Course Details in 2024/25 Session

Module Title	LI Developmental Biology
School	Institute of Clinical Sciences
Department	Biomedical Sciences
Module Code	03 40325
Module Lead	Dr Karim Mustafa
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Tutorial-5 hours Practical Classes and workshops-16 hours Guided independent study-159 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module will begin with lectures covering sex differentiation and control of developmental processes occurring during puberty. This will be further developed by studying the function of the reproductive organs. With particular emphasis on the endocrine control of germ cell production and the processes associated with fertilisation, placental development, hormonal regulation of pregnancy, parturition, and lactation. Further aspects related to current contraception and infertility treatment will also be covered in detail. The key stages of embryonic development will be discussed leading into an overview of the fundamental concepts within stem cell biology and their application to regenerative medicine with reference to the molecular and genetic control of cell fate specification and differentiation. Understanding of the regulation of cell stemness by master transcription factors, the stem niche and the potential for phenotypic plasticity/transdifferentiation will be introduced. The module will provide an overview of how embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells and adult (postnatal) stem cells are isolated, generated and maintained and how signalling mechanisms, maintenance or alteration of gene profiles during this differentiation process underpins how current cell therapies have evolved and impact fertility treatments.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Describe the processes associated with puberty Explain and compare testicular and ovarian function and the endocrine regulation of these. Describe the processes associated with fertilisation, causes of infertility and current options for fertility treatment Describe and compare the mechanism of action of contraceptives Demonstrate an understanding of the hormonal regulation of pregnancy, parturition, and lactation Describe the fundamental principles of embryonic development and select examples to illustrate specific concepts. Explain the origin of stem cells and how a niche is maintained in vitro and in vivo. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of stem cells in cell differentiation processes and outline how experimental manipulation of these cells may lead to cell-based therapies. Summarise how differentiated cells can be reprogrammed outlining the methodology employed and evaluate its effectiveness. Demonstrate an understanding of the practical techniques and data interpretation related to epigenetic and gene regulation in specialised cells.
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: The module is assessed by a combination of a written examination and course work: Examination; (50%) 2 hour written exam Coursework (50%) Group Poster Overall Pass mark for the module is 40%. It is a requirement that students achieve a mark of at least 35% in their summative exam. Academic failure: Student will be required to repeat any failed component of the module. Failure to submit: Submission of coursework is compulsory for the programme. Students are advised that failure to submit without justifiable reason could result in failure of the module. Students will be required to submit outstanding work to meet the module outcomes. Reassessment: Academic Failure: Reassessment: Academic failure: Student will be required to repeat any failed component of the module. Failure to submit: Submission of coursework is compulsory for the programme. Students are advised that failure to submit without justifiable reason could result in failure of the module. Students will be required to submit outstanding work to meet the module outcomes. In the event of failure in a module after 2 attempts students may, at the discretion of the examination board, be allowed to proceed with at least 100 credits in year 2 provided that they have obtained a minimum mark of 35% in the failed module(s). Failure to achieve 120 credits may impact on the final degree outcome since the total number of accumulated credits is taken into account in determining degree classification.
Other
Reading List