{"id":1615,"date":"2022-01-20T21:54:26","date_gmt":"2022-01-20T21:54:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1615"},"modified":"2022-05-19T10:00:47","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T09:00:47","slug":"genes-cells-and-development","status":"publish","type":"module","link":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/module\/genes-cells-and-development\/","title":{"rendered":"BL3315 &#8211; Genes, Cells and Development"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span>This module deals with the fascinating and rapidly changing field of developmental biology from a genetic and cellular perspective. It examines how an organism develops from an egg to an adult, how the cell types and organs are specified, and how lost or damaged body parts can be regenerated or replaced. There will be a focus on some of the typical model species used in cell and developmental biology, including fruit flies, nematodes, mice and frogs, but this will be expanded to include other valuable comparative models, such as chickens, sea squirts, annelids, cnidarians and flatworms. The course will encompass multiple biological levels, from genes, through cells and embryos, to the organism&#8217;s evolutionary history. As such this module is of wide relevance to a range of other biological disciplines, particularly biomedicine.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This module deals with the fascinating and rapidly changing field of developmental biology from a genetic and cellular perspective. It examines how an organism develops from an egg to an adult, how the cell types and organs are specified, and how lost or damaged body parts can be regenerated or replaced. There will be a&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1742,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","skill":[],"class_list":["post-1615","module","type-module","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"assessment_details":"3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":[{"user-id":"dekf","role":"Professor","module_organiser":1624,"phone":"","ID":1681,"post_title":"Prof Dave Ferrier","post_content":"","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-05-18 10:46:08","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-18 09:46:08","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"prof-dave-ferrier","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-18 11:47:22","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-18 10:47:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=staff_member&#038;p=1681","menu_order":0,"post_type":"staff_member","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"id":1681},{"user-id":"fjg1","role":"Professor","module_organiser":1794,"phone":"","ID":1796,"post_title":"Prof Frank Gunn-Moore","post_content":"","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-05-18 16:51:47","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-18 15:51:47","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"prof-frank-gunn-moore","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-18 16:51:47","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-18 15:51:47","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=staff_member&#038;p=1796","menu_order":0,"post_type":"staff_member","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"id":1796},{"user-id":"smrw","role":"Associate Lecturer (Education Focused)","module_organiser":1608,"phone":"","ID":1682,"post_title":"Dr Susan Gurney","post_content":"","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-05-18 10:47:16","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-18 09:47:16","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"dr-susan-gurney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-18 11:47:00","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-18 10:47:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=staff_member&#038;p=1682","menu_order":0,"post_type":"staff_member","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"id":1682}],"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL3315 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Understand the principles and historical background that underpin modern cell &amp; developmental biology.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate the place of cell &amp; developmental biology in biological science and the rapid new advances being made.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL3315","programme":[{"related_modules":[1606,1607,1609,1611,1608,1613,1615,1614,1612],"ID":1605,"post_title":"Zoology","post_content":"The BSc in Zoology is a four-year course run by the School of Biology. The programme begins with a broad foundation across the range of biology, and then progresses from modules in molecular, cellular and organismal biology to a choice of options across a range of topics such as animal behaviour, development, evolution, neurobiology, environmental physiology, sea mammal biology, and various more ecological topics.\r\n\r\nAlongside zoology, in the first year of your studies you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year, you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.st-andrews.ac.uk\/subjects\/study-options\/ug\/degree-routes\/honours\/\">how academic years are organised<\/a>.\r\n\r\nIn third year, there is a shift from core, broad-themed modules to more specialised modules that allow students to prepare for their Honours degree. In fourth year, students continue specific research in their chosen area through student-led, inquiry-based learning.\r\n\r\nThe University of St\u00a0Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.st-andrews.ac.uk\/subjects\/study-options\/ug\/flexible\/\">flexible degree structure web page.<\/a>\r\n<div class=\"alert alert-info\">\r\n\r\nWell-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.st-andrews.ac.uk\/subjects\/biology\/zoology-bsc\/direct\/\">directly into the second year of this course<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nCentres of research within the School of Biology offer students the experience of working alongside experts and the opportunity to develop their own research in Honours years.\r\n\r\nThese facilities include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"http:\/\/soi.st-andrews.ac.uk\/\">The Scottish Oceans Institute<\/a>\u00a0houses a modern aquarium and laboratories for molecular, developmental and physiological studies of marine systems. The institute is ideally placed on the seashore near grey and common seal colonies and bottlenose dolphin feeding areas.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"http:\/\/synergy.st-andrews.ac.uk\/cbd\/\">The Centre for Biological Diversity<\/a>\u00a0has excellent facilities for behavioural, ecological and evolutionary research on small animals (including birds, insects and fish) and on plants.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.st-andrews.ac.uk\/bsrc\/\">The Biomedical Sciences Research Complex<\/a>\u00a0offers large multi-group laboratories that are focused on structural biology, molecular microbiology, virology, chemical biology and molecular medicine.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"96","post_date":"2022-01-20 21:42:43","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-20 21:42:43","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"zoology","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-11 17:01:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-11 16:01:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=degree&#038;p=1605","menu_order":0,"post_type":"degree","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["400","10","2015-10-06 21:29:38","2015-10-06 21:29:38","","12036757_10153688467833787_4618725925346231596_n","","inherit","closed","closed","","12036757_10153688467833787_4618725925346231596_n","","","2015-10-06 21:29:38","2015-10-06 21:29:38","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2015\/10\/12036757_10153688467833787_4618725925346231596_n.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","400"],"id":1605}],"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S2\/BL3315","credits":"20","semester":"2","module_organiser":[{"user-id":"dekf","role":"Professor","module_organiser":1624,"phone":"","ID":1681,"post_title":"Prof Dave Ferrier","post_content":"","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-05-18 10:46:08","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-18 09:46:08","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"prof-dave-ferrier","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-18 11:47:22","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-18 10:47:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=staff_member&#038;p=1681","menu_order":0,"post_type":"staff_member","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"id":1681}],"pre-requisite_modules":[{"assessment_details":"2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":[1682,1659,1661],"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL2301 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Consider the characteristics of a wide range of cells (prokaryotic and eukaryotic) including their requirements for growth and how they can be exploited experimentally<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Relate the component parts of cells to their functions, including how these can be investigated experimentally<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Consider the characteristics of a wide range of cells (prokaryotic and eukaryotic) including their requirements for growth and how they can be exploited experimentally<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Relate the component parts of cells to their functions, including how these can be investigated experimentally<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate the plasticity of the genome, and its control, and how this can be studied experimentally<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL2301","programme":false,"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S1\/BL2301","credits":"15","semester":"1","module_organiser":false,"pre-requisite_modules":[1606,1607],"additional_information":"","ID":1794,"post_title":"BL2301 - Cell Biology","post_content":"<span>The module will introduce the concept of 'a cell', moving on to discuss different types of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell. The structure and function of a variety of sub-cellular compartments will be examined. The diversity of different cell types within multicellular organisms will be highlighted, together with an overview of how this diversity is achieved.<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-05-18 16:52:31","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-18 15:52:31","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"bl2301-cell-biology","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-18 16:53:19","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-18 15:53:19","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1794","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["1725","4","2022-05-18 16:37:27","2022-05-18 15:37:27","","BL2301","","inherit","open","closed","","bl2301","","","2022-05-18 16:37:27","2022-05-18 15:37:27","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/05\/BL2301.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","1725"],"post_format":false,"skill":false,"id":1794},{"assessment_details":"2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":[1797],"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL2302 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Describe fundamental processes such as transcription, translation, DNA replication and repair.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Develop an awareness of the genomics revolution and its impact on Biology.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Develop practical skills in Molecular Biology.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Develop skills required for Bioinformatic studies<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL2302","programme":[1533],"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S1\/BL2302","credits":"15","semester":"1","module_organiser":false,"pre-requisite_modules":[1606,1607],"additional_information":"","ID":1637,"post_title":"BL2302 - Molecular biology","post_content":"<span>Molecular biology is an essential tool within modern biology, widely used in biochemistry, cell biology and ecology. This module will provide an introduction to modern molecular biology. Lectures will cover fundamental biological processes such as transcription, translation, DNA replication and repair - as well as touch on the genomics revolution and how this has influenced the field. These concepts will be reinforced through laboratory practical classes where students will develop their practical skills and be exposed to the use of basic bioinformatics resources to analyse and interpret data.<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-01-20 22:34:29","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-20 22:34:29","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"bl2302-molecular-biology","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-18 16:55:48","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-18 15:55:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1637","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["1726","4","2022-05-18 16:37:28","2022-05-18 15:37:28","","BL2302","","inherit","open","closed","","bl2302","","","2022-05-18 16:37:28","2022-05-18 15:37:28","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/05\/BL2302.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","1726"],"post_format":false,"skill":false,"id":1637},{"assessment_details":"2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":false,"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL2304 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Achieve an overview of animal phylogeny, including the origins of animals themselves, and the major divisions within the animal kingdom<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate the main methodologies and controversies associated with determining phylogenetic relationships<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Identify the defining features of the key invertebrate groups<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate how representatives from the key invertebrate groups carry out basic animal functions in similar or different ways<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate the economic, social, and scientific impact that invertebrates have on human society<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL2304","programme":false,"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S1\/BL2304","credits":"15","semester":"1","module_organiser":false,"pre-requisite_modules":[1606,1607],"additional_information":"","ID":1804,"post_title":"BL2304 - Invertebrate Zoology","post_content":"<span>The vast majority of animals are invertebrates - they do not have backbones. This module surveys the major invertebrate groups, emphasizing the diversity of body plans while demonstrating how the common functional requirements such as feeding, reproduction, respiration and excretion are achieved. The module starts with the simplest animals such as sponges and jellyfish, and considers how these primitive animals may have arisen from non-animal ancestors. It continues with a description of the several groups of worms, and the molluscs and arthropods. The last major group discussed are the echinoderms, which are close invertebrate relatives to vertebrate animals such as ourselves. The economic, social, and scientific impact that invertebrates have on human society is identified. The evolutionary relations between the various groups is the common thread that binds this diversity into a coherent story. A series of practical exercises reinforces and complements the lecture component of this module.<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-05-18 17:12:46","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-18 16:12:46","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"bl2304-invertebrate-zoology","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-18 17:12:46","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-18 16:12:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1804","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["1786","4","2022-05-18 16:38:53","2022-05-18 15:38:53","","trap-jaw-ant-melvyn-yeo","image: A trap jaw ant of the genus Odontomachus. Photograph courtesy Melvyn Yeo.","inherit","open","closed","","trap-jaw-ant-melvyn-yeo","","","2022-05-18 17:11:18","2022-05-18 16:11:18","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/05\/trap-jaw-ant-melvyn-yeo.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","1786"],"post_format":false,"skill":false,"id":1804},{"assessment_details":"2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":[1791,1452],"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL2308 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Demonstrate an overview of vertebrate phylogeny<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate the controversies involved in phylogenetic reconstruction<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Identify the defining features of the key vertebrate groups<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate how representatives from the key vertebrate groups carry out basic animal functions in similar or different ways<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Discuss sensory and behavioural capacities of vertebrates<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Discuss the use of vertebrates in research and the ethical implications<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL2308","programme":[1605],"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S2\/BL2308","credits":"15","semester":"2","module_organiser":1791,"pre-requisite_modules":[1606,1607],"additional_information":"","ID":1611,"post_title":"BL2308 - Vertebrate Biology","post_content":"<span>This module will explore the diversity of vertebrate animals, beginning with the closest relatives of vertebrates and the evolutionary origins of the group. A detailed look at the defining characteristics of the body plans and lifestyles of the key vertebrate groups will illustrate how they carry out basic animal functions in similar or different ways. This will be put in an evolutionary context to reveal the patterns and trends in the vertebrates as a whole, while also highlighting current phylogenetic controversies. The module will then explore some common themes across the key groups, starting with the developmental biology of some vertebrate model systems and the lessons we can learn from these. We will also see how the highly developed brains of vertebrates have allowed the evolution of astonishing sensory capacities and of complex behaviours, and how these are different (or not) from invertebrates.<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-01-20 21:51:18","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-20 21:51:18","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"vertebrate-biology","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-19 08:57:26","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-19 07:57:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1611","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["1778","4","2022-05-18 16:38:33","2022-05-18 15:38:33","image: A group of meerkats (Suricata suricatta), one of the most cooperative vertebrates with a complex social structure and highly developed parental care (AnetaPics\/Shutterstock)","Group-of-meerkats","image: A group of meerkats (Suricata suricatta), one of the most cooperative vertebrates with a complex social structure and highly developed parental care (AnetaPics\/Shutterstock)","inherit","open","closed","","group-of-meerkats","","","2022-05-19 08:53:54","2022-05-19 07:53:54","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/05\/Group-of-meerkats.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","1778"],"post_format":false,"skill":false,"id":1611}],"additional_information":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/module\/1615","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/module"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/module"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1742"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"skill","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/skill?post=1615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}