Introduces the fundamental theories of stem cell biology, with an emphasis on practical methods to engineer cell fate for regenerative medicine applications.  Topics include: Stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, embryogenesis, development, and homeostasis, parallels between in vitro and in vivo differentiation, pluripotent stem cells, adult stem cells, reprogramming and transdifferentiation, directed differentiation protocols, methods for cellular and molecular characterization, and regenerative medicine applications.  Laboratory component will include directed differentiation experiments that produce cell types of the three primary germ layers: neuronal (ectoderm), cardiac (mesoderm), and pancreatic (endoderm).