Developmental Biology
Biology 576
Meeting Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Robert W. Zeller, Fall 2006
LS 314, 594-6458
email : rzeller(at)sciences.sdsu.edu
Be sure to put Bio576 at the beginning of the subject line
Office Hours: Tues/Thurs
Required Text: Developmental Biology, 7th edition, by Scott F. Gilbert. Sinauer Associates, Inc. Primary literature papers as assigned.
Prerequisites: Chem 365 and Bio 366; Bio567 strongly recommended.
Course/Learning Objectives: This course will examine the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling embryonic development in a number of different organisms. The course will focus on comparative mechanisms of development and will examine the development of a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate embryos. Students will learn cellular and molecular biological mechanisms of development and cell differentiation.
Topics to be covered: Major events in embryonic development/principles of experimental embryology, differential gene expression of cell-cell communication, axis specification, invertebrate development through gastrulation, vertebrate development through gastrulation, mesoderm induction, neural induction, neural crest and derivatives, limb development, germ line formation.
The format of the course will be 2 weekly lectures, and about 5-7 primary literature papers that will be discussed on Tuesdays. Students will be responsible for participating in class discussions and provide a written assignment on the paper before the discussion begins. 15% of your final grade will be based on your participation during paper discussions.
The lectures will present the material that is important for understanding developmental processes. Exams will cover both lecture and assigned reading materials.
All information for the course will be posted on Blackboard. Please be sure to consult Blackboard for scores, PDF files, notes, etc.
There will be four exams in the course, three midterms and a final exam. These exams will each cover about 1/4 of the material.
A series of quizzes will be given during the course. These quizzes will be presented on Blackboard and will help you stay up to date with the material covered in the lectures. These quizzes will count as 5% of your grade. Only a percentage of the quizzes will be counted towards your final grade. There are no make-up quizzes.
There will be no make-up exams unless the student provides a valid written excuse, such as from a doctor, etc.
Grading:
Quizzes: 5%
Papers: 15%
Midterm 1 20%
Midterm 2 20%
Midterm 3 20%
Final (non-cumulative) 20%
Final grades will be on a straight percentage basis, 90%+ = a, 80-89% = B, etc, although the instructor may alter the grading scheme at his discretion.
There is no tolerance for academic dishonesty. All matters of academic dishonesty will be referred to the appropriate University authorities.