Master of Clinical Embryology

Course code: 2309 + Course abbreviation: MClinEmbryol + Total credit points required: 72 + 3 semester full-time in a single year

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Monash Medical Centre, Clayton – F/T only)

Course description

This course is offered by the Monash Institute of Medical Research through the Education Program of Reproductive Biology. It provides candidates with the essential postgraduate knowledge and practical skills necessary to contribute competently to the human infertility clinical services. Theoretical and practical skills are presented in the broader context of the regulations and the ethical considerations which apply to human IVF along with the quality control procedures required to ensure maximum success for IVF patients. The guidelines, protocols and regulations that steer and control human infertility services are also presented.

Course objectives

On completion of the course students will be able to: 1. display a detailed theoretical knowledge and understanding of human and animal gamete biology, embryology and development, from a cellular, genetic and molecular perspective; 2. critically assess new developments in human infertility treatment and in animal breeding and biotechnology, and evaluate the implications of these developments; 3. show familiarity with the structure of operations in IVF clinics and familiarity with the relevant regulations operating in the areas of genetic manipulation and clinical ART, as applied internationally to humans and animals, and the accompanying ethical implications; 4. understand, correctly interpret and appropriately use statistical analysis of human infertility and animal biotechnology research data; 5. demonstrate competence in in vitro culture techniques used for embryos and embryonic stem cells and competently conduct the quality assurance procedures that are essential to the reliable operation of an IVF clinic; 6. carry out genetic and molecular diagnostic testing on embryos, display knowledge about the techniques and uses of karyotyping and FISH and show ability in assessing the genetic competence of an embryo for development prior to its transfer in clinical IVF; 7. cryopreserve embryos and tissues for later use in human infertility treatment, or in conservation and animal breeding; 8. be familiar with the techniques used in the preparation of male and female gametes for use in IVF and demonstrate the skills of micromanipulation required to participate in clinical human ART; and 9. demonstrate competence in the techniques of DNA extraction and PCR, and have an understanding of the techniques used in transgenesis.

Course structure

This is an intensive one-year, full-time laboratory-based course which begins in February and continues until the end of November. The course consists of eight units, six of which involve lectures accompanied by tutorials, seminars, journal reviews, discussion groups and some site visits. The other two units consist of practical work. Weekend and evening work in the laboratory is required, and student breaks are only allocated for one week in March/April (during the Easter break) and one week in July.

Semester 1

MCE1100 Practical techniques and statistics in embryology I
MCE1101 Introduction to mammalian embryology
MCE1103 Basic in vitro techniques for embryo production
MCE1112 Embryo culture and cryopreservation

Semester 2

MCE1200 Practical techniques and statistics in embryology II
MCE1201 Fertilisation and micromanipulation
MCE1212 Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and embryo gene expression
MCE1213 Regulation and ethics in assisted reproductive technologies

Assessment

Assessment is via journal review presentations, 2500 and 3000-word essays, written examinations and tests for practical competence.

Contact details

Postgraduate course administrator: telephone: +61 3 9594 7360; email: eprb@med.monash.edu.au or visit www.med.monash.edu.au/eprb

Course coordinator

Dr Sally Catt

Previous page | Next page | Section contents | Title and contents