Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Developmental Biology Lab (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 3295-01

Course: BIOL 3295-01
Credits: 1
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: BIOL
CRN: 12485

Instructor Information

Background: 
I earned my doctoral degree from The Ohio State University. Back then, I focused my research on Developmental Genetics, Cell Communication, and Evolutionary Development, which I approached using the nematode C. elegans. More specifically, I studied how cells communicate with each other during development and in diseases such as cancer. Additionally, I also examined mechanisms by which closely related species evolve distinct responses to similar developmental processes. While I still have an interest in Developmental Biology, my current research focuses on Conservation Biology and Bioinformatics. 

Communication policy: 
I will do my best to respond to messages within 24 hours during weekdays. I will not typically respond to messages during evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Office hours: 
SCA 202 | MWRF 3:00pm - 4:15pm

Course Description

Lab to accompany BIOL 3290 and will include preparation and examination of embryos of model organisms as well as student-driven projects. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a biological science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other biology course. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): BIOL 3290

Required Texts

DevBio Laboratory: Vade Mecum 3 by Mary S. Tyler

Learning Outcomes

Goals: 
There are many things I hope you will take away from this course in terms of learning.  Some of my objectives pertain specifically to biology while others are more general in application and may be considered “life-long” learning attributes. After the completion of this lecture/lab course, successful students will:

  1. Be able to describe and recognize the events involved in gametogenesis and fertilization
  2. Demonstrate understanding of the morphological changes accompanying early embryogenesis
  3. Understand the nature of germ layers and the developmental pathways exhibited by each
  4. Demonstrate understanding of the genetic basis of development, including differential expression
  5. Become proficient at interpreting serial sections and other histological preparations
  6. Demonstrate the ability to carry out long-term experiments using living organisms.
  7. Gain hands-on experience observing and handling living embryos.
  8. Possess an increased ability to work in and function as part of a collaborative group

Course Requirements

Required Text: 
DevBio Laboratory: Vade Mecum 3 by Mary S. Tyler

Required Technologies and Resources: 
iClicker Student app (https://www.iclicker.com/) for attendance-tracking (free subscription).

Attendance Policy

Attendance: 
Attendance in this course is taken seriously, please read the following statement carefully to avoid setbacks. Timely arrival is important, showing up late is disrespectful to your fellow students and me. If you know you are going to be late frequently, please contact me so we can discuss options for full participation. 

iClicker: 
iClicker student app is used to take attendance in this course. This means that students need to check into iClicker each class (this can be done through your phone). If you can’t log into iClicker, you will need to notify me before class ends. Any notifications made after class will not be considered and the student will receive no participation points for that day.

Absences: 
Laboratory courses are as much about the experience of being in lab as they are about the content you will learn. Attendance in this course is taken seriously, please read the following statement carefully to avoid setbacks. An unexcused absence will result in a zero for all work assigned that day. Timely arrival is important, showing up late is disrespectful to your fellow students and me. Therefore, if you arrive to lab 5 minutes or more past the start time you will only receive 50% of the possible points for the day’s assignments. If you know you are going to be late frequently, please contact me so we can discuss options for full participation. You should also plan on being in lab the entire three hours, leaving lab early unless allowed by me will result in a point deduction equal percent of time missed. 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All assignments are due on the assigned date/time. Assignments turned in late will be subject to a 10% reduction in points immediately (this reduction begins the minute the assignment is late, i.e., if the assignment is due at 10:00am, at 10:01am you will lose 10% of the points associated with that assignment) and 10% lost for every 24hrs thereafter. After 10 days the assignment will no longer be accepted. If you need to turn an assignment in late due to extenuating circumstances, i.e., university-sponsored travel, illness, ADA accommodation, etc., please contact me at least 3 days before the due date to discuss the issue and work together to find a solution (when possible – obviously some things like hospitalizations prevent this). Please note that I do not guarantee I can provide an accommodation for every assignment.

Course Outline

Week | Day | Lab | Due Start of Lab | Due End of Lab

1 | Jan 7 | No Lab (First Week of Classes)

2 | Jan 14 | Lab 1 - Scientific Writing in Developmental Biology | N/A | Safety QuizLab 1 Activity

3 | Jan 21 | Lab 2 - Working with the MicroscopeLM Chapter 3 | Compound Microscope | Pre-Lab 2 | Notebook - Lab 2

4 | Jan 28 | Lab 3 - Mammalian GametogenesisLM Chapter 5 | Gametogenesis | Pre-Lab 3 | Notebook - Lab 3

5 | Feb 4 | Lab 4 - Sea Urchin Embryo FertilizationLM Chapter 6 | Sea Urchin I | Pre-Lab 4 | Notebook - Lab 4

6 | Feb 11 | Lab 5 - Sea Urchin Embryo Development and UV Radiation | Part 1LM Chapter 7 | Sea Urchin UV | Pre-Lab 5 | Notebook - Lab 5

7 | Feb 18 | Lab 6 - Sea Urchin Embryo Development and UV Radiation | Part 2LM Chapter 7 | Sea Urchin UV | Pre-Lab 6 | Notebook - Lab 6

8 | Feb 25 | Lab 7 - Cellular Slime MoldsLM Chapter 4 | Cellular Slime Molds | Pre-Lab 7 | Notebook - Lab 7

9 | Mar 4 | Lab 8 - Planarian RegenerationLM Chapter 13 | Planarian Regeneration | Pre-Lab 8 | Notebook - Lab 8

10 | Mar 11 | No Lab (Spring Break)

11 | Mar 18 | Lab 9 - Amphibian  Development | Part 1LM Chapter 14 | Amphibian Development | Pre-Lab 9 | Notebook - Lab 9

12 | Mar 25 | Lab 10 - Amphibian  Development | Part 2LM Chapter 14 | Amphibian Development | Pre-Lab 10 | Notebook - Lab 10

13 | Apr 1 | Lab 11 - Amphibian  Development | Part 3LM Chapter 14 | Amphibian Development | Pre-Lab 11 | Notebook - Lab 11

14 | Apr 8 | Lab 12 - Research Poster Design | N/A | Research Poster Draft

15 | Apr 15 | Research Presentation in Lab

16 | Apr 22 | No Lab (Final Exam Week)

Course Fees

No additional course fees.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.