Mechanisms of Development

Graduate / Professional

An advanced graduate seminar on animal development focusing on conserved mechanisms that govern germline development, embryogenesis, and somatic differentiation in molecular detail. The course runs parallel to the spring session of the Department of Genetics Seminar Series and is divided into two components: six Yale faculty-led lectures on core concepts in development and six combined journal club/student-led discussions with outside developmental biology speakers on their cutting-edge research. Over the course of the semester, small student groups are responsible for presenting one journal club-formatted discussion on two papers selected from the outside speaker’s lab, as well as emceeing a dedicated question and answer session between the class and the speaker. This course provides a rare opportunity for Yale students to actively engage with world leaders on their work in developmental genetics, epigenetics, and cell biology, as well as learn essential skills in experimental thinking and scientific communication. The course grade is based on 40 percent take-home problems, 40 percent class participation and 20 percent student-led journal club/distinguished speaker question-and-answer session. There are no official prerequisites. However, some familiarity with concepts and techniques of modern biology is necessary to get the most out of the course. T 10am-11am, Th 10am-11am, T 11:30am-12:30pm