XClose

EGA Institute for Women's Health

Home
Menu

Gametogenesis, Preimplantation Development and ART

Module code: IFWH0012
Credit value: 15 credits

Module leads
Professor Joyce Harper

Dr Helen O'Neill

 

 

Module aims:

The aim of this module is to provide knowledge on preimplantation development and IVF starting from gametogenesis and ending just before implantation.  A large proportion of this module concentrates on infertility treatments and IVF and is taught by leaders in the field from the Institute for Women’s Health, UCLH Reproductive Medicine Unit and the Centre for Reproductive and Genetic Health (CRGH) and includes visits to the CRGH and/or the London Fertility Centre. 

Module topics:

Topics covered include gametogenesis, female and male infertility, the genetics of infertility, clinical andrology, fertilization, preimplantation development, laboratory aspects of IVF, clinical aspects of IVF, and new developments in IVF.

Assessment

Summative Assessment

  • 1,500 word essay (50%): students write an essay on the availability, funding, success of, and any issues around fertility treatment in a country of the student's choice.  This assessment provides a gentle introduction to essay writing, to allow students to learn how to research a topic and write in English, allowing time for feedback before essay 2.
  • 1,500 word essay (50%): this is a fully referenced essay on a clinical or a scientific aspect of IVF. Students choose from two possible essay titles. The aim of the assessment is to allow students to develop their research, analysis and scientific writing skills. This essay should be fully referenced.  Feedback is given by the module lead before submission; after submission qualitative feedback is given.

Formative Assessment

  • Group activity - The Media versus the scientific paper: peer-led group activity, requiring students to critically evaluate a scientific paper of their choice related to fertility treatment and reflect on how the media have presented this paper – was the media accurate?  This will be presented as a group oral presentation.