Developmental Biology

This course will focus on understanding how a single fertilized cell develops into a complex multicellular organism. Fundamental processes of development including fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, and organogenesis will be presented. The course will also cover current areas of interest in developmental biology such as, stem cells and medicine, in vitro fertilization, how to clone an organism (or human?), why cells undergo senescence or become immortal, what is a Hox gene and are they master regulators of development? Modern methods used in experimental cell and molecular biology research will be presented. This course is designed to encourage student interaction, and to introduce students to the developmental biology literature. Students will have an opportunity to do research an area of interest, and to present their findings to the class. There will be 3 semester exams and the final exam will be cumulative. Homework will be assigned, and class attendance is mandatory.

2. To examine recent advances in developmental biology and discuss their implications.

Analysis of Biological Development, edited by Klaus Kalthoff, McGraw Hill, ISBN 0-07-092037-0

date	topic	reading
1-10	introduction
1-13	gametogenesis	pp 48-74
1-15	fertilization	pp 75-96
1-17	"	"
1-20	cleavage	pp 97-123
1-22	"	"
1-24	genomic equivalence	pp 147-170
1-27	"	"
1-29	gastrulation	pp 223-250
1-31	student presentations
2-3	EXAM 1	pp 48-170
2-5	gastrulation	pp 223-250
2-7	student presentations
2-10	February break
2-12	cell adhesion and morphogenesis	pp 251-277
2-14	student presentations
2-17	cell adhesion and morphogenesis	pp 251-277
2-19	neurulation and axis induction	pp 278-302
2-21	student presentations
2-24	ectodermal organs	pp 303-335
2-26	"	"
2-28	student presentations
3-3	EXAM 2	pp 223-335
3-5	endodermal and mesodermal organs	pp 326-368
3-7	student presentations
3-10	endodermal and mesodermal organs	pp 326-368
3-12	mutants and transgenic mice	pp 374-404
3-14	student presentations
3-17	spring recess
3-19	"
3-21	"
3-24	microscope lab	handouts
3-26	microscope lab	handouts
3-28	student presentations
3-31	Review for Exam 3
4-2	EXAM 3	pp 326-404
4-4	hox genes and vertebrate development	pp 610-639
4-7	catch up time
4-9	"
4-11	student presentations
4-14	sex determination	pp 691-715
4-16	"	"
4-18	student presentations
4-21	senescence	pp 769-789
4-23	review for final	all inclusive
4-25	"	"
4-28	Final is in 177 Snell Hall from 11:45 to 2:45	all inclusive final

Each student will have the opportunity to contribute to the course by presenting a 20 minute talk on a subject that is relevant to developmental biology. You can explore in depth some topic that is particularly interesting to you. The presentation will account for 15 percent of your final grade. A list of potential topics will be supplied, but you can also choose your own topic.

There will be 3 semester exams and a cummulative final exam. Exam questions will be based on class lectures, homework, and assigned reading. Questions will be multiple choice or short answer. Each semester exam counts for 15% of the final grade, and the final exam counts as 20%. Homework material may appear on exams.

Home work will be assigned to reinforce the material covered in lecture and reading. Homework assignments must be completed on time, and will count for 15% of the final grade.

Class attendance is mandatory and any absences must be excused. Attendance and class participation will count for 5% of the final grade.

topic	percent of final grade
3 examinations	45% (each is 15%)
cummulative final exam	20%
independent study topic	15%
class homework	15%
attendance and class participation	5%