Bio 316 Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Provide a factual basis for the understanding of animal development.
Objectives: By taking this course, students will:
A. learn the basic patterns and processes of embryonic and postembryonic development in a diversity of vertebrate and invertebrate organisms.
B. understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in fundamental aspects of morphogenesis, organogenesis, reproduction and postembryonic development.
C. come to appreciate the role of developmental mechanisms in the evolutionary diversification of animal morphologies and life histories.
Goal 2: Develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Objectives: Through lab exercises, formal lab write-ups and research papers requiring critical analyses of current research topics, students will:
A. learn to address scientific problems and questions using the standard scientific format of formulating a specific testable hypothesis, devising a scientific procedure to test that hypothesis and evaluating the results of the test in light of the limitations of the methodology.
B. review the rationales, methodologies and conclusions of primary research papers.
C. weigh evidence for and against alternative, possibly conflicting explanations of developmental phenomena.
D. formulate scientific opinions based on the relative merits and limitations of different research approaches.
Goal 3: Provide a foundation for further activities.
Objectives: This course will provide students with:
A. the background information needed to purse more advanced developmental biology courses at an undergraduate or graduate level.
B. for those interested in a teaching career, the background material needed to teach an introductory community college or university course in developmental biology. This material would also enhance the teaching of high school-level biology courses.
C. for those interested in a research/academic career, an explanation of the basic concepts of developmental biology, exposure to some of the classical and current research techniques used in the field, and an introduction to some of the "cutting edge" questions of current research.
Goal 4: Present developmental biology as a dynamic science.
Objectives: This course will:
A. provide a brief historical overview of developmental biology to illustrate the changes that have occurred both in the research techniques and goals of this biological science and in its relationship to other biological sciences.
B. expose students to particular research problems as they have been addressed by developmental anatomists, classical embryologists and most recently developmental geneticists.
Goal 5: Develop an appreciation of the relationship of developmental biology to our own biology and the environment.
Objectives: This course will help students to understand the complexities of their own development, the current uses of technology to screen, alter and replicate that development, and the potential of environmental hazards to impede and disrupt it.
Goal 6: Develop communication skills.
Objectives: This course requires students to:
A. do 15 minute oral presentations of a library research paper to the class and afterwards moderate a brief informal class discussion of the topic.
B. write a research paper using an outline to organize their ideas.
C. respond to short essay questions on exams and produce written lab reports.
Goal 7: Develop an integrated understanding of developmental biology and its relationship to other sciences, technology and society.
Objectives: This course will convey developmental biology as one of the most vital sciences of our times, the discoveries of which are having profound impacts on medicine and other sciences, as well as far-reaching social and ethical implications. Through independent library research projects, students will address some of the recent technological breakthroughs in cloning, fetal tissue transplants, genetic testing/engineering, etc. and explore the potential consequences of their use and misuse for medical advancement and social progress. Students will also address the developmental effects of environmental hazards including the recently publicized effects of endocrine disruptors and retinoids on amphibian, reptile and bird development, and come to appreciate the role of biological species as developmental indices of environmental degradation. Students will also appreciate the role of developmental biology as a source of evidence for the theory of evolution and learn how developmental biology research has generated new views on the evolution of animal life.