Spring 2023 - BISC 455 D100
Endocrinology (3)
Class Number: 5986
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Apr 23, 2023
Sun, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Tony Williams
tdwillia@sfu.ca
1 778 782-4982
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Prerequisites:
BISC 205, MBB 231 and one of BISC 306 or BISC 316 with a grade of C- or better.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
A study of endocrine organs and their role in integrating physiological functions in animals.
COURSE DETAILS:
Why did the Church encourage castration of young boys in 18th century Italy? Why does "sex chemistry" last 2 years for newlyweds? Is there really such a thing as male menopause? Did Shakespeare know about oxytocin when he said "trust none for oaths are straws"? Do hormones make woman bad drivers? Why are a man's sweaty armpits sexually attractive to females? Why might swimming in European rivers be bad for a fish’s masculine side?
This course will answer these questions, and others, through a broad review of endocrine systems, and the hormonal regulation and integration of physiological function in invertebrate and vertebrate animals (and a little bit on plants!), from the molecular to the whole-organism level. Following a general overview, we will focus on the major endocrine axes regulating such modern-day issues as sex, obesity, stress, ageing, etc. There will not be an exclusive focus on humans: this will be a comparative course.
Grading
- Class presentation I (1 slide, 3 min talk on social media story related to endocrinology) 10%
- Mid-term exam 15%
- Final exam 35%
- Tutorials and exercises/assignments 20%
- Term paper – a 1-page abstract/summary of your proposed topic with 5 example references 0%
- Final term paper - a 10-12 pages review on an endocrinology-related topic of your choice 20%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
No textbook required.
Read and review the ‘Chemical signals in animals’ Chapter in Freeman’s Biological Science (101/102 textbook) which should in library or on reserve in the library (in week 1)
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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