Biol 1107 - Biology of Women

Description: Biology of Women is a course for both women and men. It provides a “theme based” course for learning biological concepts.  Objectives include studying reproductive anatomy and physiology of both sexes, studying pregnancy and fetal development, and examining issues related to reproductive biology and women’s physical health.  Issues include contraception, cancer, menopause, and treatment of women by the medical profession. A "current issues" section will examine issues that are in the news today.

Textbook:  J. Goodenough, B. McGuire & R. Wallace, 2007. Biology of Humans, 2nd ed. Pearson Prentice Hall
ISBN 0-13-178999-6
There will also be readings from articles and online sources.

 

Syllabus: This is available on D2L.

Grading:
 Each assignment will be given a point value. Exams may consist of term definitions, multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, short answers, and essay questions. Spelling matters. Lectures, discussions, classroom exercises and reading assignments will be covered. Topics covered are listed on the class schedule.
Class projects will be done on a team basis for on-site classes, and individually or as a team for online classes. All team members will receive the same grade.
There may be non-graded written assignments required, which will count toward class participation. 

 

Course content: A wider array of course content is available to registered students on IHCC's Desire2Learn site: https://inverhills.ims.mnscu.edu/ 

How to do PowerPoint: This is a step-by-step introduction to using PowerPoint 2003 to make slide presentations. It is in Word.

 

Lectures (online section):

Available to registered students through  D2L.

Spring Online Class Schedule (I will be on sabbatical in Spring 2010)

Since the class will include various discussions, especially on current issues in women’s biology, topics may change from those listed below. All changes will be posted on D2L.

Lecture set

Learning Topics

Other activities

Online discussion

Other Reading

Textbook

1

Introduction, expectations. What is Women's biology? History of women's biology and medicine. What is female? Evaluating scientific articles.

Homework 1: Types of articles

Introduce yourself

Outside articles (packet)

Chap. 1 - Humans in the world of biology

2

General anatomy; organ systems; homeostasis; negative feedback

Short question 1: When you exercise, your breathing rate, blood pressure, and heart rate increase. Is this a violation of homeostasis? Explain.  Due Tuesday 1/29

    

Chap. 4 - especially note pp. 76-78 (homeostasis) and p. 70 (body systems)

3

Reproductive anatomy - male and female

Start thinking about semester project.
Homework 2: Self-exam  Due Tuesday 2/5

1. FGM

Online articles on FGM

Chap. 17 - Reproductive system
Chap. 10 - Endocrine system

4

Reproductive physiology - menstruation; hormones

Exam I.  Monday - Thursday.  2/4- 2/7  Introduction through reproductive anatomy
Short question 2: p. 196, Q 4.
Due Tuesday 2/12
Do online survey

2. Attitudes toward menstruation  

  

continue

5

Menstrual problems.

Short question 3: p. 369 Q4  Due Tuesday 2/19

    

continue

6

Sexual function in males, in females.
Sexual dysfunction.

  

3. Sexual competition

Online articles: Sexual competition

continue

7

Contraception.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Exam II. Mon. - Thurs. 2/25-2/28 Menstruation, hormones, menstrual problems, sexual function
Homework 3: STI case studies Due Tuesday 3/4

    

pp. 364-367 (Contraception)
Chap. 17a - STDs and AIDS

8

Cells. Mitosis. Meiosis. Oogenesis

Short question 4: p. 61 Question 1 Due Tuesday 3/11
Project outlines due. References, who to interview.

4. Ethics of designer babies

Articles: Designer babies & selecting traits

Chap. 3 - The Cell
Chap. 19 - Chromosomes & Cell Division

9

Genetics

Homework 4: Genetics problems. Due Tuesday 3/25 - BUT - these types of problems will be on the exam, so do them earlier!

    

Chap. 20 - Genetics and Human Inheritance
 

Spring break

        

10

Development: Fertilization through fetus

Exam III - Mon-Thurs. 3/24-3/27 Sexual function Contraception through Genetics
Short question 5: p 404 Question 3 (thalidomide). Due Tuesday 4/1.

5. Stress in the womb

Articles: Stress in the womb

Chap. 18 - Development through Life

11

Pregnancy, parturition, breast feeding

Review projects
Short question 6: p. 404 Question 4 (breast feeding)  Due Tuesday 4/8.

    

continue

12

Life cycles. Puberty. Menopause. Aging.

Review projects

6. Lifespan

Article: Grandmothers

continue

13

Stress. General Adaptation Syndrome. Effects of epinephrin on body systems.

Exam IV - Mon. - Thurs. Development through aging. 4/14-4/17

    

P. 191(Stress)
review endocrine system
 

Student presentations & evaluations

Student presentations & evaluations
Homework 5: Review 3 others' presentations.
Homework 6: Answer questions on your own presentation

Answer questions on your own presentation

Other student presentations

  

14

Beauty. Cosmetics.

 

7. BCA case studies

  

Chap. 21a - Cancer

15

Cancer. Abortion.

      

continue
 

Final Exam. Sat - Tues. - Must be completed by 5/13

        

 

 

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