Stem Cells and Society - Bio 71 - Fall 2011

THIS SCHEDULE IS APPROXIMATE, AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Dr. Katherine T. Schmeidler  

Phone:   ext. 5493 -- (949) 451-5493           Office:  A 227          

Office Hours:  T/Th 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.;  Tues. 11a.m.-1 p.m. and 7- 8 p.m.  &  by appointment

       Please note that our discussion board is up & running in BlackBoard if you wish to participate; also you might want to visit the
      Genetics webpage (via schedules or the Department's web page)

stem cells         Dr. Schmeidler's Stem Cells webpage                              kschmeidler@ivc.edu

week
topic
 reading assignment: these will be updated as semester progresses
Aug.
 23
 The nature of a cell and its role in organisms
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_(biology) 
especially:  Section 1, 2.1, and 2.2; follow the link to nucleus at least, and anything else that interests you
For Thursday:  Section 5, 5.1, and 5.2 mostly, but read 5.3 as well; at least follow the links for the terms you don't know, and anything else that interests you

30
 Reproduction: the birds and the bees, the flowers and the trees; and others
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilization
note the British spelling
scan the article; at least follow the links for the terms you don't know, and anything else that interests you
Sept.  6
 Development: how do we start out as an egg and wind up as a chick?
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embryology#Modern_embryology_research
the article seems very short until you "wiki", that is follow the links.  read at least one page down for the vocabulary in the introduction: the paragraphs before "History".  Of course, you are welcome to drill down further if you wish

13
 So, what are these stem cells, anyway?  And what are they not?
 NIH Introduction to Stem Cells 
or the original file at the NIH site  - read the whole pamphlet and explore the links

20
**
 How can we “make” stem cells?  Harvesting stem cells
 ** mid-semester Portfolio due  The Hayflick Limit     Hayflick in Wiklipedia      another brief review    
Beating the Hayflick limit?        telomeres  

23 LAST DAY TO DROP WITHOUT  "W"

27
 Different sorts of stem cells: a range of sources
Oct.  4
 Cellular differentiation - how cells differ

11 Potency, loss of potency, regaining potency and cancer  Stem Cell Sources essay due - see BlackBoard or Assignments on website    due date postponed to 10/17/2011
start working on term paper topics      due 10/18/2011

18
 Hello Dolly: nuclear transfer, cloning
 Quiz 1 due - also on Black Board
cloning fact sheet: follow the links, and read the introductory overview sections
Wiki as a resource - consider the source     resources - real science       a real journal, on-line

25
**
 Human stem cells - special considerations ** mid-semester Portfolio due      Gene Therapy Overview   genetic engineering   genetic engineering - follow some of the links
recombinant DNA technology: especially read Wikipedia's comments on the writing style!    The story of HUMULIN
Nov
  1
 Stem cells in breeding projects for agriculture
 lack of large-scale environmental studies   environmental studies: look at chart pp 17-25 - no stem cells, though
one example of potential restoration - would stem cells help?  
Nov.  3
 LAST DAY TO DROP WITH A  "W" continue exploring the resources above, and what you find on your own
see term paper assignment [also linked on "assignments" page]           pre-paper assignment (see assignment page) due

 8
 Stem cells for repairing and sustaining the environment
 ethics and morality      ethics and morality2   medical ethics overview     American Medical Association  organ translplantation
organ translplantation-Hstings Center       

15
 Stem cell therapies
 cartilage replacement article 1      article 2    article 3

22
 Clinical research: ethical considerations using human subjects
 cardiac stem cells assignment due;   readings:  http://healthland.time.com/2011/11/14/first_human_heart_stem_cell_trial_shows_promise/  http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/14/health/stem_cells_heart_damage_reverse/index.html     http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011_11_15/heart_failure_risk_may_be_reduced_by_stem_cells_study_shows.html      
http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la_heb_cardiac_stem_cell_trials_20111114,0,2120128.story     http://www.latimes.com/health/la_he_heart_stem_cells_20110207,0,7589476.story       http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la_heb_heart_attack_bone_marrow_stem_cells_20111114,0,6722312.story

25
 THANKSGIVING DAY

29
**
 Alternative strategies to using stem cells: pros and cons
 		** mid-semester Portfolio due
Dec. 6
 No Class
 assignment in lieu of class



13
 Where we are, where are we going?                                                                                                                FINAL  EXAM
Stem cells occur in nature, but we humans can harness them for their potential in medicine to replace cells lost to damage or disease, in a wide array of research programs, and as part of efforts to speed up breeding in agriculture and environment maintenance and sustenance.  In order to introduce cutting edge technologies being developed and refined to exploit these remarkable cells, we will explore firmly rooted scientific methodologies and burgeoning biotechologies.  Biotechnology does not exist in a rarified scientific theoretical world, so the political, social, and ethical ramifications of various aspects of this broad field will be discussed throughout the term.

Upon completion of this course, students should expect to be able to:
1. Describe a cell, distinguishing structures and functions unique to plants, unique to animals, and those held in common.
2. Describe cell division, and the key elements in its control.
3. Describe the role of stem cells in nature.
4. Distinguish among different sources of stem cells to predict their potential uses and limitations.
5. Describe several ways to generate or isolate stem cells, and compare their benefits and problems.
6. Describe at least one human, one agricultural, one environmental, and one investigatory use for stem cells, and analyze the importance of each.
7. Predict likely uses for stem cells in the near future, defending the plausibility of the prediction using a scientific approach.
8. Evaluate the cogent ethical, religious, legal, political, economic, and scientific considerations in the generation of human embryonic versus adult stem cells.
9. Evaluate the current cogent ethical, religious, legal, political, economic, and scientific considerations in the use of human versus non-human stem cells.

This course will have no exams, but will have quizzes.  These quizzes will include problems, short answer and multiple-choice questions, and open-ended essays.  Each quiz will be based primarily on the material covered in the prior class session.  However, the nature of this class, and our ability to discuss the relevant issues is hierarchical and interdependent.  Thus, to some extent, each topic is also cumulative as more is learned and students are able to re-examine earlier subjects.

During class, written and oral participation is expected.  Some of this may be group work, some is individual work.  There will be standing homework assignments, due each week, and some specific homework assigned as topics arise.  Class attendance and participation are REQUIRED - points missed because of missed classes can not be made up except under extreme extenuating circumstances.

GRADING SYSTEM:

quizzes                 10@ 10 points each               100
weekly reviews    15@  10    “                           150
homework           10@  10    “                           100
class work           15@  10    “                           150
portfolio (including portfolio checks *)                  25
final exam                                                             40
research paper                                                     35                      Total = 600 points

Final letter grades are tentatively assigned:
      >90% = A;   80-89% = B;   70-79% = C;   55-69% = D;  <55% = F

If you miss class work or a quiz, make-up work will be arranged if possible, but making up group work may not be feasible, and alternative assignments may not be appropriate.  In that case, no credit can be earned.  Make every effort to attend every class meeting.
BE SURE TO CHECK BLACKBOARD AND THE WEBSITE REGULARLY FOR UPDATES,
CHANGES, REQUIRED AND SUGGESTED READINGS, AND FOR ASSIGNMENTS

OUT OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE POSTED ON LINE
MOST WILL ONLY BE POSTED, NOT DISTRIBUTED IN CLASS

NOTE:  all papers including exams will be returned to student if possible.  IVC regulations state that paperwork will be held for 3 months after the end of a semester.  After that period, all uncollected work will be discarded.  Please note that it is your responsibility to retain all of your records.  No reconsideration of  any grade is possible without evidence, and it is the student’s responsibility to demonstrate the basis of any grade change.  IT IS THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO RECOVER THESE MATERIALS!!

ACADEMIC HONESTY: IVC Regulations and guidelines regarding academic honesty will be followed and enforced.  Cheating or plagiarism may result in an F on the assignment involved, the entire course, or, in even more serious cases, College disciplinary action may be taken.  If you have any questions or confusion about what is considered honest (and what is not) be sure to clarify these definitions right away!  There are no "second chances".

NOTE: IT IS THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO DROP A COURSE OFFICIALLY IF THE STUDENT WISHES TO AVOID AN "F".  THE INSTRUCTOR MAY DROP STUDENTS FOR NON-ATTENDANCE, BUT THIS IS DISCRETIONARY.  STUDENTS WHO DO NOT DROP, BUT DO NOT COMPLETE THE WORK WILL RECEIVE "F".