Universidad de Puerto Rico

Mayagüez Campus

 

 
 

 

 

Course Syllabus

 

  1. General Information:

Course Number:  BIOL 4027

Course Title:  Introduction to Vertebrate Embryology

Credit hours: 3

 

  1. Course Description:

Elementary principles and fundamental details of the development processes as illustrated by vertebrates.  Cell division, germ cell maturation and production, fertilization, cleavage, germ layers, tissue and organ formation.  Particular study is made of organogenesis in chick and pig.

 

  1. Pre/Co-requisites:

Prerequisites- nine credit hours in Zoology

 

4.    Textbook, Supplies and Other Resources:

Textbook: Developmental Biology

Author: Gilbert, S.

Edition: 1997

Publisher: Sinauer and Associates

 

5. Purpose and Goals:

This course is preparatory for completing a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Its main goal is to enable the student to understand the principles of embryology.

 

6.    Requirements:

All students are expected to:

            Complete all lessons.

Do all assigned readings and related homework.

Come to class all the time and on time.

Pass all tests to receive credit for the course.

 

7.    Laboratory/Field Work (if applicable):

The laboratory is designed to introduce the student to the basic laboratory skills necessary to actively study embryology and to follow the development of several organisms. Labs are a major part of the class and all students are expected to participate. Audio equipment and cellular phones are not permitted in the lab or classroom. Smoking is not permitted.

 

8.    Department/Campus Policies:

 

8a.  Class attendance: Class attendance is compulsory.  The University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, reserves the right to deal at any time with individual cases of non-attendance.  Professors are expected to record the absences of their students.  Frequent absences affect the final grade, and may even result in total loss of credit.  Arranging to make up work missed because of legitimate class absence is the responsibility of the student. (Bulletin of Information Undergraduate Studies, pp. 39,1995-96).

 

8b.  Absence from Examinations: Students are required to attend all examinations.  If a student is absent from an examination due to justifiable reasons acceptable to the professor, he or she will be given a special examination.  Otherwise, the student will receive a grade of zero or “F” in the examination missed (Bulletin of Information Undergraduate Studies, pp. 39,1995-96).

 

8c.  Final examinations: Final written examinations must be given in all courses, unless in the judgement of the Dean, the nature of the subject makes it impracticable.  Final examinations scheduled by arrangements must be given during the examination period indicated in the academic calendar (Bulletin of Information Undergraduate Studies, pp. 39,1995-96).

 

8d.  Partial withdrawals: A student may withdraw from a course before the deadline established in the University Academic Calendar (See Bulletin of Information Undergraduate Studies, pp. 37,1995-96).

 

8e.  Complete withdrawals: A student may completely withdraw from the university up to the last day of classes (See Bulletin of Information Undergraduate Studies, pp. 37,1995-96).

 

8f.  Disabilities: Reasonable accommodations in agreement with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Law will be coordinated with the Dean of Students in accordance with the particular needs of the student.

 

8g.  Ethics: Academic fraud is subject to the disciplinary sanctions described in articles 14 and 16 of the revised General Student Bylaws of the University of Puerto Rico, as contained in Certification 018-1997-98 of the Board of Trustees.  The professor will follow the norms established in articles 1-5 of the Bylaws.

 

9.    Campus Resources needed for the course (if applicable):

Handouts prepared by the professor are available in the Student Aid Center.

 

10.Topics:

 

I.                     Introduction

A.     Developmental Information

B.     Early Development

Gametogenesis

Fertilization

Cleavage

C.    Gastrulation

Morphological Aspects and Control

Creation of Body Form

D.    Embryonic Adaptations

 

II.                   Organogenesis

A.     Introduction

B.     Development of Ectodermal Organs

Skin

Central Nervous System

Eye

Neural Crest

C.    Development of Mesodermal Organs

Skeleton

Muscle

Urinary System

Circulatory System

Reproductive Organs

D.    Development of Endodermal Organs

Digestive System

Mouth and Branchial Region

Accessory Organs

           

III.                  Differentiation and Growth

A.     Introduction

B.     Growth

C.    Totipotency, Determination and Differentiation

D.    Metamorphosis

E.     Regeneration

 

IV.               Special Topics

A.     Congenital Abnormalities

B.     Cancer

C.    Aging

 

            This syllabus was prepared by Robert Bard

            Date: October 30, 2000