Wayland Baptist University

                                                               Plainview Campus

                                             School of Mathematics and Sciences

 

Wayland Mission Statement: Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students in an academically challenging, learning-focused and distinctively Christian environment for professional success and service to God and humankind.

 

Course Name: BIOL 3403 Developmental Biology

 

Term:

 

Instructor:

                   Phone:                          Email:

 

Office Hours and Location:

 

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Catalog description:  Embryogenesis in invertebrates and vertebrate animal systems with an emphasis placed on the determination of cell fate, lineage versus environmental controls, multi-potential stem cells, and the regulation of cell type-specific gene expression. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. $45 fee

 

Prerequisites:  Biology 1401

Course resources :  Developmental Biology. Scott Gilbert; 8th ed; Sinauer Associates Inc.; ISBN: 978-0878932504

Outcome Competencies

I. Students will become competent in the following areas:

  1. Developmental Biology: The Anatomical Tradition
  2. Life Cycles and the Evolution of Developmental Patterns
  3. Principles of Experimental Embryology
  4. The Genetic Core of Development
  5. The Paradigm of Differential Gene Expression
  6. Cell-Cell Communication in Development
  7. Fertilization: Beginning a New Organism
  8. Early Development in Selected Invertebrates
  9. Early Development and Axis Formation in Amphibians
  10. The Early Development of Vertebrates: Fish, Birds, and Mammals
  11. The Emergence of the Ectoderm: The Central Nervous System and the Epidermis

II. Students will understand and be able to discuss the laboratory exercises

III. Students will develop an understanding of and an ability to use primary research articles through reading and discussing papers.

IV. Students will develop competency in writing scholarly papers and delivering presentations.

Attendance Requirements:

Disability Statement:

“In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), it is the policy of Wayland Baptist University that no otherwise qualified person with a disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity in the university.  The Coordinator of Counseling Services serves as the coordinator of students with a disability and should be contacted concerning accommodation requests at (806) 291- 3765.  Documentation of a disability must accompany any request for accommodations.”

 

Course requirements: 

1.  Students are expected to read the textbook assignments and compile a complete set of notes from the text and lecture.

2.  Lectures are illustrated with slides, videos and models.  Students are encouraged to ask questions and be active participants in the discussions of the material presented. There will be a number of reading assignments to cover material we will not be able to cover in class. 

3.  Tests:  3 lecture exams will be given plus the final.  The final will be comprehensive and will count the same weight as a typical exam.  At least 1 of the exams will be a take home exam.

4.  Students will also have 2 paper/presentations during the course.  One project is to focus on an aspect of classical embryology and the other involving a molecular mechanism of cell fate determination or gene expression. Each will count as a test grade.  The presentations may be outside of class lecture time, but will not exceed the laboratory time allotted for the week of presentations.

5.   Laboratory grades include 3 formal lab reports.  You will also have a paper discussion grade as part of the lab grade.

Course evaluation: 

Final computation of the grade:  Each lecture exam including the final will be averaged together to constitute 85% of the course grade.  The lab grade is worth 15% of the final grade.

University grading system:

                  A = 90-100; B = 80-89;  C= 70-79; D= 60-79; F= below 60; I= incomplete; W= withdrawal

Materials accepted by the instructor after the due date are subject to a 10 point deduction per day (not class meeting) late.

 

Tentative Schedule:

 

 Academic Honesty:

Disciplinary action for academic misconduct is the responsibility of the faculty member assigned to this course.  The faculty member is charged with assessing the gravity of any case of academic dishonesty, and with giving sanctions to any student involved.

 

Last revised:  7/18/12