Unit information: Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology in 2021/22

Unit name	Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology
Unit code	MEDIM4000
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Dr. Ford
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Bristol Medical School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

This introductory Unit, the first that students encounter, introduces them to the expected content of Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology but also to the methods of assessment, both written and online, which students undertake with formative feedback to enable students to adjust to these aspects of the course.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• critically discuss the role of the endocrine system in reproduction with particular reference to the hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axis
• describe the anatomy and physiology of key organs in the male and female reproductive tract
• outline the development and anatomy of the breast and describe its functional role in producing breast milk during maternal lactation.
• describe a number of endocrine-related pathological conditions and explain how these may cause reproductive dysfunction.
• develop and utilise practical strategies to enhance their learning and academic literacy.

Teaching Information

• Lectures/Seminars
• Synchronous discussion sessions
• Self-directed study
• Peer-to-peer learning (group work/presentations)
• Asynchronous discussion forums

Assessment Information

Coursework (contributing a total of 60% to the Unit)

• Essays (1 x 1500 words) 30%
• Practical log book 10%
• Infographic assignment 20%
• Formative MCQs not marked
• Journal Club not marked

End of Unit assessment (contributing a total of 40% to the Unit)

• A timed, open book end of unit written assessment.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MEDIM4000).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.