MEDSCI 730 : Reproductive Science

Medical and Health Sciences

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Molecular regulation and coordination of normal reproduction. The reproductive disorders that arise when normal biological processes are disrupted. Recent molecular methods have enabled us to study these processes and to understand how they can go wrong. Genomic and proteomic approaches to the understanding of reproduction and reproductive disorders will be presented. Examination of the new technologies that allow us to overcome some of these reproductive problems.

Course Overview

MedSci 730 focuses on recent advances in human reproductive biology. The course involves a combination of traditional lectures, with interactive sessions and discussions particularly around the ethical and social responsibilities related to reproductive medicine. We therefore encourage our students to participate in small group discussions.  
Specific topics taught on the course include how to prevent the transmission of a group of genetic diseases, fertility, gynaecological cancers, imprinting, the placenta and pregnancy disorders, and extracellular vesicles and their role during pregnancy. These sessions are taught by lecturers who research in these areas, meaning we're able to directly discuss our novel research and discover answers to questions you may well be wondering about!

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Course Contacts

Course director 
Dr. Lynsey Cree 
Room 502-201H 
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences 
Ph. 373 7599 ext. 81695 
Email: l.cree@auckland.ac.nz 

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the processes of normal and pathological aspects of human reproductive biology (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2)
  2. Develop the ability to analyse data, assess literature and engage in peer discussions around controversial topics to present insights into the social and ethical considerations in human reproductive medicine (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 8.1 and 8.2)
  3. Communicate and explain aspects of reproductive biology to peers and discipline-based experts (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1 and 7.2)
  4. Demonstrate your ability to critically evaluate scientific research in the field of human reproduction (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 7.1 and 7.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Essay 20% Individual Coursework
Presentation 20% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 60% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Essay
Presentation
Final Exam

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, and 4 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation each week.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including lectures and presentations to complete components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings. However, we cannot guarantee that all lectures will be recorded, as there might be unexpected IT technology failures.

The course will not include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.

Attendance on campus is required for the exam.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable delivery.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

A Talis reading list has been set up for this course. The reading list provides details of the recommended texts for the course as a whole, as well as direct links to additional literature that individual lecturers recommend for their lectures. Students are encouraged to read widely.


Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Due to low response rate we did not provide a summary of students' feedback in 2023.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.