Instructor: Dr. Josey Barton
Phone: 651-690-6102
Office: Mendel 29
Email: jmbarton@stkate.edu
Lecture/Lab: Saturdays, 8:15-12:45
Meet in Mendel 32
Text: Human Biology, 9 th
Edition, Cecie Starr and Beverly McMillan (Brooks-Cole,
2012)
Other readings and articles will be made available through Blackboard or in class.
Office Hours: By appointment. I will be available most weekends immediately following class to discuss any issues or concerns. However, it will be best to contact me via email to schedule an appointment in advance.
Course Objectives:

To understand the basic principles of biology in areas such as anatomy, physiology, genetics, cell biology, microbiology, and immunology as they relate to women and women’s health.

To acquire basic laboratory skills in biology and to experience the process of scientific investigation, from observation, experimental design, data collection and analysis, to communication of your results with others.

To be able to analyze and evaluate scientific information presented in the media by developing critical thinking and communication skills.

To become better informed and empowered health care consumers capable of recognizing quality and competence in health care and actively participating in health care decisions.

To examine myths, stereotypes, and sex role expectations associated with female biology.

To examine the effects of modern medical technology on the lives of women.

To become acquainted with multi-cultural and social justice perspectives regarding women’s health care issues.
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Course Description: This trimester, we will explore biology from the unique perspective of a woman’s body. Since this class is also cross-listed as a women’s studies course, it is intentionally women-centric. We will investigate how the body works, how it develops, and how to keep it healthy by exploring multiple perspectives on women’s biology and health with respect to issues of race, class, and gender. I expect each of you to come to class ready to participate in the learning process through discussions, group work, and labs.
Please come to class having read the assigned material, armed with questions about what you’ve read.
Course Website:
The course website is on St. Kate’s Blackboard server. Please make sure to check the website on a regular basis (at least a few times a week) for announcements and to access additional course materials. Outside of class, all course communication will be via the website or by email. Please make sure that the email address you have listed in
Blackboard is one which you check regularly. I will send out emails using the addresses listed in Blackboard.
Exams: You will have 2 take home exams over the course of the trimester (a mid-term and final). These will consist of both multiple choice questions as well as essay questions/case study analysis/critical thinking exercises. You may use your texts and notes to answer the questions. Multiple choice questions will be entered online via Blackboard while essay questions will be submitted via the digital drop box. Each exam is work approximately 100 points. Dates for the exams are listed on the syllabus schedule.
Assignments: Throughout the trimester, you will be asked to do several assignments.
Details of these will be given in class along with the point value for each assignment. You will also be asked to do one, possibly two, in class presentations. In addition, you will have one chance to earn some extra credit throughout the term. Details for this will be given at our first meeting. Make sure to check the Blackboard website, after April 1 st , for your first assignment which will be due at our first meeting.
Course Policies:

Since we meet only 9 times this trimester, attendance in class is mandatory. If you have to miss class, please contact me ahead of time. You will be responsible for any material that you miss. It may not be possible to make-up the lab, therefore you will lose the points earned in lab that day.

All assignments must be typed using a word processor and submitted electronically using the digital drop box on the course website. To access the digital drop box, go to student tools and select “add”. Attach your file by clicking on the “browse” button and finding where it is saved. Highlight the file and click “open”. Place it in your digital drop box by clicking on submit. To submit the file to my digital drop box, you must hit the “send” button.

No late assignments will be accepted.
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
I expect and encourage students to study together. However, make sure that everything you turn in is written in your own words and not those of your text book, online resources, or peers. Do not quote your notes or resources verbatim. Rather, you should be able to process the information gleaned from these sources into your own thoughts. You are on your honor to prepare answers for any exams and/or assignments by yourself.

Academic Integrity Policy: I expect that you will approach this class and all assignments with honesty and integrity. Students are expected to follow the academic integrity policy documented in Le Guide . Anyone caught cheating will be failed on the assignment in question. A second offense will result in a failing grade for the course.

Special Considerations: It is the policy and practice of the University of Saint
Catherine to create an inclusive learning environment. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that result in barriers to your inclusion in the learning environment – such as inaccessible web content, the use of non-captioned videos, etc – please contact me as soon as possible. Students are also welcome to contact Resources for Disabilities at 651-690-6882.
Grades: Your grade will be determined based on the percentage of total points you obtain.
There will be no curve in this course, rather I like to give you the grade you earn throughout the course of the trimester. Grades will be assigned as follows:
A
A-
93-100%
90-92%
B+ 87-89%
B 83-86%
B- 80-82%
C+ 77-79%
C
C-
73-76%
70-72%
D+ 67-69%
D
F
60-66%
0-59%
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Tentative Schedule
Date Topic
April 9

What is science?

Women and science

Feminism and science
April 16

Chemistry of life:
Biological molecules

Organization of the body:
Cells, Tissues, Organs, and
Organ Systems
Lab
Film: TBA
Microscopic
Observation of cells and tissues
April 30

Systems biology - focus on endocrine system

Menstrual cycle

Reproductive anatomy
May 14

Fertilization, pregnancy, and embryonic development

Menstrual disturbances and contraception
* Midterm Exam Posted
(Due May 21 by 5 PM)
May 28

Online Session

Mendelian genetics

Chromosomes and cell division: mitosis and meiosis
June 4

DNA

Gene expression:
Transcription and translation
June 18

Sex determination and differentiation

Immune system and microbes
June 25 Final Presentations
Final Exam Posted (Due
July 1 by 5 PM)


Anatomical models
Testing menstrual products

Pregnancy tests

Film: TBA
Menstrual product testing
Menstrual product testing
TBA
Readings
S & M: Ch 1
S & M: Ch 2 - 4
*make sure to also browse through chapters 5-8, 10-13
(organ systems)
S & M: Ch 15-16
S & M: Ch 17, 16.7,
16.8
S & M: Ch 2.13, 18-
20, 21.1
S & M: Ch 21.3-
21.6
S & M: Ch 9
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