BI1HRD2: Human Reproduction and Development in Health and Disease

Module code: BI1HRD2

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: 4

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Phil Knight, email: p.g.knight@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Susanna Cogo, email: s.cogo@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE BI1AP3 AND TAKE BI1CMP1 (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 24 January 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of human reproduction, embryonic and foetal development, and the complexities of reproductive health and diseases, encompassing the entire human life cycle. The module aims to provide students with a solid foundation in human reproductive biology covering the functional anatomy, physiology and endocrinology of reproduction and embryonic development and to provide understanding of the physiological changes associated with reproductive aging. It will consider various health conditions that can affect these processes, including disorders arising from genetic, environmental, and/or endocrine factors. It will also consider how human fertility and development can be monitored (e.g.ultrasonography, prenatal genetic testing) and manipulated using techniques such as contraception and assisted reproductive technologies (ART). 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Describe the functional anatomy of the male and female reproductive systems and explain the neuro-endocrine pathways needed to maintain a functional reproductive system in each sex.
2. Describe the successive stages of foetal/embryonic development from conception to birth.
3. Explain the normal physiological processes involved in human reproduction, from gametogenesis to fertilization, intra-uterine development through to parturition and lactation.
4. Evaluate the impact of various reproductive health conditions at different stages of life, explaining how disorders can affect pubertal development, fertility, intra-uterine development and reproductive aging together with their causes, diagnosis and potential treatments.
5. Recognise and review real-world challenges in reproductive healthcare including sexually transmitted infections, contraception, fertility management and assisted reproductive technologies.

Module content

The lectures will cover:

 Fundamentals of Human Reproduction:

• Overview of the endocrine system: glands, hormones and receptors.
• Reproductive endocrinology and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
• The anatomy and physiology of the male and female reproductive systems and their hormonal regulation.
• Puberty, menstrual cycles, menopause and ‘andropause’.
• Gametogenesis, fertilization, pregnancy and the early stages of embryonic development.
• Sexual differentiation of reproductive system during embryonic/foetal development.
• The mammary gland and lactation.

Embryonic and Foetal Development:

• Stages of prenatal development and organogenesis.
• Factors influencing prenatal growth and development.
• Understanding teratogens and their impact on embryonic and foetal health.
• Foetal origins of human disease hypothesis.

Reproductive Health:

• Discussion on factors affecting fertility and infertility.
• Common reproductive health issues and their management.
• Contraception: hormonal and non-hormonal approaches.
• Overview of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and their effects on reproductive health.
• Disorders affecting the reproductive system such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian insufficiency and erectile dysfunction.
• Overview of reproductive cancers and their detection, treatment, and prevention.

Aging:

• Introduction to aging.
• Reproductive aging and aging-related disorders.

A practical class will give the student’s the opportunity to look at:

• Reproductive hormone profiles at different life-stages in the female (using ‘mock’ samples and ‘simulated’ ELISAs for LH, FSH, oestradiol, progesterone plus a hCG pregnancy test)
• Histology of male and female reproductive tissues by viewing and identifying features of micrograph images.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, a practical class, self-directed learning and directed independent study. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided on Blackboard. 

Study hours

At least 35 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs