BIO 354 - Developmental Biology

The wonder of a fertilized egg directing its own development into an adult organism is nearly unfathomable in its complexity. However, technological advances have begun to shed light on the fundamental biochemical mechanisms that guide development. This course is designed to introduce students to these discoveries. This course will allow a student to gain an understanding of how a single fertilized cell develops into a complex multicellular organism by examining the overall structure of the embryo as well as what is occurring at the molecular level. Course topics include the fundamental processes of development, including fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, and select organogenesis. Students will also gain an appreciation for the historical, philosophical, and ethical perspectives in developmental biology.

Prerequisites: BIO115SN and either BIO202WI or BIO203.