Biology 3390 Developmental Biology Spring 2012

Instructor: Dr. Marcus C. Davis Office: Science 430 Office Phone: 770-423-6591 E-mail: mdavi144@kennesaw.edu Website: http://science.kennesaw.edu/~mdavi144 Lecture: M, W 2:00 - 3:15pm SC 213 Laboratory: Sec. 01: M 11-1:45pm SC 358 Sec. 02: W 11-1:45pm SC 358 Office Hrs: M,W 3:15 - 3:30, or by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION
BIOL 3390. Developmental Biology. 3-3-4. Prerequisite: BIOL 3300. Developmental process of animals and plants from formation of gametes through the embryonic stages, birth, maturation and aging. Emphasis on anatomical development, experimental embryology and molecular mechanisms of cellular differentiation. Laboratory studies in developmental biology techniques, including plant and animal cell and tissue cultures.

COURSE PHILOSOPHY
Developmental Biology is an upper level course designed for biology and related majors. You must have completed the two introductory biology courses (BIOL 2107 & 2108) plus one upper-level course in genetics (BIOL 3300) as prerequisites. If you do not have these prerequisites, drop this course. The purpose of this course is to familiarize you with major concepts of developmental biology and to provide you with some insights as to how the field impacts other areas of biological research (e.g., evolution, genetics, and medicine). You will gain an appreciation for the basic principles of developmental biology, be provided with information about the mechanisms of development and will gain a perspective on both historical and contemporary research in the field. To accomplish this, a variety of topics will be discussed including, but not limited to, gene expression and regulation, fertilization, cell differentiation, morphogenesis, sex determination, and the evolution of development. You will also learn the vocabulary of developmental biology. This will allow you to more fully understand issues with which you will be confronted and to more effectively communicate your thoughts and ideas about these issues. In the laboratory you will become familiar with the model organisms commonly used in developmental research. Examples include echinoderms, amphibians, birds, and mammals. Lab activities will include fertilization and early development in animal systems, the use of staining techniques to identify skeletal formation, and the identification of patterns of gene expression in both normal and experimentally manipulated embryos.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Developmental Mechanisms: Students will: discuss how gene expression and regulation drives cellular differentiation, cell migration, and coordinated cell death; explain the developmental processes of fertilization, cleavage, germ layer formation, gastrulation, morphogenesis, and organogenesis; compare the mechanisms by which embryonic axes are established in different embryos. Developmental Research: Students will compare the advantageous features of the major model organisms used in developmental research, describe the basic experimental techniques employed in the study of development, and explain the medical implications of developmental research. Reading and Writing: Biology students must be effective readers and writers to succeed in the natural sciences. Thus, students will analyze contemporary research published in developmental biology journals and summarize the results and conclusions in an accurate and concise writing style. Microscopy: Students will demonstrate proper techniques in the use of dissecting and compound microscopy to analyze both preserved and living embryological specimens, illustrate specimens accurately and clearly, and employ safe lab procedures and protocols for dealing with biological specimens. Comparative Embryology: Students will identify key embryological structures in representative model organisms compare them to describe the developmental processes that have shaped metazoan evolution.

TEXTBOOK
Gilbert, S. 2010. Developmental Biology, 9th Ed. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, MA.

LECTURE
Lecture attendance is not counted in your course grade. However, you may want to consider the following: 1) Lectures will emphasize the material I consider most important; and 2) some lecture material will not be in the textbook. You will study more efficiently if you make lectures a priority. Its also your chance to think critically about the material and ask questions. I encourage questions and comments during lecture!

LECTURE TOPICS AND ASSOCIATED TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS Dates Topics Developmental Anatomy Jan. 9 Developmental Genetics Feb. 1
Cell-cell Communication in Development

Gilbert, 9th edition Chapters 1 3

February 6 Feb. 8 Feb. 27 February 29 Mar. 12 Apr. 2 April 4 Apr. 9 Apr. 30 May 2

EXAM 1
Fertilization Early Development in Selected Invertebrates The Genetics of Axis Specification in Drosophila Amphibians and Fish Birds and Mammals The Emergence of the Ectoderm Neural Crest Cells and Axonal Specificity Paraxial and Intermediate Mesoderm Lateral Plate Mesoderm and the Endoderm Development of the Tetrapod Limb

Chapters 4 10

EXAM 2 Chapters 9 13

EXAM 3
Sex determination and Postembryonic Development The Saga of the Germ Line Medical Aspects of Developmental Biology Developmental Plasticity and Symbiosis Developmental Mechanisms of Evolutionary Change

Chapters 14 19

FINAL EXAM

(1:00-3:00pm - Room: SC 213)

LECTURE EXAMS
There will be four exams. The first three exams will occur during the regular class periods (see above) and will cover lecture material and the associated textbook chapters (with emphasis being placed on the lectures). The fourth exam will be given during the final exam period and will cover material since the last lecture exam and material covered since the beginning of the course (i.e., it will be comprehensive). Exams will consist primarily of multiple-choice questions, although short answer/essay questions may also appear. You must take all exams on the date & time scheduled unless you provide an excuse deemed by me to be satisfactory. Valid emergency excuses include serious personal illness or family emergencies. Upon your return you must provide me with official documentation explaining your absence (e.g., a note from a physician, a police report, etc.). Valid nonemergency excuses include jury duty and KSU sanctioned athletic activities in which you are a participating athlete. Non-emergency absences must be arranged in advance of the date you will miss and you must provide me with official documentation explaining your absence (e.g., court documents, a note from a coach, etc.). Make-up exams may be different than the original exam. You must take the make up exam within two days of returning to class, failure to do so will result in the assignment of a 0 (zero) for that grade. A missed exam CANNOT be made up at the end of the semester nor is a missed exam grounds for receiving the grade I (incomplete). If school is cancelled either the day of an exam, or the class period preceding an exam, the exam will be postponed one class period.

To find out about school closings due to inclement weather check the KSU website here: https://padmportal.kennesaw.edu/pls/portal/APP_SNOW.DYN_SHOW_STATUS_NEW.show

LABORATORY
Laboratory attendance is required, and lab reports will not be accepted unless you attended that lab. It is very difficult to provide make-up lab assignments, so you should do everything in your power to attend each lab. Valid excuses are the same as outlined for exams (see above). Students are responsible for all laboratory material, for all announcements made in class, including amendments to this syllabus. Safety in the lab is a primary concern. Please review the Laboratory Safety Guide at the following web address: http://science.kennesaw.edu/biophys/LabSafetyGuideNoPic.doc

LABORATORY SCHEDULE
Week of: Jan 9 Jan 16 Jan 23 Jan 30 Feb 6 Feb 13 Feb 20 Feb 27 Mar 5 Mar 12 Mar 19 Mar 26 Apr 2 Apr 9 Apr 16 Apr 23 Laboratory No Labs No Labs Introduction / Safety / Science & Manuscript Writing Embryology Lab I Urchin Lab I Fertilization and Experimental Manipulation Urchin Lab II Gene Expression Amphibian Development I Experimental Manipulation Embryology Lab II Urchin Manuscript due at 11:00am on your lab day No Labs (Week of Spring Break) Embryology Lab III Amphibian Development II Skeletal Staining Amphibian Development III Analysis Embryology Lab IV Amphibian Manuscript due 11:00am on your lab day Lab Practical Exam Lab Notebook due 11:00am on your lab day News & Views Manuscript due 11:00am on your lab day No Labs

EVALUATION AND GRADING

Although I keep track of point values for all assignments, it is in your best interest to do so as well. Please keep all graded assignments until after the semester is over, as any dispute regarding your grade on a given assignment will require presentation of that assignment as evidence. Lacking this evidence, the points recorded in my roll will stand. To appeal a grade, you must submit a written explanation of why you feel the grade was incorrect along with the graded assignment. Your appeal must be submitted within two days of the date that the assignment was returned to the class. I will review your written explanation and if it is fully justified, the disputed grade will be changed. I also reserve the right to review all other portions of the assignment to determine if any additional errors in grading were made. This is the only procedure that I will use to assess disputed grades.

Your final grade in this class will be based on your combined performance in both lecture and lab. Assignments Exam 1 (Monday, February 6th) Exam 2 (Wednesday, February 29th) Exam 3 (Wednesday, April 4th) Final Exam (Wednesday, May 2nd) Urchin Manuscript 1 (Due: Week of February 27th) Amphibian Manuscript (Due: Week of April 2nd) Laboratory Practical Exam (Week of April 9th) Lab Notebook (Due: Week of April 9th) News & Views Manuscript (Due: Week of April 16th) TOTAL POINTS Points 100 100 100 200 100 100 100 100 100 1000

A = 900-1000; B = 800-899; C = 700-799; D = 600-699; F = < 600

The letter grades associated with final point accumulations are FINAL. If you accumulate 899 points, you will receive a "B" for the course, if you accumulate 799 points, you will receive a "C" in the course, and so forth. There will be no curve in this course, nor will there be any opportunity for extra credit. Please re-read the previous sentence.

GENERAL RULES
1. I will only respond to emails sent to my university account (mdavi144@kennesaw.edu). DO NOT email me through VISTA, as I only check VISTA when uploading content or posting grades. If you email me in the later half of the afternoon, do not expect a reply until the next business (weekday) morning. I do not return phone calls. If I dont answer my office phone please send me an email. 2. Assignments handed in after the due date (without a valid excuse see policies above) will receive a penalty of 25% of the total points available per day late. The first 25% will be deducted once the assignment is late (i.e., lecture or lab is well underway on the date/time the assignment is due). An additional 25% will be deducted each subsequent morning (weekday OR weekend) that the assignment as not been received (placed under the door to my office). 3. You must submit a hard (paper) copy of assignments (manuscripts, written assignments, etc.) by the due date to receive full credit. This submission must be typed it CANNOT be handwritten. Assignments turned in via email CANNOT act as temporary submissions until you can get me a hard copy. Emailed submissions WILL NOT be graded and will be scored as a ZERO. 4. I will only bring graded assignments to class one time. If you are absent on the day the assignment is returned, you will need to pick it up from my office. Assignments not picked up within 60 days of the end of the semester will be shredded and recycled. 5. Your writing should be well organized with correct spelling and grammar. If your writing is incoherent, I will assume that you do not understand the material and you will not receive credit for the assignment. TXT MSG SPLLNG IZ NT ACCPTBL, 4 REALZ. 6. Communication devices must remain in silent mode for the duration of lecture and lab. If personal demands require that you remain in contact with the outside world during the lecture period, sit near the closest exit so you can leave without disturbing others. Instant messaging should be done discretely and silently. If I can tell you are sending text messages you are doing it wrong! You must obtain my permission before recording lecture or lab meetings using any form of electronic media. I reserve the right to ask violators of any of these rules to leave the classroom. Students taking notes via keyboard: Please ask you neighbors if you are disturbing them, and be prepared to move to another area of the room. 7. I encourage you to form study groups and work with other students. However, all manuscripts must be written individually and all written work must be your own! Answers that appear to be shared with others, copied, or paraphrased will not be accepted for credit. 8. Due to unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary to alter the information given in this syllabus during the course of the semester. All changes to the syllabus will be announced in class and posted to the class VISTA page. It is your responsibility to keep up with any syllabus alterations announced through these two venues.

ACADEMIC WITHDRAWAL
Students may withdraw from one or more courses anytime before the last three weeks of the semester. However, as of Fall 2004, students will be allowed a maximum of eight total withdrawals if the enter KSU as a freshman. Transfer students will be allowed one withdrawal per fifteen credit hours attempted, for a maximum of eight. Students who choose to pursue a second degree at KSU will be allowed two additional withdrawals. Students who entered KSU before the Fall of 2004 will be allowed one withdrawal per fifteen credit hours attempted for a maximum of eight. To withdraw, the student should complete an official withdrawal form in the Office of the Registrar. Students who officially withdraw from courses on or before the last day to withdraw without academic penalty will receive a W. Students who officially withdraw after the last day to withdraw without academic penalty (and before the last three weeks of the semester) will receive a WF, which will be counted as an F in calculation of their grade point average. The only exceptions to these withdrawal regulations will be for instances involving unusual circumstances, which are fully documented. Students may appeal to the academic standing committee for consideration of unusual circumstances.

Last date to withdraw without academic penalty is Monday, March 12th 2012 C OR BETTER PREREQUISTE POLICY
Students need to have a "C" or better in any prerequisite class. In order to stay enrolled in Biol 3390, you need to have a "C" or better grade in Biol 3300 (which is the prerequisite for Biol 3390). Students who do not meet this requirement will be administratively withdrawn from the course.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs. Section II of the Student Code of Conduct addresses the Universitys policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials, misrepresentation/ falsification of University records or academic malicious/intentional misuses of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which includes either an Informal resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of Conducts minimum one semester suspension requirement. You are expected to follow the regulations under the statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities section of the 2007-2008 Kennesaw State University Undergraduate Catalog. Plagiarism and cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes copying papers and not providing proper literature citations. Any violations of the Student Conduct Regulations will be handled through the University Court.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Any student with a documented disability or medical condition needing academic accommodations of class-related activities or schedules must contact the instructor immediately. Written verification from the KSU disAbled Student Support Services is required. No requirements exist that accommodations be made prior to completion of this approved University documentation. All discussions will remain confidential.

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As a student in Biology 3390 Spring 2012 semester, your continued participation in this course will act as acknowledgment that you understand and agree to the policies contained in this syllabus. As the instructor, I reserve the right to amend this syllabus during the course of the semester as situations warrant. As a student, you have the right to be informed promptly of any amendment to this document by email to your KSU email address.