Cell and Developmental Biology

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The subject provides a thorough introduction to embryological development in various animal groups, including tissue and organ formation, and how various molecular processes control the organism's development. The course also provides a practical introduction to developmental biology techniques. The aim of the course is to develop knowledge and skills through a combination of theoretical learning, practical laboratory training, writing laboratory journals and presentations.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

The candidate can:

  • Thoroughly understand embryonic development in different groups of animals, their common features, stage of development and formation of different organ systems and cell types.
  • Show a thorough understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate development in animals.
  • Analyze and find out about key concepts and issues within developmental biology and what techniques one uses to study them.

Skills

The candidate can:

  • Relevant methods and have the skills to conduct experiments and study embryo development at a molecular level.
  • Formulate relevant research questions within the field.
  • Write a laboratory report that summarizes and discusses own findings in relation to scientific literature.

General competence

The candidate can:

  • Reflect on knowledge and research and how a field develops.
  • Find answers to research questions by searching and reading scientific literature.

ECTS Credits

10 ECTS

Level of Study

Master

Semester of Instruction

Spring.

This course has a limited capacity, enrolment is based on application. The application deadline is Wednesday in week 2 for the spring semester. Please see this page for more information. You will receive confirmation of whether you received a seat in Studentweb no later than Monday the week after the deadline.

It is compulsory to attend the first lecture/orientation meeting, or you risk losing your seat. If you are unable to attend the first lecture, you must contact the Study Section (studie.bio@uib.no). The time of the first lecture/orientation meeting can be found in the schedule on the course website or on Mitt UiB.

Place of Instruction

Bergen
Required Previous Knowledge
Compulsory courses in the Bachelor's in Biology, or equivalent courses.
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Compulsory courses in the Bachelor's in Biology, or equivalent courses.
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
None
Access to the Course
In order to be admitted to the course, you must be admitted to a master's programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and fulfill required previous knowledge.
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures, laboratory course and poster session.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
  • Lectures
  • Laboratory course w/report
  • Poster session
  • Compulsory activities have to be approved in order to take the exam. Approved compulsory activities are valid in 6 semesters, including the semester of completion.

    Forms of Assessment

    Portfolio assessment, comprised of the following:

    • Oral exam, accounts for 50% of total grade.
    • Lab course report, accounts for 30% of total grade.
    • Poster session, accounts for 20% of total grade.

    In semesters with no teaching, a resit oral exam is held early in the semester. The score from the other two portfolio elements from the previous semester will be included in the final grade.

    Grading Scale
    The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade, grade F is a fail.
    Assessment Semester
    The oral exam is held in both spring and autumn semesters. In semesters with no teaching, a resit oral exam is held early in the semester. The score from the other two portfolio elements from the previous semester will be included in the final grade.
    Reading List
    The literature list will be available 1st of June for the autumn semester and 1st of December for the spring semester. You find the literature list under "Resources" at the top right. 
    Course Evaluation
    Students will evaluate the course in accordance with the quality assurance system at UiB and the Department. You can find courseevaluations in the Quality Assurance Reports.
    Examination Support Material
    None
    Programme Committee
    The Programme Committee is responsible for the content, structure and quality of the study programme and courses. 
    Course Administrator
    Department of biological sciences.