• COURSE OBJECTIVES. This is an interactive (read....participatory) class. The objective is to build on concepts (starting at the beginning as far as possible) and how these concepts led to ideas and hypotheses that drive Developmental Biology today. You are expected to be able to use the computer for searches and for participation in construction of the class site (I will help with the latter). I don't believe in grades, particularly for this type of course, but since I am forced to rank you in some fashion, it will be based on how you have built concepts into a whole that supports modern research in this area.

        Your assignments are:  To either select a scientist or related group of scientists to report on ( how her/his research/lifestyle/students/time in history, experimentation etc.  were critical to developmental genetics, specifically positional determination/ induction) OR one of the open topics  from the list below. Your choice of topics should be made by the middle of February. OPEN TOPICS requires independent research to obtain  the most up to date information on the topic. I will help the first group up to find reference materials!
 

• SUGGESTIONS AS TO STRATEGY. IT IS RECOMMENDED (BUT NOT MANDATORY)THAT YOU WORK IN GROUPS, AND INTERACT VIA THE WEB SITE OR E-MAIL.  Groups should be formed on the basis of each topic.  Choose a leader (s) who will direct each topic as a project. The project should fill the time alloted for class.  Remember that the idea is to build on concepts. The project can consist of a series of talks (20-45 min) by the group members (please no  "slap on the overhead...repeat what the transparency says" kind of talk) who synthesize their approaches. Other ways of presenting the material are allowed. For example, you could present a poster session where each poster is discussed in depth. Another approach is to give a slide show or an internet presentation. Whatever the means of presentation each member of the group has to actively participate.