Syllabus
UNE Summer Session
DEN 201: Histology and Embryology – 12 Weeks – Summer 2026
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
- 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.
- Identify, classify, and describe epithelium, connective tissue, cartilage, bone, lymph, muscle and nerve tissue according to cellular and fibrous components and their functional significance.
- 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.
- Identify and describe amelogenesis, dentinogenesis, root formation, and cementogenesis.
- 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.
- Identify the embryologic and histologic factors which promote oral health and help the dental hygienist to recognize pathological oral conditions.
Specific Unit Objectives:
Chapters 3-5
By the time students have completed this unit, they will be able to describe the general concepts of neonatal development, and apply those to the formation of the head, neck, and oral cavity. This unit is critical for the practicing dental professional to understand and promote oral health, and to recognize pathological oral conditions.
Chapters 6, 1-2
By the time the students have finished this unit, they will apply the essential facts and concepts of neonatal development to the development of the teeth specifically (odontogenesis). Furthermore, this unit includes a review of the anatomical components in the mature oral cavity. This unit is critical for the practicing dental professional to understand and promote oral health, and to recognize pathological oral conditions.
Chapters 7-11
By the time the students have completed this unit, they will be able to identify and describe general cellular and tissue structures, with an emphasis on the histology of soft tissues of oral cavity. This unit is critical for the practicing dental professional to understand and promote oral health, and to recognize pathological oral conditions.
Chapters 12-14
By the time the students have completed this unit, they will be able to identify and describe the hard tissues of the oral cavity, particularly the teeth and bones in which they are situated. This unit is critical for the practicing dental professional to understand and promote oral health, and to recognize 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 on Friday nights.
Quiz material is essential as a semi-formative learning experience in preparation for summative exams. Students will receive two attempts at each quiz (where an average of the two scores is kept).
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 necessary for learners to have a space to share ideas and receive feedback on them. Discussions are based on the current week’s quiz: after submitting at least one quiz attempt, you are tasked with opening a discussion post on a question that made you think. You may post on a question you had trouble with, one you want help with, or one you are especially proud of yourself for solving! In lieu of class time together, we will use the discussion board to engage in conversation on the content and our problem-solving process.
Where listed in the course calendar, your original discussion post is due on Sunday night (within 48 hours after your quiz is due). The instructor will respond to your post within 24 hours, and you must close the loop on that discussion (following up on comments made by the instructor) before you can take your next quiz.
Specific instructions and a rubric will be posted with every Discussion board link.
Exams
There will be three (4) summative exams in this course, one on every third week. Exams will contain multiple choice and true/false questions only. Exams will at the beginning of the week in which they are scheduled and must be submitted by that Wednesday night.
All prior quizzes and discussions must be completed before any new test is taken.
An external webcam is required for proctored exams. If you do not have one, you may order one here: UNE’s Recommended External Webcam.
Assignments/Assessments Summary
All assignments are due at 11:59 PM ET on the day they are due
Discussions (8)
- Discussions are in place of class time, and therefore are a critical learning component
- one initial/original posting is required by Sunday night (unless otherwise noted)
- follow up postings are required to unlock access to your next quiz
- you must reply to the instructor (and receive a grade) in order to progress to the subsequent quiz for the week
- a rubric is posted for grading guidelines
Quizzes (8):
- Quizzes assess our knowledge of the material as we go
- Quizzes are semi-summative
- 3 attempts per Quiz (average of scores is kept)
- Quizzes consist of multiple choice and T/F questions
- Quizzes are due on Fridays nights
Exams (4):
- The course is divided into four (4) three-week intervals
- There is one exam per interval: four exams total
- Exams will follow a similar format to quizzes, however:
- Only one attempt is allowed
- Exams require Honor Lock proctoring
- Exams open at the beginning of the week in which they occur, and are due that Wednesday
- An external webcam is required for proctored exams. If you do not have one, you may order one here: UNE’s Recommended External Webcam.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignments | Point Value | Percentage of Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Discussions (8) | 20 Points | 20% |
| Quizzes (8) | 40 points | 40% |
| Exams (4) | 40 points | 40% |
| Total | 100 Points | 100% |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 93 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 92.9% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89.9% | 3.50 |
| B | 83 – 86.9% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 82.9% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79.9% | 2.50 |
| C | 73 – 76.9% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 72.9% | 1.75 |
| D | 60 – 69.9% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 59.9% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Summer 12w (AB) Monday – Sunday
Week 1: May 18 – May 24
Week 2: May 25 – May 31
Week 3: Jun 1 – Jun 7
Week 4: Jun 8 – Jun 14
Week 5: Jun 15 – Jun 21
Week 6: Jun 22 – Jun 28
Week 7: Jun 29 – Jul 5
Week 8: Jul 6 – Jul 12
Week 9: Jul 13 – Jul 19
Week 10: Jul 20 – Jul 26
Week 11: Jul 27 – Aug 2
Week 12: Aug 3 – Aug 7 <<Friday
DEN.201 Summer 2026 : Course Calendar
|
Week |
Class Topic |
Assignment / Due Date |
|
Week 1 |
Ch. 3: Prenatal Development |
Quiz #1 (Ch. 3) due FRIDAY Discussion #1 due SUNDAY |
|
Week 2 |
Ch. 4: Face & Neck Development Ch. 5: Tongue & Palate Development |
Quiz #2 (Ch. 4-5) due FRIDAY Discussion #2 due SUNDAY |
|
Week 3 |
Exam #1: Ch. 3-5 Orofacial Embryology |
due WEDNESDAY |
|
Week 4 |
Ch. 6: Tooth Development & Eruption |
Quiz #3 (Ch. 6) due FRIDAY Discussion #3 due SUNDAY |
|
Week 5 |
Ch. 1: Anatomical Directions Ch. 2: Oral Anatomy |
Quiz #4 (Ch. 1-2) due FRIDAY Discussion #4 due SUNDAY |
|
Week 6 |
Exam #2: Ch. 6, 1-2 Odontogenesis, Oral Anatomy |
due WEDNESDAY |
|
Week 7 |
Ch. 7: Cells Ch. 8: Tissues Chapter 11: Glandular Histology |
Quiz #5 (Ch. 7-8, 11) due FRIDAY Discussion #5 due SUNDAY |
|
Week 8 |
Ch. 9: Oral Mucosa Chapter 10: Gingival Tissues |
Quiz #6 (Ch. 9-10) due FRIDAY Discussion #6 due SUNDAY |
|
Week 9 |
Exam #3: Ch. 7-11 Histology, Glands, Oral Mucosa |
due WEDNESDAY |
|
Week 10 |
Chapter 12: Enamel Chapter 13: Dentin & Pulp |
Quiz #7 (Ch. 12-13) due FRIDAY Discussion #7 due SUNDAY |
|
Week 11 |
Chapter 14: Periodontium |
Quiz #8 (Ch. 14) due FRIDAY Discussion #8 due SUNDAY |
|
Week 12 |
Exam #4: Ch. 12-14 Dental Histology |
due WEDNESDAY |
Student Resources
Summer Session Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies. If you are a current UNE undergraduate taking online Summer Session courses, please continue to work with your Advisor and include them on your outreaches.
Questions? Email: summersessiononline@une.edu.
UNE Libraries
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Further Assistance and Accommodations
Your student support specialist monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.
To request an accommodation a student needs to go through the process with our UNE office. If the student has a current/already established accommodation in place with UNE it is the responsibility of the student to notify the program at summersessiononline@une.edu to ensure it is applied properly.
If you need to inquire about a possible accommodation, please reach out to the Student Access Center by calling 207-221-4418 or send an email to pcstudentaccess@une.edu.
If you are a current UNE undergrad, please continue to work with your coordinator at bcstudentaccess@une.edu and ensure any accommodations you have in place - are put in place for your online Summer Session course(s).
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Instructor and Support Contact Information
Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.
Policies
Summer Session & Academic Engagement Policy
Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm EDT of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion by 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday of the first week, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation.
Proctored Examinations
Your course may have proctored exams. For all proctored exams, an external camera is required. Please see the course for the exact exam requirements, test-taker guidance, proctoring format, and allowances (such as calculators or whiteboards, as indicated in the course). https://success.une.edu/science-prerequisites/honorlock/
Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.
Course Length
A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.
Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 12 weeks.
- Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar. Students in online Summer Session courses will have early access the Saturday prior to the course start date to review course content as needed.
- Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements.
Withdrawal and Refund Policies
Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact summersessiononline@une.edu with any questions.
Grade Policy
Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course.
Late Policy
Unless stated otherwise by your faculty: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days, the assignment will not be accepted. Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3-point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded. Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Transcripts
Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the College. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.
Using Generative AI When Completing Coursework
Generative AI (GenAI) applications (like ChatGPT) have proven to be powerful and effective tools, and students are encouraged to become familiar with and use them. However, as with any tool, students must use GenAI in ways that support learning, not replace it. Learning to use AI responsibly and ethically is an important skill in today’s society.
In their courses, students are not allowed to use advanced automated tools, such as generative AI tools, on assignments unless explicitly directed to do so. Each student is expected to complete each assignment, including labs and quizzes as applicable, without substantive assistance from others, including automated tools.
Using AI-content generators to complete assignments without proper attribution violates academic integrity. By submitting assignments in UNE courses, you pledge to affirm that they are your own work and you attribute use of any and all tools and sources.
Unauthorized Use
Unauthorized use of AI is treated as a violation of academic integrity.
Citing AI Use
If permitted, students should indicate and cite any use of AI tools.
Instructor Responsibility
Instructors should clearly reiterate, using UNE AI Use Policy, how students can use AI tools in their courses, and communicate this policy to students at the beginning of the semester.
Student Responsibility
Students must follow the academic integrity policy of the University of New England.