Endocrinology

Biology 4315-001, General Endocrinology, Spring 2007
Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays 11:00-12:00 pm, Room LS 101

Instructor: Dr. Malgosia Wilk, M.D., Ph.D. (M.A. Wilk-Blaszczak)

Office: Life Sciences Bldg. #353

Laboratories: 350/354, Life Science

Office Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 10:00-11:00 am and Mon, Fri 12:00-1:00 pm or by appointment

Phone: (817) 272-7424

Email: wilk@uta.edu
Web site: http://www.uta.edu/biology/wilk

Course Prerequisites: BIOL 1441, 1442, 3301, 3315 or at least one physiology course

Required Textbook: Vertebrate Endocrinology by David O. Norris 4^th ed.

Additional materials will be handed out in class.

Student Learning Outcome:

This course focuses on the role of hormones in the control of physiological processes. The main objective is to

1. Describe the physiological mechanisms of hormone including: hormone receptors, intracellular signaling cascades and cellular effects.

2. Describe the role of hormones in regulating metabolism.

3. Describe the results of hyper and hypo activity of the hormones as they relate to homeostasis.

Hormonal regulation of selected physiological systems will be explored in detail to illustrate these mechanisms.

Reading Assignments:

Students are expected to read the assigned chapters prior to coming to class. The exams will draw heavily upon material discussed during lecture; however, students are still expected to master the material in the assigned chapters. Exam questions might be drawn from text material that is not specifically addressed in the lecture.

Attendance and class participation:

Attendance at lectures is required for success in this course. To stimulate you to think about the class material during class I am encouraging you to add to the topic discussed. You can ask a creative question, present some new scientific facts (source has to be cited on the card, see below), historical events relevant for the subject. At the end of the class period that you asked your question/made your comment, you will turn in an index card with your name and your question or citation. You are encouraged to participate in each class but only 10 questions will count towards your grade. Only 1 question per subject covered will count toward your grade. Each question is worth 2 points. Only thoughtful, creative, synthetic questions + corrections, new discoveries or historical facts not presented in class will receive points.

Exams and grading:

Two semester exams and class participation will determine your grade. No final. Tests will not be returned to students. Sample tests and/or old exams will not be made available. Examples of test questions will be presented in class in order to provide students with direction in their studies. The correct answers for the exams will be presented in the next scheduled class after the first two exams.

Grades will be based on two semester exams and class participation:

Exam I (50 multiple choice/short answer questions, matching, short answer)	40%
Exam II (50 multiple choice/short answer questions, matching, short answer)	40%
Lecture questions/comments (max 2 points per lecture)	20%
Total	100%

Grades: A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F = below 60.

A makeup final exam will only be given for medical problems, or emergency situations. Incomplete grades will be given at the discretion of the professor when accompanied by a valid medical or serious life problems excuse.

Drop Policy:

Per university policy, it is the student’s responsibility to initiate withdrawal from this course if they are doing poorly. Any student may withdraw with an automatic “W” at any time from the beginning of the semester to 3 days after the return of the first exam.

Students are expected to:

1. Attend class regularly, on time, and remain the entire class period.

2. Stay abreast of all reading assigned in the course syllabus.

3. Assume responsibility for their own learning.

4. Adhere strictly to standards of academic honesty.

5. Show respect to the instructor and fellow students at all times.

UT Arlington has adopted MavMail (e-mail) as an official means of communication with students. Students are required to check MavMail regularly. Further information regarding your student email account can be found at: http://www.uta.edu/oit/email/

Drop for non-payment of tuition: If you are dropped from this class for non-payment of tuition, you may secure an Enrollment Loan through the Bursar's Office. You may not continue to attend class until your Enrollment Loan has been applied to outstanding tuition fees.

Bomb Threats: If anyone is tempted to call in a bomb threat, be aware that UTA will attempt to trace the phone call and prosecute all responsible parties. Every effort will be made to avoid cancellation of presentations/tests caused by bomb threats. Unannounced alternate sites will be available for these classes. Your instructor will make you aware of alternate class sites in the event that your classroom is not available

Student Support Services: The University supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and academic success. They include learning assistance, development education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817-272-6107 for more information and appropriate referrals.

Final Review Week: A period of five class days prior to the first day of final examinations in the long sessions shall be designated as Final Review Week. The purpose of this week is to allow students sufficient time to prepare for final examinations. During this week, there shall be no scheduled activities such as required field trips or performances; and no instructor shall assign any themes, research problems or exercises of similar scope that have a completion date during or following this week unless specified in the class syllabi. During Final Review Week, an instructor shall not give any examinations constituting 10% or more of the final grade, except makeup tests and laboratory examinations. In addition, no instructor shall give any portion of the final examination during Final Review Week.

Dropping a Course: If you decide to drop this course (or any other, for that matter) you must obtain a drop slip from the departmental undergraduate advisors office (for Biology, the advisor is Ms. Jane Pugh, Room 346 Life Science or you may go to the main office in the Biology Department 337 Life Science). Please fill it out, have the instructor of the course you wish to drop sign the slip and return it to the advisor's office or the Biology Office.

Academic Dishonesty: It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University.

"Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts."

Americans with Disabilities Act:

The university of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation: reference Public Law 93112--The Rehabilitation ''Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act - (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.

As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide "reasonable accommodation" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty at the beginning of the semester and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels.

Lecture Topics include

1. Introduction, functional organization of the endocrine system