The course is required for Animal Sciences majors,
fulfills science credit for students applying to medical,
veterinary, or other professional schools, and
is general education certified for natural sciences.
This
course is appropriate for all students, regardless of major.
Teaching
Philosophy:
The primary goal of an undergraduate education is to educate students to
function in their future and to adapt to change. Therefore, I believe we must go beyond just teaching sheer
memorization and must teach students to become skillful in the thought
process. It is my goal that students
learn principles and how to use them to formulate conclusions. Therefore, I challenge students to
critically and creatively think, apply and use information, analyze issues and
ideas, and solve problems.
The
aim of college should be to teach the students how to think, not just the
memorization of information, because much of todays
information–information on which they base their views–will have
shifted or become obsolete by the time students take on their first jobs after
graduation.
—Darrel J. Kesler, Ph.D.
Course
Objectives: At
the conclusion of the semester, it is my objective that, in addition to having
an excellent understanding of reproductive biology and reproductive
technologies, you will be able to:
explain reproductive biology and technology to others,
detect reproductive
dysfunctions and diseases and propose therapeutic solutions,
understand,
objectively interpret, and explain to others new reproductive information and
technology as it becomes available,
use the scientific method
(scientific thinking), and
think at a higher
level—integrate and synthesize knowledge, formulate conclusions,
critically
evaluate issues, and creatively solve
problems.
Academic
Challenges:
|
Thinking Exercises (exams; 120 points each),
|
4
|
480
|
|
Lactation Exam
|
1
|
60
|
|
Comprehensive Final
Thinking Exercise (120
points)
|
1
|
120
|
|
In-class Quizzes (20
points each)
|
5
|
80
|
|
On-line Quizzes (10
points each)
|
4
|
40
|
|
Thinking Activities
(15 points each)
|
6
|
90
|
|
Laboratory
|
|
250
|
Grades: 90-100=A; 80-89=B; 70-79=C; 60-70=D;
<60=F
The grade scale is firm–this is not a curve nor will any curve be
applied. The above percentages
give you a goal–failing to reach that goal will affect your grade.
Plus and minus grades will be used only for borderline cases and will not
exceed one percentage point (i.e., students with 89-91% may receive an A- or
B+).
An optional paper is available (see Optional Paper section on the next
page).
Quizzes: There are two types of
quizzes: in-class and on-line. See the last page of the syllabus for
dates.
There are five in-class quizzes.
Four are scheduled and one is unannounced. If you do not attend the class when the
quiz is offered you will receive a zero; however, a make-up quiz will be
offered on the last day of class. The
make-up quiz may be used only to make-up one quiz that you missed. These
policies are firm—no exceptions.
There are four on-line lecture
quizzes. The on-line lecture
quizzes must be completed by 9:00 PM on the designated day. Details will be provided at the first
laboratory.
Thinking
Activities:
There will be six thinking activities that will be used in the final
grade (15 points each). Five are
scheduled and one is unannounced.
If you do not attend the class when the thinking activity is offered you
will receive a zero; however, a make-up thinking activity will be offered on
the last day of class. The make-up
thinking activity may be used only to make-up one thinking activity that you
missed. These policies are firm—no exceptions.
Lactation
Thinking Activity:
On April 29 (Wednesday; normally Quiz or Thinking Exercise day) there
will be a thinking activity rather than a quiz or thinking exercise. This will be one of the six thinking
activities described earlier. Dr.
Hurley may change the date of the thinking activity.
Thinking Exercises (Exams) and
Final: There will be thinking exercises instead of exams in
this class. The
thinking exercises (four are scheduled) are on 2/11, 3/4, 4/1, and 4/22. Thinking exercises promote learning
and understanding. Attend the
discussion when thinking exercises are returned as you would any lecture as new
material may be introduced and may be on the next quiz (i.e., dont just look for
grading errors). The comprehensive final thinking
exercise is scheduled (by the university) on May 11 at 7 to 10 PM (in 150 ASL). Material on the final will be from the
reproduction section (1/21 through 4/22).
One thinking exercise score (selected from the four lecture thinking
exercises and the final) will be excluded from the final grade. If you are satisfied with your four
lecture thinking exercise scores you need not take the comprehensive final.
Lactation Exam: The lactation exam will be an on-line exam. This exam will be available online
sometime on 5/4, but after lecture. It must be completed by 9:00 PM on 5/6 and is immediately
graded. This will allow you to
know if you need to complete the comprehensive final thinking exercise.
On-line Quizzes and Exams: On-line quizzes and exams
will be done using Compass. Go to http://compass.uiuc.edu/ in order to access
the on-line quizzes and exams.
Details regarding use of the on-line quizzes and exams will be discussed
at the first laboratory session.
Each on-line quiz is due by 9:00 PM of the designated day.
Review Sessions: The day before each
thinking exercise there will be an optional review session. Review sessions are sessions where
students may ask questions—there will be no lectures at the review
sessions. The review sessions will
be held from 5 to 6 PM on 2/10, 3/3, 3/31, and 4/21 for thinking exercises 1,
2, 3, and 4, respectively. The
review sessions will be held in room 150 ASL.
Optional Paper: The optional paper will allow you to
increase your total points by a maximum of 20 points; however, only for an
outstanding paper. The paper will
be graded on a percentage basis (i.e., 90% = A-) and calculated as
follows: 90% = .90 X 20 = 18
points. Most any topic on the
subject of reproduction is acceptable; however, it is recommended that you
first visit with Dr. Kesler regarding your topic. Papers must be based on several technical references. Papers will be graded based on
quality–not quantity. A
rough draft of the paper is due on 4/27 and the final draft is due 5/4 at 5:00
P.M.
Laboratory
Section: Dr.
Miller is the supervisor of the laboratory section of this class. The URL for the laboratory syllabus is
as follows: http://www.ansci.uiuc.edu/classes/ansc331/lab.htm. Questions regarding the laboratory
section should be directed to Dr. Miller.
Academic
Integrity:
It is the responsibility of the student to refrain from infractions of
academic integrity, from conduct that may lead to suspicion of such
infractions, and from conduct that aids others in such infractions. All students are responsible for
knowing the policies regarding academic integrity. Suspected infractions of academic integrity will be
addressed as mandated by the Code (Code
of Policies and Regulations, Section 33; http://www.admin.uiuc.edu/policy/code/article_1/a1_1-401.html).
Special
Needs:
Anyone with special needs—including students that will spend time
for university activities off campus and miss class—must promptly (no
later than 1/26) contact Drs. Kesler and Miller.
Text: Senger, P.L. 2003. Pathways to Pregnancy
and Parturition (2nd edition). Pullman, WA:
Current Conceptions, Inc.
This excellent
text is required.
Journals: Readings from various
peer-reviewed journals, including but not limited to the following, will be
used during the semester.
Human Reproduction
Science
Theriogenology
Nature
Biology of Reproduction
Journal of Animal Science
Animal Reproduction Science
Journal of Dairy Science
Reproduction, Fertility and Development
_______________
Note #1: The regulations described within this
syllabus are necessary for a class of this size. I would love to be more flexible. The best time to visit about class material is either before
or after class.
Note #2: The subject matter covered in this class will include
material on therapeutic procedures,
pharmaceutical products,
sexual behavior, sexual reproduction, ethical issues, etc. These subjects will be
presented to promote learning
and understanding of the content of the course. These materials will be
presented
straightforwardly using scientifically appropriate terminology. Material (including visual
material) that best
promotes understanding will be used for teaching purposes. The topics in lecture may
take you out of your
comfort zone as we will not avoid sensitive issues; however, we will make every
effort to avoid public embarrassment. Furthermore, no one ethical position
will be promoted—you are
welcome to your own
ethical positions.
Note #3: An attempt has
been made to create an error-free syllabus. If an error is detected students will
be immediately notified
with an appropriate correction.
Lecture Schedule
|
Date
|
1. Reproductive Anatomy, Systems, and
Endocrinology
|
Instructor
|
Reading
|
|
1/21
|
Introduction
History and
Reproductive Variations
|
Kesler
|
Ch 1
|
|
1/26
|
Embryogenesis
|
Kesler
|
Ch 4 87-89; 94-101
|
|
1/28*
|
Female Reproductive
Anatomy
|
Kesler
|
Ch 2
|
|
2/2
|
Hypothalamus-Pituitary
Axis
Negative Feedback,
Thyroid System, and Bioenergetics
Growth Endocrinology
|
Kesler
|
Ch 4 83-87
Ch 5 108-111
|
|
2/4+
|
Hormone Chemistry,
Synthesis, and Function
|
Kesler
|
Ch 5
|
|
2/9
|
Thinking
Activity—Pharmaceutical Dosing (calculators
needed)
|
Kesler
|
|
|
2/11
|
Thinking Exercise #1
|
|
|
|
|
2. Reproductive Cycles: Physiology and Control
|
|
|
|
2/16
|
Comparative Reproductive Cycles
Thinking Activity—Cycle Variations
|
Kesler
|
Ch 7; Ch 11
|
|
2/18*
|
Follicular Phase and Folliculogenesis
Ovulation
|
Kesler
|
Ch 8 164-179
Ch 8 179-187
|
|
2/23
|
Luteal Phase and Luteolysis
|
Kesler
|
Ch 9
|
|
2/25+
|
Luteolysis and Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy
|
Kesler
|
Ch 13 291-296
|
|
3/2
|
Ovulation Inhibition
and Control
|
Kesler
|
Ch 9 205-212
|
|
3/4
|
Thinking Exercise #2
|
|
|
|
|
3. Male Reproduction, Gametes, and
Fertilization
|
|
|
|
3/9
|
Male Reproductive Endocrinology
Thinking
Activity—Androgen Therapy
|
Kesler
|
Ch 10 214-218
|
|
3/11*
|
Male Reproductive Anatomy
Sperm Anatomy and Spermatogenesis
|
Miller
|
Ch 3; Ch 4 88-94
Ch 10 218-239
|
|
3/16
|
Spermatogenesis and
Male Reproductive Behavior
|
Miller
|
Ch 11
|
|
3/18+
|
Oocyte Maturation,
Meiosis, and Genetic Recombination
|
Miller
|
Ch 8 182-185
|
|
3/23-25
|
Spring
Break—No Class
|
|
|
|
3/30
|
Fertilization and Gamete Transport
|
Miller
|
Ch 12
|
|
4/1
|
Thinking Exercise #3
|
|
|
|
|
4. Pregnancy, Infertility, and
Reproductive Technology
|
|
|
|
4/6
|
Pregnancy
Detection/Diagnosis and Hormones of Pregnancy
Early Embryo
Development, Differentiation, & Mortality
|
Kesler
|
Ch 14 312-316
Ch 4 80-82
|
|
4/8*
|
Pregnancy, Pregnancy
Loss, Fetal Development, and Placentation
Parturition
|
Kesler
|
Ch 13 284-291;
Ch 14 304-316
Ch 14 316-325
|
|
4/13
|
Puberty, Seasonal
Anestrus, and Pineal Gland
Lactation/Postpartum
Anestrus
Infectious and
Noninfectious Reproductive Diseases and Dysfunctions
|
Kesler
|
Ch 6
Ch 15
|
|
4/15+
|
Reproductive Technologies
|
Kesler
|
Ch 14 297-303
|
|
4/20
|
Thinking Activity—Infertility Mysteries
|
Kesler
|
|
|
4/22
|
Thinking Exercise #4
|
|
|
|
|
5. Lactation Biology (one lactation thinking activity++)
|
|
|
|
4/27
|
Introduction; Milk Composition and Synthesis
|
Hurley
|
|
|
4/29++
|
Mammary Gland Growth
and Development; Physiology of Lactation
|
Hurley
|
|
|
5/4
|
Factors Affecting Milk Synthesis and Composition
|
Hurley
|
|
|
|
6. Wrap-Up
|
|
|
|
5/6*
|
Make-up Quiz; Make-Up Thinking Activity
|
Kesler
|
|
|
5/11
|
Comprehensive Final (7-10 PM—150 ASL; 1/21through 4/22 material)
|
|
|
*
In-class lecture quiz. + On-line lecture quiz (must be completed by 9:00 PM on
designated day). ++Thinking
Activity
