Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module BIOL3281: DEVELOPMENT 2 (P)

Department: BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

BIOL3281: DEVELOPMENT 2 (P)

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2006/07 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to C130
Tied to C132
Tied to C200
Tied to C201
Tied to CFG0

Prerequisites

  • Molecular Biology BIOL2201, Development 1 BIOL2221, Cell Structure and Function BIOL2211.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide an advanced theoretical overview of important mechanisms and molecular and cellular controls governing animal and plant development.

Content

  • What is Induction and how can it be Studied? Definitions and examples of induction.
  • The Three Signal Model of Mesoderm Induction.
  • Current view of Mesoderm and Neural Induction: Secondary Induction and Appendage Formation.
  • The Molecular Basis of Tooth Morphogenesis.
  • Induction by Adult Hair Follicle and Tooth Cells.
  • Homeobox Genes and Body Patterning in Drosophila and Vertebrates: Production of Transgenic Mice: Use of Transgenics o study HOX function in Mice.
  • Basic features of Limb development.
  • Growth factors and Limb development.
  • Anterior-Posterior patterning in Limbs.
  • Cytoskeleton and plant cell morphogenesis.
  • Embryogenesis I: Cellular events.
  • Embryogenesis II: Early genes and morphogenesis.
  • The root as an experimental system.
  • Lateral root formation: re-activation of pericycle cell division.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of this module each student should: Have advanced knowledge of key aspects of animal developmental biology, building on the year 2 course and with further understanding at the cell and molecular level.
  • Have detailed and critical appreciation of the experimental paradigms and recent research findings associated with important mechanisms and events in development including early embryonic induction.
  • secondary induction and organ formation.
  • the role of homeobox genes in pattern formative and limb development.
  • Have an advanced knowledge of aspects of the molecular and cell biology of the structure of the plant cytoskelaton and role in cell shape control.
  • and mechanisms of pattern formation, exemplified by reference to development of the embryo and root of the model genetic organism Arabidopsis.
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:
    • Extract, compile and review relevant scientific information from various sources and evaluate them critically.
    • Acquire, interpret and critically analyse experimental and clinical data and present the results effectively.

    Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

    • Taught Component: Teaching and learning in this component is primarily through the means of lectures, seminars and workshops, the latter to provide additional specialist input.
    • Skills will be acquired through the searching, retrieval and presentation of data.
    • Knowledge will be formatively assessed through the use of a written test.
    • Recovery, interpretation and presentation of data will be required for talks/presentations on research topics derived from the course.
    • These will be formatively assessed.
    • Understanding will be assessed by means of a written examination.

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Lectures 26 1 or 2 per week 1 hour 26
    Tutorials 1 1 hour 1
    Seminars 2 1 hour 2
    Other (Poster) 6 6 hours 36
    Preparation and Reading 135
    Total 200

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Formal examination 2 hours 100%
    Component: A Research Report Component Weighting: 10%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    A research report produced from a research question posed in the taught component 100%
    Component: Poster Presentation Component Weighting: 40%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Poster Presentation 100%

    Formative Assessment:

    Group talks on a research topic related to the course.


    Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University