syllabus

DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 338A SYLLABUS 2007

Prerequisites: Biochemistry 280a; Biology 281b and Biology 282b.

Instructor: Dr. Sashko Damjanovski

Office: Biological and Geological Science building, Room 318

Office Hours: One hour immediately following lecture (Mon and Wed 1:30-2:30 pm) in my office, or by alternate arrangements.

Lectures: Monday and Wednesday, 12:30-1:30 pm. BGS 22.

Lectures:

- Introduction: Overview of Development

- Developmental Concepts, Terms and Tools

- Cytoplasmic Determinants and Positional Information

- Signal Transduction

- Gametogenesis and Fertilization

- Egg Activation and Cleavage Patterns

- Gastrulation (sea urchin, frog, chick)

- Establishment of the Body Plan

- Limb Formation

- Metamorphosis

Lecture material will be found on the website http://instruct.uwo.ca/biology/338a

Tutorials begin the week of September 25, 2006

Tutorials: Monday and Wednesday, 10:30-11:30 am.

You have registered into one of 4 groups and therefore in each two-week period you will only have to attend one tutorial; 002 & 003 in the first week and 004 & 005 in the second week. Monday’s section (002 & 004) will have their tutorials in Middlesex College, room 6 and Wednesday’s section (003 & 005), will be in the Kresge Building, room K103. A schedule will be distributed.

Tentative Tutorial Topics:

1) Detection of Gene Expression in Embryos (Sept. 24^th – Oct. 3^rd).

Thanksgiving Break - Oct. 8^th – 12^th.

2) Disrupting Gene Expression in Embryos (Oct. 15^th –Oct. 26^th).

3) Cell Signaling & Signal Transduction in Development (Nov. 5^th – Nov. 14^th).

4) Developmental Biology: Medicine and Birth Defects (Nov. 19^th – Nov. 28^th).

You are responsible for all material presented in lecture. Material is almost exclusively from Gilbert’s text (8^th edition). Any additional information will be conveyed by email.

A reading list from the text will be provided at different times in lecture.

Evaluation: 2 Lecture Exams 20% each (non-cumulative) - 40% of course

2 Tutorial Quizzes 10% each (non-cumulative) - 20% of course

1 Final Exam (covers all lecture material) - 40% of course

All midterms and tutorial quizzes will be written during lecture time.

Midterm #1, Monday October 15^th, 12:30-1:30pm, Talbot College room 348.

Tutorial Quiz #1, Monday October 29^th , 12:30-1:30pm, Talbot College room 348.

Midterm #2, Monday November 12^th, 12:30-1:30pm, Talbot College room 348.

Tutorial Quiz #2, Monday Dec. 3^rd. 12:30-1:30pm, Talbot College room 348.

If you miss a midterm or tutorial quiz you will be required to provide valid UWO justification and documentation. Make-ups will be scheduled as early as possible following the missed exam. Make-up exams MAY NOT of the same format as the regular exam.

The Final Exam will be scheduled by the registrar's office.

To pass this course you must get a total overall mark of 50% or better AND a passing mark in the tutorial component of the course (i.e., at least 10/20). Tutorial attendance is mandatory. Missing 2 tutorials without proper documentation will result in you NOT being allowed to write Quiz 2 (i.e., in order to pass then you would have needed a 10/10 in Quiz 1).

Textbook: Gilbert’s Developmental Biology 8th. Ed. (required).

TA Victoria Garside - vgarside@uwo.ca

Electronic devices will NOT be allowed during quizzes and examinations.

Scholastic offences are taken seriously and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at the following Web site:

http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/scholoff.pdf

Unless you have either the requisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enroll in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.

Good luck