Undergraduate Course: Gametes and Gonads (BIME10074)
Course Outline
| School | Deanery of Biomedical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Gametes and Gonads elective provides an overview of male and female gametes and gonads, incorporating cutting-edge research in ovarian and testis biology from both the bench and the bedside. This course combines science and clinical teaching staff, who examine in detail the various mechanisms controlling gonadal function, gamete production and the wider reproductive system, and relate this to how dysfunction may lead to disease, infertility or reproductive failure. The course is delivered through a combination of lectures and small group tutorials/discussion sessions |
| Course description |
This course is designed to give students a knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms surrounding gonadal function and gamete production in the female ovary and male testis.
Lectures will draw on the research expertise of science and clinical teaching staff, using human and animal model data to provide a deeper understanding of the underlying factors that govern the female and male reproductive systems. Lecture themes include gamete generation from primordial germ cells, meiosis, the germ cell niche, gonadal endocrine function, and how dysfunction can cause infertility or reproductive failure. Lectures will also cover contentious topics in the field of reproduction, and there will be opportunities for class discussion and debate.
Assessment is the form of an in course assessment involving group work with the aim of constructing a structured debate (30%), and an open book ICA (70%). The formative assessment will include a one page article or essay plan, and there will be multiple opportunities for feedback.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 33,
Online Activities 12,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1,
Formative Assessment Hours 1,
Summative Assessment Hours 3,
Revision Session Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
144 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
To pass the course, students must achieve an overall course mark of 40%.
Formative Assessments
Debate
Summative Assessment
Individual presentation formed from structured debate (30%)
Open Book ICA (70%) scheduled in week 11. Students will be required to answer from a choice of questions |
| Feedback |
Feedback will be available throughout the course in many forms:
Feedback from tutors for group work in the debate (related to presentation).
Feedback on a formative critical analysis exercise (related to open book ICA)
Feedback will be provided from all summative assessment.
Students will also be presented with an anonymous feedback form at the middle and the end of the course. This will have a number of questions relating to course organisation and material, and students are asked to complete the questionnaire and return to the lecturer. The issues raised by students can thus be addressed by the Course team. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe the cellular, molecular and biochemical basis of the fundamental control mechanisms in reproductive systems, and explain, compare and contrast the similarities and differences between reproductive control mechanisms in males and females.
- Evaluate the importance of particular molecular and biochemical processes and how dysfunction in these may lead to disease, infertility or reproductive failure.
- Critically review literature in male and female gonadal development and provide an overview of production and regulation of male and female germ cells.
- Be aware of the latest research in ovarian and testis biology, examine outstanding research questions in the field, and consider experimental approaches to tackle them, making connections between basic research and clinical applications in this field.
- Consider abnormalities/disorders in male and female gonadal development/ function, and understand the basic questions being asked and the research being conducted in the area of germ cell biology.
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Reading List
| Recommended reading for some lectures is given in the timetable on Learn. Reading for other lectures will be given on Learn prior to the lectures. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
This course will enable you to build upon your critical and reflective thinking skills, develop your academic and professional communication skills, in a cross-disciplinary field of study that has local and global impact. |
| Keywords | Gonads,Gametes,Ovary,Testis,Oocyte,Sperm,Infertility |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Roseanne Rosario
Tel:
Email: rrosario@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Dr Hilal Kaya
Tel:
Email: hilal.kaya@ed.ac.uk |
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