Kingsborough Community College of The City University of New York
Biology Department
718-368-5502
Biology 39 - The Biology of Aging, 3 Credits/3 Hours, Spring 2008
Instructor: Peter Pilchman, Ph.D., S-117, ppilchman@kbcc.cuny.edu
Course Information
This course satisfies college requirements for a Group V science course. This course is not required for Biology majors nor can Biology majors use this course as credit toward the biology major.
Course Description
The study of aging is a tremendous challenge to the human intellect because we are faced with some of the most ancient and profound questions: Why do we grow old? Is death inevitable? Can aging be slowed down? Is rejuvenation possible? Why do some living things live for thousands of years, some for a few hours, and man for four score and ten? The scientist's task is to ask questions that can be approached experimentally leading to many of the "why" questions remaining unanswered and many "what" and "how" questions becoming more clear.
This course explores the biological aspects of aging. We define and characterize aging in human populations, individuals, and in many of our component organs, tissues, cells, organelles, and molecules. Theories of why we age, mechanisms of how we age, and many of the common conditions associated with aging are described. Disease and aging are distinguished and strategies for possible extension of the prime of life are considered.
This course does not have prior biology or chemistry as prerequisites; aspects of these subject areas are presented as required.
Textbook
Medina, John J., The Clock of Ages, Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom, 1996. Internet purchase.
Course Goals
1. To present the major concepts that define the scientific study of aging.
2. To promote awareness in students of their body's physical transitions through life's stages.
3. To increase student understanding of nutrient, hormone and drug effects on the aging human body.
4. To involve students in the study of current aging research efforts.
5. To help students evaluate aging-related advertisements and to better understand human and media
fascination with concepts of immortality.
Attendance Policies
Absence from 6 or more hours of class (15% of the 36 hours of the course) is grounds for the WU grade. Absence from exams earns a zero on the exam and assignments submitted late receive only partial credit.
How Your Grade is Computed
2 Examinations 15 points each = 30 (Based on lectures and text; short answer and essay)
Laboratory Report 15 points = 15
Movie Report 10 points = 10
Journal Report 10 points = 10
Advertisement Report 10 points = 10
Final Examination 25 points = 25
Total = 100
Course Outline Textbook Reading
Part 1: Weeks 1-4 pp. 1-70
Introduction and basic aging concepts. Theories of why we age.
Basic biology and chemistry as required. Types of scientific studies.
Advertisement report is due week 3.
Examination #1 occurs week 4.
Part 2: Weeks 5-7 pp. 71-224
Biomarkers of Aging laboratory (Laboratory report due week 6).
Mechanisms of how we age are presented.
Movie report is due week 7.
Examination #2 occurs week 8.
Part 3: Weeks 8-12 pp. 225-316
Distinguishing aging and disease changes in the human body over time.
Major diseases of the human body occurring as we age; role of nutrition.
Drug use and side effects in treatment of disease symptoms.
Healing: removing the obstacles, providing time, and effects of drugs.
Journal report is due week 10.
Instructions for Reports:
Computer-print or type all reports; no hand-written reports accepted. Exception - the laboratory report may be hand-written.
Advertisement Report: Choose 5 advertisements (no drug advertisements accepted, cosmetics are OK) from magazines, newspapers, or the Internet showcasing products that promise to slow or reverse aging in some body part or the body as a whole. Analyze the validity of the advertisement based on the "science" (if any) explained in the advertisement, your research into the topic, and common sense. Clip and attach (or copy/paste) each advertisement used.
Laboratory Report: Bring a calculator to class! We may meet in a different room (to be announced). This report is completed on a printed handout you receive from me. You fill in the data using pencil as you study your own body, look-up and fill-in the definitions of words and terms, and answer questions you encounter.
Movie Report: Choose and view one movie whose major theme is aging and its implications (e.g., Forever Young, Dark Crystal, Highlander, On Golden Pond, The Sunshine Boys, Cocoon, Harold and Maude, Driving Miss Daisy, or another of your choice). Summarize the events of the movie in at least 2 pages including how aging is basic to the plot through the main characters, and describe your reaction to and opinion of the movie.
Journal Report: This report must follow the following format. All reports must come from research articles in The Journals of Gerontology (in the KCC library) or another journal related to Aging.
1. What Title
2. Who Authors
3. When Date of Publication
4. Where What City, hospital, location in general.
5. How Type of study: e.g., epidemiological, controlled, double blind?
6. N Number of subjects in the study.
7. Length/Repetitions How long did the study take to complete and was it repeated (or only done once).
8. Organism used Human, rat, insect, microorganism?
9. Why/Conclusions Clearly explain why the authors say the study was done and clearly explain their conclusions. This is the most important part of the report and should take-up at least half a page in essay format. Items 1-8 are only one or two lines each.
10. Evaluation How would you judge the worth of the report based on items 1-9, the knowledge you have gained in this course, and your common sense?
Academic Honesty: In completing reports for this class, you may quote freely from books, journal articles and
other sources including the Internet, but be sure to indicate your sources in footnotes or in parentheses after each
quote. Do not commit plagiarism, which is taking other people’s exact words without giving them credit.
Plagiarism gets you a zero for the paper and no respect.
Final Examination: The final examination is cumulative; you must review the entire term’s work. |