Delta State University

BIO 492 Special Topics: Endocrinology

Spring, 2007

 

 

Instructor: Dr. Yass Kobayashi

Office: Cayler 136

Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 9:00-10:00 AM, 1:00-5:00 PM

Phone: 846-4245

e-mail: kobayashi@deltastate.edu

 

Lecture: 11:00 to 11:50 AM on Mon, Wed, and Fri.

 

Required Textbook: Endocrinology by ME Hadley, 5th edition

 

Supplemental Materials: Articles from reviews and primary scientific journals provided by the instructor (eventually will have them either on-line or in the library reserve)

           

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce students to hormone function, and organs involved production of hormones and interrelationships of functioning systems involving various endocrine systems.

 

Prerequisites: Full admission status to Science program, at least one semester of Anatomy and Physiology (non-science majors require consent from the intsructor)

 

Credit hours: 3

 

Class format:

This class is designed to stimulate independent learning of students.  Along with normal classroom lectures, there will be several student-led discussions on the current research in the area of endocrinology. 

 

Class assignment:

There will be one-page assignments (4 per semester, 25 points each) concerning current research in different aspects of endocrinology.  This exercise is designed to utilize resources available in our library system and to develop skills to analyze and critique primary research papers.  Topics of mini-papers will be assigned at least two weeks before the due date, and the article must be approved by the instructor.  Mini-papers are due one week before the presentation, and students will lead discussion regarding their paper of choice.   

 

Teaching philosophy and Instructor’s Responsibilities:

My teaching philosophy is to challenge students to learn beyond their expectations and help them develop problem-solving skills through independent learning and thinking.   My goal is to do the best possible job of teaching this course. The laboratory sessions have been designed to provide as much hands-on experience as possible. I expect to come to each class well prepared and to clearly communicate information that is relevant to this course. I strongly encourage and welcome classroom discussion about the topics being presented. I am also eager to answer any questions you may have during the lecture and discussion sessions.

 

Student’s Responsibilities:

I expect you to come to each lecture and laboratory session with a desire to learn. You are also expected to complete the reading assignments, study the material thoroughly outside of class, and come to class prepared to ask questions about subjects that are unclear to you. Remember, learning is an active process and requires a significant amount of time and effort!

 

Grading

Based upon hourly examinations (3 per semester), a final examination, assignments, and participation.

 

Exams: 300 pts (100 pts per exam)

Assignments: 100 pts

 

Grading Scale: >90 % = A, 80-89 % = B, 70-79 % = C, 60-69 % = D, <60 % = F

 

The X-factor for the grading will be your attendance and participation.  If the score is on the C/D borderline (i.e. 67.5 %), students with regular attendance will receive C, whereas students with poor attendance record will receive D. 

 

Exams

There will be three hourly examinations plus one final examination.  Dates of the exams are indicated on the syllabus.  Final exam is another hour exam that is worth 100 points and covers the last part of the material.  Final exam is an optional exam that is used as a replacement of one hourly exam.  You may choose to take the final to replace one of hourly exams.  However, I use all-or-nothing system, and if you decide to replace one of your exam with the final and do worse than before, the score of the final exam will be entered for grade calculation. 

 

Class assignment:

There will be one-page assignment (4 per semester, 25 points each) concerning current researches in different aspects of reproduction.  This exercise is designed to utilize resources available in our library system and to develop skills to analyze and critique primary research papers.  Topics of mini-paper will be assigned at least two weeks before the due date, and the article must be approved by the instructor.  Mini-papers are due one week before the presentation, and students will lead discussion regarding their paper of choice.   

 

 

Make-up exams:

There will be NO MAKE-UP EXAMS.  If you know that you are going to miss the class because of University-sanctioned events (Athletics, musical performances, etc), you MUST NOTIFY THE INTSRUCTOR AT LEAST ONE WEEK (5 WORKING DAYS) PRIOR TO THE DAY OF EXAMINATION with written documentation (notes from the coach, band director, etc).  Only then, you may take the make-up examination and quizzes. Other emergencies such as illness, family emergency, and car problems must be substantiated by written documents.  Otherwise, you will receive ZERO on your missed exams, practical, and quizzes.  REGARDLESS OF THE SITUATION, YOU MUST INFORM THE INSTRUCTOR IMMEDIATELY IF YOU ARE GOING TO MISS EXAMS.  ANY TYPE OF EXCUSES, LEGITIMATE OR NOT, WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED 48 HOURS AFTER THE EXAM IS DISTRIBUTED. 

 

Class Attendance and tardiness

Students are expected to follow all University Policies.  Class attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class.  It is YOUR responsibility to attend all class and laboratory meetings.  Although I am not very strict on class attendance as many other instructors are, I WILL NOT TOLERATE TARDINESS!  YOU WILL BE MARKED AS LATE ONCE I close the door. Three lates will be considered as one absent.  If you are more than 10 minutes late coming in, YOU WILL BE MARKED AS ABSENT and I will ask you to leave the classroom because it is EXTREMELY DISRUPTIVE TO THE OTHER STUDENTS WHO ARE THERE ON TIME TO LEARN.   If you are going to miss class(es) or laboratory because of the University sanctioned events, you must provide an official memorandum signed by the appropriate University official PRIOR TO THE EVENT. 

 

Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devises

All cell phones and other electronic devises such as i-pod must be turned off and remain inactive during lecture and laboratory.  Please turn them off before entering the classroom or laboratory.  You will be asked to leave the room if these devises become activated during lecture and laboratory. IF YOU LEAVE THE ROOM TO ANSWER YOUR CELL PHONE, YOU WILL BE MARKED AS ABSENT AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RE-ENTER THE LECTURE.  Activation of these devises, as well as departure from the room to answer the phone, during examination will result in automatic “F” on the exam.

 

Disability Services at Delta State University 

Americans with Disability Act is designed to provide necessary accommodations to ensure equal opportunity for learning and prevent discrimination of students with disability.   If you need accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform Disability Service (Dr. Richard Houston, coordinator) at Reilly Student Health Center  (846-4690, rhouston@deltastate.edu) immediately. It is the campus office responsible for reviewing documentation provided by students requesting academic accommodations, and for accommodations planning in cooperation with students and instructors, as needed and consistent with course requirements.

 

Academic Dishonesty:

As a member of academic community, you are expected to complete your own work honorably.  Any effort to gain unfair advantages over others, whether it is successful or not, is considered as academic dishonesty.  We regard academic dishonesty as an extremely serious matter, with serious consequences that range from probation to expulsion. Cheating on exams and copying other’s laboratory assignments will not be tolerated, and those who are caught cheating will automatically receive a failing grade (F) on the exam and assignment. According to university policy, I am required to report any incidents of academic dishonesty to the Division Chairman and to the Dean of Student Affair.


Tentative Lecture Schedule and Topics

 

Week 1 (09-13 January)

Instructor out of town on 10 January

  1. Introduction

 

 

 Week 2 (15-19 January)

No Class (MLK Holiday)

  1. History of endocrinology Minipapter topic                                             Chapter 1
  2. Nature of hormones                                                                             Chapter 2

 

Week 3 (22-26 January)

  1. Hormone actions                                                                                 Chapter 4
  2. Hormone actions Minipaper #1 Due                                                      Chapter 4
  3. Minipaper presentation and discussion

 

Week 4 (29 January -02 February)

  1. Neuroendocrinology-Hypothalamus                                                      Chapter 6
  2. Neuroendocrinology-Hypothalamus                                                      Chapter 6
  3. Neuroendocrinology-Pituitary                                                   Chapter 5

 

Week 5 (05-09 February)

  1. Neuroendocrinology-Pituitary                                                   Chapter 5
  2. Neuroendocrinology-    Posterior Pituitary                                             Chapter 7
  3. Neuroendocrinology-Posterior Pituitary (End of Exam I)                       Chapter 7

 

Week 6 (12-16 February)

  1. Steroidogenesis                                                                                    Chapter 16
  2. Reproductive hormones-Male                                                               Chapter 17
  3. Exam I

 

Week 7 (19-23 February)

  1. Reproductive hormones-Male, Female                                      Chapter 17,18
  2. Reproductive hormones-Female Minipaper topic                                   Chapter 17, 18
  3. Reproductive hormones-Pregnancy                                                       Chapter 18

 

Week 8 (26 February -02 March)

  1. Reproductive hormones-Pregnancy                                                       Chapter 19
  2. Adrenal hormones Minipaper #2 Due                                                    Chapter 15
  3. Minipaper presentation and discussion

                                                     

Week 9 (05-09 March)

  1. Adrenal hormones (End of Exam II)                                                      Chapter 15
  2. Growth hormone                                                                                  Chapter 12
  3. Exam II                                                                                               

12-16 March, Spring Break

 

Week 10 (19-23 March)

  1. Growth hormone                                                                                  Chapter 12
  2. Growth hormone, Pancreatic hormones Minipaper topic                        Chapter 12, 11
  3. Pancreatic hormones                                                                             Chapter 11

 

Week 11 (26-30 March)

  1. Thyroid hormones                                                                                 Chapter 13
  2. Thyroid hormones Minipaper #3 Due                                                    Chapter 13
  3. Minipaper presentation and discussion

 

Week 12 (02 – 06 April)

  1. GI hormones                                                                                        Chapter 10
  2. GI hormones    (end of Exam III)                                                          Chapter 10

No Class (Easter)

 

Week 13 (09-13 April)

  1. Calcium Homeostasis                                                                            Chapter 9        
  2. Calcium Homeostasis                                                                            Chapter 9
  3. Exam III

 

Week 14 (16-20 April)

  1. Appetite regulation
  2. Appetite regulation Minipaper topic
  3. Catecolamines                                                                                      Chapter 14

                                                                             

Week 15 (23-27 April)

  1. Catecolamines                                                                                     Chapter 14
  2. Prostaglandins, Minipaper #4 Due
  3. Minipaper presentation and discussion

 

Week 16 (30 April – 04 May)

  1. Prostaglandins, Hand out the final Exam
  2. Course evaluation
  3. Final Exam (Oral portion)

 

Written Final Due: 5:00 PM Wednesday, May 9th.