2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

REPR5240M Cryobiology and Cryopreservation

15 Credits Class Size: 45

Module manager: Ivan Solvas Martinez
Email: I.SolvasMartinez@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 Jan to 31 May, 1 Sep to 31 Jul View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Attendance at REPR5210M, REPR5220M.

Pre-requisites

REPR5210M Fund. of Clinical Embryology
REPR5220M IVF and Embryo Culture

Co-requisites

REPR5160M Research in Reproduction, Embryology & Assisted Reproduction
REPR5230M Micromanipulation
REPR5250M Ethics & Law for Embryologists
REPR5260M Res. Proj: Clinical Embryology

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- critically evaluate the basic principles of cryobiology and cryopreservation protocols;
- critically assess the latest developments and techniques used for cryopreservation of oocytes, spermatozoa, zygotes, cleavage stage embryos and blastocysts;
- critically evaluate the options available for cryopreservation of ovarian and testicular biopsies.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module students should be able to:
- fully comprehend the basic principles and practices of cryobiology;
- have an in-depth knowledge of and be able to critically evaluate the latest methodologies for cryopreservation by slow freezing and vitrification of oocytes, sperm, embryos of all stages and ovarian and testicular tissue;
- critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages; risks and benefits associated with these technologies.

Skills outcomes

Students should learn the principles and practice of cryobiology and cryopreservation as applied to reproductive tissue.
Students should learn how to apply the latest technological advances in this field.

Syllabus

This module will concentrate on the technologies used for cryopreservation by slow freezing and vitrification. The principles and practice of cryobiology will be presented. Further to this the application of this technology to assisted conception will be explored in the context of sperm, embryos, blastocysts, oocytes, ovarian tissue and testicular tissue.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
On-line Learning 50 1 50
Lecture 4 1 4
Practical 1 3 3
Tutorial 3 1 3
Private study hours 90
Total Contact hours 60
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 150

Private study

Students will be expected to work in their own time researching online coursework and building their knowledge from the online materials

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Personal tutors are in regular, frequent contact with students by email, internet and telephone. Students have face-to-face tutorials to discuss topical issues and questions, to review progress and assessment feedback, with early identification and support for students who are not achieving at a satisfactory level.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Essay 1 x 1,500 word essay 50
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 50

The schedule for submission of the assessment for full-time MSc/PG Diploma Clinical Embryology and Assisted Reproduction Technology as detailed above is different to the schedule for submission of the assessment for the part-time MSc/PG Diploma Clinical Embryology due to the different schedule for delivery of the two programmes. For the part-time MSc/PG Diploma Clinical Embryology the essay will be set in semester 1, week 0 of year 2, for submission in Semester 1, week 5 of year 2 of study. Resits will be available for this piece of coursework.

Exams
Exam type Exam duration % of formal assessment
OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Exam) 1.0 Hrs 0 Mins 50
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) 50

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 21/05/2024

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team