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Neuroendocrinology
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| Course Grading: | |
| Exam 1 | 20% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
| Lab Portion | 35% |
| Class Participation (including student presentations of articles) |
15% |
| Total | 100% |
A make-up for Exam 1 will be granted only in the case of exceptional personal or medical circumstances and I must be contacted prior to the scheduled exam. The make-up must be completed within 5 days of the original exam. All assignments are due at the beginning of class or lab on the designated day. All work handed in or presented for this course must be original to this class.
Students with disabilities who are taking this course and who need disability related accommodations are encouraged to work with Veronica Darer, Director of Programs of the Pforzheimer Learning & Teaching Center (for learning and attention disabilities), and Jim Wice, Director of Disability Services (for physical disabilities) to arrange these accommodations. Their offices are located in The Pforzheimer Learning & Teaching Center in Clapp Library.
Attendance:
Class discussion is one of the key elements that will make this course successful. To be actively involved in class, one must be present. Thus, it is essential that you attend class. Finally, because entering class late causes a significant distraction for your classmates, I ask that you arrive to class on time and prepared.
Class Participation:
The higher the level of class participation, the better this class will be. Therefore, I ask that everyone participate in class by asking questions and engaging in discussion. If you have a question, most likely someone else in class has that same question. Thus, it is to everyone’s benefit to hear your question. It is important to note that attendance is not the same as participation.
Wellesley College Honor Code:
It is expected that you will fully abide by the Wellesley Honor Code: “As a Wellesley College student, I will act with Honesty, integrity, and respect. In making this commitment, I am accountable to the community and dedicate myself to a life of honor.” In regard to this honor code, it is important to know and understand plagiarism. Please ask me if you have any questions about how or when to cite an outside source, including research papers, class notes, information gathered from the Web, your text, a colleague, etc.
Neuroendocrinology Lab
Lab: Th 1-4:30, SC 318
Lab Manual: The lab manual is posted in the FirstClass sub-conference “Lab”.
Lab Objectives:
- To learn important concepts covered in the lecture portion of this course through hands-on experience
- To gain experience in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of the type of data collected in
neuroendocrine research - To learn some of the current techniques used in neuroendocrine research
- To facilitate group learning in which you teach and learn from one another while working in teams
- To learn to think critically about experimental results and to communicate those concepts effectively
Readings for Lab:
Readings are indicated in the Lab Schedule. These readings should be done prior to lab. It is important to note that this lab integrates with the lecture portion of this course. Therefore, whenever possible, use material from the lecture to enhance your lab experience and incorporate material from lab in the lecture portion of this course.
Lab Attendance:
Attendance in the labs is required. Labs may be missed only in the case of exceptional personal or medical circumstances and I must be contacted prior to the scheduled lab. You will be responsible for making up any missed labs. It is important to be on time and ready to go at the beginning of lab. Because we are working with regulated chemicals and reagents, eating is not permitted in the labs.
Written Laboratory Report:
Each student will write two lab reports. Lab Report 1 is due at the beginning of lab on 10/13. This report should be 4-5 pages double spaced, summarizing and interpreting results from the sessions of Lab 1. In writing this lab report, you will need to incorporate information from lab and lecture to fully discuss the role of ovarian steroid hormones in the regulation of female rodent reproductive behavior. This lab report should include proper citation of references. More information pertaining to this assignment will be discussed and presented in lab and in the lab manual.
Lab Report 1 and 2 is due at the beginning of class on Dec. 12. This lab report (8-10 pages) will consist of a revised version of Lab Report 1 and will incorporate the analysis of estrogen-dependent progestin receptor gene expression in brain (Lab Report 2). Thus, this report will discuss the mechanisms by which hormones act to alter gene expression in specific brain regions. This report will give you the opportunity to improve on your first lab report and integrate how hormones influence gene expression in brain to ultimately regulate behavior and physiology. More specific instructions on this process will be given out in lab. The laboratory reports will be reduced by 5 points for each day they are late (including weekends and holidays).
Lab Grading: Lab Report 1 30% Lab Report 2 60% Lab Participation 10% Total 100%
The total lab grade will count for 35% of the overall grade in the course.