Professors Kathleen Smith (kksmith@duke.edu) and Christine Wall (christine_wall@baa.mc.duke.edu)
Biology/BAA 208S is an upper level course that focuses on human embryology. It will provide a basic introduction to mammalian and in particular human embryology, and will integrate information on developmental patterns and mechanisms derived from study of a variety of vertebrate model systems. In addition the course will examine a number of clinical topics (e.g., the developmental basis of major birth defects and deficiencies) and issues in evolutionary and comparative biology (e.g., the role of Hox genes and neural crest in patterning the mammalian body; the evolution of the placenta; mechanisms of sex determination in vertebrates). The course will be of value to students planning a number of career paths in human or veterinary medicine.
In addition, in light of its role as a capstone course with STS credit, the course will consider a wide variety of topics involving intersection of biology, medicine, ethics and social policy. Some of these latter topics include the ethics, costs and politics of assisted reproduction; the embryonic stem cell debate; methods of birth control; medical ethics and major birth defects; the development, marketing and consequences of thalidomide; the origin, diagnosis, and social cost of fetal alcohol syndrome; sex, gender, phenotype and genotype.
Nuts and bolts
The course meets Wednesday and Friday from 10:05 11:20 in room 219 Biosci. Sessions will consist of a mix of lecture, student led discussion and laboratory exercises. A number of the Friday meetings, particularly in the latter half of the semester are laboratory sessions in which the student will have the opportunity for independent exploration. Students do not have to complete this during the Friday period, but will have access to the lab and may complete these sessions at alternate times.
The course provides STS and small group learning credits for general curricular requirements and upper level (200) credit for the Biology and BAA major. It is open to both graduate and undergraduate students.
The prerequisite for the course is either Biology 108L or BAA 133L or the equivalent; students must have permission from the instructor to register. Enrollment is limited to 12 students
Because it is a 200-level course, students will be expected to take significant initiative in completing work and participating in class activities. Grading will be based on 1) student participation in and leadership of classroom discussion; 2) written work including at least one review of a book on aspects of ethics and/or social policy; 3) independent investigation into a topic of interest to the student, 4) collection and critique of the presentation of relevant material in the popular press, and 5) completion of laboratory exercises.
The major text will be Larsen, Human Embryology, 3rd edition. In addition students will be expected to read a wide variety of original literature.
Preliminary syllabus (VERY PRELIMINARY)
| Week |
Wednesday |
Friday |
| Jan 11 & 13 |
Introduction to the course; L: gametogenesis, and fertilization; initiation of development; (1st week of life) |
SLD: Fertilization and birth control methods Lab: Histology of gametes, ovary, reproductive organs |
| Jan 18& 20 |
L: bilaminar disc and placentation; placental function (2nd week of life) Lab: dissection of placenta |
L / SLD Genetic imprinting and the placenta; maternal fetal conflict, and the evolution of placentation |
| Jan 25 & 27 |
SLD: Assisted reproduction methods, social costs and benefits, and ethical issues |
L: Gastrulation and the organizer (3rd week of life) Lab: Gastrulation and neural tube closure in the chick |
| Feb 1 & 3 |
L: Neural tube closure, and somite formation (4th week of life); L: the evolution and function of Hox genes |
SLD: Major neural tube birth defects ethics and medicine. Lab: neural tube folding and somite formation |
| Feb 8 & 10 |
L: Peripheral nervous system, and neural crest Lab: the neural crest |
SLD: Whats the big deal about embryonic stem cells? |
| Feb 15 & 17 |
L: Embryonic folding, coeloms and mesenteries; lungs L: epithelial/mesenchymal interaction |
Lab: early human development |
| Feb 22 & 24 |
L: Development of the heart SLD: major congenital heart defects |
Lab: development of the heart in chickens |
| Mar 1 & 3 |
L: Development of the vasculature; circulatory changes at birth |
Lab: human development |
| Mar 8 & 10 |
L: Development of GI tract; generation of asymmetry in the developing body |
Spring Break |
| Mar 15 & 17 |
Spring Break |
Spring Break |
| Mar 22 & 24 |
L: Development of UG system SLD: Sex and gender genotype and phenotype |
Lab: human development |
| Mar 29 & 31 |
L: Development of limbs and skeletal muscles Lab: Limb Development |
SLD: The thalidomide story: the mechanistic basis and social impact. |
| Apr 5 & 7 |
L: Development of head and neck; the neural crest |
Lab: branchial arches |
| Apr 12 & 14 |
L: Eye, ear and integument L: Cleft face and palate mechanisms of development |
Lab: craniofacial development |
| Apr 19 & 21 |
L: Brain and cranial nerves SLD: Fetal alcohol syndrome social cost, public policy and scientific basis |
Lab: development of the brain |
L = lecture; SLS = student led discussion; Lab = laboratory exercise