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Course title:
BISC
879 Special Topics III: Seminar in Evolutionary Developmental
Biology
Semester:
2006-1
(Jan-Apr 2006)
Instructor:
Dr.
H. Hutter
Office:
B8226
email:
hutter@sfu.ca
Brief description:
Seminar
course covering current topics in the field of Evolutionary developmental
Biology (Evo-Devo)
General Course Description:
Evolutionary
developmental Biology (‘evo-devo’) is a fast growing field in biology nowadays.
This development was fuelled by the identification of developmental control
genes in the last decades. Comparative studies of those genes have led to new
insights concerning the origin of organs or certain morphological structures
often contradicting ‘established views’. The course will cover selected topics
in the Evo-Devo field like master control genes of eye development and the
discussion about the origin of eyes (monophyletic versus polyphyletic); the
surprising ‘non’conservation of the Drosophila morphogen ‘bicoid’; nematodes
with widely different modes of early development as well as other topics.
Course Format:
Students
will present seminars and provide a written summary on selected topics in
evolutionary developmental biology. As a starting point primary literature will
be given, but students are expected to find and read additional literature
related to the topic. Students are expected to actively participate in
discussions. Topics will vary somewhat from year to year to incorporate most
recent developments in the field.
Grading:
Evaluation
will be based on participation in class discussions and the quality of the
student's oral and written presentations taking into account the capacity to
effectively communicate the subject matter of the assigned topic and the grasp
of knowledge relevant to the topic.
Required texts:
Primary
literature (review articles and original research papers) will be used for each
topic.
Recommended texts:
Developmental
biology textbook to refresh your memory on course topics ...
Timetable:
Once
per week. Time and place convenient for most or all interested students will be
determined at an organizational meeting (to be announced).
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