(Award available for year: Postgraduate Diploma)
1. Critically evaluate core and advanced concepts in reproductive biology
2. Analyse the etiology and management of male and female infertility
3. Integrate understanding of gamete and embryo biology to ART practices
4. Critically design and evaluate innovative IVF clinic spaces
5. Critically evaluate principles and techniques in fertility preservation
6. Critically evaluate molecular and genetic techniques in reproductive science
Skills Learning Outcomes
1. Academic Skills: Develop advanced critical thinking, synthesising complex scientific literature and developing academic writing skills.
2. Digital Skills: Become proficient in using digital tools for example, information gathering and designing IVF clinic layouts.
3. Work-Ready Skills: Communicate complex scientific concepts, demonstrate strong teamwork, collaboration and leadership skills and time management skills.
4. Technical Skills: Develop understanding of quality assurance protocols and clinical and research standards
5. Sustainability Skills: Evaluate and integrate ethical, environmental, and sustainable approaches in ART and reproductive research.
6. Enterprise Skills: Devise creative solutions to complex challenges, develop adaptability, resilience and the ability to learn from setbacks.
The assessment strategy for the PGDip in Clinical Embryology is designed to comprehensively evaluate the theoretical understanding of students, ensuring they achieve the academic standards required for postgraduate study in clinical embryology, reproductive science and ART. The approach encompasses both formative and summative assessment methods, tailored to assess students’ mastery of the programme’s learning outcomes.
Formative Assessment
Formative Assessment and Feedback Opportunities
A variety of formative feedback methods will be used to support your learning throughout the module, providing you with ongoing insights into your progress and helping to identify areas for improvement.
1- Formative Tasks in Online Module Material: Formative assessment is included in the module through embedded questions, such as short answer questions (SAQs) and multiple-choice questions (MCQs), within the online materials. These assessments help you monitor your progress and development on the module.
2- Formative Tasks and Feedback in Asynchronous Activities: Asynchronous activities, including discussion board tasks, debates, blogs, and quizzes on Minerva, will engage you with specific module content and drive interaction with the online learning material and engagement with your tutors.
3- Formative Tasks and Feedback in Synchronous (Live, Online) Sessions: Formative assessments and feedback are also incorporated during synchronous live sessions, covering topics aligned with the module objectives. These sessions will be conducted via real-time communication tools.
4- Formative Online OSCE (FOSCE) Training: An online Formative Objective Structured Clinical Examination (FOSCE) will prepare you for the summative online OSCE for this module. This session allows you to experience the OSCE format and familiarizes you with the type of module material assessed.
5- Formative Scaffolding for Written Coursework: Formative feedback will be provided during the preparation of written coursework, with additional feedback offered after submission. Early guidance during the assessment process will be available through online whiteboard sessions on Minerva and/or feedback on draft outlines.
6- Feed-forward comments on Assessed Coursework: After submission, you will receive individualized written comments on your assessed coursework via Minerva, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement. These comments on your summative work are useful as feed-forward comments for aiding future assessments in the programme.
PGDip: Summative Assessment
Summative assessments are designed to comprehensively evaluate student achievement across all subject-specific and skills-based learning outcomes. The assessment types include:
1- Coursework Essays
Essays allow you to engage deeply with module content, constructing informed arguments and synthesising complex information. This format develops critical thinking and written communication skills essential for research and professional practice.
2- Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
OSCEs are used to evaluate your breadth of knowledge and your ability to respond to real-world scenarios in real time. This authentic assessment format mirrors the requirements of professional clinical roles and serves as excellent preparation for job interviews in embryology. These will be performed online.
3- Group Projects and Presentations
Group projects assess students’ collaborative and communication skills. Each student is required to contribute to the project and produce an individual report, reflecting their own input and insights.
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team