Welcome. Let's learn the human body, one week at a time.
This is your course home for Human Anatomy this summer. Everything you need lives here: your syllabus, your eight weekly modules, and a clear path through the course. Start with the syllabus, then take it one week at a time. You've got this, and you won't be doing it alone.
Three habits that make this course work for you.
Come prepared
Each class builds on a short readiness assignment. About twenty focused minutes before class keeps you in step with your team and turns class time into real practice.
Draw to learn
You will sketch and label structures by hand. Given, not Googled: drawing is how anatomy moves off the page and into memory. Neat art is not the goal. Understanding is.
Lean on your team
This is a Team-Based Learning course. You will work through problems with the same teammates all term. When something is hard, that is the moment your team matters most.
A steady rhythm, Monday through Thursday.
Prepare before class
Open the week's module and complete the readiness prep before Monday. You walk in ready, not cold.
Mondays open with a lab exam
After Week 1, every Monday begins with a lab exam on the previous week: fill-in-the-blank identification on histology, microscope slides, models, and cadaver.
Learn with your team
Monday through Thursday is Team-Based Learning: identifying structures, reasoning through problems, and drawing what you see. Each week also includes one TBL.
One exam at the end
Your weekly TBL is the assessment that runs all term. There are no lecture exams along the way; the course closes with one cumulative lecture final.
The whole course, week by week.
Eight modules, one per week. Each one opens its readings, atlas pages, and lab activities. Work through them in order, and check back here whenever you need your bearings.
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01Week 1
Foundations & the Integumentary System
Orientation and anatomical terminology, the cell, the four tissue types and histology, and the integumentary system.
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02Week 2
The Skeletal System, Joints & Muscle Microanatomy
Bone microanatomy, the axial and appendicular skeleton, joints, and skeletal muscle microanatomy.
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03Week 3
Cardiovascular, Blood & Respiratory Systems
The heart and blood vessels, blood, the respiratory system, and regional blood vessels and nerves.
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04Week 4
Upper Limb & Thoracic Muscles, Lymphatic System
Thoracic and back muscles, upper extremity muscles, the lymphatic and immune system, and regional blood vessels and nerves.
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05Week 5
Digestive System & Abdominopelvic Anatomy
The digestive system, the abdominal and pelvic wall, lower extremity muscles, and regional blood vessels and nerves.
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06Week 6
Urinary, Reproductive & Endocrine Systems
The urinary system, the male and female reproductive systems, and the endocrine system.
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07Week 7
Head & Neck Muscles, the Brain & Meninges
Head and neck muscles, the brain, and the ventricles, cerebrospinal fluid, and meninges.
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08Week 8
Spinal Cord, Peripheral & Cranial Nerves
The spinal cord, peripheral and cranial nerves, the nerve plexuses, and a cumulative course review.
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A decade of teaching anatomy, in your corner.
I'm Dr. Sharilyn Rennie. I've taught anatomy, physiology, and the medical sciences for over a decade across California community colleges, and before teaching I spent years in clinical medicine. That clinical background shapes how I teach: every structure connects to something real that happens in a body.
Anatomy is a language. My job this summer is to help you become fluent in it, one week at a time, with a clear path and a team beside you. Come curious, come prepared, and ask questions often.
"Every structure has a story. We'll learn them together."
What students usually want to know first.
What should I do before the first day?
Read the syllabus from start to finish, then open Week 1 and complete the readiness prep. That is all you need to walk in ready on day one.
How do the exams work?
Your grade has four parts. Lab exams are 45%: they run on Mondays, each covering the previous week, with fill-in-the-blank identification on histology, microscope slides, models, and cadaver. The weekly TBL is another 45%, your team-based work each week. A cumulative lecture final at the end of the term is 5%, and short end-of-day lab quizzes are the last 5%. Full details and dates are in your syllabus.
What if I miss a class?
This is an eight-week intensive, so every day moves quickly and attendance matters. Life still happens. The full attendance policy is in your syllabus, and if something comes up, message me as early as you can so we can make a plan.
Do I need to buy anything?
Your required and recommended materials are listed in the syllabus. Bring something to draw with as well: you will sketch and label structures by hand throughout the course.
Where do I get help when I'm stuck?
Start with your team and the weekly module. For anything beyond that, office hours and contact details are in your syllabus. You are never stuck alone in this course.
Ready to begin? Start with the syllabus.
The syllabus maps out all eight weeks: the schedule, the exams, and what to expect. Read it, open Week 1, and I'll meet you in class.
Open the syllabusLooking forward to a great summer with you. — Dr. Sharilyn Rennie