The goal of this course is to introduce you all to mechanisms regulating how organisms develop from a single cell, and how this process continues throughout life. Students will learn how to critically think about developmental biology and science in general. Students will gain an understanding of the complexities of how life begins and results in a multi-cellular organism (in some cases), gain an understanding of the evolution of complexity in the animal kingdom, understand how the environment shapes development and evolution, and understand controversial topics in developmental biology from a scientific perspective.

This assignment will focus on filling gaps on Wikipedia in relation to ecological and evolutionary biology. From adding context pages on key developmental biologists (from diverse backgrounds), to new content pages on key ecological developmental biology concepts (developmental plasticity, environmental epigenetics, developmental symbioses, teratogenesis, endocrine disruptors, developmental origin of disease, etc.). This assignment will build on weekly journal reflection entries required for the course and will add key competencies in writing and critical thinking.