Reproduction

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Estimated total time commitment of 120 hours

25 points selected from

Students with equivalent alternative backgrounds should discuss their options with the coordinator.

None

None

Students may not gain credit for this subject and any of

• 208-325 Applied Animal Reproduction (prior to 2010)
• 654-314 Lectures in Reproduction (prior to 2005)
• 654-304 Reproduction (prior to 2010)

For the purposes of considering applications for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005) and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, this subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in practical class activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit. http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Topics will include structure, function, and development of the reproductive organs; endocrine and neuroendocrine and environmental control of reproduction, fertilisation, pregnancy, parturition and lactation in vertebrates; and human intervention in the reproductive process.

This subject aims to give students of science and biomedical science a solid foundation in reproductive biology and its applications. 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.

A written project plan due in week 4 (5%); laboratory work and worksheets assessed during the semester (10%); a major practical report up to 1500 words (30%) due at the end of semester; peer-review exercises (10%); a 1-hour mid-semester test in week 6 or 7 (10%); a 2-hour written examination in the examination period (35%

M H Johnson, Essential Reproduction 6th Ed, Blackwell Publishing.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

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 increase their skills in cooperative teamwork.

This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.

Experiments involving the use of animals are an essential part of this subject: exemption is not possible.