DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY 
College of Science
Department of Biology

EMBRYOL – Vertebrate Embryology			
Prerequisite :  COMPANA, LBYBIO3, LBYBIO1            Prerequisite to : 

Instructor :  ___________________________ Contact details : ________________________
Consultation Hours: ___________________ Class Schedule & Room: _________________

Course Description 		

Vertebrate Embryology deals with the principles and patterns of development in vertebrates. Students are expected to attain a working knowledge of the ontogenic development in vertebrates and the understanding that embryogenesis is a dynamic process. This is a 3 unit course for BS Psychology students with 3 hours lecture per week

Learning Outcomes	
On completion of this course, the student is expected to present the following learning outcomes in line with the Expected Lasallian Graduate Attributes (ELGA).
ELGA	
Learning Outcome	

Critical and Creative Thinker
Effective Communicator
Lifelong Learner
Service-Driven Citizen	
On completion of the course, the student is expected to describe the concepts of development, both in terms of morphology and mechanisms which will aid the student to further develop a critical and analytical mindset.	

Final Course Output	
As evidence of attaining the above learning outcomes, the student is required to submit the following during the indicated dates of the term.

Learning Outcome	
Required Output	
Due Date	

On the completion of the course, the student is expected to describe and identify animal development patterns and mechanisms of major animal groups which will not only as a foundation in their profession but also to further improve their appreciation and respect of life.	
Literature Review Output:  Individual synthesis paper	
Week 14	

Rubric for assessment	
Synthesis Paper Output

Criteria

(3.5-4.0)	

(2.5-5.4)	

(1.5-2.4)	

(1.0-1.4)	

Organization
(30%)	
Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs, use of subheadings, and information is factual and correct.
	
Information is organized with well-constructed paragraphs and information is factual and correct.	
Information is organized but paragraphs are not well constructed and information is factual.	
Information appears not only disorganized but inaccurate.	

Quality of Presentation 
(30%)	
Information clearly relates to the main topic.  It includes several supporting details and/or examples.	
Information clearly relates to the main topic.  It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples.	
Information has little to do with the main topic.  No details and/or examples are given.	
Information has nothing to do with the main topic.	

Mechanics
(20%)	
No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors	
Almost no grammatical, spelling, or punctuation 
errors
	
A few grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors	
Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors	

Sources (20%)	
All sources are accurately documented in the desired format (APA)	
All sources are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired format (APA)	
All sources are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format (APA)	
Too many sources are not accurately documented in the desired format (APA)	

Additional Requirements	
•	Two long exams
•	Comprehensive final exam (with 60% of the questions to be taken from the last three chapters)
•	Unannounced quizzes (no make-up for missed quizzes)
•	Other requirements (assigned readings)

Grading System	

Long Exams                             60%
Quizzes                                      5%
Synthesis Paper                         5%
Comprehensive Final Exam     30%
TOTAL                                     100%
Passing Grade :  60%	Scale :
     92 – 100%               4.0
     86 -    90%               3.5
     80 -    85%               3.0
     75 -    79%               2.5
     70 -    74%               2.0
     65 -    69%               1.5
     60 -    64%               1.0
       <60%                      	

Learning Plan	

Learning Outcomes	
Lecture Topics	
No. of Mtgs	

Group dynamics	
Embryology:  History and Concepts	
1	

Group dynamics	
Meiosis
Gametogenesis	
2	

Group dynamics	
Reproductive Cycle	
2	

Group dynamics	
Fertilization and Cleavage	
2	

Group dynamics	
Blastulation and Gastrulation	
2	

Group dynamics	
Neurulation	
1	

FIRST LONG EXAM	

Group dynamics	
Germ Layers, Formation and Derivatives	
2	

Group dynamics	
Implantation, Fetal Membrane and Placentation	
2	

Group dynamics	
Hormonal Control of Reproduction	
2	

SECOND LONG EXAM	

Group dynamics	
Embryonic Induction and Cell Differentiation	
2	

Group dynamics	
Organogenesis (selected organ systems)	
7	

Group dynamics	
Sex Differentiation	
2	

FINAL EXAM (COMPREHENSIVE)	

References	

Appasani, K. and R. Appasani. 2011.  Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine (electronic resource) :  From
    Molecular Embryology to Tissue Engineering .  Totowa, NJ:  Humana Press
Carlson, B. 2003.  Patten's Foundations of Embryology.  (6th International editon) McGraw Hill, Inc.
Desalle, R. and B. Schierwater. 2011.  Key transactions in animal evolution.  Enfield, New Hampshire:
     Science Publishers
Gilberts, S. 2006.  Developmental Biology. (8th edition).  Sinauer Associates, Inc. Publishers.
Kubiak, J. 2011.  Cell Cycle in Development (electronic resource).  Berlin, Heidelberg:  Springer Berlin
     Heidelberg.
Poole, DA, Warren, A.N. Nunez.  2007.  The Story of human development.  Upper Saddle River, NJ: 
     Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Schoenwolf, G. 2009.  Laboratory studies of vertebrate and invertebrate embryos:  guide and atlas of 
     descriptive and experimental development.  San Francisco :  Benjamin Cummings
Wolpert, L. 2011.  Developmental Biology :  a very short introduction.  Oxford:  Oxford University Press

Online Resources	

TheBiologyProject:DevelopmetalBiology. 
      http://www.biology.arizona.edu/developmental_bio/developmental_bio.html
Development_Biology_at_Yahoo.http://dir.yahoo.com/Science/Biology/Developmental_Biology/

Class Policies	

1.  Attendance and tardiness policies of the University will be strictly enforced.
2.  The use of electronic devices during class is prohibited unless authorized by the professor.
3.  Make up exams will be given only upon transmission to the department of an official excuse 
     notice from the students college.	

Approved by:

DR. MARY JANE C. FLORES
Chair, Biology Department