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PJ Hansen Animal Sciences AMCB IFAS College of Vet Med University of Florida

ANS 6313 - Current Concepts in Reproductive Biology

Frequency of Offering  |  Instructor |  Purpose  |  Requirements  |  Course Format   

Time and Place |  Presentations  |  Schedule and Readings  |  Grading  |  Communication About The Class

Dishonesty |  Students with Disabilities  | Counseling Service

• Frequency of Offering
  Alternate years, fall semester.  Next offered, Fall 2007

• Instructor
  P.J. Hansen, Dept. of Animal Sciences
  Room 122 Bldg 499 (Dairy Science Building)
  Phone: 2-5590 Fax: 2-5595
  E-mail: Hansen@animal.ufl.edu
  http://www.animal.ufl.edu/hansen

• Purpose
  This course uses in-depth discussion of recent review articles and original research publications on controversial or cutting-edge topics in reproductive biology to provide students with opportunities to 1) become aware of recent developments in reproductive biology, 2) develop critical thinking skills and 3)  formulate theoretical models to underpin development of research programs. The course is designed for advanced students in reproductive biology and other biosciences.   

• Requirements
  Consent of instructor is required and enrollment will be limited. Extensive experience in reproductive biology or a formal course in reproduction is required.  It is strongly recommended that students have completed a course in molecular biology or cell biology. 

• Course Format
  The course meets for 2 hours once weekly.  Before class, students are assigned readings consisting of 2-3 review articles assigned by the instructor and one original research paper chosen by the students.  The first hour of the class is taken up with a general discussion of the concepts illustrated in the review articles.  The original research paper is evaluated in the second hour in a discussion. Each class period, one student will be assigned to lead the discussion of the review articles and one student will be assigned to choose the research paper and lead the discussion on the paper.

• Time and Place
  Tuesday, 6:00-8:00 PM, Room 102 Bldg 499 (L.E. "Red" Larson Dairy Science Building).

• Presentations
  The discussion on the review papers will be initiated by a 15 minute presentation by one student that outlines one of the models of theoretical concepts underlying the reviews.  The remainder of the discussion will be lead by Dr. Hansen but students will be given an opportunity for shaping the direction of the discussion. Discussion topics will involve (but not be limited to) the following:

  --Development of models to organize concepts
  --Critical evaluation of conceptslarification of confusing areas/concepts
  --Clarification of confusing areas/concepts
  --Critical evaluation of concepts and experiments on which concepts are based
  --Implications for other areas of reproductive biology
  --Critical areas for future research

The research paper will be chosen by the student assigned to that topic.  The paper should be a recent paper (2006-2007) that represents a key paper in the progress in that area of research.  The student assigned to the paper should distribute the paper to each of the students in the lab one week before class meets.  The discussion of the paper will be informal (i.e., without lots of overheads or powerpoint slides) and will focus on  the following: The hypothesis, experimental design, results obtained, and significance of the results. All students will be expected to be involved in the discussion of the research paper.

• Schedule and Readings
  The schedule and readings can be found in the electronic journal section of the University of Florida Health Science Library.  The pdf files of the articles are also available on the Animal Sciences server at t:/hansen/ans6313.  In addition, Dr. Hansen willl email the pdf file for each paper before class.  It is expected that all students will have read every article.

For original research papers, the student assigned to find a paper should distribute the paper to each of the students in the lab one week before class meets. Distribution should be via email of the pdf file.

• Grading
  Grading is based on attendance (50%) and participation (50%). The highest grade possible for a student missing two lectures is a B⁺ and, for a student missing three lectures, is a B. Any student missing four or more lectures will be given an incomplete grade.

• Communication About The Class
  Email will be used as the major method for communicating when not in class. Therefore, provide Dr. Hansen with your email address if one is available. Dr. Hansen's email is hansen@animal.ufl.edu

Any changes in the course or important updates will also be posted on a webpage listing What's New in ANS 6313  

• Policy on Dishonesty
  Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated by the instructors or by your peers at the University of Florida. Upon completion of your registration form at the University of Florida every student signed the following statement: "I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in all the academic work. I agree to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University". Please adhere to this oath.

A complete copy of the Academic Honesty Guidelines can be found in the University of Florida Undergraduate Catalog and at the University Student Guide.

• Students with Disabilities
  Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when  requesting accommodation.

• Counseling Services
  Resources are available on-campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic goals which interfere with their academic performance. These resources include:

1) University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 2-1575, personal and career
2) Student Mental Health, Student Health Care Center, 2-1171, personal
3) Sexual Assault Recovery Services, Student Health Care Center, 2-1161, assault
4) Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 2-1601, career development assistance