BSCI 441

Mammalian Physiology Laboratory

Spring 2004

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Instructor:                     Dr. Michelle Arnot

                                       marnot@umd.edu

                                       301-405-6902

                                       BPS 2238

Laboratory Supervisor:          Ms. Shabnam Zarrabi

                                       shabz18@hotmail.com

                                       1181 PLS,  Ph 301-405-3705

Graduate Assistants:           

Brian Coyle            bcoyle@wam.umd.edu
Anabhuti Goel         anu2@umd.edu
Ernie Hixon            eh127@umail.umd.edu
Chris Koltz            ckoltz@wam.umd.edu
Youjun Wang           wyoujun@wam.umd.edu

Laboratory Room:           PLS 1181

Prerequisites:  Concurrent or previous enrollment in BSCI 440

Recitation/Laboratory Manual:

BSCI 440 and 441 will utilize the same laboratory/recitation manual.  This package of materials is available from the website and from WebCT.  This stuff is required!!!

Grades:

                    TOTAL POINTS = 800

                    GRADE:      A >  720

                                       B >  640

                                       C >  560

                                       D >  480

Academic Honesty

The University policy on academic honesty is in effect and will be strictly enforced.

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Your continued enrollment in this course constitutes a binding contract.  Therefore, this grading system is hereby agreed to by all course participants.  Thus there will be no competition among participants and final course grades need not be discussed/negotiated. You either have the points or you don't!

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Appointments:

Communication is essential. We must hear your comments, criticisms, questions, etc. We are eager to answer your questions. Your GTA and lecturer will have time to discuss both lecture and laboratory material with you. Just ask, and you shall receive! For appointments with Dr Arnot, please call or email her.

LABORATORY

Please note that the laboratory exercises require the use of animals. Certain key objectives and an in depth understanding of physiology cannot be accomplished without experimental surgery. We will adhere to Federal guidelines and insist upon humane treatment of animals at all times. If you have a problem with this approach for religious, ethical, or personal reasons, please see me immediately. This sensitive issue must be addressed by all concerned parties. A secondary goal of this course to increase your familiarity and comfort level with proper animal handling.

We hope to achieve the following goals and objectives in the lab:

-   familiarization with some of the experimental techniques and procedures of physiology

-   introduction to experimental design, hypothesis testing, and methods of data collection and analysis

-   amplification and clarification of homeostatic mechanisms covered in BSCI 440

-   provide the opportunity for independent laboratory investigation.

You will become comfortable with the computer and other equipment and utilize them to explore physiological concepts.  Each student will have the time and opportunity to become familiar with the equipment and to accumulate the kind of "hands on" experience with experimental techniques - which is necessary to understand the possibilities and limitations of experimental methods.  By experimentally examining some of the homeostatic mechanisms considered in the course in some depth, the student should gain significant experience in experimental design, hypothesis testing, data collection and analysis, rather than simply view a brief demonstration.

LABORATORY SCHEDULE

Week of            Exercise

Jan. 26                 Welcome!  Introduction to Data Acquisition and Animal Handling

Feb. 2                  ACh Dose/Response Curves using Isolated

                            Ileum Preparation

Feb. 9                  ANS Pharmacology Determining Site of

                            Action of Unknown Agent

Feb. 16                Recording BP, HR and Respiration

Feb. 23                Recording BP, HR and Respiration

Mar. 1                  Recording BP, HR and Respiration

Mar. 8                  Recording BP, HR and Respiration

Mar. 15                Renal Function, Phenol Red Clearance

Mar. 22                Phenol Red Clearance or Intestinal Absorption of Glucose

Mar. 29                Project Planning & Organization

April 5                  Begin work on projects

April 12                Projects

April 19                Projects

April 26                Oral presentations

Laboratory Attendance:

Attendance in the lab is mandatory; absences will be penalized by deducting 50% of the points from the laboratory assignment that was conducted during the missed lab period.  If you miss a lab, you must attend another lab during that same week and check in with your T.A. and the T.A. in that substituted lab section.  Any student missing two (2) laboratories without a valid, documented excuse will automatically fail the course!  Arriving more than 15 minutes late counts as a missed laboratory!

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Several brief data summaries and reports are required.  The data may be discussed with your peers, but when a report is designated as an 'individual assignment', written work is to be the result of individual effort.  Any deviation from this policy will be considered plagiarism.  However, some reports will be generated as a group effort!  For these assignments, one report per team will be submitted, and each member of the team will receive the same grade.  The staff will not arbitrate disputes among team members.  If you are in doubt about the acceptability of a group effort, ask your GTA! 

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Graded Work:

ANS Pharmacology (ileum)              Data tables & graphs, results & discussion         50 pts

BP Regulation   & Respiration          Complete lab report, abstract-discussion           200 pts

Renal function                                   Data tables & graphs                                        50 pts

Research Project +                           Complete lab report (Group) + presentation      300 pts

Oral presentation     

Quizzes                                             3-4 announced & unannounced quizzes              200 pts            

                                                                                                             TOTAL =      800

Everyone is encouraged to review the components, style, and content of scientific reports.  After Bsci 105 - 106 and Bsci 230, these should be familiar and mastered concepts.  If you are in doubt, see the appropriate sections of the Bsci 230 and Bsci 105 lab manuals and sample papers available in the laboratory.

Group Research Projects & Oral Presentations:

Each laboratory team (maximum of 4 folks/team) will prepare a written report, as well as a concise 10-20 minute summary of their research project. This presentation should include all components of a report (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion), and may include visual aids.  All members of the group must actually speak and all will be graded individually, although all members of the group will receive the same grade for their written report. Grades for the oral presentations will be determined by the content, professionalism, and the quality of the actual delivery. Invited experts, including GTAs and Dr. Arnot will evaluate each presentation! The oral presentation will comprise 50 points. In addition, each group member will be graded on a scale of 50 points, by the other group members with regard to participation and contribution to the group.