Course Syllabus
Below is a syllabus template that includes WSU's required syllabus elements.
Title of Course [Human Cadaver Dissection]
Prefix and Number [KINES 401]
Semester and Year [Fall 2026]
Number of Credit Hours [2]
Prerequisites [Department approval. B or higher in KINES 262 or BIOL 315]
Course Details
Day and Time: [WF 3-5pm]
Meeting Location: [Morrill Hall room 36 (Kinesiology cadaver lab)]
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor Name: [Robert Catena]
Instructor Contact Information: [office location, phone, email] [Office: Smith Gym 113F, Phone: 5-4250, email: robert.catena@wsu.edu]
Instructor Office Hours: [click here for best practices] [WF 1-3pm]
Course Description
[A hands-on, supervised study of human anatomy through cadaver dissection. This course will enhance knowledge from prior anatomy coursework, to be translated into teaching, clinical, and research practices. This course is intended for future healthcare professionals and researchers that need advanced anatomy knowledge.]
Course Materials
Books: [Software Recommendations: Complete Anatomy]
Other Materials: [Notepad, pen, close-toed shoes (preferably nurse/kitchen shoes), clothes (scrubs) you are willing to throw away at the end of the semester because they will have a lasting odor.]
Fees: [$40 for bulk supply purchase for students]
|
Course Learning Outcomes (students will be able to:) |
Activities Supporting the Learning Outcomes | Assessment of the Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| [Accurately produce a cadaver dissection of all the assigned structures at your segment.] | [Dissection] | [Dissection check] |
| [Professionalism: accountability, communication, positive attitude, time management, honesty, reliability, integrity, organization] | [All Interactions and assignments] | [Attendance, dissection plans] |
| Dates | Lesson Topic | Assignment | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 |
Safety, policies, procedures, and cleanup. Dissection – through the skin |
[None] | [None] |
| Week 2 [Aug 27 and 29] |
Dissection – through the skin |
[Dissection plan for the week] | [Dissection plan for the week] |
| Week 3 [Sep 3 and 5] |
[Dissection – flapping the skin] | [Dissection plan for the week] | [Dissection plan for the week] |
| Week 4 [Sep 10 and 12] |
Dissection – saving enough fat Dissection – superficial veins, nerves, and fascia |
[Dissection plan for the week] | [Dissection plan for the week] |
| Week 5 [Sep 17 and 19] |
[Dissection – superficial muscles] | [Dissection plan for the week] | [Dissection plan for the week] |
| Week 6 [Sep 24 and 26] |
Dissection – where to flap muscles Dissection – arteries, veins and nerves (AVNs) to superficial muscles |
[Dissection plan for the week] | [Dissection plan for the week] |
| Week 7 [Oct 1 and 3] |
[Dissection – AVNs to superficial muscles] | [Dissection plan for the week] |
Dissection plan for the week 1/3 dissection checked by this day |
| Week 8 [Oct 8 and 10] |
Dissection – AVNs to superficial muscles Dissection – deep muscles |
[Dissection plan for the week] | [Dissection plan for the week] |
| Week 9 [Oct 15 and 17] |
Dissection – deep muscles |
[Dissection plan for the week] | [Dissection plan for the week] |
| Week 10 [Oct 22 and 24] |
Dissection – flapping deep muscles Dissection – AVNs to deep muscles |
[Dissection plan for the week] | [Dissection plan for the week] |
| Week 11 [Oct 29 and 31] |
Dissection – AVNs to deep muscles | [Dissection plan for the week] | [Dissection plan for the week] |
| Week 12 [Nov 5 and 7] |
Dissection – Internal organs and AVNs (students working on head or torso sections would have started this by week 8!) Dissection – Internal organs and AVNs |
[Dissection plan for the week] |
Dissection plan for the week 2/3 dissection checked by this day |
| Week 13 [Nov 12 and 14] |
Dissection – internal parts of the organs |
Dissection plan for the week | Dissection plan for the week |
| Week 14 [Nov 19 and 21] |
Dissection – internal parts of the organs Dissection – finishing touches on the dissection |
Dissection plan for the week | Dissection plan for the week |
| Week 15 [Dec 3 and 5] |
Dissection – finishing touches on the dissection | Dissection plan for the week | Dissection plan for the week |
Expectations for Student Effort
This is a 2-credit course. "It is WSU policy that for every hour of in-class instruction, or equivalent online instruction, that students should expect at least 2 hours of outside class course preparation in the form of reading, course assignments, and review of previous lectures.” That is 4 hours per week during fall. I will not expect you to do more than this to earn a passing grade. If you are failing and putting in more time than this, we need to meet to discuss why.
Grading [add more lines if necessary]
| Type of Assignment (tests, papers, etc) | Points | Percent of Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Cadaver check | 75 | 75% |
| Dissection Plans | 15 | 15% |
| Attendance | 10 | 10% |
| Grade | Percent | Grade | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| A |
100 - 94 |
C | 76 - 74 |
| A- | 93 - 90 | C- | 73 - 70 |
| B+ | 89 - 87 | D | 69 - 60 |
| B | 86 - 84 | F | < 60 |
| B- | 83 - 80 | ||
| C+ | 79 - 77 |
All decimals in percentages will be dropped without rounding for final calculation of class grade (e.g. 89.9% is a B+, not an A-).
Attendance and Make-Up Policy
Students should make all reasonable efforts to attend all class meetings. However, in the event a student is unable to attend a class, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor as soon as possible, explain the reason for the absence (and provide documentation, if appropriate), and make up class work missed within a reasonable amount of time.
The first class of the semester is a safety and skills day. It is mandatory for all students to attend. If you do not attend and do not communicate with the instructor by the 2nd day of class about why, you will be dropped from the course.
You will be expected to attend 28 more two-hour dissection sessions throughout the semester or get checked off as “have completed your final dissection list”. Full credit for attendance means doing work toward dissection for the whole time. Attendance can be accomplished through any combination of regular class times and open lab times. You will lose 1% of your course grade for each session under 28 IF you have not completed your dissection list by the end of the semester.
Academic Integrity Statement
You are responsible for reading WSU's Academic Integrity Policy, which is based on Washington State law. If you cheat in your work in this class you will:
-Be reported to the Center for Community Standards
-Have the right to appeal my decision
-Not be able to drop the course of withdraw from the course until the appeals process is finished
If you have any questions about what you can and cannot do in this course, ask me.
If you want to ask for a change in my decision about academic integrity, use the form at the Center for Community Standards website. You must submit this request within 21 calendar days of the decision.