BIOL 4160 – Vertebrate Endocrinology

Course Syllabus – Spring 2009

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Administration Building room # 23, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.

Course description:

Number and title: BIOL 4160 (CRN 24297), Vertebrate Endocrinology

Credit hours: 3.0 semester credit hours

Catalog description: Endocrinology is the study of hormones and their pervasive effects on physiology. Vertebrate Endocrinology will cover the major vertebrate endocrine systems, and the effects of different hormones on cellular and organismal levels of physiology. This course includes lectures, classroom discussion of research papers, and student presentations. A major emphasis is placed on student participation.

Course prerequisites: BIOL 3200, BIOL 4100

Notebook Computer Requirement:

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.

Computer Skill Prerequisites:

• Able to use the Windows^TM operating system.
• Able to use a the Microsoft Word^TM word processing program.
• Able to send and receive e-mail using the Outlook^TM or Outlook Express^TM program.
• Able to use a Web browser.

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

Student notebook computers will be used extensively in this class. Various in class assignments will require students to use their computers.  In addition, computers will be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor.  Plan on bringing your laptop to class or arrange with another student prior to the meeting time of the class to share computers.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Biology outcomes:

BIOL 4160 supports outcomes 1, 4, 5, and 7 of the biology major:

• Outcome 1.  Knowledge of the basic principles of major fields of biology.
• Outcome 4.  Ability to communicate orally and in writing in a clear concise manner.
• Outcome 5.  Ability to collect, evaluate, and interpret scientific data, and employ critical thinking skills to solve problems in biological science and supporting fields.
• Outcome7.  Appreciation for the impact of biological and physical science on the environment and society

Course objectives:

• TBA

Instructor Information:

Dr. P. Melvin
Office: Admin 16B
Phone: (678) 466-4789
email:  PaulMelvin@clayton.edu
Internet address: http://a-s.clayton.edu/pmelvin/pmelvin
Spring Office Hours: TBA

Class meetings: Classes will meet in room G129 from 8:25 AM to 9:40 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Textbook information:

Required text: Hadley and Levine.  Endocrinology, 6th edition, Pearson-Benjamin Cummings, 2007

Evaluation: SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Grading:

Your final grade will be determined as follows:

Mid-term Progress Report

The mid-term grade in this course will be issued prior to March 6, 2009, and it will be based on 2 examinations and on any assignments given.  To calculate your grade, you should use the following formula:  (the number of points you earned) / (total number of possible points).  Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of 'W'.   Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar or from the Registrar's webpage, on or before the mid-term, which occurs on MARCH 6, 2009.  If the withdrawal is submitted after March 6, 2009, the grade will be a 'WF', which is equivalent to an F in the calculation of a student's GPA.

Tentative course schedule:  

This lecture schedule and lecture testing is tentative and may change. Tests may be given the week before or the week after the week listed here--or during the week predicted. Specific test dates will be announced one week in advance in class.

Making up missed work

·        There will be NO make up exams. Instead your final exam grade will count twice.  Missing more than one of the scheduled, regular hour exams is considered excessive.   You will be asked to withdraw from the course or to apply for a hardship withdrawal (after the midterm only) if you miss more than one exam. 

·       If you need to miss the final exam for an extraordinary circumstance, a makeup examination will be given but only if you contact me in advance of the exam.

·        You will only be allowed to miss one assignment during the semester.  If you have a valid excuse, the grade on the next assignment will count twice.  If you miss more than one assignment, regardless of the excuse, you will be given a grade of 0 for the missed assignment.

·        You MUST present a valid excuse written by some authority (doctor or judge) in order to get an excused absence.  If there is a death in your family, you will need to bring me official documentation to validate your excuse.

·        You have 48 hours to notify me of your excuse in order to get credit for the missed assignment.  If you miss a test or assignment on Tuesday, then you will have until Thursday at 12:00 PM to contact me about your excuse.  If you miss a test or assignment on Thursday, then you will have until Saturday at 12:00 PM to contact me.  If you do not contact me by this time, you will receive a grade of 0 regardless of your excuse.  I regularly check my e-mail so if you have an excuse where you cannot return to class, then you may e-mail me your excuse and will then have to provide the documentation immediately upon your return.  Otherwise, you will be given a grade of 0.

·       Routine doctor visits (i.e., annual eye exam, cleaning of teeth, pregnancy checkups, etc.) should not be scheduled during class or exam time; they will not be considered excused.

·       Planned traveling is not a valid excuse.  If you happen to win an all expenses paid trip to some exotic destination, that MIGHT be considered an extraordinary circumstance (provided you take me with you!)

·        Although I am sympathetic, getting stuck in traffic is not considered a valid excuse.  You should allow plenty of time to get to class.  You will be given a grade of 0 if that is your reason for not attending class.  If you are in an accident on the way to school, you will need to present me with a police report within 48 hours of the accident in order to get an excused absence.

·       All other extraordinary circumstances will be handled by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.  However, you should contact me in advance or as soon after the extraordinary circumstance as possible.

Turning in late work/assignments:  I will deduct one letter grade for each day that your assignment is late unless you have a documented excuse. No assignments will be accepted after 3 days past the due date.  All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period.  If you come in late and hand your assignment in late, I will deduct a letter grade.  Remember, that you can miss only one assignment during the semester regardless of your excuse so choose your excuses wisely.  If you do have a documented excuse, you will need to hand your official excuse in when returning to class or you will receive a grade of 0 for the assignment.

Taking exams:  All electronic devices including cell phones, palm pilots, pagers, calculators, etc. are not allowed during exams or other in class graded assignments.  Possession and/or use of these items during an exam or other graded assignment will result in a zero on the graded activity.  Since there is no logical reason to be using them during exams/quizzes/assignments, it will be assumed your are using them to receive aid on the exam/quiz/assignment, which is academic misconduct.

E-mail: Important messages and announcements will be sent to you via your CSU email account. You must activate your account and check your e-mail regularly.  You are responsible for all e-mails sent to the class list.

General policies:

Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.

Visitors (friends, etc.) are strictly prohibited from attending class without the permission of the instructor.  As per CSU policy, children are not allowed in classrooms (or           unattended on campus).

No eating or drinking is permitted at any time in the classroom.

Students may not use laptop computers for anything other than note taking during class.  Students using laptop computers for anything else (including, but not limited to, instant messaging, sending or receiving email, playing games, or surfing the internet) will be asked to leave the class.

Cell phone use during class is disrespectful and distracting to the instructor and other students.  Any student using their cell phone during class (ringing, talking, or sending/receiving text messages) will have the phone confiscated and must come see the me at the end of class to get it back.  I may decide to answer it for you!  I may read your text message to the entire class!  It is suggested you switch your phone to the off position before class begins.

Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not tolerated.  While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior.  A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class.  A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal.  If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.  Please refer to http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm for more information.

Regular and punctual attendance is highly recommended.  We will be covering material in class that may not be found in the textbook.  Announcements concerning changes in test dates, quiz dates, and assignment due dates will be made during class.  If you must be absent due to illness or other unforeseeable event, you are still responsible for any and all information given during class.  This may include changes in test dates, quiz dates, assignment due dates, and the syllabus.

No form of academic dishonesty will be tolerated in this class.  Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism.  All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved.  All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs.  Judicial procedures are described at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/.

Changes or additions to this syllabus, including reading, exam schedule, grading, and course policies can be made at the discretion of the instructor at any time. 

Last update: April 29, 2009