BMS107 - Introduction to Developmental Biology (10 credits)
Module Co-ordinator: Dr. T. Whitfield
Aims
This module aims to introduce the general concepts and methods of modern Developmental Biology. It will be designed to complement concurrent courses and underpin further modules in Developmental Biology at Level 2, and degree programmes in the department.
Content
This module aims to provide students with a general introduction to Developmental Biology. The approach will be concept-based, with an emphasis on the importance of cell-cell signalling and the regulation of gene expression in generating cell differences in the embryo. The life cycles and embryology of the main animal model systems will be covered, together with an introduction to key embryological, molecular and genetic techniques.
The relevance of developmental biology to the study of human disease will be exemplified throughout. Teaching will take place in a formal lecture environment, supplemented by modular tutorials.
Objectives
By the end of the module a candidate should be able to:
- describe the life cycles and embryology of the main animal model systems used in Developmental Biology, and appreciate their advantages and disadvantages for different experimental approaches
- describe the shared body plan and germ layers of developing animal embryos
- list the main derivatives of each of the three germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm)
- define the terms fate map, induction, competence, regulative and mosaic development
- describe a variety of embryological, molecular and genetic techniques for the study of developing embryos, and understand their use and limitations
- explain the principles of basic Mendelian genetics
- understand that cells only express a proportion of their genome, and that differential gene expression underlies cell differentiation
- describe simple cell signalling pathways and their outcome in terms of differential gene expression and cell fate
- understand how the study of genetic mutations can lead to an understanding of developmental processes
- relate key examples of genetic mutations in model systems to the analysis of genetic disease in humans.
Teaching Methods
The module will be taught through lecture-based sessions, supplemented by a tutorial session, and supported by textbook material and web-based formative assessment.
This didactic approach aims to deliver key knowledge and concepts to a large number of students in an effective manner.
Assessment
Student´s knowledge and understanding of the content of the module will be assessed by formal examination, consisting of a 1.5 hour multiple choice question paper, to which a guessing correction will be applied. Questions will be designed to test both factual knowledge and understanding of the lecture and reading material.
Formative assessments of the same style, format and level of difficulty will be available via the web. As the summative assessment is entirely MCQ -based, the formative assessment will primarily give students practice at MCQ questions. There will be a module tutorial run in one of the lecture slots, in which the students will be given 15-20 sample questions, and these will be worked through in the tutorial. In addition, problems (one or two MCQ or short answer questions) relating to each lecture will be posted on the web after each lecture. These will be designed to be worked through in conjunction with the reading material for each lecture.