Equipment for Improving Undergraduate Instruction in Physiology

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The goal of this project is to upgrade the physiology laboratories of two courses: Anatomy and Physiology, and Vertebrate Physiology. First, the acquisition of a dual channel recorder accessory transducers and preamplifiers for the existing Thornton physiographs, and the updating of existing physiographs with solid state electronics are resulting in the introduction of two new labs: a Cardiovascular Fitness lab and a Biofeedback lab; the reduction of lab group size, thus providing students with better opportunity for hands- on-experience: and the replacement of demonstration experiments allowing small groups of students to measure such functions as lung volume, EEG's, EKG's and volume pulse measurements in four different laboratories. Secondly, a TRIAC centrifuge which spins microhematocrits, urine and blood tubes allows students to determine hematocrit for the first time and to perform urinalysis procedures in the Kidney Physiology lab. Thirdly, a T.V. videosystem introduced into eight labs having a Histology component is improving teaching and student use of labs dedicated to the teaching of microstructure. Lastly, a new still provides needed distilled water for physiological solutions. The above developments encourage experimentation, foster students' understanding of physiological principles, challenge students to think analytically, and encourage technical competence of women, including large numbers of older minority women who are enrolled in the college's "Hill College" program for disadvantaged students. The grantee institution is matching the NSF award with an equal sum obtained from non-Federal sources.