| Unit name | Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MEDIM4000 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Ford |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
Reproductive disorders affect 18% (1 in 6) of the adult population, many of which are due to endocrine abnormalities, In order to fully understand the disorders that affect the reproductive system, it is essential to have a foundation in the basic structure, function and physiological mechanisms of the key organs of the reproductive system throughout the life course, as well as understanding the vital role played by the endocrine system in controlling the initiation, maintenance and cessation of reproductive function and fertility. In this unit, you will explore with clinical and scientific experts, the causes and mechanisms underpinning disease and dysfunction of the reproductive endocrine system, and put into a clinical context the pathology, investigations, and management of commonly observed disorders that affect usual reproductive functioning and fertility.
As well as developing your knowledge of the scientific literature of the human reproductive systems in the sexes, you will also explore the social, historical, legal and political context of current issues relevant to key stages of the human life course, including puberty and adolescence, menstruation and menstrual disorders, adulthood and fertility, and natural decline in fecundity and the menopause.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This fundamental unit, the first you will study on the programme, is designed specifically to develop your knowledge and appraisal of the scientific literature on the physiology and endocrinology of human reproduction. These core topics will provide you with the foundational knowledge to study subsequent taught units on the programme, and you will gain experience in a variety of study skills, including critical thinking and appraisal. These sessions will build and strengthen your proficiency in academic and digital learning and literacy, helping to support your transition and adjustment to postgraduate study here at the University of Bristol.
An overview of content
This unit will increase your understanding of the fundamental systems, principles and processes underpinning the physiological basis of reproductive function throughout the life course. You will explore the vital role played by the endocrine system in controlling the initiation, maintenance and cessation of human reproductive function and fertility as well as the causes and mechanisms underpinning disease and dysfunction in male and female reproductive systems.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
After completing this unit, you will have gained a deeper understanding of the endocrine control of normal reproductive function; learning how dysregulation and perturbations of these pathways can lead to pathology and infertility. Our interdisciplinary syllabus allows constructive discussions and debates, and you will be encouraged to reflect on topical issues with your peers as well as faculty members. This will expose you to different perspectives and ideas from stakeholders and specialists with biomedical, clinical, historical, social, political and legal expertise, helping you to grasp the complexities of current issues relevant to human reproduction from multiple viewpoints. With this knowledge, and through a variety of thought-stimulating activities and tasks, we will support you in developing your scientific communication and critical appraisal skills in Reproductive Endocrinology. This will enable you to showcase your ability to understand and effectively communicate complex scientific concepts and clinical information through different media to a variety of stakeholders and audiences. Such skills are beneficial and desirable for a multitude of post-graduate academic and career pathways.
Learning Outcomes
This introductory unit is composed of a mixture of live, online (synchronous) and asynchronous learning including small group seminars, tutorials, tasks and activities, meaning you will study by a flexible blended-learning approach. You will be guided to work through readily available asynchronous pre-recorded videos and selected reading lists, which are specifically designed to complement the online live video-based teaching sessions that are timetabled to run early in the teaching block. Asynchronous resources are available to you when you start your studies and can be accessed at any time, giving you flexibility to undertake self-directed study of this unit, how and when you wish to. As a fundamental unit on the programme, group and individual support and guidance is provided by tutors, to enhance your critical reading, writing and thinking skills, preparing you for your first set of summative assignments. These learning opportunities will equip you with the knowledge, skills and the confidence to apply and express your learning through assessments, skills which will serve you in subsequent units on the course.
Whereas asynchronous independent learning covers much of the fundamental principles of the syllabus, the timetabled live sessions enable you to explore core topics and themes more deeply with peers. Large and small (breakout) group discussion will help develop your authentic knowledge and understanding of reproductive physiology and endocrinology. Clinical vignettes, problem or case-based learning will help you to consider current and conflicting views in the literature, and/or gaps in the research. Collaborative tech and apps support your engagement and virtual presence on the unit, providing opportunities for peer learning, support and feedback aimed to foster a feeling of belonging to our online community of practice.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
An interactive tutorial is provided that will support your approach to the summative essay assignment. Feedback will also be provided to you on an outline or full draft of the essay by the markers. This will be the first assignment you complete on the course and as such the feedback will be extensive and bespoke. The feedback will cover content, structure, critical writing/communication skills, as well as the effective use of sources of information and referencing.
An interactive session is offered. In this you will engage in activities to understand more about the appropriate methods to summarise, communicate and interpret scientific data and information effectively and clearly in a visual (poster) format. In addition, tutor feedback on an outline plan of the poster will help support you in creating a poster before submission of the summative task.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Coursework - Essay (50%) (ILO 1-3)
Coursework – Scientific Poster (50%) (ILO 1-3)
When assessment does not go to plan
If you do not pass the unit, you will normally be given the opportunity to take a reassessment as per the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes. Decisions on the award of reassessment will normally be taken after all taught units of the year have been completed. Reassessment will normally be in a similar format to the original assessment that has been failed.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MEDIM4000).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
