6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL
Postgraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational Unit
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Associate Professor Peter Temple-Smith
Unit guides
Synopsis
This unit will focus on the reproductive biology and breeding of animals. The lectures and tutorials will build on an understanding of basic reproductive physiology and endocrinology to explore ways in which reproduction can be manipulated to increase the reproductive efficiency and genetic gain in farm animals and animals in danger of becoming extinct. How this information can be applied to the monitoring and regulation of reproduction in pets, zoo animals, Australian native animals and vertebrate pest species will also be explored. The approaches that will be examined include hormonal and immunological manipulation of reproduction, artificial insemination (AI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), intra-cytoplasmic sperm. A facility that is using these approaches will allow students to see first hand how fundamental information can be applied to achieve environmental and/or commercial outcomes.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Describe the techniques that are available to manipulate reproduction in animals
- Apply the principles of reproductive technologies to the management of farm animals, endangered species, captive animals, Australian native animals and vertebrate pest species
- Discuss the limitations of techniques available to manipulate reproduction in animals
- Justify the use of various techniques for improving breeding and population genetics in animals
- Identify and apply current research findings to achieve environmental and/or commercial gains in animal breeding systems
Assessment
- Examination (2 hours) (45%) (hurdle)
- PeerWise (5%)
- Captive breeding scenario (3,000 words) (50%) (hurdle)
Workload requirements
This unit will be held over six weeks in second semester. In addition to attendance at lectures and tutorials students are required to attend practical demonstrations and site visits. Attendance from 9 am to 5 pm for a 3 day laboratory project is also required.
See also Unit timetable information