DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr N Vargesson

Pre-requisites

BI 20M3, BI 20B2, BI 25B2

Overview

Fertlisation, development of the fertilised egg into an embryo (including gastrulation, neurulation, cavitation), common mechanisms of development shared between vertebrates, discussion of each of the main model organisms used to study developmental biology, why is developmental biology important to society.
The course is designed to provide the principles to allow students to understand later concepts in the Developmental Biology and Human Embryology degree programmes. But also give a basic introduction to the field for non-specialists.

Structure

3 one hour lectures per week and 4 three hour practical classes.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one-and-a-half hour essay examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).
Continuous assessment comprises: 1 problem solving exercise, 1 web based assignment.

Resit: 1 one-and-a-half hour essay examination (70%) and previous continuous assessment (30%).

Formative Assessment

- Problem-solving sessions.

Feedback

- Feedback on problem-based learning exercise.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J Pettitt

Pre-requisites

DB 3003

Overview

The principles of genetic analysis; genome-enabled genetics; developmental genetics.

Structure

3 one hour lectures per week; 2 two hour tutorials and 1 nine hour practical.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one and a half hour essay examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).
Continuous assessment comprises: 1 laboratory report, 1 problem solving exercise.

Resit: 1 one and a half hour essay examination (70%) and previous continuous assessment (30%).

Formative Assessment

- PRS-based revision sessions allow students to practice for MCQ tests and receive feedback on their performance.
- Practice exam questions on MyAberdeen.
- Problem-solving sessions.

Feedback

- Practical report will be marked with written comments.
- Problem solving questions will be discussed during a lecture/feedback session.
- Tutorial sessions will provide feedback on course content.
- Students are given general feedback on performance during PRS revision sessions.
- Students receive on-line feedback on completion of the MCQ tests and quizzes.
- PRS MCQ assessment answers discussed at the end of assessment session. Immediate feedback on practice questions available on MyAberdeen.
- Feedback on problem-based learning exercise.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor P A Fowler

Pre-requisites

Overview

The gonads, sexual differentiation, ovarian and testicular function and their control, central control of reproduction, reproductive rhythms, puberty, oestrous/menstrual cycles, fertilisation, implantation, placentation, embryo/fetal development biology, pregnancy, fertility, manipulation of reproduction, induction and inhibition of fertility, environmental effects on reproduction.

Structure

21 hours of lectures over the course. 2 two hour practicals and 3 one hour tutorials over the course.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one and a half hour essay examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).
Continuous assessment comprises: 1 essay (1000 words), 1 closed book quiz.

Resit: 1 one and a half hour essay examination (70%) and previous continuous assessment (30%).

Formative Assessment

Performance in the closed book quiz is fed back to the students on the last day of the course.

Feedback

Essays will be marked with written comments.
Performance in the closed book quiz is fed back to the students on the last day of the course.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Hoppler and Dr J Pettitt

Pre-requisites

DB 3005

Co-requisites

DB 3501, DB 3804

Overview

This course covers the following topics. Fertilisation: the making of a new organism, Drosophila: The Making of a Fly (Nisslein-Vollhard/Wieschaus screen and beyond), C. elegans: The Making of the Worm, Breaking the Symmetry: Axis Formation in Amphibians and other Vertebrates, Morphogenetic Movements and Cell Migration.

Structure

3 one-hour lectures per week and 4 all day (eight hour) practicals over two consecutive weeks. 2 one hour tutorials and 17 hours of timetabled data analysis and lab report writing.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one and a half hour essay examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).
Continuous assessment comprises: 1 manuscript as if for publication based on practical and essay (introduction and discussion).

Resit: 1 one and a half hour essay examination (70%) and previous continuous assessment (30%).

Formative Assessment

- Case-study exercise with feedback in preparation for summative assessments.
- Practice exam questions on MyAberdeen.
- Problem-solving sessions.

Feedback

- Practical reports and essays (i.e. manuscript as if for publication) will be marked with written comments.
- Problem solving questions will be discussed during practical.
- Tutorial sessions will provide feedback on course content.
- Feedback on problem-based learning exercise during practical.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J M Collinson

Pre-requisites

DB 3005

Co-requisites

DB 3803

Overview

Vertebrate organogenesis: The induction in the Ectoderm of Neural tissue, Neural Crest tissue and Epidermis, The Vertebrate Neural Crest, Skin Development, Muscle Development, Bone Development, Kidney Development, The Development of the Heart, Blood vessels and Blood, Development of the Digestive Tract and its Derivatives, Lung Development, The Development of the Limb and The Saga of the Germline.
Invertebrate Organogenesis: Imaginal Discs in Drosophila. Vulva development in C. elegans.

Structure

3 one hour lectures per week and 4 full day (6 hour) practical classes.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one and a half hour essay examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).
Continuous assessment comprises: 2 laboratory reports.
Resit: 1 one and a half hour essay examination (70%) and previous continuous assessment (30%).

Formative Assessment

- Practice exam essay allows students to write under exam conditions and receive feedback on their performance.
- Case-study exercise with feedback in preparation for summative assessments.
- Problem-solving sessions.

Feedback

- Practical reports and essays will be marked with written comments.
- Problem solving questions will be discussed during a lecture/feedback session.
- Tutorial sessions will provide feedback on course content.
- Feedback on problem-based learning exercise.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J M Collinson

Pre-requisites

DB 3005, BT 3007

Co-requisites

DB 4002, PY 4302

Overview

This course will cover the issue of proliferation, differentiation and death in the life of cells in multicellular organisms; the major stem cell populations in our bodies and the dilemma and connection between stem cells and cancer. Recent research papers on issues such as Human Embryonic Stem Cells will be discussed.

Structure

3 one-hour lectures per week and 1 full day practical class.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (70%); continuous assessment (30%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J Pettitt

Pre-requisites

DB 3003, BT 3007, DB 3803, DB 3502, DB 3501, DB 3804

Co-requisites

PY 4302, BM 4004

Overview

This course will cover developmental mechanisms in evolutionary change and the importance of evolutionary change on developmental mechanisms. The historical concept of Body Plan will be compared with the modern equivalent concept of Phylotpic Stage of Development.

Structure

3 one-hour lectures per week and 1 one-hour tutorial every other week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (70%); continuous assessment (30%).

Resit: 1 two-hour Examination.

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Dr D Shewan

Pre-requisites

DB 4002, PY 4302

Overview

The core element of the course is a research project that involves 9 weeks laboratory work, starting one week prior to the beginning of Semester 2, and production of a thesis. Assessment is on the basis of the performance in the laboratory, the thesis, and the project seminar. Students are expected to spend a minimum of 25 hours in the laboratory each week. Two research tutorials will be organised by academic staff and will be assessed by examination at the end of the Semester. Tutorials will be held at regular intervals with the tutor appointed by the Head of School.

Structure

2 four-hour research tutorials and 2 one-and-a-half-hour seminars plus 9 weeks project work at 25 hours per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour, 1 three-hour and 1 four-hour examination at end Semester 2 (70%); in-course assessment (30%).

Resit: 1 two-hour, 1 three-hour and 1 four-hour examinations.