Biology 424                                         Cardiovascular Pharmacology

 

Instructor: Donald F. Slish                                                       Office: 304B Beaumont Hall
Phone: (518) 564-5160                                                       

Email Address: Donald.Slish@Plattsburgh.edu
Office Hours: Mon. 1-2 P.M., Wed. 9-10 A.M., and Thurs. 10-11 A.M.   

Topic 1  Classical Pharmacology

            Drug-receptor interaction and Dose/Response curves, spare receptors

Topic 2  Receptor Pharmacology 

7 TMR receptors and second messenger generating systems

          Exam I (Sept. 16th)

Topic 3  Receptor Regulation

Topic 4  Autonomic Pharmacology

            The Autonomic Nervous System:  Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic

            Pre and Post-synaptic Biochemical Mechanisms: Muscarinic vs. Adrenergic

            Autonomic Regulation of C.V. System - Baroreceptors and feedback mechanisms

                        Exam II (Oct 9th)

Topic 5  Cardiac and Vascular Cell Biology - contraction, relaxation, and control

            Cardiac and Smooth Muscle Cell Biology

Topic 6  Cardiovascular Physiology

            Hemodynamic factors that control cardiac output

                      Exam III (Nov. 6th)

Topic 7 Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Pharmacology

            Pathological states and Pharmacological intervention

                      Final Exam

Primary Literature Review

            In each of the above Topics we will review the current literature for advances in each field of study.

Grading 

 

The final grade will be based on the three exams during the semester, the final exam, and attendance.                                          

          100 pts.              Exam #1    

          100 pts.              Exam #2    

          100 pts.              Exam #3        

          100 pts.              Final Exam                                   

          100 pts.              Attendance                                                   

          500 pts / 5 = Final Grade                                                            

 

Grading Scale:

A      > 93

A-         90 - 92

B+        87 - 89

         83 - 86

B-         80 - 82

C+          77 - 79

        73 - 76

C-         70 - 72

D+        66 - 69

D         62 - 65

E              < 62       

Attendance

This is a very small class and much of it will depend on class discussion and participation.  As such, attendance will be taken.  You each begin the class with 100 points for your attendance grade and will lose 5 points for each absence (excused or not).  You will be allowed three free absences. 

Absence from an exam for sickness will only be excused when documented by infirmary staff or physician. Absence from an exam because of death in the immediate family will be excused when documented by the Office of Student Affairs. Do not schedule yourself to be out of town the Tuesday before Thanksgiving break; this is a class day.  If an exam is missed, notify me, preferably before, but within 5 days after the exam date. Students without a test grade after this period will receive zero for that test.

Withdrawal Policy

The withdrawal policy in this class will be the University's policy, i.e., withdrawal from a class is permitted until the last day of course selection for the fall semester. Withdrawal after this time will only be allowed for grave illness or other serious difficulty. Withdrawal after this point will not be given due to poor grades. If you have failed the first two tests, seriously consider whether or not you can pass the course with a reasonable grade. There's no penalty for dropping before fall registration is over (i.e., everyone gets a passing withdrawal).    

IMPORTANT!

Be sure to check your Plattsburgh email account or have it forwarded to your personal email account.  I will be sending you PDF files of papers that you will need to print out and read before class. 

Cell Phone Policy

When you enter a classroom, you should turn off your cell phone, as a matter of respect both for the instructor and the students around you. 

Warning: 

Cell phones, iPODs and any other electronic devices are prohibited during exams.  The use of an electronic device during an exam will be considered evidence of cheating. 

 

 

A message from the Administration: 

 

  It is expected that all students enrolled in this

class support the letter and the spirit of the

Academic Honesty Policy as stated

 in the college catalog.

 


Assessment of Student Learning:  Analytical skill development and understanding of fundamental biological principles

 

The faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences are committed to providing students with a first-rate educational experience as articulated in the Departmental Mission Statement:

 

            “The Department of Biological Sciences strives to provide students with the fundamental understanding of the principles and methods of the life sciences within the context of a sound liberal arts education.  Emphasis is on the development of the student’s ability to analyze problems, apply scientific method, communicate biological information, and interpret current advances in research.”

 

Student progress toward attaining the goals set forth in the Departmental Mission Statement will be assessed in part by an exam or quiz question that has been selected for this purpose by the faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences.

Writing Standards for Department of Biological Sciences

It is the position of the Department of Biological Sciences at Plattsburgh State that all students must learn to write in a clear and intelligent manner.  We recognize that this goal cannot be achieved by depending only on the efforts of others to foster good writing. We further believe that the general quality of student writing will not improve unless we as a department are willing to state explicitly the standards we expect students to meet and to enforce those standards.  Therefore, in courses taught by the Department of Biological Sciences, in addition to grading the content of written assignments, all faculty will also grade assignments for writing.

E:  Unacceptable.  The student will receive a grade of zero for the assignment.  The student is advised to withdraw and take a remedial writing course before attempting the course again.

D:  The writing is not at the minimal level generally expected for college students, but improvement appears possible.

C:  Poorly organized or with an excessive number of errors in grammar, spelling, or syntax, even after making allowances for circumstances such as time available.

B:  Acceptable in organization, grammar, spelling, and syntax after making allowances for circumstances such as time available.

A:  Clearly and correctly written.