Because students are often surprised at the intensity and amount of material they encounter during the first test for Biology 108, Anatomy and Physiology, the ARC provided them with practice tests via Blackboard Learning Systems.

Please click to view an image of the practice test students have the option to take.

The Bellarmine University course catalog describes this course as one which "covers the hierarchy of human organization and the following body systems: Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular, and a portion of the Nervous System." Just the thought of such detail-oriented material is enough to make anyone nervous, but Professor Kiser hopes that students complete his course with more than just a mastery of the text material: "I really want them to come away with an appreciation of the complexity of the human body, the importance of understanding it, [and] background knowledge that will not only benefit them in the future coursework.but also in caring for themselves for the rest of their lives."

As freshmen transition from high school to college expectations, they often find that the last-minute cramming that worked in high school just won't cut it in college. A&P is no exception, says Professor Kiser, "Keep up, keep up, keep up, "he advises, "especially early on. We move very fast through a lot of material.What I've found myself telling my students that are having problems with that time commitment because of all of the other classes/activities they have is this: take 10-15 minutes between every lecture to really sit down and look over the previous lecture's notes." Professor Kiser recommends that students then identify material they've mastered, material with which they're uncomfortable, and material they really don't understand, and proceed from there to get help from a professor or the Academic Resource Center.

Professor Kiser claims students' two biggest potential mistakes in this class are skipping classes and neglecting to get help with the coursework. If all preventative measures fail, and students still do poorly on the first exam, Dr. Kiser advises that students should be encouraged to analyze "what went wrong [and] identify ways to fix it." In addition, Dr. Kiser recommends that students speak with their professors about their concerns: "I can safely say every professor here is willing to go that extra mile to help the students learn this material." Like so many aspects of college, Biology 108 will not be easy, so encourage your student to stay ahead of the game and get help when it's needed.