BIO 492 Special Topics:
Reproduction
Spring, 2007
Instructor: Dr. Yass
Kobayashi
Office: Cayler 136
Office Hours: Mondays and
Wednesdays 9:00-10:00 AM, 1:00-5:00 PM
e-mail: kobayashi@deltastate.edu
Lecture: 10:40 AM to 12:05 PM,
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Required Textbook: Essential Reproduction by
Martin Johnson and Barry Everitt Fourth Edition
Supplemental Textbook: Pathway to Pregnancy and
Parturition by PL Senger, Second Edition (Available in the instructor’s office)
This course is designed to introduce students to structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs involved in male and female reproduction and interrelationships of functioning systems involving male and female reproduction. The focus will be placed on the following areas:
1. Endocrine regulation of reproductive axis involving brain, gonads, and accessory reproductive organs,
2. Regulation of sexual differentiation
3. Gonadal hormone production
4. Development of gametes and process of fertilization
5. Process of maternal recognition of pregnancy
6. Parturition and lactation
7. Puberty
The course is designed to focus primarily on human reproduction; however, comparative aspects of reproduction will be discussed.
.
Prerequisites: Full admission status to
Science program, at least one semester of Anatomy and Physiology (non-science
majors require consent from the instructor)
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 researches in the area
of reproduction.
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. 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 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!
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.
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
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.
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
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)
Week 2 (15-19
January)
Week 3 (22-26 January)
Week 4 (29 January -02
February)
Week 5 (05-09 February)
Week 6 (12-16 February)
Week 7 (19-23 February)
Week 8 ((26 February -02 March)
Week 9 (05-09 March)
12-16 March, Spring Break
Week
10 (19-23 March)
Week 11 (26-30 March)
Week 12 (02–06 April)
Week 13 (09-13 April)
Week
14 (16-20 April)
Week 15 (23-27 April)
Final
Exam: Oral portion Tuesday, May 1. Written portion due by 5:00 PM Thursday May
3.