Course Catalogue

To provide students with extensive specialist knowledge in areas of clinical embryology including genetics, embryology, Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART),and advanced laboratory techniques through a range of teaching and learning activities. To provide students with an understanding and appreciation of the ethical and legal issues associated with ART and infertility treatments. To develop extensive laboratory practical skills associated with ART; gamete micromanipulation and assessment, intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and embryo biopsy for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). To enhance students' understanding of the instrumentation and their applications used in the field of clinical embryology through theoretical lectures, practicals and workshops. To deliver understanding how business management skills and quality management procedures are essential in the clinic. To provide students with opportunities to undertake independent research in a clinical/academic setting, so as to develop their research skills, laboratory/analytical skills and risk assessment. To develop the student’s transferable employability skills including; written and verbal communication, IT, problem-solving.

Knowledge acquisition will be achieved through a combination of interactive lectures, seminars, workshops and practicals. Understanding is facilitated through workshops, tutorials, group work and independent study. Practical skills are developed by wet and dry practical activities, demonstrations, project work and seminars (external/internal speakers). The four-month research project/placement serves to develop knowledge and understanding of concepts and theories applicable to the broad area of clinical embryology. Knowledge and understanding are assessed through a combination of examination papers and coursework in the form of laboratory reports, oral presentations, research grant proposal, problem solving exercises, and project thesis. Intellectual skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme. Critical analysis and problem-solving skills are embedded in all modules and are taught, developed and practised through workshops, tutorials (small group),formative assessment exercises and all forms of project work. Experimental, research and design skills are further developed and practised through a broad range of coursework activities, laboratory work and all project work. Individual feedback is given on all work submitted. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are normally assessed by examination and project report/laboratory report/literature review. Experimental research and design skills are assessed by portfolio, oral presentations, group report and practical report write-up. Professional practical skills are taught and developed through the programme's experimental components which include practical sessions, mini-project work and research project. Experimental design is taught in the Research Methods module via lectures and workshops. Professional practical skills are assessed in the project thesis, mini-project, paper preparation, portfolio and practical report write-up. Transferable and key skills are taught, developed and practised throughout the teaching and learning programme. Specialist mathematical skills are taught on specific modules, more basic skills are normally practised on all modules. Transferrable and key skills are assessed primarily through written examination and coursework including reports, essays and oral presentations.

The programme offers a four month work related learning research project (7506CEBMOL). Students will be offered a research project in the various aspects of clinical embryology. The work may be undertaken in University premises or at CARE Fertility. All work offers students the opportunity to develop their critical reasoning and complex problem-solving skills. Emphasis is also focused on the acquisition of new knowledge and skills that would secure future employment within the field of clinical embryology and related sectors.