Department of Biology, Ecology and Conservation
GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION
Course Code and Title: BIOL344 Cell and Developmental Biology
Number of Credits: 3
Days and Times: Monday and Wednesday 11:30am to 12:45pm
Semester and Year: Spring 2024
Classroom Location: FA4
Pre-requisite(s): BIOL221 Human Biology
Course Lecturer Name(s): Cristofre Martin
Course Director Name: Cristofre Martin
Course Lecturer(s) Contact Information: [email protected]
Course Director Contact Information:
[email protected]Course Lecturer(s) Office Hours: By appointment
Course Director Office Hours: By appointment
Course Lecturer(s) Office Location: 2nd Floor Caribbean House
Course Director Office Location: 2nd Floor Caribbean House
Course Support: Akima Ventour, [email protected], x3402
Course Management tool: To learn to use Sakai, the Course management tool, access the link HYPERLINK
"https://apps.sgu.edu/members.nsf/mycoursesintro.pdf"
https://mycampus.sgu.edu/office-of-information-technology/MyCourses
COURSE CURRICULUM INFORMATION
Course Description:
The course covers topics ranging from gametogenesis (formation of sperm and eggs), organogenesis
(formation of tissues), and evolution. The material is comparative using examples from both invertebrates
and vertebrate model systems. The student will be provided with a foundation of classical embryology
(embryo anatomy) while focusing on differential gene expression as the driving force that shapes an
embryo. Topics of interest to society including human infertility, human birth defects, assisted
reproductive technologies and embryonic stem cells will be included in the curriculum.
Course Objectives:
The objectives of this course will be to provide the student with an understanding of developmental
processes across animal phyla with an emphasis on genetic mechanism that drive the developmental
process.
Disclaimer: It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the policies, laws, rules and
procedures that while
they could affect your grade for a course, have not been specifically outlined in the course syllabus
Page 1 of 8
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Compare stages of embryonic development in both invertebrates and vertebrate systems from
gametogenesis to organogenesis.2. Apply knowledge of errors in genetics and morphogenesis that can
give rise to the developmental abnormalities and disease state.3. Identify the principle cellular
mechanisms of embryonic development and differentiation and indicate the underlying molecular and
genetic elements.4. Analyze experimental approaches and how they are applied to solve specific
problems in cell and developmental biology.
Program Outcomes Met By This Course:
BIOL – PLO1: Apply the scientific process for conducting laboratory and diagnostic experiments, testing
hypothesis, interpreting data and communicating results.BIOL – PLO2: Apply knowledge of the basic
structures and fundamental processes of life at the molecular, cellular and organismal levels.BIOL – PLO3:
Apply knowledge of the structure and function of the human body to health issues.BIOL – PLO6:
Demonstrate problem solving and critical thinking skills.
SAS Grading Scale: Grades will be assigned as follows:
A = 89.5% or better
B+ = 84.5 - 89.4%
B = 79.5 - 84.4%
C+ = 74.5 - 79.4%
C = 69.5 - 74.4%
D = 64.5 - 69.4%
F = 64.4% or less
Course Materials:
Text:
Text: S.F. Gilbert (2010). Developmental Biology (9th Edition). Sinauer. Copies and other editions are
Supplementary Readings/Resources: N/A
Course Grading Requirement:
Evaluation will consist of two examinations (50 points each) and 10 online quizzes (1 point each for a total
of 5 points). The total points for the course are 110 points. The format of the exam is multiple choice,
single best answer type questions. Some question may include an image. All examinations are non-
cumulative.
Course Requirements:
Disclaimer: It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the policies, laws, rules and
procedures that while
they could affect your grade for a course, have not been specifically outlined in the course syllabus
Page 2 of 8
Students will be required to: (i) be prepared for live class sessions by completing the course vocabulary and
course objectives; (ii) conduct themselves in an appropriate manner, including being respectful of the
opinions and contributions of others; (iii) listen carefully to instructions given by the Course Director and
Instructors. If you do not understand, ask questions.
Course Schedule:
Week Session: Topic
1 (Jan 15) 1 Introduction to the course
2 Overview of development/Genomic Equivalence/Gene
Expression
2 (Jan 22) 3 Origin of primordial germ cells/Spermatogenesis
4 Oogenesis and oocyte maturation
3 (Jan 29) 5 Fertilization
6 Cleavage stage: Comparative phylogenetic patterns
4 (Feb 5) 7 Cleavage: Translational control of oocyte messages
(Turning point IMCQ 1)
8 HOLIDAY Gastrulation (DLA RECORDING)
5 (Feb 12) 9 Examination #1 (Sessions 2-7)
10 Cell determination: Mosaic development
6 (Feb 19) 11 Inductive/Regulative development
12 Neurulation and neural crest cells
7 (Feb 26) 13 Eye Development
14 Turningpoint IMCQ 2
8 (March 4) TBA Examination # 2 (Sessions 9, 10 to 13) (held during
midterm week)
9 (March 11) 15 Vertebrate limb development
16 Regeneration
10 (March 17 Stem cells
18)
18 Evo-Devo: Evolution and development plus DLA
11 (March 19 Making of a fly
25)
20 Turningpoint IMCQ 3
12 (April 1) HOLIDAY MONDAY (no classes)
Disclaimer: It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the policies, laws, rules and
procedures that while
they could affect your grade for a course, have not been specifically outlined in the course syllabus
Page 3 of 8
21 Environmental regulation of development (DLA
RECORDING)
13 (April 8) 22 Examination #3 (Sessions 13-16)
23 Elements of Human development
14 (April 15) 24 Human Infertility
25 Prenatal Diagnosis (Dr. Mary Maj)
15 (April 22) 26 Monsters and mutants: Human birth defects
27 IMCQ 4
Examination #4 (Session 18-24) (held during final exam week)
Online Quiz Schedule
Online quiz will be open from the date indicated. You will have unlimited number of attempts to do
the quiz but you must score 7/10 or greater in order to receive points. These online quizzes will serve
as practice questions for the course in addition to four IMCQ sessions. This provides student with
over 180 practice questions for the course. All online quizzes must be completed by the deadline
(at 9:00AM - 1 week following the start date). Online quiz will not be reopened following the deadline
under any circumstances.
Quiz # Start Date (Deadline) Sessions
1 Jan 24 (Jan 31) 2-4
2 Jan 31 (Feb 7) 5-6
3 Feb 5 (Feb 12) 1-7
4 Feb 19 (Feb 26) 8-11
5 Feb 26 (March 4) 12-13
6 March 13 (March 20) 15-16
7 March 20 (March 27) 17-18
8 April 3 (April 10) 19 & 21
9 April 15 (April 22) 23-24
10 April 22 (April 29) 25-26
POLICY INFORMATION
Plagiarism policy: Academic Integrity
The St. George’s University Student Manual (2023) states as follows:
“The Oxford Concise Dictionary, 9 ed., (1995: 1043) defines plagiarism as ‘the act or
instance of plagiarizing, something plagiarized.’ The dictionary then defines plagiarize as
‘take and use (the thoughts, writings, inventions, and so forth of another person) as one’s
Disclaimer: It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the policies, laws, rules and
procedures that while
they could affect your grade for a course, have not been specifically outlined in the course syllabus
Page 4 of 8
own; pass off the thoughts and so forth of (another person) as one’s own.’
Plagiarism can be either intentional or unintentional.”
(https://catalog.sgu.edu/university-student-manual/definition).
Plagiarism also includes the unintentional copying or false accreditation of work, so double check
your assignments BEFORE you hand them in.
Be sure to do good, honest work, credit your sources and reference accordingly and adhere to the
University’s Honor Code. Plagiarism and cheating will be dealt with very seriously following the
university’s penalties on Plagiarism as outlined in the Student Manual.
Your work may be subject to submission to plagiarism detection software, submission to this
system means that your work automatically becomes part of that database and can be compared
with the work of your classmates.
Disclaimer: It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the policies, laws, rules and
procedures that while
they could affect your grade for a course, have not been specifically outlined in the course syllabus
Page 5 of 8
Attendance Policy:
Attendance Requirement
The St. George’s University Student Manual (2023) states as follows:
“Students are expected to attend all classes and clinical rotations for which they have
registered. Although attendance may not be recorded at every academic activity, attendance
may be taken randomly.
Students’ absence may adversely affect their academic status as specified in the
grading policy.
If absence from individual classes, examinations, and activities, or from the
University itself is anticipated, or occurs spontaneously due to illness or other
extenuating circumstances, proper notification procedures must be followed.
A particular course may define additional policies regarding specific attendance or
participation.”
(https://catalog.sgu.edu/university-student-manual/attendance-requirements).
Examination Policy:
Examination Attendance
The School of Arts and Sciences(SAS) Student Manual (2023) states as follows:
“All matriculated students are expected to attend all assigned academic activities for each
course currently registered. Medical excuses will be based on self-reporting by students to
the Dean of Students Office via the online SAS Medical Excuse link.
Students who feel they are too sick to take an examination or other required activity on a
specific day must submit the online SAS medical excuse, which is available on the SGU
Portal. Students are only allowed a total of two such excuses in two consecutive semesters. If
a third excuse is submitted within two consecutive semesters, the Office of the Dean of
Students will consult with the Director of University Health Service and a medical leave of
absence may be mandated.
There will be no admittance for late arrivals. Any student arriving late will not be
granted access and must petition the Dean of Students Office, who, in consultation with the
department chair, will decide whether the student will be allowed to do a completion exam.
Students who miss an examination with a submitted excuse and wish to petition for a
completion exam should contact their Course Instructor.”
Completion examinations will be administered the week following final examinations.
(https://catalog.sgu.edu/school-of-arts-and-sciences-sas-student-manual/examination-
attendance).
Completion Exams & Late Arrivals
The School of Arts and Sciences Examination Policy (as of February 2023) states as follows:
Disclaimer: It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the policies, laws, rules and
procedures that while
they could affect your grade for a course, have not been specifically outlined in the course syllab
Page 6 of 8
“If a student is unable to take a final examination at the scheduled time, it is the
responsibility of the student to contact the instructor as soon as possible,
advisably in advance of the final exam. The student’s absence may be excused by the
instructor for situations such as a sudden illness, death in the family or other
emergency. In such circumstances, the instructor should report the student’s grade in
the course as I (Incomplete), if the other requirements for the course have otherwise
been met, indicating that the students are in good standing and has only a small
amount of work to complete the course.
Should a student be unable to write the Completion examination, for legitimate
reasons, during the last three (3) weeks within the Spring semester and the last two
(2) weeks within the Fall Semester, the student may request and submit, with the
instructor’s recommendation, an Extension of Time Form. If an extension be granted,
this examination must be written during the first week of the next semester.
Should a student not contact their instructor, does not have a satisfactory excuse for
being absent or fails to take the completion examination on the stipulated date,
(unexcused absence), then the Incomplete will automatically change to ‘F’ thirty (30)
days after the start of the next semester.”
Refer also to the most recent St. George’s University Student Manual.
For additional specific examination policies and procedures, refer to the St. George’s
University Student Manual (2023).
Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services Policy:
The St. George’s University Student Manual (2023) states as follows:
“A student with a disability or disabling condition that affects one or more major life
activities, who would like to request an accommodation, must submit a completed application
form and supporting documentation to the Student Accessibility and Accommodation
Services (SAAS) located in the Dean of Students Office.
It is highly recommended that students applying for accommodations do so at least
one month before classes begin to allow for a more efficient and timely consideration
of the request.
If a fully completed application is not submitted in a timely fashion, an eligibility
determination may not be made, and accommodations, where applicable, may not be
granted prior to the commencement of classes and/or examinations.”
(https://catalog.sgu.edu/university-student-manual/accessibility-options-for-students).
Assignment Submission Procedure:
N/A
Classroom/Online Etiquette Procedure:
N/A
Policy/Procedure Related to the Department:
Disclaimer: It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the policies, laws, rules and
procedures that while
they could affect your grade for a course, have not been specifically outlined in the course syllab
Page 7 of 8
N/A
Disclaimer: It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the policies, laws, rules and
procedures that while
they could affect your grade for a course, have not been specifically outlined in the course syllab
Page 8 of 8
