Reproductive and Developmental Biology, MSc at University of Aberdeen

Infertility and other reproductive biology issues are increasing in the UK and the call for more expertise in the subject to help understand these conditions is needed.

This MSc programme aims to provide advanced knowledge in reproductive biology and developmental biology and their relevance to health professionals. Focused on humans, and using animal models as well, you will be equipped with knowledge and skills involved in embryonic and foetal development and health; prenatal diagnosis and management of pregnancy; in vitro fertilisation; use of genomic technologies to understand gene function and identify disease causing gene mutations; role of stem cells in development and potential stem cell and gene therapy strategies to tackle congenital defects.

In addition, the programme provides laboratory based research projects in developmental and/or reproductive biology. Upon completion, you will have a thorough understanding of the key concepts of reproductive and developmental biology including the latest state-of-the-art tools to study these processes. You will be equipped for professions allied to medicine as well as research careers.

What You'll Study

Students will take a series of compulsory courses giving information on:

• Principles of reproductive biology, which includes understanding fertility, infertility and treatments.
• Applied developmental biology which includes exposure to advanced imaging methods, tools for understanding gene function, understanding birth defects and diagnosis.
• Genetics, bioinformatics and genome-enable medicine which includes genomic editing technologies.
• Research-led tutorials providing critical analysis of the latest research in reproductive and developmental biology.

Students will also have the option to select courses of their own to further develop/expand their interests for example statistics, drug metabolism and toxicology and issues in healthcare science.

How You'll Study

The teaching on this programme is lecture based with self-directed learning, practical classes and tutorials to support the lecture material.

The MSc makes the most of hands-on learning to enable repeated exposure to evidence-based practice using real life examples. Some of the teaching methods employed in the programme include:

• Inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary learning
• Exposure to leading academic and industry experts
• Research-led teaching taught by key opinion leaders
• Insight into real-life situations and examples

On-going support is provided by the University’s dedicated, interdisciplinary team of experienced researchers, who will be tutoring you. Peer support will develop throughout the course(s) as engagement with students from other countries and disciplines is actively encouraged.

Much of the teaching on this course is participatory and you are expected to consolidate all taught content by completing related tasks and activities and engaging in independent study in your own time.

Learning Methods

• CLINICAL LEARNING
• E-LEARNING
• GROUP PROJECTS
• INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS
• LAB WORK
• PEER LEARNING
• RESEARCH
• SEMINARS
• TUTORIALS
• WORKSHOPS

Careers

The MSc Reproductive and Developmental Biology Programme will provide you with the academic, analytical and practical skills to assist you into many careers.

Many of our graduates choose to continue in research careers and begin PhDs or become research scientists (research assistants or technicians). Our scientists have obtained posts in Universities, industry (including research and development), biotechnology and professions allied to medicine including hospital diagnostic (including IVF) and pathology laboratories.

More generally, reproductive and developmental biologists can use their training in education, working in schools, colleges of further education and in Universities. Further opportunities are available to apply reproductive and developmental biology training in scientific publishing, in patent offices working on biological patents, in science outreach and contributing to the public understanding of reproductive and developmental biology issues, including ethical issues like cloning and genomic editing.