Normally Offered: Alternate Fall semesters (even years)
Prerequisites: Organic Chemistry and Physiology; seniors with special permission.
Objectives: The objectives of the course are to provide:
- a comprehensive, up-to-date review of reproductive physiology, including molecular and cellular mechanisms
- opportunities for critical-thinking and problem-solving exercises in the area of reproduction
Description: This team-taught course will cover the following topics: sexual differentiation; development; female system, including reproductive cycles, ovarian biology, implantation, pregnancy, parturition, mammary gland, and lactation; male system, including gametogenesis and steroidogenesis; hypothalamus and pituitary and neuroendocrine control of reproduction; reproductive cancers; reproductive behaviors; nutrition; assisted reproductive technologies; and role of epigenetics.
Format: This class will consist of both lectures and class discussions, as follows:
- Lectures: Lectures on the above listed topics (~ 2/3 of the class meetings)
- Interactive student discussions: On assigned reproductive biology problems or controversial topics, students will prepare a short paper and discuss the topic in class (~ 1/3 of the class meetings).
Evaluation: The final grade for the course will be based on the following:
- Problem and topic papers (8 papers total) (40%)
- Classroom presentation and participation (10%)
- Midterm exam (25%)
- Final exam (25%)
Course Materials: Course materials will be provided through Sakai and in class. To prepare the problem and topic papers, students are expected to use outside sources such as primary research papers and review articles as well as classroom materials.