Developmental Biology

Text:
Scott Gilbert.
Developmental Biology,
5th Edition.

Lab Manual:
Mary Tyler.
Developmental Biology,
A Guide to Experimental Study.

Lecture Schedule
WebCT Login

Instructor:
Dr. M. A. Clark

Office Hours

Office:
McFadden 211B

Campus
Extension: 4896

Lecture Times: 9:00 a.m.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Laboratory: 1:30-4:30
Wednesday

Three great mysteries of contemporary biology are macroevolution, intelligence and embryonic development. All of these are rooted in genetics, but the mystery lies in discovering the coupling between the genes and the phenomenology of each discipline. Development is a broad field, and a look at your textbook will convince you that one semester isn't nearly adequate, even for the phenomena of development. Therefore we have to be selective. The format of the course is mixed -- part conventional lecture, part seminar. I have specified some basic topics for the first part of the semester, but what we study for the rest depends on what you find interesting and you will be responsible for collecting and presenting current information on some topic. We can discuss some possibilities during the first week of class and then complete the schedule of topics for discussion. Click here for a partial listing of chapters and topics we will cover.

We will be using some of the resources of the university WebCT for this class. During the first week of class, you must register for the WebCT course. Registration gives you an E-mail box, and will allow you to communicate both with me and with one another using the WebCT mail, bulletin boards, and chat rooms. In addition, your grades will be posted to the WebCT site. To register, simply choose a username and a password. Do not use your social security number for your login name, as this will be displayed on all communications.

Various course activities will be implemented on the WebCT. For example, during the second half of the semester, each of you will be responsible for selection and presentation of some topic that interests you. Your project reports will be published to the WebCT page. In addition, I will post one or more topics for discussion each week on the WebCT bulletin board. We may also use the online quiz function for short weekly quizzes over basic material covered each week.

In the laboratory, we will study some of the phenomena of development, using a variety of model organisms. As each organism is introduced, there will be opportunities for the development of individual projects, as well as the making some basic observations. Basic information and suggested experiments are described in your lab manual. Click here for a proposed schedule of laboratory activities.

There are a number of very good web sites related to developmental biology, one of which is maintained by the author of your text. In addition to giving directions in the preface for accessing the site (which you can also enter from the Link below), he has given the URLs of sites related to specific topics within the text.

Texas Wesleyan University has a number of policies that govern attendance, academic integrity, laboratory safety, disabilities, and other issues. Click here to read these policies.