84283 - Embryology

Learning outcomes

Describe the structures and the development of the human embryo at different stages, including gametogenesis, fertilization, and implantation. Discuss how the early stages of embryonic development reflect the evolutionary history of species.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course (I.C.) in “Morphology and Development.” The Integrated Course has a medical orientation, as it is designed to train future Medical Doctors (Physicians and Surgeons). It comprises three (3) courses and one (1) laboratory:

· Human Histology

· Human Embryology

· Stem Cell Biology

· Histology Laboratory

The integrated Course aims to provide students with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of the development, structure, and cellular dynamics of the human body, from early embryogenesis to tissue specialization and regeneration. Emphasis is placed on the molecular and functional mechanisms that govern normal physiology, as well as on the pathological consequences of their disruption. Overall, the integrated course encourages students to combine structural, developmental, and stem cell biology to understand how the human body forms, functions, and can potentially be repaired or modeled in vitro, laying the groundwork for future advances in biomedical research and regenerative medicine.

The Human Embryology course covers human embryonic development from gametogenesis and fertilization to organogenesis and the development of embryonic annexes. Key regulatory mechanisms are explored in relation to normal development, congenital malformations, and the loss of cellular identity (dedifferentiation), a hallmark of various disease states.

 Learning outcomes: At the end of the course, the students will know the mechanisms that control human embryogenesis and morphogenesis. They will be familiar with the tissue origin from germ layers, the organogenetic mechanisms of the embryo, and embryonic stem cells.

Objectives: The course provides knowledge of the basic aspects of human embryogenesis and morphogenesis

Program: Characteristics of the mechanisms that control human embryogenesis and morphogenesis.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Human Embryology and Developmental Biology

Bruce Carlson, Elsevier

 

Before we are Born, Essential of Embryology and Birth Defects

Keith.L. Moore, T.V.N. Persaud, Mark G. Torchia. Elsevier

 

Articles provided during the frontal lessons

 

Teaching methods

A combination of frontal lessons and lessons inter-pares on specific topics. The acquisition of the knowledge will be frequently monitored with online tests

Assessment methods

The students will be evaluated by written exam, with multiple choice tests and open questions on the EOL - Exam OnLine Platftorm. During the written test, a mark scoring from 0 to 6 will be displayed next to the relevant question.The final mark is given by the arithmetic sum of the scores from each answered question. Wrong answers or missing answers will score as 0. 

Interpretation of the score:

• <18 – failure, not scored. The student fails to satisfactorily address all of the questions.
• 18 Poor. The student inadequately addresses most of the questions with serious inherent weaknesses.
• 21– Fair. The student broadly addresses most of the questions, but there are significant weaknesses.
• 24– Good. The student addresses the questions well, but a number of shortcomings are present.
• 27– Very good. The student addresses the criterion very well, but a small number of shortcomings are present.
•  30– Excellent. The student successfully addresses all relevant aspects of the questions. Any shortcomings are minor.
•  30 cum laude. The student successfully addresses all relevant aspects of the questions with no shortcomings.

The final score will be a "weighted average mark": 

- Alert- Attendance Requirements - Alert-

Attendance to this learning activity is mandatory; the minimum attendance requirement to be admitted to the final exam is 66% of lessons. For Integrated Courses (IC), the 60% attendance requirement refers to the total amount of I.C. lessons. Students who fail to meet the minimum attendance requirement will not be admitted to the final exam of the course and will have to attend relevant classes again during the next academic year. Professors may authorize excused absences upon receipt of proper justifying documentation, in case of illness or serious reasons. Excused absences do not count against a student’s attendance record to determine their minimum attendance requirement.

Teaching tools

 

  Power-Point presentations and interactive use of dedicated websites

Office hours

See the website of Mattia Lauriola