MSc in Reproductive & Developmental Biology
At a glance...
Course code: A3TJ
Duration: 1 year full-time
Start date: October
Entry requirements: First degree in a life science (e.g. biochemistry, biology, genetics, molecular biology), veterinary science or medicine, with a minimum of second class honours (more information)
Location: Hammersmith and St Mary’s Hospitals
Organising Division: Department of Surgery and Cancer
Course Organiser: Dr Mark Sullivan mark.sullivan@imperial.ac.uk
Deputy Organiser: Professor Kate Hardy k.hardy@imperial.ac.uk
Admissions: Apply online or contact medicine.pg.admissions@imperial.ac.uk, +44 (0)20 7594 8093 (more information)
Programme specification: 2009/10 programme specification 
The aim of this MSc course is to provide training in reproductive and developmental biology for scientists and clinicians. The course consists of taught modules for 6 months, and a research project for 6 months.
Objectives
During the initial six month taught course, the student will gain a good understanding of normal processes and regulatory mechanisms of reproduction & development. This will include:
- endocrinology, immunology, and signalling pathways in gametogenesis
- embryonic development
- pregnancy
- stem cell biology
- the importance of molecular approaches to these topics
As part of this programme our understanding of infertility, complications of pregnancy and inherited genetic defects will be considered.
The student will also learn about the molecular and biochemical techniques currently used to elucidate the normal and abnormal developmental and pathological events involved, particularly including the insights that stem cell biology and animal models can provide, and also consider the impact that novel technologies such as genetic selection of embryos, stem cell biology and therapeutic cloning may have. Practical experience in laboratory techniques, including the assessment of sperm and the application of molecular biology to reproductive medicine will be provided. They will also have an opportunity to observe at first hand a leading IVF unit.
The six month research project will provide the student with a thorough training in laboratory research, including the development of a good research project, experimental design, and trouble shooting for experimental problems. Transferable skills including data handling, analysis and interpretation, and presentation of work orally, and for publication in the form of a dissertation, will also be learnt. For the ambitious student, it may be possible to prepare a paper suitable for publication.
