• Anatomy and Physiology I Background DETAILS:

• Anatomy and Physiology I is the major core biology course around which the Academy of Medical Science Technology (AMST) student focuses his or her studies at Bergen County Academies (BCA).  This course provides a thorough background in cell anatomy and physiology and the beginning of a study of neuroscience (tri3) at a college level. The completion of the study of neuroscience occurs in A& P II, an elective for AMST seniors. 
  
• Details of the curriculum and assessments for A&P I may be found by returning to the A&P Sitemap menu  and selecting any of the trimester websites for A&P I.
  

• How is A&P I different from A&P II?
• Beginning with the class of 2007 AMST students take A&P I during their junior year for about 4 hours (12 mods) per week. 
  
• A&P II is an optional elective (two hours per week) available only to AMST seniors.
  
• Having  ...
  
• taught many many "premed, prevet, etc" courses since 1973,
  
• taught college "premed" courses at Stevens for eight years, and
  
• taught at BCA since 1992,
  
• I have decided what is best for our students is to be exposed to sophisticated biology coursework with the philosophy "Less is More". 
  
• What that means, is that my A&P I and II sequence is basically a Neuroscience course. 
  
• The critical understanding of animal cell structure and function is explored during trimester I and II of A&P I.
• Then in trimester III, we begin the study of Neuroscience with a focus on the primary cells involved (neurons and glial cells).  This does include electrophysiology of the neuron (e.g. action potential generation and conduction as well as synaptic transmission)
  
• At the end of this first year, students will have the option of applying for A&P II, which will complete the study of Neuroscience including the spinal cord, sensory systems and the brain.
• Since the nervous system talks and listens to all of the other organs in the body, the nervous system is a great foundation for the study of the other organs sometime in the future.
  
• Why not run a survey course?
  
• To be successful in college, one needs to enter knowing how to tackle challenging material in quantity.  So my goal is to teach my students how to study this material. 
  
• If I take a less in-depth approach, many students are fooled into thinking they can handle the "premed" way of life, and then they find out the hard way in college (anxiety and $$$) that "premed" is not their cup of tea. 
  
• I have told my students many times, that if I can help them to decide that they do NOT wish to follow a "premed, prevet, etc" path, then I am completely happy that they will not be wasting their time.  They can then enter college with new goals that are more realistic.
  
• Why is A&PII an elective?
• I also realize that not every AMST student intends to study some field of medicine, or disciplines where a complete course is needed.  However, for those who plan to work in a medically related field, or who are just in love Personal Performance Assessment Opportunities (PPAOs), A & P II is offered.
• Please note that A&P II meets only two hours per week, and that there will be only two sections available.
• So enrollment in A&P II will be competitive based upon examination performances during A&P I.  A ranking list will be created and that will be used by the scheduling department for admission to A&P II.
  
• You want more?
  
• Other A&P-like electives (two hours/week) include: 
• Virology and Immunology which cover the physiology of the immune system and
  
• Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology which covers the circulatory and respiratory systems.
• What about Physiological Control Systems?
• Physiological Control Systems (PCS) is an AEDT core course and an elective for all students except AMST students.  PCS is a one trimester introduction to the control theory of the human body which is covered in greater depth in A&P I so there is no need to take PCS if you are in AMST.
• Details of the curriculum and assessments for A&P I Trimester 1 may be found by scrolling down. In addition, Trimester 2 and 3 information may be assessed as well via the main menu at MENU.  A&P II information is also available via the A&PII Sitemap.
  

Anatomy and Physiology I  TRIMESTER 1 CURRICULUM:

• The first two thirds of this course is an exploration of CELL ANATOMY and PHYSIOLOGY.
  
• Before one can understand how cells function, the molecules used to build and operate cells need to be explored so biochemistry is the topic of trimester 1.
  
• Trimester 1 Units:
• Molecules of Life
  
• 1 Carbohydrates
• 2 Proteins
• 3 Lipids
• 4 Nucleic Acids
• For planning purposes...
  
• Trimester 2 Units:
• Molecules of Life
• 5 Protein Synthesis
• 6 Metabolism
• Trimester 3 Units:
• Molecules of Life
• 7 Molecular Movements
• Neuroscience
• 1 Neurons
• 2 Homeostasis
  

• Anatomy and Physiology INSTRUCTOR:
  • Dr. DeWitt was formally educated at the Univeristy of Michigan where he was awarded a PhD in the area of cardiovascular physiology.  He is a former Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. He has taught physiology concepts to various students ranging from high school to collegiate undergraduate, nursing, medical, and graduate students since 1973. Dr. D. is the first biology instructor at Bergen County Academies and was instrumental in the creation of the science curriculum in AAST and AEDT.  He currently teaches core courses for AEDT, and AMST. He also teaches a number of electives in biology and physiology. All of his courses may be accessed at Dr. DeWitt's Websites Index.

• Panels

THE major source of information in this course will be a collection of notes that you will create through class room activities.  The famous PANELS will bring to you the latest information on each topic.  Please bring to class a 3-ring notebook that will allow you to efficiently and safely store your precious class notes.  You WILL understand the word precious after just a few weeks in this course.  Ask any AMST senior about the value of their class notes, and how the would feel if they were lost.

• Internet References:

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