Anatomy & Physiology 2
Junior year, spring 2022:
Comprehensive A & P 2 was definitely something to remember. Dr. Jackson was on paternity leave for the first half of the semester. Meaning that we had to fit all of the content of A & P 2 into seemingly no time. Everyone in the class was collectively nervous because Dr. Jackson was notorious for giving hard tests. However, on the first day of class, Dr. Jackson said “ Please, call me Brandon and I have a surprise for you all. Want to guess what it is?” Our class was self-graded. We called the shots, we got out of it what we wanted and so much more. Also, Brandon helped write the anatomy Crash courses. So cool.
I learned so much about anatomy and physiology during the class. I was thoroughly surprised by Brandon’s effective and engaging teaching style. We had such a small class we all just sat at one table on the 1st floor of the Chichester classroom. The one that faces the road with all the light, it was great. We had weekly journals and had to set up individual meetings with Brandon to discuss the journals and how we came to the answers about the content. There were online lectures with notes but you really didn’t have to watch them. I watched them and took notes before class so that when the class came I could be involved and ask questions that furthered my basic knowledge of the topic. The class dynamic was so interesting. We were all interested in the medical field and all girls. Brandon had so much fun in the reproduction unit because he was able to teach us so much that we did not know about our own bodies.
We were required to do a final project, a health myth, on whatever we wanted as long as he approved. I did mine on whether charcoal toothpaste is good or bad for your teeth. I found a lot of conflicting data and no concrete answer. Which was the best part. A lot of things in science reflect that sometimes there is no concrete answer. This is contrary to popular belief as most think that science is cut and dry. So many things especially in human anatomy and nature are really influenced by the individual situation itself. The weather might be just right for snow during a thunderstorm or previous trauma leaves someone particularly predisposed to different diseases. There are so many facets of science that are not set in stone.
At the end of the semester, I graded myself with an A but I was hesitant about it and during our final meeting Brandon gave me some advice that resonated with me so deeply at this time in my life. He told me that I know what I deserve and to be sure of myself and my accomplishments. He watched me work hard through the half of the semester to excel and gain the most knowledge possible out of that course and by the end he agreed that I deserved an A. I will be moving forward to a one-credit research credit with Brandon. We are going to be analyzing snake teeth and how they relate to their environment and prey. I am so excited to learn more from Brandon and continue our professional relationship of curiosity about the natural world.
Click here for my final project presentation on charcoal toothpaste.
Artifact details: Name; Davice Jones, Date; (4/28/2022), Title; Charcoal toothpaste: Trendy or Poor Hygiene?