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)
Unit guides
Co-requisites
Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes: 0101, M5010
Synopsis
The new reproductive technologies are now widely used for the treatment of human infertility and for prenatal diagnosis of familial genetic disorders. These techniques involve in vitro fertilization (IVF) and therefore require a sound knowledge of reproductive endocrinology, cell biology and specific techniques involved in the handling and maturation of human sperm and ova. Micromanipulation is an important new method required for fertilization (intracytoplasmic sperm injection - ICSI) and chromosome or genetic diagnosis (embryo biopsy for fluorescent in situ hybridisation - FISH, or polymerase chain reaction - PCR amplification of genomic DNA). This unit also involves the new and rapidly changing areas of cell and tissue cryobiology and transplantation. Specific tests are now also evolving for assessment of embryo viability, particularly now that embryos can be grown successfully to late preimplantation stages of development. These new techniques are presented in the context of laboratory quality assurance and the ethical and legal frameworks of local legislation and regulation.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- Outline the procedures applied in assisted reproductive technologies (ART)
- Identify the counselling services, ethics, and quality assurance necessary for clinical ART services
- Identify methods used for genetic diagnosis and screening of pre-implantation embryos
- Reflect and compare the practical experience in mouse ART systems with the observation of human ART systems
- Demonstrate skills in critically reviewing contemporary scientific research papers in a controversial topic in ART
Assessment
NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 2.25 hours and 10 minutes.
- Examination (2 hours) (45%) (hurdle)
- PeerWise (5%)
- Reflective Journal on clinical vs. research-based IVF (1,500 words) (25%)
- Controversies in ART presentation (1,500 words) (25%)
Workload requirements
This unit is held over 6 weeks in second semester. Students are required to attend all lectures, interactive sessions, practical sessions and a site visit to Monash IVF.
See also Unit timetable information