Academic Programs Committee Reports

RECOMMENDATION

To: University Council

Date: Dec. 16, 1999

Re: College of Arts and Science changes to the Anatomy and Cell Biology program

Summary of proposal:
Program revisions
The Department offers education in five subdisciplines of the anatomical sciences: cell biology, histology, developmental biology, gross anatomy and neuroanatomy. The program includes prerequisite courses for professional schools and graduate studies in many areas of the life sciences. Graduates have career opportunities in biomedical and biotechnology research.

ALL ANATOMY & CELL BIOLOGY DEGREE PROGRAMS
The following courses to be required: ENG 110.6, BIOL 110.6, 211.3, ANAT 200.3, 210.3, 325.3, 330.3, 331.3, BIOCH 200.3, 212.3, CHEM 111.3, 251.3, MICRO 214.3, PHSIO 212.6 or BIOL 217.3 AND BIOL 218.3, PSY 233.3 or CR SC 314.3 and the Program Type C Requirements.
Additional courses are required for the 3-year, 4-year, or honours programs as listed below. Students intending to major in Anatomy and Cell Biology should contact the department concerning courses to be taken as electives. Students should refer to the list of Anatomy and Cell Biology program electives below for selection of elective courses. Students are encouraged to attend departmental seminars.

MAJOR IN ANATOMY (B.Sc. Four-Year)
Additional courses; ANAT 405.3 and 21 credit units from the list of Anatomy and Cell Biology program electives below.

MAJOR IN ANATOMY (B.Sc. Three-Year)
Additional courses: 6 credit units from the list of Anatomy and Cell Biology program electives below.

HONOURS IN ANATOMY
Additional courses; ANAT 402.6, ANAT 405.3, ANAT 490.0 and 21 credit units from the list of Anatomy and Cell Biology program electives below.

ANATOMY AND CELL BIOLOGY PROGRAM ELECTIVES: ANAT 334.3, 401.6 (for non-honours students only), 404.3, BIOCH 211.3, 230.3, 310.3, 311.3, 430.3, 436.3, BIOL 316.3, 352.3, 416.3, MICRO 216.3, 309.3, 387.3, 391.3, 416.3, 417.3, 421.3, PHSIO 336.3, 337.3, 346.3, 348.3, 350.3

Proposed new courses:
ANAT 210.3 Basic Human Anatomy
The anatomical organization of the human body will be examined from systemic and functional bases. The histological organization of tissues and organs as well as the evolution and embryonic development of the human body will be considered wherever these shed light upon the organization of the human body.
Prerequisite: BIOL 110.6
ANAT 325.3 Advanced Cell Biology
Recent concepts in the regulation of cell growth, development and function are considered. Topics covered include regulation of gene expression, synthesis and processing of RNA and protein, cell cycle regulation, and cellular signalling mechanisms. Emphasis is placed on how these processes are regulated and how they in turn combine to regulate overall cellular activities.
Prerequisite: ANAT 200.3

ANAT 330.3 Principles of Development
An introduction to the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating embryonic development in animals, including vertebrate and invertebrate species. In addition, topics of metamorphosis and regeneration will be briefly discussed.
Prerequisite: ANAT 200.3, ANAT 210.3 or BIOL 203.6

ANAT 331.3 Methods in Cell & Developmental Biology
This course will provide laboratory experience in cell and developmental biology. Instruction on, and use of, techniques such as cell culture, expression of proteins in cells, basic cytology, and immunofluorescence will be some of the areas covered.
Prerequisite: ANAT 200.3, BIOCH 212.3

ANAT 402.6 Honours Research Project
A course providing experience in experimental design and methodology, and familiarity with the scientific literature in the area of research. The student will work on a laboratory project
supervised by a faculty member. Evaluation will be based on oral presentations, written thesis, and defence of the thesis findings.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Department

ANAT 405.3 Current Topics in Cell Biology
Recent developments and the state of the art of cell biology research will be examined in a seminar-discussion format. Students will present and evaluate selected publications from the current literature on a variety of topics related to cell biology.
Prerequisite: ANAT 325.3, ANAT 330.3, ANAT 331.3, or permission

Course deletions
ANAT 201.3 Principles of Development (content integrated into ANAT 330.3, and 331.3)
ANAT 202.3 Basic Human Anatomy (content integrated into ANAT 210.3)
ANAT 204.3 Vertebrate Organogenesis (content integrated into ANAT 330.3, and 331.3)
ANAT 211.3 Introduction to Histology (partially integrated into ANAT 202.3)
ANAT 234.3 Introductory Neuroanatomy (changed to ANAT 334.3)
ANAT 300.3 Cell Biology (replaced by ANAT 325.3 and ANAT 331.3)
ANAT 450.3 Introduction to Tissue Culture (partially integrated into ANAT 331.3)

Rationale:
See attached proposal. The changes are intended to revitalize the program, which has remained essentially unchanged for the past 20 years. They reflect innovations and developments in anatomical sciences, changes in research emphasis and focus, innovative course and program options for students which will improve their employment opportunities, improved linkages with biotechnology programs, and the incorporation of information technology in teaching.

Impact and Relationships:
The proposed changes will not have an impact on majors in other health science programs. Consultation has taken place with other departments whose students complete ANAT courses.
See enclosed memos.

Additional resources required:
None. The department received funding through the Biotechnology initiative to purchase 14 computer workstations for students and a computer linkage to its television teaching laboratory which will promote implementation of technology as a classroom teaching tool.

Committee Comments and Recommendation

Academic Programs Committee:
The Academic Programs Committee recommends approval of all changes except the requirement that Anatomy majors complete ENG 110. There was no academic rationale which supported the need for Anatomy majors to complete this course.

Committee members noted that ENG 110 is a course in literature, not communications skills. It suggested that if the department is concerned about poor communication skills of its students, that this should be addressed directly by the department. It was noted that such a requirement could be discriminatory toward foreign students. Therefore the need for such a requirement would have to be justified by the department. (Nov. 17, 1999)

Budget Committee:
The Budget Committee recommends approval of changes to Anatomy ­ Major / Honours programs in the College of Arts and Science, with the proviso that the required increase in resources will be absorbed within the current resources allocated in the operating budget. (Nov. 15, 1999)

Planning Committee:
Recommended for approval by Council. (Nov. 30, 1999)

The Planning Committee also recommended that the department be asked to prepare an academic rationale for the inclusion of ENG 110 in its program requirements and that this issue be reconsidered when that rationale is completed..

cc: College of Arts and Science