| Unit name | Gametogenesis to Implantation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MEDIM4001 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Whittington |
| 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?
The production of gametes, spermatozoa and oocytes, is a critical part of reproduction. Fusion of these gametes, in a process known as fertilisation, involves multiple binding events and triggers a series of steps that result in the production of an embryo which then must implant into the endometrium to result in a viable fetus. The intricate nature of these steps raises the question of how reproduction ever completes successful. Understanding these fascinating processes, allows us to consider where errors can occur which result in infertility and where interventions can be targeted to improve fertility or act as a contraceptive.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This Unit provides you with in-depth scientific knowledge on processes that are critical for the creation of an embryo and the establishment of pregnancy, namely gametogenesis, fertilisation, early embryo development and implantation. This unit will expand on the physiology of the male and female reproductive systems covered previously, introducing current scientific detail and considering where gaps in knowledge remain. Gaining this understanding will help you to understand why infertility occurs, how diagnostic tests work and why fertility treatments can be successful, topics covered in the subsequent units.
An overview of content
This unit will expand your understanding of the scientific processes of gamete production, fertilisation, early embryo development and implantation. You will explore the complexities of gamete formation and how the resultant spermatozoa and oocytes are transported through the reproductive tract. The molecular binding events that occur between gametes to result in fertilisation will be considered in detail before looking at the stages of early embryo development. The unit will end with the process of implantation – the final step that is needed for the start of a pregnancy.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will have developed your critical thinking by considering current research in these highlight specialised processes and this will help you to consider what questions are yet to be answered. This knowledge will help you to appreciate why reproduction can go wrong and lead to infertility, giving you a solid basis on which to consider diagnostic tests of fertility and treatment options covered in subsequent units.
Learning Outcomes
This unit will offer a range of learning opportunities, including small group seminars, flipped classrooms, pre-recorded lecture material and peer learning. In person and live online sessions are designed to encourage discussion and engagement, promoting active learning. Opportunity to practice oral presentations will be included bringing an element of skills development and peer learning. Some didactic resources will be provided to support students in expanding knowledge. Students are expected to engage in selecting additional reading from a suggested reading list, to support and further expand their learning.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Group oral presentation on research techniques common in this field.
Tutor feedback on an outline plan of essay, to help support the summative task.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Coursework - Infographic (50%) (ILO 1-3)
Coursework - Essay (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. MEDIM4001).
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.
