Biology/BAA 208S is an upper level course that focuses on human embryology. It will provide a basic introduction to mammalian and in particular human embryology, and will integrate information on developmental patterns and mechanisms derived from study of a variety of vertebrate model systems. In addition the course will examine a number of clinical topics (e.g., the developmental basis of major birth defects and deficiencies) and issues in evolutionary and comparative biology (e.g., the role of Hox genes and neural crest in patterning the mammalian body; the evolution of the placenta; mechanisms of sex determination in vertebrates). The course will be of value to students planning a number of career paths in human or veterinary medicine.
In addition, in light of its role as a capstone course with STS credit, the course will consider a wide variety of topics involving intersection of biology, medicine, ethics and social policy. Some of these latter topics include the ethics, costs and politics of assisted reproduction; the embryonic stem cell debate; methods of birth control; medical ethics and major birth defects; the development, marketing and consequences of thalidomide; the origin, diagnosis, and social cost of fetal alcohol syndrome; sex, gender, phenotype and genotype.
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