Type of module:

Summary module description:

Aims:
This course aims to provide the student with a comprehensive introduction to mechanisms that control the development of animals, plants and microbes.

Assessable learning outcomes:
At the end of this course students should be able to:

(i) Discuss the key mechanism that regulate animals development including pattern formation, growth, differentiation and morphogenesis.
(ii) Compare and contrast differences in post-fertilisation means of development in vertebrates and invertebrates.
(iii) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of differing model organism used to study animal development.
(iv) Describe development in a post embryonic context.< br /> (v) Compare the development of an animal to regeneration processes during adult life.
(vi) Show an understanding of the key role of meristems in plant development, and describe how root and shoot meristems function.
(vii)Explain the molecular processes by which leaves, and stem and root tissues, acquire their developmental characters.
(viii) Explain how the developmental switch to flower formation is co-ordinated.
(ix) Describe in outline the ABC model of flower dev elopment and the way fruit tissues arise from the flower.
(x) Discuss the general features that characterise plant, as opposed to animal development.

Additional outcomes:
Students will enhance their team work, communication and presentational skills. Students will also have developed time management skills.
Students will be expected to present their results from practicals in the form of a written scientific communication. This exercise will involve information handling and problem-solving skills both of which should be improved as a consequence of fulfilling this assignment. IT skills will be enhanced by the necessity to use Web resources.

Outline content:
The course is designed to give the student a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism that control the development of invertebrates, vertebrates, plants and microbes. The course will start with a description of the mechanism that drive development, be it animal or plant. Emphasise will be placed on the role of key molecular pathways that control development.
The later part will then concentrate on the development of animals, plants and microbes. We will highlight how molecular evolutio nary approaches have also enabled the unravelling of developmental processes.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The course will consist of 14 X 50 minute lectures.

In addition there will be 3 directed learning sessions in which the students will develop ideas raised in the lectures. Particular emphasise will be placed on understanding the development processes covered in the lecture course. Students will be set a topic to investigate. At the end of each session, work will be presented to the rest of the class as a board talk or as a PowerPoint presentation. An open discussion will be held af ter each presentation. Feedback will be given at the end of each session to the groups.

Two practicals will be performed and the results from practical work will be written up by the students in the form of a scientific communication, i.e. with an abstract, introduction, results, conclusion and references. Comprehensive reading lists will be provided allowing students to study in their own time.

STUDENTS TAKING THIS MODULE ARE ADVISED TO TAKE BI2BC4, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, ORGANOGENESIS AND ANATOMY, WHICH COMPLEMENTS THIS MODULE.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		15
Tutorials		6
Practicals classes and workshops		15
Guided independent study:		64
Total hours by term		100
Total hours for module

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	70
Set exercise	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:
A one-and-a-half hour examination

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in August/September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 7 May 2020