Spring 2021 - BISC 472 D100

Special Topics in Cells, Molecules and Physiology (3)

Early life and health

Class Number: 2397

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Thu, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
    Location: TBA

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 19, 2021
    Mon, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    To be announced.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Selected topics in areas not currently offered within the undergraduate course offerings in the Department of Biological Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

Course Title: Early Life and Health

Note: This course may be applied toward the Cells, Molecules and Physiology Concentration and the upper division laboratory requirements.

Health research has traditionally focused on how genetics, current environment and lifestyle influence predisposition to disease. However, it is becoming clear that the early life environment, and even the preconception environment of the parents, can affect adult health as much as genetics, adult environment and behaviour. This course will examine the evidence for the developmental origins of health and disease, the underlying biology, and the cutting-edge technology being used in this emerging field of research. Lab projects will include the development of hypotheses and predictions that will be tested using a large, publicly-available dataset. Students will be encouraged to consider how social factors (e.g., poverty) interact with biology, and will have opportunities to explore how their own areas of interest intersect with this developing field.

Topics to be covered:
Evidence of the developmental origins of health and disease
Genetics and epigenetics
Human development from egg and sperm until birth
The placenta
Examples of how the early-life environment affects various aspects of health (e.g., mental health, hypertension, diabetes), and the underlying mechanisms
Interventions to reverse adverse programming effects

Grading

  • Midterm 15%
  • Final Exam 20%
  • Classroom presentation (10 min) on a topic of your choice relevant to developmental programming: 15%
  • Essay Proposal (1 page) 5%
  • Essay on your presentation topic (10-12 pages) 15%
  • Lab activities (including one oral exam) 30%

REQUIREMENTS:

Mode of teaching:
Lecture: synchronous (but will be recorded; no penalty for not attending)
Laboratory: synchronous
No tutorial
Midterm: synchronous; date: TBA (during lecture time)
Final exam: synchronous; date: TBA
Oral lab exam: synchronous, date: TBA

One oral presentation assignment, one oral exam, and ongoing participation in labs will require access to a camera and microphone and the ability to share your screen, either through Blackboard Collaborate/ Canvas and/ or Zoom.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

None (readings will be available through the library)

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).