REPD 473 Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
REPD 473, Development Origins of Health and Disease, will cover how the early-life environment contributes to later-life health. Four major topics will be covered: maternal exposures, maternal nutrition, infection, and pregnancy complications. Students will learn about how alterations in the embryonic and fetal environment due to these four parameters can and do contribute to the development of non-communicable diseases that persist throughout life. Students will have the opportunity to explore and consolidate the academic literature pertaining to DOHaD, as well as investigating the resources available to these populations of patients.
*Previously BMED 473 Developmental Origins of Health and Disease.
Minimum 4th year (Level 4) standing and REPD 372/3.0 (formerly BMED 372/3.0) and one of (PHAR 230/3.0; PHAR 270/3.0; PHAR 340/3.0; PHAR 370/3.0; PHAR 380/3.0) or equivalent courses with permission from the instructor.
After completing REPD 473, students will be able to:
- Consolidate information pertaining to an untoward embryonic/fetal environment in order to describe how that environment contributes to the individual’s long-term health and disease
- Align principles of the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis with primary literature in the field in order to present, connect, and extend concepts within the research article(s)
- Explain the consequences of developmental exposures in order to teach the public about a specified condition and advocate for support and resources for the patient population.
- Communicator
- Leader
- Scholar
- Professional
- Collaborator
- Advocate
- Content Expert
All assessments will be graded using marking rubrics.
Assessment 1 – Discussions Boards (25%)
Using a topic that stems from one of their two research article presentations, each student will be required to individually complete a report that consolidates information pertaining to prevention and treatment options for a particular condition/disease state. The aim is to provide a summary of developmental conditions that are associated with a specific condition/disease state and provide a review of research that focuses on any preventative measures or treatments that have been researched to mitigate the effects of that exposure/condition. Finally, the student must attempt to project the feasibility of implementation of the identified preventative measure or treatment in practical terms.
Assessment 2 – DOHaD Test (15%)
After Module 02, students will complete a proctored test to ensure understanding of material covered in the first two modules.The test will consist of short and/or long answer question(s).
Assessment 3 – Research Paper Presentation (30% total)
Working in groups of 2 or 3, students will be expected to complete a 20 minute presentation of a provided research paper that falls in line with the content of the respective module and consolidate that paper within the framework of the course(Modules 03 to 06). Students will be assigned to discussion boards consisting of 24 students and upload their presentations for viewing. Each module, non-presenting groups will be required to ask questions of their presenting peers (6% total). Presenters will be required to answer said questions as part of their presentation grade.
Assessment 4 – Take Home Final - Disease Prevention Report (30%)
Students will be asked to select a topic from a provided list and complete a 1500-word report summarizing the research on the topic to date, including a summary of the in utero exposure, physiological changes, and associated long-term health effects that are known about the topic. Included in the report should be a discussion of clinical relevance, including potential preventative strategies for treatment.
Students will be required to participate in a TA-facilitated tutorial/discussion to facilitate peer feedback in the group assignment. Students will also have the opportunity to interact with the instructor through regular online “office hours”.
9–10 hours a week (108–120 hours per term).
Required Texts
REPD 473 course notes via modules posted online.