Experimental Reproductive Physiology (BIOL30002)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
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. Students 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.
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.
Intended learning outcomes
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.
Generic skills
This subject builds upon existing generic skills, and on completion of this subject students should have:
- developed an ability to approach and assimilate new knowledge from observation and the literature, and to use that knowledge to evaluate and communicate results;
- acquired the basic skills required to make and record scientific observations, and to evaluate data in an objective manner as part of practical class report writing;
- developed an ability to access information from the primary scientific literature, through both electronic and traditional sources;
- developed the skills needed to produce scientific reports that are succinct, clear and completed on time;
- developed the abilities to evaluate scientific evidence critically, to formulate hypotheses, and be alert to alternative explanations;
- gained first-hand experience in the ethical use of animals in experimentation; and
- refined their skills in cooperative teamwork through small group based practical work.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
A minimum of 25 credit points from
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BCMB20002 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Online)
|
12.5 |
| BIOM20001 | Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
25 |
| BIOM20002 | Human Structure and Function | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
25 |
| CEDB20003 | Fundamentals of Cell Biology | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| GENE20001 | Foundations of Genetics and Genomics | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| MAST20031 | Analysis of Biological Data | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| PHYS20008 | Human Physiology |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| PHYS20009 | Research-Based Physiology |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| ZOOL20005 | Animal Structure and Function | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ZOOL20006 | Comparative Animal Physiology | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Students with equivalent alternative backgrounds should discuss their options with the coordinator.
Corequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL30001 | Reproductive Physiology | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Non-allowed subjects
Students who complete this subject cannot normally also gain credit for:
BIOL30008
BIOL30001 Reproduction (prior to 2013)
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
4 x Laboratory worksheets
| Throughout the semester | 35% |
Project proposal
| Week 6 | 5% |
Project report
| Week 11 | 50% |
Peer-reviewed group oral presentation
| Week 12 | 10% |
Additional details
The group presentation component will be partially assessed by other students. All students will be required to review group presentations of their peers. This will contribute to the total 10% allocated for the oral presentation.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Mark Green Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 1 x one hour lecture/tute per week; 1 x four hour practical class/laboratory-based research work time per week; one 4 hour excursion late in the semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 July 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours Students are strongly encouraged to attend all lectures and pracs.
Additional delivery details
An enrolment quota of 40 students applies to this subject. For detailed information on the quota subject application process, enrolment deadlines and selection preferences, refer to the Faculty of Science website: https://science.unimelb.edu.au/students/plan-your-bsc-continuing/quota-subjects
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory and field activities
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Zoology Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Molecular Biotechnology specialisation Informal specialisation Molecular Biotechnology Informal specialisation Zoology Informal specialisation Zoology Major Zoology - Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 31 January 2024