Student Science Training Program (SSTP)
SSTP 2005 - Interdisciplinary Honors Seminar (IDH)
The purpose of IDH is to teach the participants how to perform and communicate extensive journal research. Strong emphasis is placed on the understanding of in-depth scientific research and analytical processes. Upon completion of this seminar course, students are able to perform background literature research in complicated scientific areas and to discuss his or her understanding of the information in detail.
Controversies in Health Care and Biomedical Science:
Sorting Out the Ethical and Legal Issues
Instructor:
Dr. Ray Moseley, Associate Professor
Community Health and Family Medicine, UF College of Medicine
This seminar will explore many of the current ethical and legal issues and problems facing Health Care and Biomedical Science. Initial lectures will explore and identify ways to address and resolve ethical and legal problems, providing both a theoretical background in ethics and law, as well as practical problem resolving approaches and strategies. Students are then assigned selected topics. Two students are assigned each topic, and they must work together on the entire project. They research these topics both using internet and library sources to identify the core issues and various positions different authors present on the topic. They present the results of their research to the class during a 20-30 minute presentation, followed by class discussion. Each project results in one 3-6 page research paper. Topics include "Assisted Suicide", "Cloning", "Stem Cell Research", "How Cultural Differences Affect Medicine", "Prenatal Drug Testing", and "The Rights of Minors to Decide about Their Medical Treatment".
Neuroimmunology:
Significant Interactions between the Immune and Central Nervous System
Seminar Leaders:
Grace Ha, Department of Neuroscience
Jason Weinstein, Department of Immunology
The central nervous system (CNS), once thought to be an immune privileged site, appears to interact with various aspects of the immune system. Both cell mediated (macrophages and T cells) and humoral immunity (antibody mediated) have the capacity to interact with elements of the CNS (glia or neurons). Whether the immune system plays a detrimental role in the CNS is a controversial topic among researchers today. It has been shown that the immune system is capable of attacking the nervous system with devastating consequences (Myasthenia Gravis) as well as conferring neuroprotection following injury (nerve transection). In this course we will discuss 1) how immune cells penetrate the CNS, 2) the immune cells’ ability to be neuroprotective in the injured brain, 3) the damaging effects of the immune system on the nervous system and 4) future immune based therapies for nervous system disorders. We will examine these novel concepts by looking at the diseases caused by neuroimmune interactions.
Biomedical Engineering, Medicine and Social Implications
Seminar Leaders:
Alex Goldman, Sociology Department
Brett Miller, College of Medicine
Jillian Perry, Biomedical Engineering Department
This 3-credit class will provide a fun way for teams of students to explore exciting topics in the fields of prosthetics, transplants, drug abuse, stem cell research and gene therapy. Join us each Thursday for a brief 30-minute lecture providing an overview of one of the above fields. Following lecture, there will either be a guest speaker and/or facility tour to give students a better idea of specific research being done in the fields. Presentations will be lead by groups of 3 SSTP students. They should be 20 minutes in length, leaving 5 minutes for questions and/or group discussion. Each group is responsible for researching a subtopic discussed in lecture for their presentation. Students must utilize academic journal articles and other quality information sources to write a research paper on their subtopic. These materials must also form the basis for the information included in student presentations. Each student will be responsible for doing a full third of the research paper and a full third (5 minutes) of the presentation. Individuals will focus on one aspect of the subtopic (medical, engineering and social aspects) and each week students will rotate their roles such that one person is not always presenting on the same medical/engineering/social aspect.
Medical Neuroscience
Seminar Leaders:
Bao-Thuy Hoang, College of Medicine
Sandeep Konka, College of Medicine
Ever wondered why your uncle’s an alcoholic? Ever wondered why they say cocaine is bad even though it feels so good? Ever wondered why you even feel pain? Ever wondered why “neuroscience” sounds so cool (and even cooler knowing it)? Then go talk to a neurologist OR take this seminar. This course will be focusing on medical neuroscience. The reason we chose this topic is that we found it interesting when it was taught to us this past spring and also, both of us are currently doing research in neurosurgery & neurology. However, that doesn’t mean we know everything so please pardon our ignorance when it might come to certain specific topics. The class will be split up into groups of 2-3 and each group will be asked to present on one of the topics listed below. The presentation can be a chalk talk, a powerpoint presentation, or on overhead slides. Tell us a couple of days prior to the presentation date to make sure the necessary arrangements can be made. Prior to engaging in the presentation, the students are recommended to talk to us, in order to determine just what should be emphasized. By and large, the presentations will focus on the main topics concerning the subject of the presentation; thus, don’t get so in depth that you will loose the focus of your audience. The purpose of this course is not to turn you into a medical doctor overnight, but to introduce you to some cool things you might not learn in your ever so stimulating AP Biology class. Remember, the brain is the only organ that can teach itself.
Introduction to Virology
Seminar Leaders:
Allyn Spear, Biochemistry
Josh Bunger, Immunology and Microbiology
Introductory lectures will be given to provide you with a general background of Virology and the various techniques associated with Virology research. Once you are better familiar with the field of Virology, we will focus on how to read, analyze, and discuss current research topics. The goal is to become more comfortable with primary literature, not to become a Virology expert overnight. The last portion of the class will consist of informal group presentations, led by 2-3 students. Each set of students will be assigned a particular virus of current interest and an article to present on that virus. The set of students will then be asked to do some general background research to prepare to lead a group discussion about the article, with the help of the instructors. Presentations will focus on the questions that were asked, the major discoveries, and the significance of the results. Non-presenting students will have to prepare to participate by reading the article ahead of time and formulating questions for the discussion. PLEASE NOTE!! This is an INFORMAL presentation that requires no formal visual aids, etc. It only requires that you present what you understand about the paper, and that you have thought about it enough to ask clear, intelligent questions on the points you don't understand. The overall goal of this course is to expose you to Virology early in your career and demonstrate just how diverse and far reaching the discipline of Virology truly is.
Take Heart! An Introduction to Cardiovascular Physiology
Seminar Leaders:
Melanie Powers, Physiology Department
Mike Godeny, Physiology Department
Ever wonder how your heart works? Or why so many people are treated for high blood pressure? This course will explore the cardiovascular system including the heart, blood vessels, and components of blood as well as diseases associated with each of these areas. Students will learn how to find, read, and present scientific papers. Students will also research information about cardiovascular diseases. Labs and activities will be included in conjunction with each lecture. The goal of this course is not to become an expert in each area but to gain a general understanding of important components of the cardiovascular system.
Topics in Cancer Genetics
Seminar Leaders: (First Year Medical Students)
Elizabeth Bonachea
Stacey Hensel
Keith Quencer
This seminar will offer an exciting and concept-based look at the emerging and ever-growing field of cancer genetics. The first two classes will be taught by the seminar leaders as we introduce the foundation needed for presentations done by the students. The first class will introduce basic concepts in cancer and cancer genetics including the definition of cancer, cancer epidemiology, and the differences between inherited and sporadic cancers. The second session will get into more specifics; how genetic abnormalities cause cancers and the major concept in this course, defining the differences between oncogenes, mutator genes and tumor suppressors. After gaining this knowledge, students will pair up into groups of two or three and, with the help of the seminar leaders, present a specific type of cancer of their choice (including, but not limited to breast cancer, colon cancer, retinoblastoma, leukemia). In addition to discussing the possible mechanism by which mutations in genes cause these cancers, we will also discuss epidemiology, symptoms, and possible treatments of the cancer. This class will be fun and interactive and give the student a good background in an important field of science.
