NBIK10020U Developmental Biology

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Biology
Content
See under "Learning Outcome".
Learning Outcome
By attending the course the student will achieve:

Knowledge:
The course provides the student with a detailed and comprehensive general knowledge of developmental biology with particular emphasis on medical implications such as the latest advances within stem cell therapeutics. The course provides knowledge of the most widely used models for developmental biology and the student get practical experience with light microscopy of gametes, invertebrate embryos, as well as sections and whole mount preparations of vertebrate embryos.

Skills:
The course covers theoretical knowledge of the basic principles for experimental embryology, including those of fertilization, development and differentiation in the early embryo, gene regulation, cell-cell communication, cell migration, neural crest differentiation and –specialization, axis specification, development of limbs and organs, sex determination and metamorphosis. Special emphasis is on the medical implications of developmental biology, including identification of genetic defects resulting in congenital syndromes, teratogenesis, stem cell biology, reproductive and therapeutic cloning as well as developmental approaches to cancer therapy.
The course provides the student with sufficient knowledge to address and discuss the consequences of advances within these areas for the society.

Competencies:
The student is competent to understand, interpret and integrate the complexity of developmental biology.



Literature
See Absalon.
The course is intended for students of Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine at the Master level at the University of Copenhagen as well as for external students with basic knowledge of cell biology.
Basic knowledge of cell biology corresponding to the Bachelor level.
Lectures, light microscopy exercises, and discussions based on lectures and original scientific literature with a view to understanding applied knowledge of developmental biology.
The course is part of the qualification profile "Cell Biology and Physiology". For all courses of the qualification profiles, see Course Portal for Department of Biology.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 4
  • Lectures
  • 28
  • Practical exercises
  • 6
  • Preparation
  • 146
  • Theory exercises
  • 22
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 4 hours under invigilation
The course is evaluated by a four hour written exam without the use of any aids graded according to the Danish 7-step-scale. External grading.
The reexam will be held as the ordinary exam.
Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Criteria for exam assesment
In order to obtain the grade 12 (top grade for excellence) the student must be able to:
  • Describe and explain principles and model systems in experimental embryology as well as evaluate their usefulness in solving specific problems, for instance based on original research papers.
  • Demonstrate insight into methods and models for studying differential gene expression.
  • Describe and detail the cellular and molecular mechanisms in cell-cell interaction and signal transduction and integrate these to an overall understanding of embryonic development.
  • Describe the basic cellular and molecular prerequisites for fertilization and explain potentials and limits of in vitro fertilization and other manipulations of the fertilization process.
  • Describe early embryonic development (e.g. fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation) in invertebrates (such as sea urchins) and vertebrates (such as amphibians, birds and mammals), and generalize and contrast developmental patterns and –processes in selected model organisms.
  • Describe later development and differentiation of ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm and their derivatives. Detail development of limbs, organs (for instance heart and kidneys), blood cells, circulatory system and nervous system.
  • Interpret light microscopic samples of germ cells and early developmental stages of selected model organisms.
  • Describe primary and secondary sex determination.
  • Describe and explain postembryonic development, including metamorphosis (amphibians), breast gland development (mammals), regeneration and aging.
  • Define and categorize stem cells, progenitors and differentiated cells and compare their potentials and limits. Integrate this knowledge to an understanding of cloning strategies and a critical evaluation of its application in regenerative biology.
  • Demonstrate insight into the medical implications of developmental biology, including genetic aberrations/syndromes, teratogenesis, cancer therapy and regenerative medicine. Based on the acquired skills at a qualified level evaluate and criticize novel achievements within these areas.

    Grading according to the Danish 7-step-scale system:
  • 12 (excellent; equivalent to "A" in the ECTS-scale). The student has demonstrated a high level of command of all aspects with no or only a few minor weaknesses.
  • 7 (good; equivalent to "C" in the ECTS-scale). The student has demonstrated a good command with some weaknesses.
  • 02 (adequate; equivalent to "E" in the ECTS-scale). The student has demonstrated the minimum requirements for acceptance.