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Campus | Bryn Mawr |
Semester | Fall 2020 |
Registration ID | BIOLB271001 |
Course Title | Developmental Biology |
Credit | 1.00 |
Department | Health Studies |
Instructor | Davis,Gregory K. |
Times and Days | WTh 11:10am-12:30pm
Sa 01:10pm-04:00pm |
Room Location | |
Additional Course Info | Class Number: 1013 An introduction to embryology and the concepts of developmental biology. Concepts are illustrated by analyzing the experimental observations that support them. Topics include gametogenesis and fertilization, morphogenesis, cell fate specification and differentiation, pattern formation, regulation of gene expression, neural development, and developmental plasticity. The laboratory focuses on observations and experiments on living embryos. Lecture three hours, laboratory three scheduled hours a week; most weeks require additional hours outside of the regularly scheduled lab. Prerequisite: one semester of BIOL 110-111 or permission of instructor.; In the fall of 2020 BIOL B271 Developmental Biology will be taught in a way that maintains social distancing, but still allows students to engage with the instructor, each other, and embryos most beautiful. The lecture portion will follow a “flipped” format comprising short, pre-recorded lectures and videos followed by in-person, interactive discussions in the larger space of Park 180. The lab portion will comprise virtual and in-person elements, the weighting of which will depend on the best public health advice available at the time. Provisionally we will meet for lab in person every other week in Park 126, with virtual/on-line experiences in the alternate weeks. I intend to hold virtual office hours at regular times each week. In general, students should be prepared to shift away from in-person to virtual experiences should circumstances change during the semester. Course Description: This course investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate development. Topics include fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, axis specification, cell specification and differentiation, morphogens, patterning and a little organogenesis in the form of pancreas development. Laboratory sessions focus on observation and experimental manipulation of early vertebrate and invertebrate embryos, as well as reading and discussing research papers in developmental biology. Although the focus will be on animal development, I have included some material on plants. As much as possible, I will take a comparative approach in both the lecture and the lab, attempting to convey the incredible diversity (and similarity!) by which organisms come into being. Goals: With this course, my primary goals will be for you to 1) become familiar with the basic processes of embryology, cell differentiation and pattern formation and, in so doing, gain an appreciation of the developmental process as a dialectic between cells, their genes and their environments; 2) become adept at evaluating the extent to which different types of descriptive and experimental evidence support proposed models of development, as well as proposing appropriate experiments to address new questions; 3) be able to effectively communicate the above, both orally and in writing. Approach: Scientific Investigation (SI), Writing Attentive; Haverford: C: Physical and Natural Processes (C), Natural Science (NA) Enrollment Limit: 22; Postbacc Spaces: 2; If the course exceeds the enrollment cap the following criteria will be used for the lottery: Major/Minor/Concentration; Junior; Senior; Sophomore; Questionnaire/Lottery; Enrollment Limit: 22; Postbacc Spaces: 2; If the course exceeds the enrollment cap the following criteria will be used for the lottery: Major/Minor/Concentration; Junior; Senior; Sophomore; Questionnaire/Lottery; |
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