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Overview

Course Prescription

Molecular regulation and coordination of normal reproduction. The reproductive disorders that arise when normal biological processes are disrupted. Recent molecular methods have enabled us to study these processes and to understand how they can go wrong. Genomic and proteomic approaches to the understanding of reproduction and reproductive disorders will be presented. Examination of the new technologies that allow us to overcome some of these reproductive problems.

Course Overview

MedSci 730 focuses on recent advances in human reproductive biology. The course involves a combination of traditional lectures, with interactive sessions and discussions particularly around the ethical and social responsibilities related to reproductive medicine. We therefore encourage our students to participate in small group discussions.  Specific topics taught on the course include how to prevent the transmission of a group of genetic diseases, fertility, gynaecological cancers, imprinting, the placenta and pregnancy disorders, and extracellular vesicles and their role during pregnancy. These sessions are taught by lecturers who research in these areas, meaning we're able to directly discuss our novel research and discover answers to questions you may well be wondering about!

Course Contacts

Course director Dr. Lynsey Cree Room 502-201H Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Ph. 373 7599 ext. 81695 Email: l.cree@auckland.ac.nz 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, and 4 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation each week.

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
Grafton

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including lectures and presentations to complete components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings. However, we cannot guarantee that all lectures will be recorded, as there might be unexpected IT technology failures.

The course will not include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.

Attendance on campus is required for the exam.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable delivery.

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

A Talis reading list has been set up for this course. The reading list provides details of the recommended texts for the course as a whole, as well as direct links to additional literature that individual lecturers recommend for their lectures. Students are encouraged to read widely.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.


You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Additional Information on Academic integrity

The use of generative AI tools in coursework is not permitted. In this course, students are prohibited from using generative artificial intelligence text such as ChatGPT on their assessments. Students are expected to complete assessments without substantial assistance from automated tools.

Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type1234

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

90% of students were satisfied with the course in 2024 (10 students responded from 22 enrolled, giving a response rate of 45.5%). Students appreciated the feedback given from the draft literature review but one student commented that they would like more guidance on this. With this in mind we have introduced a critical literature review session to our semester 1 course (previously we ran this in Sem 2 MEDSCI731), with the aim that it will help students gain the necessary skills early in their postgraduate journeys.

No other changes to the course have been made as several students commented that they really enjoyed the lectures.

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.