Experimental Reproductive Physiology

Subject BIOL30002 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 27-Jul-2015 to 25-Oct-2015
Assessment Period End 20-Nov-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 15-Jul-2015
Census Date 31-Aug-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 25-Sep-2015

An enrolment quota of 40 students applies to this subject. For detailed information on the quota subject application process and enrolment deadlines, refer to the Quota Subject link on the Science Student Centre website: http://studentcentre.unimelb.edu.au/eastern/



Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 1 x one hour lecture/tute per week; 1 x four hour practical class/research laboratory-based research work time per week; one 4 hour excursion late in the semester.
Total Time Commitment:

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

Students are strongly encouraged to attend all lectures and pracs.

Prerequisites:

At least one of:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50

plus, if only one of the above has been completed, an additional subject from:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50

OR, for Bachelor of Biomedicine students, both of

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Corequisites:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects:

Students may not gain credit for this subject and any of:

Subject
  • BIOL30001 Reproduction (prior to 2013)
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Mark Green

Contact

mark.green@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

The program will provide students with the opportunity to gain a first-hand laboratory experience of the structure, function, and development of the reproductive organs, including selected aspects of the endocrine, neuroendocrine and environmental control of reproduction, fertilisation, pregnancy, parturition and lactation in mammals. Student will gain experience in experimental design, cutting-edge research techniques, data analysis, and scientific report writing and will be introduced to the practicalities of reproductive manipulation and assisted reproductive technologies.

Learning Outcomes:

This subject aims to give students of science and biomedical science a solid foundation in laboratory practise in reproductive biology. Students will be provided with an opportunity to engage in an authentic experience of scientific research: addressing questions in reproductive physiology to generate a hypothesis; designing an experiment; hands-on experience in the use of experimental animals; working in a group to complete the experiments and collect and analyse the data; writing up an individual final report in the format of a scientific manuscript; and peer-review.

By the completion of this subject students should:

  • understand the modern experimental approaches of reproductive physiology and assisted reproductive techniques;
  • be aware of the ethical issues in using animals for experimental studies;
  • understand and be able to apply selected methods used in reproductive physiology research;
  • understand the structure and function of male and female reproductive systems;
  • understand neuroendocrine and endocrine control systems and their role in the regulation of reproductive processes; and
  • understand the process by which scientists move from an original idea to a final published paper.
Assessment:

3 x Laboratory worksheets of 200 words each assessed during semester (30%); project proposal of 500 words due in week 6 (10%); project report of 3000 words due in week 11 (50%); peer-reviewed group oral presentation of 20 minutes due in week 12 (10%)

Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

This subject builds upon existing generic skills, including an ability to approach and assimilate new knowledge from observation and the literature, and an ability to use that knowledge to evaluate and communicate results. Students should acquire the basic skills required to make and record scientific observations, and evaluate data in an objective manner as part of practical class report writing. They will be encouraged to access information from the primary scientific literature, through both electronic and traditional sources, and to develop the skills needed to produce scientific reports that are succinct, clear and completed on time. They should develop their abilities to evaluate scientific evidence critically, to formulate hypotheses, and be alert to alternative explanations. Students should also gain first-hand experience in the ethical use of animals in experimentation. Students will undertake practical work in a small group and will refine their skills in cooperative teamwork.

Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Molecular Biotechnology (specialisation of Biotechnology major)
Reproduction and Development (specialisation of Cell and Developmental Biology major)
Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG.
Selective subjects for B-BMED
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