed. 2010

Because every class moves at a different pace, I will not put exact dates for each lecture, simply their order.  All of the reading assignments should be completed before each exam.  The following linked skills list should be mastered by all first year RVT students prior to applying to the 2nd year program. 

                                                      Tentative Schedule

TOPIC                                                                     TEXT
Introduction      (bones)                                              Chapts. 1-6
Muscular and Digestive Systems                                 7, 11-12 
Livestock Observation Assignment
Respiratory & Circulatory Systems                            8-10
Urogenital and Nervous Systems                               13-20

 
Farm Observation Assignment Due  (Dec. 8, 2009)
Review
Final Exam   -  December 15, 2009 @ 11:00 a.m.

                                                           Methods of Evaluation
 

Exam # Points         Material on Exam

 1         100            Cells and Cell types, tissues, basic positions, skeletal system   
 2         100             Muscular and Digestive Systems   

 3         100             Respiratory and Circulatory Systems   
 4         100             Urogenital and Nervous Systems
 5         200             Final Exam Comprehensive
              35              Extra Credit (due no later than beginning of 14th week)
          <100             Misc. assignments, FarmWalk, Quizzes, Livestock Observation Assignment
 

6. Attendance (3 “tardies” = 1 absence, 3 unexcused absences can = a Fail).  It is the student’s   responsibility
    to drop any class after the 1st session not the  faculty.
7. Anyone caught cheating on an exam, paper, any assignment will receive a FAIL in the course.
   This may include someone allowing someone else to cheat (letting someone look at your paper).  DO NOT cheat in my class!!!!!

8. No cell phones or beepers or any other electronic recording or playing devices are permitted on during class time. If you are a doctor on call or if you   have other emergency situations that require you to have your phone on during class time please confer with me at the beginning of class so we can make arrangements where you will not disturb the rest of the class.  Thank you for following this requirement.

9. No tape recorders are allowed in class. This is to protect the privacy rights of both students and faculty. Please respect this rule.

10. Each student is expected to participate in the maintenance of our Farm laboratory. You will each contribute a minimum of eight hours in the cleaning and maintenance of our farm animal units. Sign up sheets will be distributed during the first week of classes. Participation will count as part of your grade.

                                                              COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course, Agriculture 511, Anatomy and Physiology of Animals, is a three hour per week lecture course which provides the student with a basic study of the facts and principles of animal life.  It includes detailed reference to the anatomy and physiology of domestic animals, as well as comparative anatomy and physiology.  The course is transferable to the California State University system with the successful completion of Ag 512 (lab).

Ag 511 is a required course for students majoring in Veterinary Technology, Pre-veterinary Medicine, Animal/Dairy and Horse Science and may be used as part of the natural sciences requirement for other majors.  It is only transferable with the completion of Ag 512 (Anatomy and Physiology Lab).

Anatomy and Physiology is a science-oriented course that will require at least three hours of outside study for every hour spent in class.  I encourage students to work together, except during exams, of course.  Obtain phone numbers of fellow students (at least three "study buddies") and get together to review material prior to all exams.  The night before should involve a simple review with a “study buddy” and not one lasting into the middle of the night.  Constant review throughout the semester is required for any college course. Veterinary clinics cannot succeed without team effort. I expect team effort except, of course, during exams or other individual assignments.

This is a college course; therefore the primary means of communication is through lecture.  Where most beginning college students fail is in not knowing what to write down as the instructor or professor talks.  Write down anything that is on the board.  Don’t write in long hand.  Abbreviate your words.  You are the only one who has to read your notes and understand them.  Later on when you review them you can expand on them if needed or note something you have a question on.

The purpose of my exams is not to trick you or to fail you.  Exams let me know if I am getting the message across to you and lets you know if you understand the material.  Grades are not given, they are earned.  I do not grade on a curve.  All of my students can receive “A’s” or “Fails”.  I encourage you to ask for my help throughout the semester.  If I don’t know the answer to your questions I will try to lead you to someone who does.  I do not have all of the answers.  I am also learning as I teach and hope that I will learn as much from you as you will from me.  I have provided you with a series of study questions at the end of each chapter to help you prepare for your exams.  Use them and review them on a regular basis.

I encourage questions pertinent to the subject matter.  Remember the purpose of this course is to gain an appreciation of the principles and facts of animal life and not to cram your head full of useless trivia.  In asking questions, raise your hand and please wait to be called on.  In any sized class it is difficult to respond to several voices at the same time.  If I don’t see your hand you can get my attention by calling out.  Use these same techniques if/when I speak too quickly or if you need help in spelling a word that I use.  If you constantly have a problem understanding me, please sit close to the front of the room.

As I have a busy schedule, please hand in all assignments on time.  Most, if not all, of your assignments will be given to you at the beginning of the semester.  Plan ahead!  If you think you might be busy during a certain week do your assignment ahead of time.

Extra credit is only accepted through the 14th week of the semester.  Plan ahead if you feel you need these points and check all work with me prior to submitting it.

You may have to do some memorizing of terms at first because the material may be new to you.  Learn these definitions and double check on their meaning with a good medical dictionary.  I would strongly urge you to take Ag 401, Introduction to Veterinary Science, as a quick (8 wk. course) way of learning the medical terminology that we will use in this course.

Having worked through many surgeries and necropsies, I realize how important dissection is in teaching you the basic anatomy of the cat.  Dissection should also help you in developing the feeling of how hard you can pull or not pull on various structures in the body and in getting used to viewing the insides of an animal.  At the same time, I greatly respect those students who choose not to partake in such dissections due to any number of personal beliefs.  I must point out that none of the cats we will use are from farms raising animals for laboratory dissection but come from the over population of cats being put to sleep by our animal shelters.

Most importantly, remember: I am here to help you understand the material.  DO NOT be afraid to ask for assistance.                                                              

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  For a printable copy of this syllabus click here: PRINTABLE COPY