About me and my teaching philosophy

I’ve been teaching at the community college level since 1992, and have been at Laney since 1996. I’ve taught a variety of biology courses, but am most happy teaching Anatomy & Physiology. I love my job, and feel extremely fortunate to be here at Laney. Having gone to two large universities (Michigan State for my B.S. and San Diego State for my M.S. in Biology) I truly appreciate the unique and teaching-centered environment at Laney. I am surrounded by people involved in various aspects of health care and education, and I try to bring all my knowledge – gained from my formal education, my continuing association with health care professionals, and personal experience – into the classroom in positive ways.

My courses are specifically designed for students going on to professional programs in health care fields. Occasionally I get students who are not planning a career in health care. All students who are willing to work hard and have an interest in the human body are welcome.

My goal for my students is that they come to understand the human body in a way that will allow them to comprehend clinical applications, and be active in patient education. The ability to bridge the gap between medical knowledge and the average patient’s knowledge is extremely important in making patients feel secure, well cared for, and less stressed. These positive feelings facilitate the healing process.

In my classes, you will build a foundation of knowledge that will allow you to move on to professional school and further your understanding of the human body. You will learn structure and function of humans from the molecular to the whole body level. I emphasize the importance of seeing both the big picture and the details. But, it is not just about learning the material. It is also about learning how to think about and process information of this type. It is about gaining the skills and the discipline you need to be successful in your career and life in general. If you do well in my classes, I am confident that you will be well prepared for the next step in your education.

I teach advanced level courses, and I have high expectations of my students. I believe having high expectations encourages students to do their best, and usually they find they do better than they thought they could. If you ask a former student, most of them would agree I’m tough but reasonable and fair. At this advanced level, I feel it is important for me to guide you in a way that allows you to work things out for yourself – organizing your own time, thinking your way through challenges, taking responsibility for your education. It is not easy, but it is tremendously rewarding. You will work hard in my classes, and you will learn a great deal and enjoy it as well. Okay, there will be moments where you are not exactly enjoying it, but most of the time you will! And you’ll appreciate what you’ve gained from your hard work.

Letters of Recommendation

I am happy to write academic letters of recommendation for those students who have worked hard and done well in my courses. It is important that you follow certain guidelines so that I will have time to write a letter that will enhance your application. I put a great deal of time and effort into my recommendations, and typically write letters for 40+ students each year. Expect to need to be a few months ahead of your due dates – this is important to you, so plan ahead.

DUE DATES FOR FIRST-TIME REQUESTS

Requests for letters needed January – June 2025 are due by November 27, 2024 – Please note my list for this application period is very full with students who met the deadline, it is unlikely I will be able to take any late requests
Requests for letters needed July – December 2025 are due by May 9, 2025
I may need to limit the total number of letters I write, so make your request as soon as you can
To secure a spot on my list, you must provide ALL the information needed (see below)

DUE DATES FOR ADDITIONAL REQUESTS

If I’ve written a letter for you previously, I can resubmit the same letter fairly quickly
If I will need to edit your previous letter in a significant way, such as for a different program, etc., I may need a few weeks to work it into my schedule, so please make those requests with as much lead time as possible, and provide the additional information I’ll need to make changes

The instructions below are for ACADEMIC letter requests. If you have a request for a letter for a scholarship or EOP, please consider asking a teacher outside of Anatomy & Physiology, as A&P teachers already get an overwhelming number of requests. If you want to ask me anyway, you must make it clear what the purpose of the letter is, and you are responsible for providing the information listed below, as well as the additional information that scholarship and EOP letters require (it is your responsibility to be aware of the requirements and send me the appropriate information).

CURRENT REQUIREMENTS FOR REQUESTING LETTERS:

Send your request from the email address you want me to use to contact you if I have questions

do not use Canvas messaging for recommendation requests, email to rbailey@peralta.edu
be sure to use the subject line “letter of recommendation”
All the required information should be attached in one document, or provided in the body of the email
you can expect an acknowledgement that I’ve received your request, but depending on the volume of requests that may take a few weeks

Identifying information

Your full name, and the name you used in my class (if different)
The course(s) you took with me, and which semester
Grade earned, which I will verify with my records
A photo of you, especially if it’s been a year or more since you took a class with me

Date your requested letter is due

If you have multiple requests, be sure to clearly note the EARLIEST due date
this should be the due date according to the school you are applying to, NOT your “preferred” date (this helps me appropriately prioritize many students)

Which degree you are seeking, and the name of the specific program at each school to which you apply

If you apply to more than one type of program, I may elect to write one general letter that would work for all your programs

A personal statement, indicating what led you to decide on your chosen field, and any other relevant information that may help me write a more personalized letter

Informative bullet points are perfect (I prefer this over a formatted essay/narrative)
Include highlights from your work in class – be specific, I will verify with my records

how involved you were with a lab group/study group AND how well you worked independently

how you did on critical thinking activities/exam questions (includes lecture exam bonuses, questions relating structure to function, specific class activities on critical thinking)

how you did on exams – consistently excellent? improved throughout the semester?

how you demonstrated integrity – using your own words on exams/assignments, honesty in all communication with instructor and fellow students, etc.

Include work/volunteer experience, whether related to health care OR your communication abilities, leadership skills, time management, etc.

Provide an electronic way for me to submit your letter

Most applications use portals, where you provide my email and they send me the link to submit the recommendation
If your school does not use a portal, provide an email address where I can submit the recommendation
I do not send letters directly to students
You may not hear from me directly when I finish your letter, but I will submit it through the portal and you should be automatically notified
If it gets close to the due date (a few days or a week) and I haven’t submitted yet, feel free to email me a reminder

You will likely need to fill in certain information about me for your application

My full name: Rebecca L.C. Bailey
my title: Biology Department Co-Chair
phone #: (510) 464-3295
e-mail: rbailey@peralta.edu
school/address: Laney College, 900 Fallon St., Oakland CA 94607

Instructor's creedo

What is the job of the instructor?

• To prepare students for the next step in their education (for example: transfer to a four-year school, professional school in health care, etc.)

• To facilitate and inspire each student’s best effort

• To be fair, consistent and organized

• To keep students informed of their progress, by giving feedback regarding exams/assignments in a timely manner

• To challenge students to reach higher and farther than they thought they could

• To promote academic honesty

We, as instructors, recognize that:

• The best way for a student to succeed is to take responsibility for the learning experience.

• A passing grade must mean the student is knowledgeable regarding the material of the course and is ready for the next step.

• A student’s grade must reflect their abilities in regard to Student Learning Outcomes established for the course.

• Instructors do not “give” grades, they are earned by the student through hard work.

• Students must develop time management and study skills to be successful.

• Students have other classes, family commitments and jobs, and they must find time for studying in their busy schedules in order to be successful.

• Most students will not strive to exceed the expectations of the instructor, but most will strive to meet those expectations. Thus, high expectations mean high achievement.

• What is appropriate at one level of instruction is not necessarily appropriate at all levels. For example, instructors of career-track and advanced level courses must have different expectations from instructors of general education courses.

• Study groups are important, and we encourage students to work together in the learning process.

• Students have a variety of learning styles.

• We must provide excellent learning opportunities on a limited budget.

Current Course Information

Fall 2024

BIOL 2 Human Anatomy will be taught as a hybrid course:

Lecture will be online with one synchronous Zoom meeting per week (Wednesdays 9-10:50am)
Labs will be face-to-face most weeks (T 9:30 am – 12:20 pm in B207)
- All labs will have online preparation
- Most labs will be F2F
  - We will have some lab days set aside for student/instructor conferences

BIOL 4 Human Physiology will be taught as a hybrid course:

Lecture will be online with one synchronous Zoom meeting per week (Wednesdays 11:00am-12:50pm)
Labs will be face-to-face most weeks (T 1:30 – 4:20 pm OR Th 9:30 am – 12:20 pm, in B207)
- All labs will have online preparation
- Most labs will be F2F
  - We will have some lab days set aside for student/instructor conferences

How to Add My Classes

I typically receive messages from dozens of students who want to get into my class after it is filled, and everyone has a good reason why they absolutely must take the class with me that particular semester. I empathize with the frustrating situation of not getting in, or having to wait a long time to find out. I wish I could accommodate everyone, but it’s not possible. I promise to do the best I can, and if I am able to add anyone after the class is full, I will take students from the waitlist. It’s unlikely I’ll be able to add students who were not on the waitlist. Please note that I do not control the waitlist – that’s done through the Peralta system, and you must secure a spot on the waitlist through the standard enrollment process.

Over summer and winter breaks, there is always lots of movement on the rosters. That is, students drop and the Peralta system automatically adds students from the top of the waitlist. If you are dedicated to getting a spot in my class, I recommend you keep trying to enroll, and hopefully secure a spot on the waitlist. You might get lucky and happen to try just as someone else dropped. Waitlisted students can expect to receive a message from me, with additional information, about a week before the semester begins. Please be prepared to respond quickly. If you respond, and I am able to add you from the waitlist, I will send you a permission number at that time. These messages will be sent through the Peralta system, so you must either pay attention to your Peralta email or link another email to your Peralta account.

If you are on a waitlist but find another class that works for you, please drop yourself from the waitlist to allow others the opportunity.

Face-to-Face Classes

Enroll as early as you are able – my classes tend to fill up quickly
When the class is running face-to-face, you must attend class the first day or you will be dropped to make room for waitlisted students who are present. YOU MUST ATTEND THE FIRST CLASS to keep your spot. If there are unavoidable extenuating circumstances causing your absence that can be documented (such as a medical reason) you may email me ahead of time. I can no longer accept extended vacations/travel as a reason for missing the first class.
Extended vacations during the semester, outside of the regular Peralta holiday schedule, cannot be accommodated
Check for all open sections and enroll in what is currently available (it may be possible to switch lab sections later)
Make sure you have taken the appropriate prerequisite (see policy below)
If a class is full, keep trying – someone may drop before the first day
You may come to class the first day if you are trying to add into a full section – be aware there are no guarantees
It is likely that there will be several students who come to add and feel they absolutely must get into the class, unfortunately it is not possible to accommodate everyone

Online/Hybrid Classes

Enroll as early as you are able – my classes tend to fill up quickly
When the class is running online there are “First Week Activities” in Canvas that must be completed on time to keep your spot in the class
Check for all open sections and enroll in what is currently available (it may be possible to switch lab sections later)
Make sure you have taken the appropriate prerequisite (see policy below)
If a class is full, keep trying – someone may drop before the first day
As mentioned above, you must have a spot on the waitlist to be added to the class
I will contact waitlisted students shortly before the semester begins with additional information
Extended vacations during the semester, outside of the regular Peralta holiday schedule, cannot be accommodated

Prerequisites

Everyone must take the prerequisites, with good reason. The prerequisites have been established by committee to benefit students. The prereqs are not an obstacle, they are there because your proven success in those courses makes it much more likely that you will be successful in my class. For Human Anatomy (BIOL 2), the prereq is BIOL 10 or 24. For Human Physiology (BIOL 4) the prereq is CHEM 30A or 1A. You must have taken the prereq or a comparable level course at another college to take my class.

The best path for students who took a prereq course outside of Peralta is to see a Laney counselor to have the prereq cleared. Generally speaking, I do not sign prereq challenge forms. In limited cases, for BIOL 2, I may sign a challenge form if the student can demonstrate via transcript that they successfully completed another college level science with lab instead of BIOL 10 or 24. The CHEM prereq for BIOL 4 is firm. Please note that the paperwork will not move forward quickly over holiday breaks.

Contacting Me

Face-to-Face Classes

For face-to-face classes, I prefer to do student contact in person
My office hours during the Fall and Spring semesters are MWTh 1-2pm, T 4-5pm
My office hour is usually spent in the B207 lab, and I cannot be reached by phone in that room
Current face-to-face students should NOT use e-mail for questions regarding the course, including material missed when absent or test material – please see me in class or during office hours
Current students may use e-mail to inform me of your situation if you are ill or otherwise out of class for an extended period
If you are not a current student and cannot come to see me in person you may use e-mail
If you are trying to contact me over a break you may use e-mail, but please be aware that I do not check messages as often when school is not in session
I do not use the voicemail that Laney has listed for me
My e-mail address is rbailey@peralta.edu

Online/Hybrid Classes

Please pay close attention to the syllabus guidelines for communication
In order to do my best to serve all my students, I set boundaries around questions. Here are some general things to think about before you message me with a question:
1. Is it something you could look up in this syllabus, or in Canvas?
2. Have you watched the lecture screencast pertaining to your question?
3. Have you checked out the Student Orientation button on our Canvas home page for support resources? (including help with technical aspects of Canvas)
4. Is your question something you could address with your study group?

If you have considered the points above, and you need to contact me, please message via Canvas
1. I may take 24-48 hours to address a message, not including weekends
2. If either you or I feel the issue is best addressed in a Zoom appointment, I will schedule an appointment as soon as possible
3. Please note that I will not address questions about material for an exam, if that exam is already open
Please note that any communication regarding Letters of Recommendation, or any other communication after the semester you are enrolled is over, is best done through email (NOT Canvas messaging)

Human Anatomy info

A current syllabus is available below (choose Fall or Spring, as appropriate). The syllabus has detailed information on course policies, assessment, and student learning outcomes. The schedule gives detailed information on chapters covered in each unit of lecture, exam dates and lab topics. Selected handouts are available. Lab Activities gives details of activities for each lab period. Dates for lab activities are available in the current class schedule. Click here to find out more about the lecture notes and text.

human heart model

click to open pdf, open in a reader to save to your device…

Anatomy Syllabus Spring 2020

Anatomy Lab Activities Update 2015

Anatomy Microscope Lab

Notes/Text for Anatomy

For Human Anatomy, you will need:

Lecture Notes
Handout Packet
Textbook (Human Anatomy by Marieb, 7th ed., ISBN-10: 0321822412 • ISBN-13: 9780321822413)
Scantron forms (50 questions on each side)
Gloves for dissection

The notes are sold at the bookstore. Or you can click to get the pdf, and print them yourself: Human Anatomy Lecture Notes update 2017 Please note that printing locations on campus only allow a small number of pages to be printed each day.
Textbooks are a considerable cost for a student, and I work with the publisher and the bookstore to get the best materials at the most reasonable price. I offer different versions of the text to try to suit as many students’ needs as possible. The unbound version of the text can be carried and used in sections, but cannot be sold back. This results in lower cost to you. I consider it essential that students keep the text to refer to throughout their education and career. If you would prefer a hardcover, bound version of the text, that is also available.
If you choose to purchase a different package from what I specify above, such as a used book or older edition, you may not get all the available resources (most importantly, access to online practice material). It is ultimately your decision.
I want to be clear that I expect my students to have the proper materials to be successful in the class, and I’m giving you my best advice.
check with the Laney Bookstore for current pricing on course materials. You can also get the text directly from the publisher.

Tissues

Below are pics of the tissues that Human Anatomy and Human Physiology students are required to learn in my classes. In some cases, a tissue is represented at different magnifications. These are meant as ONE study tool for the tissues – for example, you could download the files to make your own flashcards. Further information about the tissues and how to recognize them is presented in class. Many thanks to the two students who took the photos for the benefit of all students: Brenda Covarrubias and Donna Ozawa.

For the best view, open in a new tab (generally a right-click or two-finger click depending on your device) or download the file.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnar Epithelium

Stratified Squamous Epithelium, 10x

Stratified Squamous Epithelium, 40x

Transistional Epithelium