Professor: Dr. Mickey E. Gunter

Office: Rm. 309, McClure Hall

Phone: 885-6015 (office), 885-6192 (Geology Department)

Internet: gunter@uidaho.edu, http://www.uidaho.edu/~mgunter

Office Hours: see below; or whenever find me

Required Text: none, but…see Web site

TAs: Mr. Andrew Knudsen, Mr. Bryan Bandli

This class will examine the interactions between minerals and the human body - both the beneficial interactions, such as nutrition, bone growth, and tooth development, and detrimental interactions, such as tooth decay and effects of inhaled mineral dusts. The course will begin by building the content in minerals and human anatomy and will be followed by presentations and discussions on the interactions between the two. Finally, you will examine individual issues related to minerals and health.

Your final grade will be based upon a collection of several items as follows:

2 Tests (100 each) 200

Quizzes 150

Paper (~5 pages) 50

Presentation (10 minutes) 50

Class participation 50

Total 500

The final grades will be determined at the semester's end. If everyone understands all the material, and can demonstrate it, you all get A's -- the other extreme is also possible. You will be informed of your class standing and your current grade often during the semester. Late assignments will not be accepted, and no make-up quizzes or tests will be given unless there is a justifiable excuse based on the official university attendance policy (e.g., field trip or sporting event, confined in Student Health Service, or granted a leave by an academic dean).

Week 1 (Jan 15) Introductions and course overview

Week 2 (Jan 22) Introduction to chemistry

Week 3 (Jan 29) Mineralogy

Week 4 (Feb 5) Mineralogy (cont.)

Week 5 (Feb 12) Human anatomy

Week 6 (Feb 19) Human anatomy (cont.)

Week 7 (Feb 26) Respiratory diseases and minerals

Week 8 (Mar 5) Bone structure, fractures, and healing

Week 9 (Mar 12) Tooth structure, decay, and fluoride

Week 10 (Mar 26) Body stones, formation, and removal

Week 11 (Apr 2) Nutrition and minerals

Week 12 (Apr 9) Presentations M & W, quiz &/or discussion F

Week 13 (Apr 16) Presentations M & W, quiz &/or discussion F

Week 14 (Apr 23) Presentations M & W, quiz &/or discussion F

Week 15 (Apr 30) Presentations M & W, quiz &/or discussion F

Week 16 (May 7) Presentations M & W, quiz &/or discussion F

Finals week