Zoology 423

Mammalian Physiology Laboratory

Spring, 1999

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Professor: William J. Higgins

BOP 2224 & SYM 1212: 405 - 2908 (for appointment)

whiggins @deans.umd.edu


Laboratory Instructor: Dr. Lisa Perrino

BOP 2248: 405 - 8148 (for appointment)

lp53@umail.umd.edu


Graduate Assistants:


Please see the ZOOL 422 syllabus or Web page for the grad assistants' names, phone numbers, and email addresses.


Laboratory Room: PLS 1181


Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in ZOOL 422! Anyone withdrawing from ZOOL 422 must also withdraw from ZOOL 423. No exceptions!


Recitation/Laboratory Manual:

ZOOL 423 and 422 will utilize the same laboratory/recitation manual. This package of materials is available from University Book Center in the beautiful Stamp Student Union. This stuff is required!!!

You must also bring a laboratory notebook to each lab session. Your TA will provide information about the size and type of book to use, so do not purchase it until you attend the first laboratory.


Listserve & WWW Pages:

Every member of the class is expected to have an email account and to subscribe to the ZOOL 422/423 computer listserve, MAMPHYS. A separate printed set of instructions may be found in the front section of this manual. NOTE: this is not optional.

We will also have a Zoology 422/423 home page on the World Wide Web. This allows us to post graphical images, etc. This Web page can be accessed from the College of Life Sciences home page via the Classes On Line menu selection:

http://www.life.umd.edu

 

Grades:

TOTAL POINTS = 500

GRADE: A > 450

B > 400

C > 350

D > 300

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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. I will make an effort to visit the laboratories. I arrive at the lecture hall by 8:30 AM and am eager to answer your questions. I will usually have up to 30 minutes after lecture to answer your questions. Feel free to chat during these times. I enjoy hearing from our clients! Your GTA will also have time to discuss both lecture and laboratory material with you. Just ask, and you shall receive!

If the need arises, you may schedule an appointment with me by visiting Ms. Sheron Thomas, 1212 Symons Hall, or by calling her at 405-2908. Please note that my teaching schedule and administrative duties preclude any "drop in" visitors.

Dr. Know-it-all will always be available via email. Use the MAMPHYS for general communication about course material and my personal email address (whiggins@deans.umd.edu) for personal matters only.

Please remember that I want to meet and speak with each of you. Come to the lecture hall early and join me for coffee and conversation. Mention your name each time we speak so that I will get to know you!

 

LABORATORY


 Please note that the laboratory exercises require the use of animals. Certain key objectives of the course 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.

 

We will achieve the following goals and objectives in the lab:

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:

22 February Recording BP, HR, and Respiration 169 - 187

1 March Recording BP, HR, and Respiration 169 - 187

8 March Recording BP, HR, and Respiration 169 - 187

15 March Regulation of Renal Function 188 - 189

Week of:

Exercise

Reading

1 February Welcome! Introduction to Data Acquisition 155 - 160
8 February ACh Dose/Response Curves using Isolated Ileum Preparation 161 - 168
15 February ANS Pharmacology Determining Site of Action of Unknown Agent 161 - 168
29 March Regulation of Renal Function 188 - 189
5 April Regulation of Digestion 190 - 191
12 April Special Projects Instructions TBA
19 April Special Projects Instructions TBA
26 April Special Projects Instructions TBA
3 May Special Projects Instructions TBA
10 May Oral Presentations See Below

Laboratory Attendance:

Attendance in the lab is mandatory; unexcused absences will be penalized by deducting 10% of the 500 points from the laboratory. 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!

You must have a legitimate, documented excuse for missing a 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 Data tables & graphs 50
BP Regulation Full report on assigned section of exercises 100
Renal function Data tables, graphs & discussion 40
Digestion Data tables, graphs & discussion 35
Quizzes   150
Special Project Oral Presentation and written report 125
 

TOTAL =

500


Everyone is encouraged to review the components, style, and content of scientific reports. After BIOL 105 - 106 and ZOOL 211, these should be familiar and mastered concepts. If you are in doubt, see the appropriate sections of the ZOOL 211 and BIOL 105 lab manuals and sample papers available in the laboratory.


Special Projects:

Each 2 – 3 member laboratory team will plan, design, and conduct a special project based upon the concepts and techniques employed in the course. The team will make a concise 10 minute presentation of the results and turn in 2 copies of a written summary during the final week of the course. This presentation should include all components of a report (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion), be accompanied by a concise one paragraph Abstract distributed to all lab section members, and include visual aids. Any or all of the team members may actually speak, but all will receive the same grade (maximum = 125 points). Grades will be determined by the content, professionalism, and the quality of the actual delivery and of the written report. Every member of the laboratory section will evaluate each presentation!