Evolutionary Developmental Biology

All animal species develop from a single cell, the fertilized egg, and share genes which regulate development. A large number of genes encoding components of molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in development are highly conserved among animal species. Yet, nature shows us an astonishing variety of animal forms. The basis for this variety lies in genome diversification through mechanisms such as gene duplication and mutation events, which generate opportunities for further modification and refinement of developmental schemes, resulting in new forms and functions, if the new phenotypes are successful under natural selection.

Evolution and diversification of animal forms occurs through changes in development. By studying developmental biology in an evolutionary context, we gain a much better understanding of the mechanisms at work in animal development. In this course, the students will learn about general aspects of development across the animal kingdom: from worms and flies to fish, birds, and mammals. It goes without saying that this approach also provides an illuminating picture of our own development.

The assessment consists of three parts:

- Part 1: Midterm exam (open questions and multiple choice questions), passing grade is 5.8 or higher. This will cover the 1st part of the course. It is an electronic exam in ANS and takes place in week Q3.5.

- Part 2: Final exam (open questions and multiple choice questions), passing grade is 5.8 or higher. This will only cover the 2nd part of the course, not the full course. It is an electronic exam on Ans and takes place in week Q3.10.

- Part 3: Poster Presentation, passing grade is 5.8 or higher.

The final course grade is an average of each parts grade (1/3 Part 1, 1/3 Part 2, 1/3 Part 3).

Parts 1 and 2 can compensate for each other but Part 3 cannot compensate. This means the student must pass the exam (average of Part 1 and Part 2 must be 5.8 or higher) and Part 3.

The grade for Part 3 will be kept until the year 2026-2027.

A passing final grade will only be recorded in Osiris for you when the online course "Information Literacy 2" is successfully completed. This must be done prior to week 3.10.

In terms of resits:

- At the exam resit, the student can chose to do Part 1 or Part 2, or both. The highest grade of each Part will be kept for the global course grade. They are electronic exams in ANS and take place in week Q4.5.

- Students who wish to resit Part 3 must email the teacher no later than week Q4.5 of 2025-2026 to receive assignment and deadline. The resit must be completed no later than Q4.10.

- The grades of Part 1 or Part 2 cannot be kept for a subsequent year: the student will have to redo both parts if the average grade is not equal or above 5.8. There will be two resit opportunities for the combined exam (Part 1 + Part 2) in 2026-2027. Students wishing to resit Part 3 must email the teacher no later than week Q3.1 of 2026-2027 to receive assignment and deadline.

Registration for digital exams and resits goes through Osiris and abides by TU Delft exam registration deadlines.