How do complex multicellular organisms develop from a single cell? How did mechanisms of development evolve through millions of years of evolution? How does temperature, light and environmental chemicals affect development? This course integrates evolutionary, ecological and molecular perspectives to investigate how animals and plants develop and interact with their environment. The course will cover the following topics: developmental regulatory genes and hormones (including signalling pathways and transcription factors), morphogenesis, maintenance of homeostasis, regeneration, interaction with biotic and abiotic environmental factors, plasticity, stem cells and transdifferentiation, genetic and genomic basis of evolution of multicellularity and body forms. The practical section will expose students to modern techniques used in developmental biology research using plant and animal model systems. During practicals, student teams will be carrying out two consecutive mini-projects during which they will attempt to solve biological riddles. Written manuscript-style reports and oral conference-style presentations will be peer-reviewed before assessment. The course should appeal to students interested in molecular biology or biomedicine as well as those interested in organismal biology.

Honours pathway option (HPO)       

Entry to this option will be subject to the approval of the course conveners. Students who take this option will be required to present a seminar on a research paper or write a literature review, to be agreed with the course conveners. The seminar or review will be assessed and will replace part of the assessment for practical reports.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Explain the molecular and genetic background of animal and plant development;
2. Describe evolutionary history of complex multicellular life forms;
3. Compare environmental influence on development and homeostasis of animals and plants;
4. Analyse, interpret, and present experimental results and conclusions in a scientific manner.
5. For HPO students only: Critically assess and present current scientific literature on topics related to ecological and evolutionary developmental biology.

Research-Led Teaching

All lecturers in the course are international experts in their specific fields. In addition to fundamental biological concepts, examples from recent research papers are used during the lectures. To prepare reports from practical 1, students learn to analyse their data in light of recent research literature and prepare and revise journal-style written reports. To prepare seminars and abstract from practical 2, students learn to analyse their data in light of recent research literature and present conference-style talks.

Examination Material or equipment

Depending on whether the exams will be online or in person - further information will be provided on Wattle.

Recommended Resources

Recommended texts

Scott F. Gilbert, Developmental Biology, 10^th edition

Scott F. Gilbert, et al. Ecological Developmental Biology: The Environmental Regulation of Development, Health, and Evolution

Ottoline Leyser and Stephen Day, Mechanisms in Plant Development, Blackwell Publishing (this book is available from the ANU Library as an ebook that you can download electronically)

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	lectures, tutorial
2	lectures, tutorial, practical
3	lectures, tutorial, practical
4	lectures, tutorial, practical
5	lectures, tutorial, practical
6	lectures, tutorial	mid-semester exam (1)
7	lectures, tutorial	draft report from practical 1
8	lectures, tutorial, practical	review of report from practical 1 (2)
9	lectures, tutorial, practical
10	lectures, tutorial, practical	final report from practical 1 (2)
11	lectures, tutorial, practical
12	lectures, tutorial, workshop	abstract and presentation from practical 2 (3)

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Mid-semester examination	20 %	31/03/2021	23/04/2021	1,2,3
Written report based on practical 1	30 %	*	*	4
Abstract and seminar based on practical 2	30 %	*	*	4
Final exam	20 %	03/06/2021	01/07/2021	1,2,3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation in tutorials, practicals and workshops. Attendance will be noted.

Remote students will be expected to participate in tutorials, practicals and workshops remotely (via Zoom) and to work collaboratively within allocated groups to produce and revise practical reports.

Examination(s)

Mid semester examination (week 14 during tutorial)

Final examination (exam period)

Please note, that where a date range is used in the Assessment Summary in relation to exams, the due date and return date for mid-semester exams indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held; the due and return date for end of semester exams indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held and the date official end of Semester results are released on ISIS. Students should consult the course wattle site and the ANU final examination timetable to confirm the date, time and venue of the exam.

Assessment Task 1

Mid-semester examination

Multiple-choice and short answers questions.

The date range is an general indication of when the mid-semester exam will be held. Please check the course Wattle site and the ANU Examination Timetable to confirm the date, time and location of the end of semester exam.

Assessment Task 2

Written report based on practical 1

Working in groups of 2-4, you will prepare journal manuscript-style report in which you will attempt to identify gene, expression of which you revealed during practical 1. Each group of students will work on a different gene, making each report unique. Draft manuscripts will be read and commented on by students from other groups during “peer review workshops”. In response to these written comments (which will be moderated by the course convener), you will prepare and submit for marking a revised version of the report.

Note for remote students: arrangements will be made allowing you to participate in the practicals remotely (via Zoom) and you will be expected to work collaboratively with your groups to produce and revise the report.

Assessment Rubrics

Word limit : 2000 (+/- 500) words

Presentation requirements: We will give you advice during the tutorials about how to prepare and revise the report. For structure and style, follow the journal Gene Expression Patterns, https://www.elsevier.com/journals/gene-expression-patterns/1567-133x/guide-for-authors

 Estimated return date: two weeks after final submission

Hurdle Assessment requirements: Report must be submitted.

Individual Assessment in Group Tasks: Each student in group will have primary responsibility for and be marked on a section of the report (e.g. introduction, results, etc.), marks will also be awarded for group work.

This activity will be conducted in three phases, each with different due dates:

2021-04-22 draft report

2021-04-30 review (marked)

2021-05-13 final report (marked)

Assessment Task 3

Abstract and seminar based on practical 2

For the second practical on plant development, we will work in groups of 2-4 students. Each group will work on a different aspect of the practical (i.e. a different plant phenotype) and present their results in form of an abstract, as well as a group seminar. Each person will write their own abstract to summarise their work. Seminars will be presented as a group, with each student responsible for a different part of the seminar.

The assessment rubric will be available on the course Wattle site.

 Word limit: 300 Words for Abstract

 Presentation requirements: We will give you advice during the tutorials about how to present the seminars and the abstracts. Guidelines will be available on Wattle.

 Estimated return date: one week after submission

 Hurdle Assessment requirements: Abstract must be submitted and seminar presented in person

 Individual Assessment in Group Tasks: Everyone needs to submit their own Abstract and these will be marked individually. Seminars will be presented as a group, but each student is responsible for one part of the seminar, e.g. one person would present the introduction, another one the results, discussion and methods. The seminar mark includes assessment of each student’s part and will also include a mark for how well the different parts of the seminar are integrated.

This activity will be conducted over two days:

2021-05-25 presentation

2021-05-28 abstract

Assessment Task 4

Final exam

Multiple-choice and short answers questions.

The date range in the Assessment Summary indicates the start of the end of semester exam period and the date official end of semester results are released on ISIS. Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location exam.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students