Biology Developmental BI 424 Spring 2007 Instructor: Denise B. Flaherty, Ph.D. x8304, SHB105, cell phone:[phone] flaherdb@eckerd edu
Course Objective : This course investigates cellular, genetic and molecular mechanisms that regulate animal development. Topics include fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, axis specification, organogenesis, morphogens, and stem cells. This class will emphasize the use of model genetic organisms to answer questions in development. You will gain experience in writing a grant proposal in the NSF format involving a question in developmental biology of your choice. You will also work hands-on by designing and performing experiments to explore the development of the model genetic organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Prerequisites: Biodiversity Zoology, Cell Biology and Genetics. You can be taking Genetics concomitantly. Class Meetings: Sheen C 108, Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30am to 9:50am. Occasionally we will meet in one of the laboratory rooms in Sheen B. Course website: This syllabus will be on Cyber Lyceum. I will use WebCT, however, to post course documents and Powerpoint presentations. I will use WebCT Chat to be available to you live for last minute questions from 8:30pm to 9:30pm on the night before an exam, OR at a designated time before your grant proposal draft is due. Textbook and other supplies: Essential Developmental Biology, J.M.W. Slack, 2nd Edition, Blackwell Publishing, 2006, Malden, Massachusetts. You will also need a box of color drawing pencils and a couple of charcoal gray pencils (the regular #2 is fine) for embryology drawings. Office hours: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30am to 10:30am, Mondays noon to 2:25pm, Thursdays 10:00am-11:30pm, or by appointment. These office hours are set for your benefit. Please come see me anytime during these hours or contact me by e-mail for an appointment if none of these times work with your schedule. Recognize that I am a scientist, and as such, I consider my laboratory space to be an extension of my office. I DO expect you to walk 5 doors down to the cell labs in Sheen B if I am not physically in my office space (there will be a sign on my door if Im in the lab space). If you come during office hours, I will always stop what Im doing to help you. Like I said, these hours are for you. Flaherty 1
Regarding my e-mail, you can count on me to check my e-mail at least once a day, and always before turning in for the evening (could be as early as 9pm). If you leave me an email just before 9pm, I will decide if it needs my immediate reply. There will be few occasions where I may not be home at 9pm to check my e-mail, but I will generally compensate by reading it later or first thing in the morning. I may also check my e-mail several times throughout the day, time permitting. You may also leave a message on my voice-mail, but do not rely on that as your immediate means of contacting me. As your professor, I have the following responsibilities: 1. Come prepared to every class. 2. Plan my classes so that you can accomplish the goals of the course. 3. Consider that it is not always your fault if you do not understand the material. 4. Create a mutually respectful classroom environment. 5. Check my Eckerd e-mail at least once a day. 6. Be available to you during my office hours. 7. Maintain our WebCT course site. As students, you have the following responsibilities: 1. Come prepared to every class. 2. Complete all work on time with the proper thought. 3. Consider that it is not always my fault if you do not understand the material. 4. Treat everyone in the classro...
DevBio+Syll+2007