DIVISION OF NATURAL SCIENCES, MATHEMATICS,
AND COMPUTER SCIENCE
SYLLABUS FOR BIOL 301
I. COURSE NAME:
Vertebrate Embryology, BIOL 301, 4 CR. HRS.
II. PRE-REQUISITE:
BIOL 103, 104, and CHEM 101, 102
III. TEXT:
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 6TH EDITION BY SCOTT F. GILBERT; SINAUER PUBL.
RECOMMENDED READING: Patten’s Foundations of Embryology (6th Edition), by Bruce M. Carlson
IV. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a course designed for Biology majors. It includes the origins of Developmental Biology, Gametogenesis, Fertilization, Cleavage, Initiating the embryonic body plan, Organizing the multicellular embryo and some aspects of genetics regulation of development.
V. OBJECTIVES:
The student will require a comprehensive background in developmental biology which is required for preparing students pursuing careers in biology, medicine, and related biomedical and health related fields. The student will gain an understanding about the important contribution developmental biology has been making in understanding development and differentiation and organogenesis in vertebrates. In this course students will develop analytical and critical thinking skills, test-wiseness, and reading comprehension of scientific literature.
VI. COURSE OUTLINE
1. Microscopy: The Compound Microscopes & The Electron Microscopes
Function and parts of the compound microscope and the electron microscope-.
The origin of developmental biology.
2. Gametogenesis: Spermatogenesis, Oogenesis
3. Fertilization: The sperm and egg structure, sperm-egg fusion, activation of sperm motility, fusion of sperm and egg, prevention of polyspermy, control of cortical reaction, fusion of sperm and egg nuclei, the initiation of development, parthenogenesis.
4. Cleavage: Embryonic polarization, cell movements, gastrulation and establishment of embryonic body plan in vertebrates.
5. Organization of the multicellular embryo, neurulation in amphibians and chick, mechanism of neurulation, development of central and peripheral nervous system.
6. Laying down the vertebrate body plan: the mesoderm, the endoderm, and peripheral nervous system.
7. Methods of studying cell determinations, fate maps.
8. Integrity of genome during development, maternal control of early development.
VII. INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES:
Class instruction will consist of a combination of but not limited to lectures and various visual aids- i.e. chalkboards, transparencies, video tapes, etc. Labs are an integral part of the course curriculum.
VIII. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES:
There will be three 50 minute lectures and two 110 minute lab per week. Students are required to complete all the assignments from both lecture and lab each week.
Course Requirements: All students are required to take all tests and quizzes given, do all the lab activities, turn in a lab report for each lab performed, and turn in all assignments on time.
Grading:
90% or above = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60 % = F
Four Tests 4 x 100 = 400 points
Lab Reports/Term Paper/ Class quizzes = 100 points
English Usage, class performance and attendance = 50 points
Final Exam. = 200 points
Total = 750 points
Examinations
Three lecture tests and a lab quiz will be given during the semester. There will be no make-up tests, except for an excused absence as stated on the previous page under the "Attendance/Tardiness Policy." However, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor as soon as the emergency situation is under control and request to arrange a make-up test date. In no cases will a make-up test date be given one week under the original test date. of the four lecture tests, the one with the lowest score will be dropped, and the final grade will be calculated based on the other three tests and the remaining grading as shown above. If a test is missed, the missed test will be considered as the lowest score. Cheating in any test, quiz, or exam will result in zero points on that test, quiz, or exam.
IX. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Students are expected to be in a class for the whole period, as schedule. Institutional Attendance Policy, as stated below, will be applied:
"The final letter grade may be lowered by one letter if the unexcused absences include or exceed 15% of the scheduled class meeting, and changes to "F" if the unexcused absences equal or exceed 20% of the scheduled class meetings."
Three unexcused tardiness will be considered equivalent to one unexcused absence. An absence or tardiness may be excused only if the student experienced a genuine emergency or a schedule appropriate authority such as a doctor, police officer, court clerk, instructor or coach, etc.
X. POLICIES RELATED TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
The facilities of Gibson-Orgill Hall is equipped to accommodate students with physical disabilities. Special arrangements can be made for students with other disabilities.
XI. RECOMMENDED-SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS:
Updated references for supplementary reading will be provided in class, as needed.