Human Physiology, Technology, and Medical Devices

Recommended Course Description for High School Registration Guides

BIOL 1015 is a freshman-level introduction to human physiology that satisfies the UMN liberal education core requirement for a biological science with lab.

Student Eligibility

Grades: 11, 12

• Prerequisite: B or better in a rigorous high school chemistry course.

Instructor Qualifications

Instructors apply and are selected by faculty in accordance with the UMN policy governing Academic Appointments with Teaching Functions. Once approved, an instructor is appointed as a Teaching Specialist 9754 (University Job Title and Code) in the College of Continuing and Professional Studies. Instructor qualifications are determined by the sponsoring University department.

Visit the Apply to Teach a Course page for course-specific qualifications and application steps.

Textbooks

Visual Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology, Martini, F., Ober, W., Bartholomew, E., Nath, J. (2021), 3rd Edition. ISBN-13: 9780137503100.

Teachers may use an alternative text, if approved by the CIS faculty coordinator.

Minnesota public schools are responsible for the cost of required textbooks and course materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the texts and readings specified or mandated by the University of Minnesota? If not, what are some of the choices?
CIS does not require schools to use the textbook used in BIOL 1015 on the University campus. CIS instructors may choose from a variety of the introductory anatomy and physiology texts offered by major publishing companies; the chosen text must, however, be approved by the faculty coordinator. Currently there are five to ten different texts to choose from. Instructors are not required to use either the lecture guide or lab handouts.

Do teachers have a choice in assignments? Are there required assignments?
All schools are required to implement cooperative quizzes and use inquiry-based instructional methods.

Who creates the exams?
Individual teachers create their own exams.

Is there a training and mentoring system for BIOL 1015 teachers new to CIS?
Yes. When you begin teaching BIOL 1015 you will be joining a group of high school teachers who share ideas and materials with each other through email and teacher workshops held in the summer and throughout the school year. New teachers also benefit from an orientation to College in the Schools that will familiarize them with the support available through CIS as well as prepare them for administrative tasks such as registering students and posting grades.

High school class schedules vary; can a teacher in the block system teach BIOL 1015?
This course must be taught over an entire high school academic year.

What happens at typical teacher workshops?
Typical activities at CIS workshops include meeting University faculty and hearing about their recent research in the discipline; reviewing and/or developing student assessment tools; sharing instructional materials; discussing particular content, pedagogy, or assessment of the University course; and receiving updates on CIS program policies and practices. BIOL 1015 workshops focus especially on discussion of class assignments and the development of new curriculum.