BANKING ANIMAL BIODIVERSITY: INTERNATIONAL FIELD STUDY IN COSTA RICA

CRB/GENETICS 710

Covers a broad range of topics in animal development, with an emphasis on molecular mechanisms. Focuses on common themes, with the goal of understanding and analyzing current research in developmental biology and genetics.

GENETICS 527

Human-induced factors such as changes in land use and global climate are causing rapid worldwide biodiversity loss. Can modern molecular genetics contribute to species preservation? In this course, we will first explore the challenges and potential of molecular genetic methods based on biobanking, gene editing and nuclear transfer for animal biodiversity preservation. Topics covered will include: i) maternal factors and early animal development, ii) interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (isSCNT) and oocyte-mediated reprogramming in animal cloning, iii) developmental, phylogenetic and ecological considerations for biobanking, iv) gene editing and synthetic biology as potential tools to recapture biodiversity. Use knowledge in animal population status, developmental genetics and phylogeny to address real-life problems involving the conservation of threatened animal populations.

GENETICS 627

Advanced genetics course focusing on genetic mechanisms of animal embryonic development, with particular emphasis on central molecular circuitries that control development and genetic analytical tools used to reveal them. Address topics including maternal and epigenetic inheritance, the egg-to-embryo transition, pattern formation, organogenesis, coordination of cellular and molecular mechanisms, and animal models of human congenital disorders.

GENETICS 400

Provides an area equivalency for courses taken on Madison Study Abroad Programs that do not equate to existing UW courses.

BOTANY/ENVIRST/F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 516

Investigate the science behind the protection of nature and preservation of biodiversity by focusing on both the biological and socioeconomic factors that underlie the challenges to and the impacts of conservation efforts. Explore the theory, research, and application of biological conservation from an interdisciplinary, international, solutions-focused perspective. Learn about the many threats to Earth's biodiversity but also examine in-depth and apply approaches to overcome them.