https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/AB_1140At the end of the course the students can:summarize andexplain the principles of human development, from fertility, gametogenesis and conception to embryonic and fetal development and birth, including the molecular, cellular and endocrinal mechanisms.critically read and interpret scientific literature about research into gene expression analysis underlying abnormal prenatal and postnatal development due to exposure to genetic and environmental teratogenic factors, and present the obtained knowledge to their peers.recognize and describe the development of important regions/systems of the nervous system and their involvement in functional, physiological and endocrinal processes, and infer and describe how their dysregulation could lead to manifestation of disorders.This course covers medical issues related to normal development and disturbances thereof, from a morphological and molecular point of view.Reproduction, embryology, fetal development, anatomy and function of the (fe)male reproductive system.Formation (first trimester) and function (up to term) of main peripheral organ systems (e.g. heart, lungs) dealing with the main underlying molecular organizers.Development of the central and peripheral nervous systems, and diseases related to perturbed brain development, birth and complications.Techniques and skills:Recognizing and naming (incl. function) anatomical structures (embryological developmental stages, the urogenital system).Analysis of gene expression data; performing basic statistical analyses;Oral presentation: Present analyzed gene-expression data in the form of a scientific presentation (i.e. in the context of normal and teratogen-disturbed development, using literature to be searched for on PubMed).The following learning pathway is incorporated into this course: Academic skillsLectures: ~45 h.Q&A sessions: 2–3x 1 h.Quizes: 45 min each (formative testing).Work group meetings (mandatory): 8 h (formative testing).Practicals (mandatory): 2x 2 h (formative testing).Self-study: 103 hours.Note: The topics and skills discussed in the practicals are part of the exams.Course grade:Average sub exam grade should be ≥ 5.5 (75% of the course grade).Oral presentation & assignments of work meetings should be ≥ 5.5 (25% of the course grade).Only if grades are ≥ 5.5, they are rounded to 1 digit after the decimal point, and used to calculate the course grade.Sub-exams:Compensation is possible between sub-exams.Exam type: multiple choice.Digital examination.Re-take of the exams (summer) is all sub-exams at once; alternatively the sub-exams are redone in the next academic year (spring).Presentation:Scientific presentation based on the work group assignments.Live presentation.Re-take of presentation is only possible in the next academic year.Attendance requirements for practicals and work groups (see study manual) need to be fulfilled in order to pass the course.Martini: Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology, Benjamin Cummings, 11th edition (or higher when available).Larsen’s Human Embryology (Schoenwolf et al), 6th edition (or higher when available).Syllabus via Canvas.Compulsory course for first-year BSc Biomedical Sciences students.This course is not available to other students.You need to register yourself for the course via VUweb, including lectures and sub-exam(s). Late registrations are not allowed.Please communicate with the tutors beforehand in case of absence for WGs and practicals (legitimate reasons); use the Canvas environment for emailing instead of gmail/hotmail etc.You need to have, bring and wear your lab coat at the practical of the Urogenital System.What do I need to learn? The ppts, the syllabus and the book (in that order).All announcements, updates of meetings/classes are via Canvas and hence your VU-mail. With instantaneous changes this might leave your personal roster outdated.High school Biology; human reproduction (meiosis, mitosis, organs and hormones).An optimistic, studious and motivated attitude will help you better through life, and specifically through this course. Let’s make these two months the highlight of the year.Read the Syllabus page on Canvas; keep up to date with the announcements.