Teaching Again

MRI of my tumor

I returned to the lecture arena this month with Biology 675, an honors colloquium that supplements traditional Biology courses. Upon successful completion of Biology 675, students earn honors units for Biology 675 (1 unit) in addition to their concurrently-enrolled Biology course. The topic of Biology 675 varies, depending on the instructor. The last time I taught this course, just before my surgery in 2006, the topic was marine mammal science. Students observed marine mammals, attended lectures on marine mammals, and created some sort of special marine mammal project. One group prepared and assembled a dolphin skeleton, another analyzed data on marine mammal abundance, and one student wrote a poem about the plight of the manatee!

This semester, my focus shifted dramatically from marine mammal science to brain science. My Dean had asked me if I thought this topic would be too personal. Too personal? I walked funny, I talked funny and I smiled funny. My abnormalities and weaknesses were already exposed. My most intimate problems were plastered across my face. I liked the notion that I could use my experiences to better prepare my students for their future. Even though I had lived through it, I had to study brain anatomy quite a bit to be able to teach this course. Since I couldn’t even name the four lobes of the brain, I had to study the basics.

After months of reviewing a DVD mini-course, reading books, and surfing the net, I was ready. During my first lecture, I presented a powerpoint lecture that gave an introduction to brain structures and an introduction to ME. I offered an explanation as to why a marine biologist was teaching a course on the brain. I said that I was an expert on the brain–FROM THE INSIDE-OUT! I also showed images of my own MRI, depicting my golf-ball-sized tumor. That certainly got their attention, and my first lecture was a success!