Course Description
BSC2086L – Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory is a 1-credit, laboratory-only course that provides the hands-on experimental and observational component of the second semester of the human anatomy and physiology sequence. Students conduct laboratory exercises coordinated with the companion lecture course BSC2086 (Human Anatomy and Physiology II), focusing on the structure and function of the cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, fluid/electrolyte/acid-base balance, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Students use compound microscopes, anatomical models, charts, preserved human and animal specimens, dissection materials, computer simulations (e.g., PhysioEx), and physiological recording equipment.
The course sits within the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) under Biological Sciences > Biology and is offered at approximately 25 Florida public institutions. BSC2086L is structured as a standalone laboratory course taken with or after the BSC2086 lecture; the integrated alternative BSC2086C exists at some institutions. The two-semester anatomy and physiology sequence (BSC2085/BSC2085L + BSC2086/BSC2086L) is the foundational course set required by Florida nursing, dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant, paramedical, athletic training, and many other allied-health programs.
BSC2086L is designed for allied-health and pre-nursing students, not for biology majors. Biology majors typically take a different upper-division anatomy or physiology course (PCB3712 Animal Physiology, or specialized human anatomy courses). Anatomy and physiology courses do not typically count toward biology-major degree requirements at SUS institutions, though they may be accepted as electives.
Learning Outcomes
Required Outcomes
Upon successful completion of BSC2086L, students will be able to:
- Identify the major structures of the cardiovascular system: heart anatomy (chambers, valves, vessels, conduction system) using models and dissection; major arteries and veins of systemic and pulmonary circulation.
- Conduct cardiovascular physiology exercises: blood pressure measurement; pulse measurement; ECG interpretation at an introductory level; effects of exercise and posture on cardiovascular parameters.
- Identify the structures of the lymphatic system and describe basic immune function.
- Identify the major structures of the respiratory system: upper and lower respiratory tract; pulmonary anatomy.
- Conduct respiratory physiology exercises: spirometry; measurement of vital capacity, tidal volume, and other lung volumes; effects of exercise on respiration.
- Identify the major structures of the digestive system: alimentary canal (mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, anus); accessory organs (liver, pancreas, gallbladder); microscopic anatomy of selected tissues.
- Conduct digestive physiology exercises: enzyme activity; chemical digestion of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
- Identify the major structures of the urinary system: kidney gross and microscopic anatomy (nephron); ureters, bladder, urethra.
- Conduct urinary physiology exercises: urinalysis (physical, chemical, microscopic); fluid and electrolyte concepts.
- Identify the major structures of the endocrine system: pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas (endocrine), gonads.
- Identify the major structures of the reproductive systems (male and female): organs and ducts; microscopic anatomy at an introductory level.
- Maintain a laboratory notebook, prepare laboratory reports, and follow proper laboratory safety practices, including bloodborne-pathogen awareness, proper handling of preserved specimens, and OSHA standards.
Optional Outcomes
Depending on instructor and institutional emphasis, students may also:
- Use physiological recording equipment (Vernier, BIOPAC, iWorx, ADInstruments) for ECG, blood pressure, and respiratory measurements.
- Use computer simulations such as PhysioEx for physiological experiments not possible in the lab setting.
- Conduct fetal pig dissection or alternative dissection of selected systems (cat, sheep heart, sheep brain, etc.).
- Engage with case-study analysis applying anatomy and physiology to clinical scenarios relevant to allied-health practice.
- Conduct histology exercises with prepared microscope slides of organ tissues.
Major Topics
Required Topics
- Blood: Blood cell types and identification; ABO and Rh blood typing; hematocrit; basic hematology.
- Cardiovascular Anatomy: External and internal heart anatomy; coronary circulation; sheep heart dissection (where used); systemic and pulmonary circulation; major arteries and veins.
- Cardiovascular Physiology: Heart sounds and auscultation; pulse measurement; blood pressure measurement; cardiac cycle; ECG basics; exercise effects.
- Lymphatic System and Immunity: Lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, tonsils; lymphatic vessels; introduction to immune function.
- Respiratory Anatomy: Upper respiratory tract; lower respiratory tract; lung structure; pleurae.
- Respiratory Physiology: Pulmonary ventilation; spirometry; lung volumes and capacities; gas exchange; effects of exercise and posture.
- Digestive Anatomy: The alimentary canal; accessory digestive organs (liver, pancreas, gallbladder); microscopic anatomy of stomach, intestinal villi, and liver lobule.
- Digestive Physiology: Chemical digestion (amylase, pepsin, trypsin, lipase); pH and enzyme activity.
- Urinary Anatomy: Kidney gross and microscopic anatomy (nephron structure); ureters, bladder, urethra.
- Urinary Physiology: Urine formation overview (filtration, reabsorption, secretion); urinalysis; fluid and electrolyte balance.
- Endocrine System: Major endocrine glands and their hormones; histology of selected glands.
- Reproductive Systems: Male and female reproductive anatomy; gametogenesis at an introductory level.
- Laboratory Practice: Microscopy; model identification; specimen and preserved-organ identification; physiological measurement; histology slides; laboratory safety; lab report writing.
Optional Topics
- Fetal Pig or Cat Dissection: Selected systems demonstrated through whole-organism dissection.
- PhysioEx Computer Simulations: Physiological experiments via simulation software.
- BIOPAC, iWorx, or Vernier Recording: Computer-based physiological data acquisition.
- Clinical Case Studies: Application of anatomy and physiology to nursing and allied-health scenarios.
- Pregnancy and Development: Embryonic and fetal development overview.
Resources & Tools
- Most-adopted lab manuals at Florida institutions: Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Manual by Elaine N. Marieb (Pearson) — by far the most widely-used; multiple custom and standard editions; Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Textbook, Essentials Version by Eder, Kaminski, Catena (McGraw-Hill); Hole's Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Manual.
- Companion lecture textbook (recommended): Human Anatomy & Physiology by Marieb and Hoehn (Pearson); Anatomy & Physiology by Saladin (McGraw-Hill); Hole's Human Anatomy & Physiology by Shier, Butler, Lewis (McGraw-Hill); OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e (free) — increasingly adopted.
- Computer simulation software: PhysioEx 9.1 / 10 (often bundled with Marieb manual); BIOPAC Student Lab; iWorx Labs; Vernier Logger Pro physiological probes.
- Online learning platforms: Mastering A&P (Pearson, paired with Marieb); Connect Anatomy & Physiology (McGraw-Hill); Anatomy & Physiology Revealed (3D virtual cadaver; McGraw-Hill).
- Laboratory equipment: Compound microscopes; preserved sheep hearts and brains; preserved fetal pigs or cats (where used); anatomical models (heart, lungs, kidney, digestive tract, reproductive systems, endocrine glands); histology slides; sphygmomanometers and stethoscopes; spirometers; ECG equipment; physiological recording systems.
- Reference and visualization tools: Visible Body (3D anatomy); Complete Anatomy; the National Library of Medicine's Visible Human Project; HHMI BioInteractive.
- Tutoring and support: Institution anatomy and physiology study sessions / SI (Supplemental Instruction) — A&P is one of the most heavily SI-supported courses at most Florida institutions.
Career Pathways
BSC2086L is a key prerequisite for nearly every allied-health career pathway in Florida:
- Registered Nurse (RN, BSN, or ASN) — required by every Florida nursing program (UF, FSU, USF, UCF, FAU, FIU, FGCU, UNF, and all state-college nursing programs).
- Dental Hygienist (RDH) — Florida's dental hygiene programs at FSCJ, MDC, Valencia, and others.
- Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — multiple Florida community college programs.
- Respiratory Therapist (RRT) — Florida community college and university programs.
- Radiologic Technologist, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Nuclear Medicine Technologist — Florida's healthcare imaging programs.
- Surgical Technologist, Medical Laboratory Technician, Paramedic / EMT — Florida's healthcare workforce pipeline.
- Athletic Trainer (ATC) — pathway through SUS programs.
- Physician Assistant (PA) — Florida PA programs (NSU, USF Morsani, FIU, UF, others) require BSC2085/2086 with lab.
- Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Veterinary — A&P is often a recommended elective beyond required general biology, organic chemistry, and biochemistry.
- Health and Human Performance, Exercise Science, Kinesiology — Florida programs.
Special Information
Articulation and Transfer
BSC2086L is part of the Florida common course numbering system and articulates seamlessly to all SUS institutions. The combination BSC2086 + BSC2086L typically satisfies the second-semester A&P requirement at every Florida nursing and allied-health program. A grade of C or higher is typically required for the course to satisfy program prerequisites; many competitive nursing programs require B or higher in the A&P sequence.
Position in the Allied-Health Curriculum
BSC2086L is the second of two semesters in the human anatomy and physiology sequence (BSC2085/BSC2085L + BSC2086/BSC2086L). The full sequence with lab is the foundational science requirement for nursing, dental hygiene, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant, respiratory therapy, radiologic technology, surgical technology, paramedical, and physician assistant programs throughout Florida.
BSC2086L vs. Biology Major Pathway
BSC2086 / BSC2086L is the allied-health-track anatomy and physiology course, focused on practical clinical applications. Biology majors at SUS institutions typically take different courses: PCB3712 (Animal Physiology), ZOO3713C (Vertebrate Zoology), or specialized human anatomy courses. The two pathways are not interchangeable: students in biology-major programs should not take BSC2086 unless their advisor specifies it.
Prerequisites and Co-requisites
The standard prerequisites are BSC2085 (Anatomy and Physiology I lecture) and BSC2085L (Anatomy and Physiology I lab) with grades of C or better. The standard co-requisite is BSC2086 (Anatomy and Physiology II lecture). BSC2086L generally cannot be taken without taking BSC2086 either previously or simultaneously.
Course Format and Workload
BSC2086L typically meets once per week for 2–3 hours. Expect 8–12 laboratory exercises across the semester, each requiring substantial pre-lab preparation (reading the lab handout, pre-lab quizzes, anatomical model study) and post-lab analysis. Out-of-class workload is typically 4–6 hours per week — A&P labs are memorization-heavy, requiring repeated study of model identification before lab practical exams.
Lab Practical Exams
Lab practical exams are a defining feature of BSC2086L: timed, station-based exams where students identify structures on models, specimens, and microscope slides under time pressure. Most institutions offer 2–4 lab practical exams across the semester. Success on these exams is one of the strongest predictors of success in subsequent nursing and allied-health coursework.
Course Code Variations
Florida institutions consistently use BSC2086L for this course. Some institutions offer the integrated BSC2086C (combining lecture and lab in a single 4-credit course); the standalone BSC2086L paired with BSC2086 is the most common format.