mevillanu - BIOL 315

Histology websites:

Syllabus:

Columbia Union College
Fall 2007
BIOL 315: Histology
TTh 11:15-12:35pm

PROFESSOR: Dr. Melinda Ekkens-Villanueva
CONTACT INFO: 301-891-4462; mvillanu@cuc.edu
OFFICE HOURS: S 102E; MW 10am-11am; M-Th 1-2pm
TEXTBOOK:

1.) Ross MH, & Pawlina W. 2006. Histology: a text and atlas: with correlated cell and molecular biology (5th ed). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD.
ISBN: 978-0-7817-7221-1
2.) Knisely, K. 2005. A Student Handbook for Writing in Biology (2nd ed). Sinauer Associates, Inc. & W.H. Freeman & Co., Sunderland, MA.
ISBN: 978-0-7167-6709-1

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Histology: A detailed study of the gross and fine structure of the cells and tissues that comprise the organs and organ systems of the vertebrate body. Lecture will deal with the structure-function relationships seen in the tissues of the body; lab will emphasize the microscopic identification of normal vertebrate tissues.
* Three lectures and one laboratory per week.
* Prerequisite: BIOL 162 with a minimum grade of "C".

GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Identify the major tissues and their components in the vertebrate body.
2. Describe the various organ systems, and identify their component cells & tissues.
3. Explain the interactions between various cells and the organ systems they compose.
4. Explain the relationship between structure and function in the vertebrate body.
5. Work collaboratively in groups to solve course-related problems.

COURSE FORMAT:
Science is built on questions; the desire to find an answer and solve a problem. Therefore, this course will include both lectures and problem-based, group-learning activities. To facilitate the group-learning activities, you will form small groups during the early part of the course. You will work in these groups to address specific problems, using the collective resources and efforts of the group. A portion of your grade will depend on these group activities; both your performance in the group, and the overall group’s performance. You will evaluate yourself and the other members of your group at various points throughout the course; how your group members evaluate you can affect your grade. In order to ensure that the group functions smoothly, it is recommended that each group formulate a set of ground rules. Some suggested guidelines are included here, but feel free to create your own ground rules.
1. Attendance: Be on time for every class or group session. Promptly notify the other group members, and the professor, if a class or group session must be missed. Advance notice is preferred, as this will allow your group members to make alternate plans.
2. Preparation: Be prepared to discuss the assignment. Be sure to bring any assigned materials to class or group meetings.
3. Participation: Share the workload among the group members. Also, be willing to share information gathered outside class with other group members.
4. Respect: Respect all group members. Be sure to listen to, and value, contributions made by all group members.
It is also recommended that each person within the group assume a role (discussion leader, recorder, reporter, accuracy check or questioner [devil’s advocate], time keeper, etc.), and that the roles are switched between group exercises. For additional information, please see “Problem-based learning” on Desire2Learn.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILTIES:
Statement of student responsibility: Education is more than simply taking courses to satisfy graduation requirements. It is a life-long process whereby you gain knowledge regarding the world around you. This will most easily be accomplished if you take an active role in your learning by
* Cultivating curiosity.
* Recognizing that struggle is a requisite for learning, that learning often requires students to spend time in areas where they may not be sure of themselves, & that learning may require students to spend time following leads that may turn out to go nowhere.
* Realizing that accepting responsibility for your own learning entails spending the necessary hours preparing for classes & examinations, doing homework & writing papers, asking questions, finding help from faculty, seeking opportunities for learning, & using available resources.
* Tolerating the discomfort that sometimes accompanies contact with new ideas, including being open-minded, considering other points-of-view, & not rushing to judgment.
* Recognizing that thinking critically about ideas & problems & making mature judgments can take place only if you cultivate certain habits of mind, such as readiness to gather information, develop reasoning skills, & learn methods of specific disciplines.
Adapted from “Position Statement on Increasing Student Responsibility for, Involvement in, & Commitment to Learning” in Teaching & Learning Through Inquiry: A Guidebook for Institutions & Instructors. Edited by Virginia S. Lee. 2004. Stylus Publishing, LLC, Sterling, VA, pp. 191-193.

Therefore, students are expected to:
1. Attend, participate, and contribute to all classes and laboratory periods. This is particularly important since there will be a number of group activities in which individual grades will be dependent on the group grade.
2. Be prepared for each class and lab by reading, reviewing, and/or completing all scheduled assignments prior to each class period. This includes any group work that must be completed prior to class.
a. Read the textbook and laboratory material BEFORE you come to class or lab. Not only will you understand the lecture/lab better, but it will also increase your productivity in class/lab.
b. Review your class notes soon after each class; this will keep material fresh, and will help reinforce difficult concepts. If you spend 2 hours in study for each hour in class, you should have no problems keeping up with the course and getting the grade you want.
c. Develop study groups that meet once or twice a week, and before exams. This will help you to review complex topics, reinforce difficult concepts, and evaluate lab procedures.
3. Abide by all group rules.
4. Know the course requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to know the requirements for the course. Along with the syllabus, assignments can be made in any class or laboratory period. If you are absent or late, it is your responsibility to obtain assignments and handouts that you may have missed. It is also your responsibility to monitor due dates and be sure that assignments are submitted on time and in the correct format.

PROFESSOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Statement of professor responsibility: It is the professor’s responsibility to create an environment where students can actively learn. Therefore, the professor is expected to:
1. Provide a classroom environment that is respectful and conducive to learning. This includes the following:
a. Encourage reciprocity & cooperation among students.
b. Be respectful of diverse talents & ways of learning.
c. Be supportive of student’s honest efforts to learn.
d. Create an environment where students can gain practice, & obtain feedback, in critical thinking.
2. Emphasize persistent focus on material to be learned, & efficient use of time.
3. Communicate high expectations.
4. Promptly return graded assignments, quizzes, and tests.
5. Be available during office hours to answer questions and guide group activities.
Adapted from “Position Statement on Increasing Student Responsibility for, Involvement in, & Commitment to Learning” in Teaching & Learning Through Inquiry: A Guidebook for Institutions & Instructors. Edited by Virginia S. Lee. 2004. Stylus Publishing, LLC, Sterling, VA, pp. 191-193.

GRADING:
The final grade for the class will be based on lab and lecture as follows:
Lab write-ups   30%
Exams   30%
Quizzes   15%
Class assignments   10%
Disease projects   15%

Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
A = 90 – 100%       A = 93-100   A- = 90-92
B = 80 – 89%   B+ = 87-89   B = 83-86   B- = 80-82
C = 70 – 79%   C+ = 77-79   C = 73-76   C- = 70-72
D = 60 – 69%   D+ = 67-69   D = 63-66   D- = 60-62
F = 0 – 59%

There will be an average of one quiz per week during lecture period; the lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of the semester.

The specific date for exams will be announced in class at least one week before each exam. Any student who receives below a 70% on an exam must meet with the professor within one week of the exam. Documentation of this meeting will raise the exam grade by five points; failure to do so will result in lowering the exam grade by five points.

Please note: Students whose career goals include professional or graduate school must view a “C” in this course as a partial-passing grade. A partial-pass will only assist students in progress toward their career goals if it is matched by an “A” in another science course. In short, a science GPA of 3.0 should be viewed as an absolute minimum for satisfactory progression.

REGRADE POLICY:
Quizzes, exams, or lab reports may be returned for regrading only if the total points were incorrectly totaled, or if your answer can be documented by text materials. Answers which were misinterpreted due to sloppy handwriting, poor organization, or incorrect terminology will not be considered; be clear and concise the first time. A paper must be returned for a regrade within one week (7 days) of its return to you. It must be accompanied by a TYPED concise, brief summary or rebuttal with references to your textual sources. Quizzes or exams written in pencil will not be considered for regrading.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
It is assumed that your work is your own. Class discussions and lab projects are joint efforts, but each write-up must be your own interpretation and analysis; this will aid you in establishing collaborative efforts, while learning to interpret and defend your own work. Science builds on the work of others, so be clear with references and citations, but be sure to give credit where credit is due. PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

For further details, please see the CUC policy on academic integrity, as stated in the 2007-2008 College Bulletin.

ATTENDANCE:
Attendance at all class and laboratory sessions is required. Please be prompt, as important announcements are generally given at the beginning of lecture/lab. Late-comers will not be allowed to take exams or quizzes. Please note that excused absences do not excuse you from any work or material missed; you are responsible for all material & announcements presented in class/lab whether you are present or not.

Make-up exams and quizzes will only be allowed if the absence is unavoidable and documented. There will be NO MAKE UP EXAMS FOR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES. Excused absences include a serious illness or a death in the immediate family; a doctor’s note or an obituary will be required. If an exam is missed, it must be rescheduled immediately upon return to class, and is generally expected to be taken within 24 hours of your return. Notification before the missed exam is requested.

PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONE RINGERS DURING CLASS TIME.

During exams & quizzes, ALL cell phones and beepers must be COMPLETELY OFF, and stored in backpacks, bags, purses, etc. In case of emergency, cell phones may be left with the instructor.

LATE WORK POLICY:
Assignments are due on time, regardless of whether or not you are present in class or lab. Excused absences do not excuse you from any work or material missed. Overdue assignments will lose 15% per week; assignments more than six (6) weeks overdue will not be graded. These deductions apply if an assignment is turned in late on the due date.

CHANGES IN COURSE POLICY:
It is possible that certain changes in these policies may become necessary. Any changes will be announced in class, and will become part of, and supersede, the course policies described here.

LABORATORY:
Lab reports will be written on an individual basis, and will follow the basic format: Introduction/Objective, Results, Discussion. Include citations where appropriate. Reports must be turned in by the beginning of the following lab to avoid a late penalty.

Failure to pass the lab segment (70%) will result in failure to pass the class.

DISEASE PROJECTS:
Throughout the semester, you will write three papers & create one poster. Each paper will be 3-4 pages in length, & will discuss how a specific disease affects the body’s cells, tissues, & organ systems. Each paper should include the biology of the disease/pathogen, a description of the affected cells/tissues/organs, & a discussion of SPECIFICALLY how the disease affects the target cells/tissues/organs. The poster will follow the same general guidelines, but does not require a formal paper. In addition, one paper will be chosen for an oral in-class presentation (due on the chosen due date). Specific guidelines will be given in class for the papers, poster, & oral presentation. Please see below for the project due dates. Please note that each paper must be submitted via Turnitin.com, & that all posters will be presented to the department on December 3, 2007.

PROJECT SCHEDULE:
Project 1 - September 20, 2007
Project 2 - October 11, 2007
Project 3 - November 8, 2007
Project 4 - November 29, 2007
Poster Presentations - December 3, 2007

LECTURE SCHEDULE (Tentative):

Week           Topic                  Chapter
1    Introduction & methods                            Ch. 1 (pp.1-22)
      The cell – cytoplasm & nucleus (review)    Ch. 2 (pp. 23-70); Ch 3. (pp. 71-91)
      Tissues: concepts & classification              Ch. 4 (pp. 92-96)
      Epithelial tissue                                       Ch. 5 (pp. 98-138)
2    Connective tissue                                    Ch. 6 (pp.146-174)
      Cartilage                                                Ch. 7 (pp. 182-192)
3    EXAM I
      Bone                                                       Ch. 8 (pp.202-227)
4    Adipose tissue                                          Ch. 9 (pp.238-246)
      Blood                                                      Ch. 10 (pp. 247-275)
5    Muscle tissue                                            Ch. 11 (pp. 280-307)
5, 6    Nerve tissue                                         Ch. 12 (pp. 318-352)
      EXAM II
7    Cardiovascular system                              Ch. 13 (pp. 364-386)
8    Lymphatic system                                     Ch. 14 (pp. 396-429)
      Integumentary system                              Ch. 15 (pp. 442-463)
9    Digestive system I: Oral cavity & associated structures    Ch. 16 (pp. 476-504)
10 Digestive system II: Esophagus & gastrointestinal tract    Ch. 17 (pp. 518-553)
11 Digestive system III: Liver, gallbladder, & pancreas         Ch. 18 (pp. 576-602)
      EXAM III
12 Respiratory system                                    Ch. 19 (pp. 612-634)
      Urinary system                                         Ch. 20 (pp. 646-672)
13 Endocrine organs                                       Ch. 21 (pp. 686-715)
      Male reproductive system                           Ch. 22 (pp. 728-759)
14 Female reproductive system                       Ch. 23 (pp. 772-809)
      Eye                                                          Ch. 24 (pp. 834-856)
15 Ear                                                           Ch. 25 (pp. 866-883)
      FINAL EXAM – Dec. 10, 2007

BIOL 315 - Histology