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CELB30100

Academic Year 2026/2027

Developmental Biology (CELB30100)

Subject:
Cell Biology
College:
Science
School:
Biology & Environment Science
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Rainer Melzer
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The purpose of the module is to introduce students to the subject of developmental biology; this topic covers all stages in the life of an animal or plant, from a single cell zygote to the death of the organism. The module will emphasise how the inherited genetic information of an organism (its genotype) gives rise to its phenotype. The module will describe basic processes in developmental biology, emphasising the idea that selective gene expression underlies cellular differentiation. Experimental strategies for study of developmental processes, and the relevance of model organisms, are described and students are encouraged to critically assess the advantages and limitations of these approaches. The practical element of the module addresses gene expression.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this course the student should be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge of developmental biology, and the changes that animals and plants undergo throughout their life;
Demonstrate an understanding of the experimental approaches used in the study of developmental biology and of the value and limitations of model organisms;
Relate their knowledge of developmental biology to issues such as birth defects, modern fertility treatments, regenerative medicine, improving crop plants etc.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Competent

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Competent

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Competent

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture 3

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 3

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss 3
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Laboratories

15
Autonomous Student Learning

88
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures and practical courses.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

It is strongly recommended that students who are planning on taking CELB30100 should have taken a basic course in Genetics and/or Cell Biology at Level 2.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay on Plant Development focused on the first half of the course Week 7 Graded No
40
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay on Animal Development focused on the second half of the course Week 11 Graded No
40
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Practical Examination: Examination on material related to practical classes Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback to the practical exam will be provided during via Brightspace. Feedback to the essays will be available to all students by individual email or via Brightspace.

Name Role
Dr Grace Hoysted Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Darrin Hulsey Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Julia Jones Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Joanna Kacprzyk Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Rainer Melzer Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Kay Nolan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Antoinette Perry Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Alison Reynolds Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Susanne Schilling Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Katharina Wollenberg Valero Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Wed 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Thurs 15:00 - 16:50
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