So what do you have to do to get an A (or any other grade) in this
course? There would seem to be three parts to the process: writing,
exams, and a bonus for attendance.
First of all, the course is a W course, which means that you have to
write a total of no less than 24 pages. You can do this in either of
two ways:
(1) You may write a weekly journal entry summarizing the textbook and/or lectures, raising questions or answering them, that you will submit to me via e-mail, and I mean WEEKLY! I will read your journal entries, edit them, and send them back to you via e-mail for revision, if necessary. Your revised entries will be graded on the basis of clarity and content.
(2) You may write a term paper based on the primary (i.e., research) literature ((see "Topics for Papers" by following the links at my web site: www.pitt.edu/~sshostak) of no less than 8 pages that you will submit to me at least twice for editing and revision. Your final version will be graded on the basis of cogency and clarity. I also require a hard copy of the literature you are reviewing, although your paper may be transmitted via e-mail.
Second, two hour exams will be given during class time (see schedule
below) and a final during finals' week. Students can take two hour
exams or one
hour exam and the final. In other words, if you take both hour exams
and
you're not satisfied with one of your grades, you can take the final.
As for the bonus for attendance: I will take attendance at each
lecture and give a 10 percent bonus for perfect attendance (prorated
for less than perfect).
I urgently recommend that students see me at least once to discuss their journal entries, the outline for their paper or anything else they may like to discuss. Please make an appointment by initialing the schedule posted outside my room (146 CRW), by sending me e-mail (click here) or just asking. I'll try to be available at the date and time you choose to see me, but conflicts will have to be resolved by negotiation and compromise.
Of course, I will accommodate students with any sort of disability, and I will make adjustments for religious holidays.
Schedule of Lectures and Exams
date
lecture # Chapter M&P
Notes
30-Aug
1
1
relevance embryology: current research, especially stem cells and
cloning
1-Sep
2
1
life's continuity: when does life begin; evolution eggs and sperm
3-Sep
3
2
notions of reproduction: blood relatives versus primogeniture
8-Sep
4
2
structure sperm and egg; oogenesis; spermatogenesis
10-Sep
5
3
fertilization and formation of blastocyst
10-Sep
End Add/drop period
13-Sep
6
3
implantation and formation bilaminar plate
15-Sep
7
3 &
4
formation extraembryonic membranes: (pp 37-56; 71-75)
17-Sep
8
7
placenta; fetal membranes; multiple pregnancies; parturition
(pp 120-38; 144-53)
20-Sep
9
4
gastrulation and formation of embryo
22-Sep
10
4
neural crest and cardiovascular development (pp 67-71)
24-Sep
11
5
embryonic folds; induction: somites neural tube; pharyngeal
pouches (pp 78-97)
27-Sep
12
6
fetal period (pp 110-116)
29-Sep
13
6
1-Oct
14
9
coelom, pleuroperitoneal and pericardial cavity (pp 188-195)
4-Oct
15
9
6-Oct
16
10
pharyngeal arches and pouches (pp 202-212)
8-Oct
17
10
11-Oct
hour exam
13-Oct
reading period: class will not meet but students should make
appointments to
discuss their
papers
15-Oct
18
20
integument
18-Oct
19
20
20-Oct
20
11
respiratory system
22-Oct
21
11
25-Oct
22
12
digestive system
27-Oct
23
12
1-Nov
24
13
urogenital system
3-Nov
25
13
10-Nov 26
14
cardiovascular system
12-Nov
27
14
15-Nov
28
15
skeletal system
17-Nov
29
15
19-Nov
30
16
muscular system
22-Nov
31
16
29-Nov
32
17
limbs
1-Dec
hour exam
3-Dec
reading period: class will not meet but students should make
appointments to
discuss their papers
6-Dec
33
18
nervous system
8-Dec
34
18
eye and ear
10-Dec
35
18
14-Dec
Final: 8:00 to 9:50
Please consult this page periodically during
the term for updates and changes by following the link at www.pitt.edu/~sshostak/
Last update: May 12, 2004