ENDOCRINOLOGY – fall 2006
Zoology 603 -- T, R 1:00 – 2:15
168 Noland Hall
Instructor: Lauren Riters, Ph.D.
Office: 361 Birge Hall
Phone: (608) 262-6506
Email: LVRiters@wisc.edu
Office Hours: Please email for appointment.
Course information on the web: Go to Learn at UW for announcements and reading assignments.
Required Readings
I will be assigning readings from a variety of journals and texts. Texts that I plan to use include Mac
Hadley’s Endocrinology (Hadley, M.E. Endocrinology 5th Ed., Prentice Hall), Griffin and Ojeda,
Textbook of Endocrine Physiology, Randy J. Nelson, Behavioral Endocrinology.
Required readings from the above texts and other sources will be available through Learn at UW.
Course Description
This is a three credit lecture course providing an introduction to the role that hormones play in a
variety of physiological processes and behaviors. The course covers topics in endocrinology from a
molecular to a systems level, including exploration of hormonal involvement in homeostasis, growth,
development, reproduction, and behavior, with a primary emphasis on vertebrate systems. During the
semester we will cover selected topics that highlight major areas of endocrinology research and
illustrate basic principles in this field. The focus of the course during the last weeks of class will be on
selected “hot topics” in endocrinology, with a primary emphasis on hormones and behavior.
Requirements
To succeed in this course it is necessary to attend lectures. The assigned readings will be
supplemented with additional materials from the lectures. Grading will be based on 3 exams over
materials from lecture and the assigned readings. These exams will not be cumulative.
Grading
Grades will be based on 3 exams. All 3 exams will be non-cumulative, equally weighted, multiple
choice questions (approximately 35 Qs).
Exam 1:
Exam 2:
Final Exam:
Total:
35 pts
35 pts
35 pts
105 pts
I assign final grades using the traditional UW breakdown. I do not “round up” unless you demonstrate
genuine effort (e.g., attend lecture, participate, discuss unclear material with me after class etc…).
Pre-Lecture Outlines
Prior to each lecture I will post outlines of the material I plan to cover during lecture on Learn at UW.
Use these outlines to make sure that you are following class lectures, and as a study guide. I base
many of my exam questions on post-lecture outlines.
Make-up Assignment Policy
Make up exams will only be given in extremely exceptional, very rare cases. Contact me if you feel
you have such a case.
Ethical Considerations
You should be familiar with the University of Wisconsin policy on academic misconduct, which is
available to you at http://www.wisc.edu/students/conduct/UWS14.htm.
Attendance
Attendance is necessary for success in this course. Although attendance will not be taken in lecture,
the lectures will cover material not included in the assigned readings.
Fall 2006, Endocrinology – Zoo 603 T, R 1:00 – 2:15
Week
Topic
Date
INTRODUCTION, HOMEOSTASIS, AND METABOLISM
1 Introduction to Endocrinology
5-Sep
The Endocrine System
7-Sep
2
Readings
Griffin& Ojeda Ch. 1
Mechanisms of Hormone Action
12-Sep
Methods Used in Endocrinology
14-Sep
3
Hormones and Digestion
Hormones and Appetite
19-Sep
21-Sep
4
Hormones and Metabolism
Neuroendocrine Control of Pituitary Function
26-Sep
28-Sep
TBA
Hadley Ch. 6
5
Pituitary Function continued
Wrap up and review
3-Oct
5-Oct
Hadley Ch. 7
6 EXAM I on Weeks 1 – 5
10-Oct
STRESS, REPRODUCTION, AND DEVELOPMENT
Thyroid hormones
12-Oct
Hadley Ch. 4 (see
Learn@UW for page
numbers)
*Becker & Breedlove, Ch. 10, p
11-22, 30-34. Not required, but
good background/refresher
reading.
McCarthy & Crews (Ch. 2 in
Becker et al., 2002)
Hadley Ch. 10 (not p. 230 -236)
Pfaff Ch. 1 (parts A, B, and C)
Exam
TBA
7
Adrenal hormones
Hormones and Male Reproductive Physiology
17-Oct
19-Oct
TBA
TBA
8
Hormones and Female Reproductive Physiology
Pregnancy, Parturition, and Lactation
24-Oct
26-Oct
TBA
TBA
9
P, P, and L continued
Sex Differentiation
31-Oct
2-Nov
TBA
10 Sex Differentiation and the Brain
Hormones, Growth, and Development
7-Nov
9-Nov
TBA
TBA
11 Wrap up and review
EXAM II on Weeks 6 – 11
14-Nov
16-Nov
TBA
Exam
21-Nov
23-Nov
TBA
Thanksgiving!!!
13 Hormones and Social Bonding
Hormones and Mood
28-Nov
30-Nov
TBA
TBA
14 Hormones and Aggression
Endocrine Disruption
5-Dec
7-Dec
TBA
TBA
15 Temperature-dependent sex determination
EXAM III on Weeks 12 – 15
12-Dec
14-Dec
TBA
SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
12 Neuroendocrine Regulation of Birdsong
No Class!
NO FINAL WILL BE GIVEN DURING FINALS WEEK.