Department of Biology
Memorial University of Newfoundland
A session of the Graduate Programme in Teaching
Guest Presenter:
Dr. Brian
E. Staveley
Department of Biology
Faculty of Science
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador
Canada A1B 3X9
Academic Background:
B.Sc. (Honours Genetics) University
of Guelph
M.Sc. (Molecular Biology & Genetics) University
of Guelph
Ph.D. (Genetics) University
of Alberta
PDF (Molecular Cell Biology) Ontario Cancer Institute: University
of Toronto
Lecturer: Cell
and Molecular Biology: University of Toronto
Research Interests:
1. Cell survival & cell death mechanisms
2. Insulin pathway cell signaling
3. Models
of Neurodegenerative Disease
(Parkinson's & Huntington's in Drosophila)
Teaching Interests:
The Principles of Cell Biology (BIOL2060)
Developmental Biology (BIOL3530)
The Molecular Basis of Development (BIOL7530)
The Principles of Genetics (BIOL2250)
Supervision of Graduate and Undergraduate students
Philosophy:
Teaching and research have a symbiotic relationship.
Each flourish when both are working in harmony.
Goal/Motto:
"Turn science students into scientists."
How to build a course: step by step.
Please note that the example is only an example.
At your job interview, you may be asked to design a new course.
What will you say???
Step one: Decide subject area and level
This is usually the easy step.
An excerpt from my letter of appointment:
" - be asked to provide instruction, including taking full
course responsibility, in the area of your expertise - "
Step two: Investigate
What do other schools do?
University of Guelph
MBG4040
Genetics and Molecular Biology of Development
University of Alberta
GENET 412
Genetic Control of Development
University of Toronto
ZOO328H1F
Developmental Biology I
ZOO329H1S
Developmental Biology II
Step three: Choose a textbook
Ask your colleagues.
Check course web pages.
Check publishers offerings.
Developmental Biology
by Scott Gilbert, 6th edition
Principles
of Development
by
Lewis Wolpert, 2nd edition
Step four: Find additional materials
Specialized Web links:
Society for Developmental
Biology
British Society for Developmental Biology
The Virtual
Embryo
Bill Wasserman's
Developmental Biology Page
Virtual Library-Developmental
Biology
Welcome
to the Amphibian Embryology Tutorial
National Center for Biotechnology
Information
Berkeley Drosophila Genome Project
Flybase
Specialized Journals:
Genes & Development
Development (from the Company
of Biologists)
Developmental Biology
Developmental Cell
BMC(BioMedCentral)
Developmental Biology
Mechanisms
of Development
Current Opinion in
Genetics and Development
Current Biology
Cell
Nature
Science
PNAS
Molecular Cell
Neuron
HMS Beagle
Step five: Prepare the course outline
If you have chosen a great textbook, use it as a main guide!
1. Introduction to Developmental Biology
1.1 History and Basic
Concepts
1.2 Model Systems
2. Development, Patterning and Cell Fate
2.1 Patterning the
Vertebrate Body Plan
2.2 Development of
the Drosophila Body Plan
2.3 Development of
Invertebrates, Ascidians, and Slime Molds
2.4 Plant Development
3. The Molecular and Cellular Basis of
Development
3.1 Morphogenesis
3.2 Cell Differentiation
3.3 Organogenesis
3.4 Development of
the Nervous System
3.5 Germ Cells and
Sex
3.6 Regeneration
3.7 Growth and Post-Embryonic
Development
3.8 Evolution and
Development
Step six: Prepare the course notes
This is the time consuming part.
I find that one hour of lecture requires at least eight to ten hours
of preparation time.
The History of Developmental
Biology
Step seven: Choose the method of evaluation
Choose fair but effective evaluation methods that will build valuable
skills.
20% Midterm Examination
20% Review Paper
30% Laboratory Notebook, Participation & Research
Paper
30% Final Examination
Step eight: Deliver the course and evaluate the students
Step nine: Course evaluation
Step ten: Make improvements for next time
(for exit slip evaluation of this
presentation see here)
email me at bestave@mun.ca