Developmental Biology

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

An enrolment quota of 110 students applies to this subject.

120 hours

Any ONE of the following subjects:

OR (For BBiomedicine students)

None

None

None

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website:

http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

In this subject students will gain a detailed understanding of the molecular, biochemical and cellular events that regulate the development of specialised cells, tissues and organs during embryonic development. In particular, cell signalling pathways that regulate embryonic induction, tissue interactions and pattern formation, and expression of regulatory genes. A particular focus is the experimental strategies and techniques that are used to identify molecular and cellular mechanisms of development.

Students will comprehend the molecular, biochemical and cellular events that regulate the development of specialised cells, tissues and organs during embryonic development, particularly cell signalling pathways that regulate embryonic induction, tissue interactions and pattern formation, and expression of regulatory genes; and understand the experimental strategies and techniques that are used to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms of development.

Ongoing assessment on theory and practical work during the semester comprising:

• two 30-minute multiple choice quizzes (5% each - mid and late semester);
• two practical reports to be completed during the practical sessions (5% each - early and mid semester);
• one practical report of 1200 words (10% - late semester);
• a 2-hour written examination during the examination period (70%).

Gilbert SF, Developmental Biology, 9th Edition, Sinauer Press

OR

Wolpert L. and Tickle C. Principles of Development, 4th edition, Oxford University Press

Wolpert L. Principles of Development, 4th edition, Oxford University Press.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

On completion of this subject, students should:

• Be able to interpret scientific literature.
• Have the capacity to integrate knowledge across several disciplines.
• Appreciate the usefulness of basic research for understanding and solving current biological problems.
• Have the ability to critically analyse scientific data.

This subject is available to students enrolled in the NG BSc, BBiomed, pre-2008 BSc, pre-2008 BASc, pre-2008 BBiomedSc.

Experiments involving the use of animals are an essential part of this subject.

A laboratory coat and safety glasses will be required for practical work.