OB&GYNAE 3001 - Reproductive Biology
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024
-
General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code OB&GYNAE 3001 Course Reproductive Biology Coordinating Unit Medical Sciences Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Prerequisites ANAT SC 2109 or MEDIC ST 1000B Incompatible OB&GYNAE 3000, ANAT SC 3102 Assessment Participation, Essay plan, 2 Written Essays, Quizzes, Final Exam Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Eleanor Peirce
Course Coordinators:
Dr Eleanor Peirce and Prof Mark NottleCourse Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
-
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1 Demonstrate an understanding of major aspects of male and female reproductive biology over the life course. 2 Demonstrate an understanding of the biology of normal pregnancy and disorders of pregnancy. 3 Explain current practice and developments in contraception, management of subfertility and infertility, and approaches to prevention and treatment of reproductive disorders, including their underlying biology. 4 Discuss social and ethical aspects of reproductive technologies and research. 5 Locate, evaluate and synthesise evidence related to reproductive biology. 6 Communicate scientific information clearly and concisely in spoken and written English. 7 Work effectively as an individual and in groups in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1, 2, 3, 4 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
4, 5 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
6, 7 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
1 - 7 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
4 Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.
. Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
5, 6 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
4, 7 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
There is no set textbook for this course. All resources, including the links to journal articles and reading lists, will be disseminated via MyUni.Recommended Resources
Identification of, and access to, recommended resources for specific course topics will occur via the course site in MyUni.Online Learning
The primary means of communication outside of formal contact hours will be via MyUni. Announcements and discussion boards will be the main method of communicating with the student cohort. Course material will be supported by online resources via MyUni. Material will be sequentially released in line with the teaching and learning activities in each week. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Online presentations/lectures will be used to introduce topics and theoretical considerations, and will also provide opportunities to hear from scientists and medical practitioners with relevant expertise.
Workshop time will be used in a range of ways to develop the theoretical and practical concepts raised in online presentations and lectures: for example, to share and provide feedback on independent learning tasks, journal club activities to develop, practice and demonstrate skills in evaluating literature, discussions/debates of controversies and uncertainties, to undertake group exercises, and for student presentations illustrating their understanding and ability to apply theoretical considerations to actual situations.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
In addition to viewing the weekly online presentation and attendance at the workshop (3 hours per week commitment), it is expected that students will undertake an additional 6-9 hours of study per week in preparation for workshops and in completion of assessment tasks.Learning Activities Summary
Online presentations and workshops address the following topic areas (actual content and emphasis may vary from year to year).- Reproductive life course; physiology and endocrinology of male and female reproduction, gamete development, puberty and menopause
- Determinants of fertility and infertility; including environmental/physiological factors, pregnancy recognition, immune tolerance
- Fertilisation, conception and congenital abnormalities
- Biology of pregnancy; including embryonic development, implantation & placentation, fetal development, maternal adaptations to pregnancy, parturition, disorders of pregnancy (SGA/IUGR, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm delivery)
- Lactation
- Developmental origins of health and disease
- Reproductive (hormone-driven) cancers
-
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Quizzes: 10%
Essay plan (by week 4): 10%
2 written essays (20% each): 40%
Workshop Preparation and Participation: 10%
Final exam: 30%
Assessment Detail
Workshop Preparation and Participation – 10% weighting
Students are required to prepare in advance for each week's workshop. Each student's contributions to the prepared materials will be assessed, as well as their overall engagement and participation in workshop discussions.
Essay Plan – 10% weighting
Students will complete a plan for their first essay on one of a choice of topics, designed to allow focus and research in an area of particular interest. Individual feedback will be provided to each student via MyUni. Students are expected to use this feedback as they write their complete essay.
Essays – 2 x 2000 words, weighting of 20% each
Students are required to write two 2000 word essays. Guidelines and a choice of topics for each essay are provided via MyUni. Each essay is designed to allow focus and research in an area of particular interest. Individual feedback will be provided to each student via MyUni.
Quizzes: 10% weighting
Students will complete four (4) online summative quizzes based on online presentation content and associated readings in weeks 4, 7, 10 and 13 of semester. The best three (3) of the four (4) quiz marks contribute to the 10% summative assessment weighting.
Exam - 30% weighting
A 2-hour exam is held at the end of semester in the official University examination period. The exam contains questions that address content delivered in the weekly topic modules. Students are required to answer any six of the examination questions.Submission
Assessments will be submitted online via MyUni and feedback will be provided electronically.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
-
Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
-
Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
-
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
-
Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
