BSc Biology

In this unit, students from a wide range of backgrounds explore how reproduction is controlled, influenced by medical and pharmacological intervention and affected by disease.

This integrative unit teaches students the basic science underpinning reproductive processes, including elements of endocrinology, cell and developmental biology, vascular biology and physiology. We aim to train them to link foundational knowledge to contemporary advances in reproductive biology as well as current developments and practice in reproductive and fetal medicine. In addition to basic mechanism, we offer students insight into disorders that affect a significant proportion of pregnancies, including miscarriage, preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction, and help them develop an understanding of how disease in late pregnancy is caused by earlier events and the consequences for mother and baby.

Upon completion of this unit, students will have gained an overall understanding of human reproduction, its associated technologies and reproductive disorders. They will be able to describe:

• The mechanisms of action of peptide and steroid hormones.
• Gamete production in male and female, fertilisation, the pre-implantation embryo, implantation and placental function.
• How this knowledge is put to use in assisted reproduction.
• How placental dysfunction can lead to major disorders of pregnancy and contemporary research developments aimed at addressing these. 
• How imaging techniques can reveal embryonic and fetal growth.
• How genetics has been exploited in mouse and human to probe aspects of reproductive physiology.
• How events before and during pregnancy can influence health in later life.

They will be able to integrate this knowledge into outputs that draw on a range of course topics and show an awareness of current advances.

• Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
• Steroids and their receptors.
• Spermatogenesis, testicular stem cells and fertility in the male.
• Ovarian and uterine function in the menstrual cycle.
• Fertilisation and pre-implantation development.
• Assisted reproductive technologies.
• Implantation, placental development and fetal imaging.
• Vascular adaptations in pregnancy.
• The major diseases of pregnancy: miscarriage, pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction.
• Developmental programming: how events during embryonic and fetal life affect health in the adult.

1.5 hour written examination (70%); GBL assignment (presentation) (30%)

Group feedback is provided on the GBL presentation assessment. Feedback is provided throughout out the course via the course discussion board .During the course there are also face-to-face discussion sessions with tutors, centred around past exam questions. There is a post-exam clinic. 

Compulsory, recommended, background and further reading are provided in the lectures. Lecturers make frequent references to other lectures to help students recognise links between topics and integrate the course content. To some extent outside reading depends on the background of the individual, and students are expected to fill in or revise topics upon which they are rusty. For example, some life sciences students may not have studied the menstrual cycle or steroid hormones since A level. Students should make sure that the necessary basic foundations are in place by cross-referencing between lectures, and only then extend their reading to encompass recent advances. Detailed guidance about reading is given on the course Blackboard site.

General sources:

• Johnson M (2018) Essential Reproduction (8th edition) Wiley-Blackwell.
• Jones RE and Lopez KH (2014) Human Reproductive Biology (4th edition) Academic Press (revision and refresher)
• Heffner LJ and Schust DJ (2014) The Reproductive System at a Glance (4th Edn).Wiley-Blackwell.