Developmental Biology is a new course offering for the HU Department of Biology. Our team-taught approach will examine the processes and mechanisms responsible for building multicellular organisms. The continuum of development and aging will be examined at the structural, cellular and molecular levels. Particular attention will be devoted to the experimental basis for current models of these processes. The importance of the modification of developmental programs in the course of multicellular adaptation will also be studied.

The required text for this course will be heavily relied upon and serve as the guide for our study. We will refer to it often and cover as much of the text as time permits. Click the image link at the right for more information about our text.

Text: Developmental Biology, Scott F. Gilbert, 2006,

Jo M. Goy, M.S.
Office: Pryor-England Science Center, Room 164E
e-mail: jmgoy@harding.edu
Office hours by appointment

Mike Plummer, Ph.D.
Office: Pryor-England Science Center, Room 161C
e-mail: plummer@harding.edu
Office hours by appointment

Rebekah Rampey, Ph.D.
Office: Pryor-England Science Center, Room 164D
e-mail: rrampey@harding.edu
Office hours by appointment

Nathan Mills, Ph.D.
Office: Pryor-England Science Center, Room 161B
e-mail: nmills@harding.edu
Office hours by appointment

There will be four exams given during the semester. The material tentatively to be covered on each exam is listed in the table below. Each exam will be composed of questions from instructors that have lectured since the prior exam. Tests one, two, and three will each be weighted at 26.6%, and the final exam at 20%.

Format for exam questions may include short answer, essay, multiple choice, matching, fill-in-blank, image identification, and is ultimately at the discretion of the instructor who's material is being tested.

Avoid bringing cell phones to class. At the minimum, silence your phone before class begins. Receiving cell calls or text messages, playing games on a cell phone, or managing your phone during class periods is an overt act of selfishness. The course instructor reserves the right to dismiss from the course any student who repeatedly abuses this directive.

Cell phones must be stowed in an out of sight location during quizzes and exams and are not permitted to be on the desktop, handled, nor answered during testing periods. Students who disregard this policy will receive a grade of zero for the quiz or test taken during the offense.

You have chosen to attend a university that is trying to uphold Christian values. While everyone associated with HU has shortcomings, one area individuals can control is choice of attire. Please attend class dressed in comfortable, modest attire. For both men and women, this means that underwear items should not be visible, purposefully or otherwise. Women should be mindful that their shirt does not allow midriff and lower back skin to show, especially when sitting or bending, and has an appropriately high-cut neckline that is not revealing.

Be aware that our classroom temperature will be kept on the cool side. While students sit inactive during class, the instructor is actively working to keep the lecture engaging and everyone's attention focused. This is a task that can be compared to an aerobic workout! If you tend to be cold natured, you should bring a sweater or long sleeved shirt to class.

It is the policy of Harding University to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal and state law.  Therefore, any student with a documented disability condition (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations, must contact the instructor and Student Support Services at the beginning of each semester.   (If the diagnosis of the disability occurs during the academic year, the student must self-identify with the Student Support Services office as soon as possible in order to get  academic accommodations in place for the remainder of the year.)   The Student Support Services office is located in Room 109 of the Lee Academic Center, telephone 279-4028.

If you have special testing needs you must discuss them with me prior to the first exam.