Module BIOL3281: DEVELOPMENT 2 (P)

Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences

BIOL3281: DEVELOPMENT 2 (P)

Prerequisites

• Molecular Biology BIOL2201 AND Development 1 BIOL2221.

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.
• Secondary Induction and Appendage Formation.
• The Molecular Basis of Tooth Morphogenesis.
• Homeobox Genes and Body Patterning in Drosophila and Vertebrates.
• Limb development.
• 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

• 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 secondary induction and organ formation, the role of homeobox genes in pattern formation 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.

• 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

Summative Assessment

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