Welcome to Biol 118, Summer 2025 ONLINE's
FAQ & Information Page

Information will be posted here as it becomes available:

2025-06-05: Biol 118 Syllabus & Course Policies Summer 2025.pdf released.

Updated info: The Final Exam can be dropped if desired. 

2025-06-04: For those interested, the textbook is available in audio form as well. A good option if you're traveling or looking for a different way to "read" the textbook. No purchase necessary for the course.

2025-05-02: Posted Early Release Biol 118 Syllabus Summer 2025.pdf <link removed, see Final version above>

~Prof. Savolainen
LCSavo@uw.edu

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Will Biol 118 Summer Quarter be 100% Online?

Yes!  Lectures, Assignments, Exams, the Textbook everything is Online Summer 2025. 
Biol 118 is available in-person Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters.

I'm taking Biol 119, is there an Online version too?

No, Biol 119 is an In-Person Lab Course held on the UW Seattle Campus every quarter.  Please see the UW Time Schedule for times and location.

Why should I take Biol 119 during the Summer Quarter vs. the regular academic year?

Summer sessions offer a great opportunity for students to accelerate their degree progress, stay on track with prerequisites, and benefit from a more focused learning environment. Enrolling in a lab course like BIOL 119 during the summer can also help prevent a heavy course load during the regular academic year. BIOL 119 is designed to complement BIOL 118, with lab topics intentionally aligned in sequence with the lecture content—so what you're learning in class is reinforced through hands-on experience in lab. Another advantage is that BIOL 119 is typically much easier to get into during Summer Quarter, unlike the regular academic year when students often face waitlists and uncertainty about enrollment.

How long is Summer Quarter?

Biol 118 and Biol 119 Summer Quarter are both 9 week long courses.  Instruction begins on Monday, June 23rd and the Final Exam is on Friday, Aug. 22nd, 2025.

What time zone does the class follow?

Biol 118 follows Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) for lectures, assignments, and exams. No exceptions or time adjustments will be made for students in different time zones.

Is this course Synchronous or Asynchronous?

Great question!  It's entirely up to you!  I *highly* recommend attending the Live Zoom lectures so you can interact with your peers during in-class activities/assignments, ask questions in real time, clear up any confusion during class... However, life happens, and when you cannot make it to the Live Zoom, you can always catch up on lecture materials via Panopto Recordings and work on in-class activities and assignments independently or with a study group. 

Please be aware that, on rare occasions, lecture recordings may fail due to unforeseen issues. If that occurs, it's similar to missing a class in-person; there is no recording and you'll need to get your notes from one of the members in your study group. Attendance is highly recommended. 

What does Synchronous Online instruction mean at UW?

"Synchronous Online: Students and instructors interact online synchronously through regularly-scheduled, required meetings using applications such as Zoom. Students should also expect to interact with others and engage in course materials asynchronously. The time schedule contains information about the course’s regular, required synchronous meeting time."

For more information visit UW's Office of the University Registrar: Course Modes

How can I access the Textbook? How much does it Cost?

You can access the textbook for FREE at any time on: OpenStax: Anatomy & Physiology 2e 
Choose your method of textbook access that matches your learning style:

• Read online for free!  OpenStax has highlighting and notetaking tools directly in their online version!
• Or download a free .pdf file
• Or if a physical copy of the book is more your style, you can purchase a print copy via Kendall Hunt Publishing Company. Note: Two versions of the textbook are available for purchase (black & white OR full color). The full color version is recommended.  

Does the Textbook (OpenStax: A&P 2e) meet ADA Guidelines for accessibility?

It sure does!  OpenStax's accessibility statement, VPAT and Conformance and Remediation Form are available at https://openstax.org/accessibility-statement

When are Exams?

Exams will occur on the following days, from 11:00am - 12:00pm (noon) PDT:

• Exam 1 - Friday, July 11th
• Exam 2 - Friday, July 25th
• Exam 3 - Friday, August 8th
• Final Exam - Friday, August 22nd

These dates and times will not change.

How many Exams are there? What are Exams like? Are there Drops?

Exams are online and are open note, open book, and can be taken Individually (recommended) or with your Study Group. Biol 118 Summer 2025 will have four Exams (Exams 1-4). Your lowest exam score for Exams 1-4 will be dropped automatically.  The Final Exam (Exam 4) can be dropped. 

Each exam is held online on Canvas, and is written comparable to 50 mins exams taken during in-person versions of the class. Each question will appear one at a time.  The exam period will open on Exam Fridays from 11:00am – 12:00pm PDT (see the course schedule for dates), during which students can take the exam. While exams are written to be taken in 50 mins or less, the assignment itself will be open for 60 mins during the exam window from 11am – 12:00pm PDT to accommodate for varying internet speeds, tech issues, answering questions on computers, etc.: (Exam 50 mins + “Tech Buffer” 10 mins = total 60 mins).  Exams must be taken during the announced exam period.

You will be tested on topics discussed in lecture, lecture notes, and assignments. You may be asked to solve some simple logic or simple math problems. You may be asked to use what you know to predict an outcome. You may be asked to read graphs you have never seen. You will NOT be responsible for terms or topics that are NOT discussed in lectures, lecture notes, and assignments, unless otherwise noted. That means many terms used in the textbook may not be required for you to know on exams.

Exams consist of multiple choice and short answer questions covering critical thinking skills, physiological pathways, and topics covered under each day’s learning goals/questions. Exams will consist of ≤30 multiple choice questions and ~1-3 short answer questions.  Although exams are not cumulative, each one builds on earlier concepts, so it is an excellent test of the skills you have acquired during the quarter. 

How is Biol 118 Summer 2025 Final Grade determined?

Grades will be determined on a straight scale via linear interpolation between 4.0 and 0.7 (95.00% and 65.00% of total course points respectively, actual numbers will be posted in the Course Syllabus).

What does this mean? This course is not competitive between students! By helping your classmates study course material, it will only help you better prepare for assignments and exams. It will help you learn more and it will not impact your grade!  Students can earn a 4.0 if they get a 95% or higher! 

Biol 118 Summer 2025 uses AI in the online classroom!

Student Question: I'm traveling this summer to <insert event here>.  I'm going to miss class.  What can I do?

We've got you covered! Being online, you can take Biol 118 anywhere in the world as long as you have a stable internet connection.  We record the live lecture and you can watch when convenient for you.  In-Class assignments can be completed later, by yourself or with your Study Group.  Exam times will not be adjusted for time zone differences.

Student Question: This summer I have a medical procedure, and I will not feel 100% during the recovery period.  I'm afraid that will negatively affect my grade.  Can I still take this class?

YOU are important, and your health comes first.  Let me know what's going on so I can help support you, but if you don't want to share what's going on, that's ok too! Biol 118 automatically drops TWO WEEKS WORTH of your lowest assignment scores per assignment category, no questions asked.

Student Question:  How do I register for this course? What if the course is full?  

If you can register without assistance, do so. If the course is full, keep checking back during the first week of class as many students change schedules and spaces become available frequently.

Student Question:  What if I have a course conflict?

Course conflicts of one hour or less do not need a faculty signature, so you can process that paperwork for yourself. If you have a conflict longer than one hour per week and you intend to complete all work by normal deadlines and will not require any accommodations due to the course time conflict, then I will sign the paperwork.

For course conflicts that are more involved, you will need to discuss them with me to see if they fall within departmental policies. You are responsible for all course work even if you are not yet enrolled in the course. If you add late, you may miss a few small assignments. These are unlikely to greatly influence your final grade and may be used as your dropped scores if applicable.

Student Question: What if I have a question while I'm studying, do I just email the Prof?

Biol 118 uses the Canvas Discussion Forum where you can post your questions anonymously while you're studying, and I, our course coordinator, or other students can help answer questions. Often times, the response time on Discussions can be as short as a few mins!

Got Questions that haven't been addressed?

Email me (Prof. Savolainen): LCSavo@uw.edu