Syllabus

UNE Summer Session

DEN 201: Histology and Embryology – 12 Weeks – Summer 2025

Credits - 2

Description

This course is an introduction to oral histology and embryology with an emphasis on those tissues that compose the head,

neck, and oral cavity

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

1. Identify the boundaries of the oral cavity and oropharynx and relate the importance of distinction for the purpose of documentation of findings. Be able to identify and label structures of the oral cavity for use in documentation during intra/extra oral exam.

2. Identify, classify, and describe epithelium, connective tissue, cartilage, bone, lymph, muscle and nerve tissue according to cellular and fibrous components and their functional significance.

3. Identify and or/ describe tooth formation: stomodeum and buccopharyngeal membrane, development of dental and vestibular lamina, tooth bud formation, stages of tooth development according to shape (bud, cap, bell), stages of tooth development according to functional activity, cellular components of the dental organ, inner and outer dental epithelium, stellate reticulum, stratum intermedium, dental papilla and dental sac, Hertwig’s root sheath, and primary vs. successional dental lamina.

4. Identify and describe amelogenesis and dentinogenesis, including Korf’s fibers and Tome’s fibers.

5. Identify, define, or describe root formation and cementogenesis, including formation of Hertwig’s root sheath and rest of Malassez

1. Identify and describe the histological, physical, and chemical characteristics of enamel, dentin, pulp, cementum, periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, oral mucosa and salivary glands and tonsils.

Specific Unit Objectives:

Chapters 1-2

By the time the students have completed this unit, they will recognize the boundaries of each region of the face, neck, oral cavity, pharynx, and the surface landmarks of each region. The student will apply this knowledge into the clinical practice of patient examination and patient care. In addition, the student will be prepared to continue on in the study of more advanced subjects of head and neck embryology, head and neck histology, and dental anatomy, as presented in the textbook. 

Chapters 3-6

By the time the students have finished this unit, they will apply the essential facts and concepts necessary to integrate the developmental aspects of dental structures into the clinical observation of those structures. Students will recognize that embryology is key to understanding the etiological factors involved in many common congenital defects in the face, neck, or oral structures as well as the teeth.

Chapters 7-10 and 12-14

By the time the students have completed this unit, they will be able to identify and describe cellular and tissue structures of dental tissues as well as associated head, neck, and oral tissues. This is a critical unit for the practicing dental professional to allow the understanding and promotion of healthy oral tissues and any related pathological oral conditions.

Assignments

Reading & Practice

Students are expected to stay up to date in reading and reviewing course material by the start of the week in which it is assigned. Reading assignments are listed in the course calendar and in the weekly modules. The assigned reading is the ultimate  basis for all content delivered in the course.

Additionally, optional (though recommended) practice assignments will be made available to supplement your studies. Where available, any such materials will be pointed out by announcement or within [designated] modules.

Quizzes

Each week, an assigned quiz composed of multiple choice and true/false questions will be assigned for you to express and test your knowledge on the week’s topic. Quizzes will cover specific chapter topics (as laid out in the course calendar and weekly modules). Quizzes are due Fridays, unless otherwise noted.

Quiz material is essential as a semi-formative learning experience in preparation for summative exams. Students will receive two attempts at each quiz (where the highest score is kept), such that incorrect questions can be identified for further study..

Furthermore, quiz questions will help to form the basis of Discussion assignments (see below).

Discussions

An important facet of online learning is to maintain a sense of community and shared learning experience. It is helpful for students to have a space to share ideas, be heard, and receive feedback from the instructor and from each other (most learning is done when students see/hear/read the thoughts of their fellow students!). As mentioned above, Discussions will largely (though not exclusively) revolve around the previous week’s quiz (as in, students will be required to bring forth at least one quiz question to analyze, explain, or troubleshoot, and we will all then discuss as a group. 

 Where listed in the course calendar, discussion posts are due; there are two due-dates per discussion assignment: an initial posting due on Mondays, and at least two follow-up postings due by Thursday. See each weekly module for further details regarding due dates and topics.

All discussions will be evaluated using a Discussion Rubric.

Assignments

Throughout the semester there will be ten (10) Assignments, one per chapter/activity. Assignments are due Fridays, unless otherwise noted.

Assignment #1 will be specifically tailored  to the Chapter 1-2 material, which is an introduction to Orofacial Anatomy, and otherwise a sub-unit of the course (to be subsumed into the first Unit).

All subsequent assignments will consist of “Glossary Entries,” which will be submitted and graded for accuracy and precision.

Completed glossary assignments will serve as a valuable studying resource!

Exams

There will be two (2) summative unit exams in this course (in Weeks 6 & 12). Exams will open at the beginning of the week in which they are scheduled, and due on that Thursday.

Exams consist of multiple choice and T/F questions.

While there is some crossover between Units (some concepts from Unit #1 are expanded upon in the Unit #2), each exam is meant to stand alone to represent/assess the current unit.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Assignments	Point Value	Percentage of Grade
Discussions (12)	30 Points	30%
Quizzes (10)	15 points	15%
Assignments (10)	15 points	15%
Exams (2)	40 points	40%
Total	100 Points	100%

Grade Scale

Grade	Points Grade	Point Average (GPA)
A	94 – 100%	4.00
A-	90 – 93%	3.75
B+	87 – 89%	3.50
B	84 – 86%	3.00
B-	80 – 83%	2.75
C+	77 – 79%	2.50
C	74 – 76%	2.00
C-	70 – 73%	1.75
D	64 – 69%	1.00
F	00 – 63%	0.00