ABIO 598 Endocrinology
Fall 2009 Syllabus
Instructor: Dr. Jennifer D. Cannon
E-mail*: JCannon@usca.edu
Office hours: By appointment
Office: SBDG 111B
Phone: 803-641-3349
* IMPORTANT:
I will use e-mail as a regular form of communication in this class and I expect that you will
as well. You should check your e-mail at least once daily and respond promptly if required.
Lecture: MW 4:30-5:45PM in SBDG 108
Prerequisites: ABIO 121 and 122, ACHM 111
Required Texts: Textbook of Endocrine Physiology, Fifth Edition, by Griffin and
Ojeda.
* Although not required, a general textbook of human anatomy and
physiology is recommended.
Course Credit: Three credit hours
Course Description and Objectives: This course is designed for Biology majors and
those interested in health related fields. It incorporates the study of basic endocrine
function, with an emphasis on human endocrinology. Upon completion of this course
students are expected to be familiar with
- basic endocrine terminology.
- how hormones regulate various aspects of normal physiology, such as homeostasis,
growth, energy metabolism, and reproductive function.
- disorders and pathologies associated with improper endocrine functioning.
- environmental endocrinology.
- laboratory techniques used in measuring hormones.
In addition, students will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in communicating
endocrine concepts both orally and written.
Grading:
Three hourly (lecture) exams 45%
Lecture Quizzes
10%
Research Paper
20%
Case Studies
Presentation
Participation
10%
10%
5%
Grading Scale:
A (90-100%); B+ (86-89%); B (80-85%); C+ (76-79%); C (70-75%); D+ (66-69%);
D (60-65); F (0-59%)
Reading: You are expected to read the relevant chapter(s) and assigned journal articles
prior to coming to class. These primary research articles and reviews will either be made
available online or put on reserve in the library. See attached for schedule of Topics/
Chapters to be covered.
Lecture Quizzes: Up to 10 quizzes will be given during the semester. These quizzes will
include material covered during class as well as material covered in the assigned reading.
Some of these quizzes may be unannounced. Should a quiz be missed due to an
unexcused absence, a 0 will be given. The two lowest quiz grades will be dropped.
Case Studies: Case studies and questions will be handed out a week prior to their
scheduled discussion. Students are to work alone on these case studies and are expected
to have typed the answers to the questions, in their own words, prior to coming to class.
Students are allowed to annotate their previously-prepared answers during the class/group
discussions, and the answers are to be turned in at the end of class. Answers submitted
late will be discounted 5 points per day.
Research Paper: Each student is to write a research paper on a topic in endocrinology of
his or her choice. The paper should be between 8-10 pages, typed, double-spaced, and in
CSE format. At least 12 sources must be cited within the paper, half of which must be from
the primary literature, and no more than 1-2 from the World Wide Web. This does not
include journal articles obtained from online databases. If you do use the web to obtain
information, you must be sure that it is a reputable source, such as a governmental site
like the NIH or the CDC. Although you may wish to use a site such as Wikipedia to help
you understand a particular topic, this is not an acceptable reference for your research
paper. Topics are due by September 9, a list of references is due on or before October
14, and the final paper is due on November 11. If you have questions pertaining to the
research paper, you must contact me before the date that a particular assignment is due.
Presentations: Each student will prepare a 10 minute oral presentation on the topic
chosen for the research paper. These will be presented at the end of the semester and
grades will be based on informativeness, organization, clarity, neatness, and
professionalism.
Attendance Policy: Attendance will be taken daily. Students will be allowed a total of
four unexcused absences from this course. In this regard, the instructor may impose a
penalty for absences in excess of four by assigning an “F” for the course. Absences,
neither excused nor unexcused, absolve the student from meeting class assignments. It is
advised that the student contact the professor or a peer should an absence occur so that
no assignments are missed. Exam make-ups will only be allowed for a documented,
excusable reason. In addition, if you must miss an exam, please contact me BEFORE
class.
Portable Electronic Devices: The use of any portable electronic devices, including cell
phones, pagers, MP3 players, iPods, etc., during class is not allowed for any reason
unless prior approval has been given to a student from the instructor or unless required for
the course. If you are planning to have any of these devices in class, they must be turned
off and stowed away for the duration of the class.
Disability Statement: If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability
which might affect your performance in this class, please contact the Office of Disability
Services, 126A B&E, (803) 641-3609, as soon as possible. The Disability Services Office
will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation.
Writing Center: USCA provides a Writing Center located in Room 112 of the Humanities
and Social Sciences Building. If you need extra assistance on any writing assignment for
this or any other class that you are taking, please try the Writing Center.
Writing Portfolio: Also remember that written work that you complete for this class can
be included in your writing portfolio requirement. For further information on the writing
portfolio requirement, please consult your current USCA Bulletin.
Honor Code: Students are expected to abide by the Academic Code of Conduct as
described in the Student Handbook. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if
academic integrity is violated. The following honor pledge is to be written, signed, and
dated by the student on all exams and assignments turned into the instructor.
“On my honor as a University of South Carolina at Aiken student, I have neither
given nor received any unauthorized aid on this assignment/ examination. To the
best of my knowledge, I am not in violation of academic honesty.”
ABIO 598T Tentative Lecture Schedule
Date
24-Aug
26-Aug
31-Aug
2-Sep
2-Sep
7-Sep
9-Sep
9-Sep
14-Sep
16-Sep
21-Sep
23-Sep
28-Sep
30-Sep
5-Oct
7-Oct
8-Oct
12-Oct
14-Oct
14-Oct
14-Oct
19-Oct
21-Oct
26-Oct
28-Oct
2-Nov
4-Nov
9-Nov
11-Nov
11-Nov
13-Nov
16-Nov
18-Nov
23-Nov
25-Nov
30-Nov
2-Dec
9-Dec
Topic
Introduction / Review Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology
Organization of the Endocrine System
Mechanisms of Hormone Action
Mechanisms of Hormone Action
Last day to submit Proficiency Portfolio in Writing.
Labor Day - NO CLASS
Techniques for Studying Endocrinology
Topic for Research Paper Due
Techniques for Studying Endocrinology
The Hypothalamus and Pituitary
The Hypothalamus and Pituitary
The Hypothalamus and Pituitary
Group Quiz/ Case Study/ Paper Discussion
Exam 1
The Thyroid
The Thyroid
Mid-point in the semester.
Growth
Steroidogenesis and Steroid Hormone Nomenclature
References for Research Paper Due
Grad Finale.
The Adrenals
The Adrenals
Calcium Homeostasis
Group Quiz/ Case Study/ Paper Discussion
Exam 2
Sexual Differentiation
Male Reproductive Function
Female Reproductive Function
Research Paper Due
Last day to apply for May 2010 graduation.
Female Reproductive Function
Fertilization, Implantation, and Encocrinology of Pregnancy
Environmental Endocrinology/ Endocrine Disruptors
Thanksgiving Holiday- NO CLASS
Presentations
Presentations
Exam 3 5:00PM
Fall 2009
Chapters
1
3
3
Handouts
Handouts
6,7
6,7
6,7
13
13
12
Handouts
14
14
15
8
10
9
9
11