Module manager: Matthew Cotterill
Email: m.cotterill@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
See programme entry requirements
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module provides an in-depth exploration of the practices, roles, and responsibilities in an assisted fertility clinic, focusing on essential laboratory techniques such as fertilisation, embryo culture, and quality assessment. Students will also investigate microbiology considerations, laboratory management, and the legal, ethical, and controversial topics that underpin these technologies.
Objectives:
1. Embryo Culture and Selection Techniques: The module aims to equip you with the ability to evaluate and apply knowledge of techniques that are used for culturing healthy embryos and to make decisions on their suitability for clinical use.
2. Quality Management: The module aims to impart an understanding of quality management systems, emphasising their critical role in IVF laboratories.
3. Infection Control and Risk Management: You will acquire knowledge of infection control measures and will be skilled in evaluating potential risks within the IVF laboratory.
4. Ethics and Regulations in Embryology: You will be able to assess the HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) act and code of practice in relation to the duties of an embryologist and discuss the wider ethical issues of infertility treatment.
5. Oocyte Quality: You will gain an understanding of the biology and clinical considerations of why oocyte quality must be optimal to achieve the best clinical outcomes.
Teaching Methods and Learning Activities
You will learn through in person lectures, tutorials and seminars. These lectures will provide in-depth explanations and demonstrations, enabling students to understand key concepts and techniques.
UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE MODULE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:
1. Embryo Culture and Selection Techniques: Understand and evaluate embryo culture methods for heathy embryo development and assess their clinical suitability for assisted reproduction.
2. Quality Management: Develop understanding of quality management systems and protocols to ensure effective and compliant practices in IVF laboratories.
3. Infection Control and Risk Management: Identify and mitigate infection risks while implementing and improving risk management strategies in IVF laboratory settings.
4. Ethics and Regulations in Embryology: Evaluate HFEA guidelines and ethical frameworks to ensure responsible and compliant embryology practices.
Skills Learning Outcomes
UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE MODULE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:
1. Academic Skills: Understand and evaluate techniques in embryo culture, quality management, and infection control, applying evidence-based reasoning to inform clinical and laboratory decisions.
2. Work-Ready Skills: Effectively communicate complex scientific concepts in oral presentations, manage tasks to meet deadlines, and demonstrate independent learning by reflecting on personal progress and addressing knowledge gaps.
3. Technical Skills: Implement quality management systems in laboratory settings, ensuring compliance with established standards and protocols to maintain operational excellence.
4. Enterprise Skills: Evaluate ethically sound, evidence-based decisions in clinical embryology, with a focus on embryo selection, culture, and laboratory quality management.
This module examines the essential practices, roles, and responsibilities within an assisted fertility clinic, focusing on laboratory techniques such as fertilisation, embryo culture, and quality assessment. Students will explore the implementation of quality management systems and infection control protocols to maintain compliance and mitigate risks in the IVF laboratory. Additionally, the module investigates the microbiological aspects of laboratory practices and addresses key legal, ethical, and regulatory considerations, with an emphasis on the HFEA guidelines and ethical decision-making in embryology.
Learning is supported by a combination of interactive lectures, case studies, and practical sessions, providing students with the opportunity to critically engage with real-world scenarios. Formative assessments, including MCQs and FOSCE sessions, will enable students to consolidate their understanding and practice clinical skills, preparing them for the summative OSCE assessment, which evaluates theoretical knowledge and practical competencies in assisted reproduction practices.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Independent online learning hours | 66 | ||
| Private study hours | 70 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 14 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Formative Feedback Opportunities
A variety of formative feedback methods will be used to monitor your progress and support student learning throughout the module.
1. In class tests: These include questioning and quizzes, which will be used to assess comprehension, identify learning needs, and track academic progress during lectures and other sessions. In class test occur in every lecture. These provide formative feedback for subjects covered in OSCEs and in assessed course work essays.
2. MCQs: You will have access to online formative MCQs that are available via Minerva. These assist students in preparation for OSCEs by driving learning across the breadth of the module.
3. FOSCE training: A Formative Objective Structured Clinical Examination (FOSCE) training session, allows you to experience exposure to the OSCE assessment format within a supportive formative environment and provides a driver for you to revise, practice and refine your knowledge of module content and skills in preparation for OSCEs.
4. Module Recap and Tutorial
A module recap and tutorial session will be held at the end of each of the three main subject areas, therefore for this module, a total of three tutorials will be held. These will be held during semester 1 and therefore prior to the final examination. In this session, you will analyse and discuss various scenarios and questions related to the module content, providing an opportunity to assess and deepen your understanding. Students will also be encouraged to raise questions and participate in interactive discussions on any aspect of the module. The aim of this session is to assess student progress, address any uncertainties, and consolidate academic skills in preparation for the summative assessment, particularly via OSCEs. Any issues that are outstanding after this session can be dealt with on a case-by-case basis in separate meetings.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Exam) | 0.0 Hrs 20 Mins | 100 |
| Mock OSCE | 0.0 Hrs 20 Mins | 0 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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