Master of Clinical Embryology

This 12-month, intensive course provides students with the essential postgraduate knowledge and practical skills necessary to contribute competently to human infertility clinical services. Theoretical and practical skills are presented in the broad context of the regulations and the ethical considerations that apply to human IVF, both nationally and internationally, along with the quality control procedures required to ensure maximum success for IVF patients. The guidelines, protocols and regulations that steer and control human infertility services are also presented. In addition to attending lectures and self-directed study, students are required to undertake continual practical skills training and also students will undertake a minor research project. Students will not only be equipped with practical skills required for work in an IVF laboratory but also gain a greater understanding of research applications within the field of reproductive or developmental biology. Research-related tasks contribute to the overall assessment for specific coursework units. This course is offered by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology through the Education Program in Reproduction and Development. It provides candidates with the essential postgraduate knowledge and practical skills necessary to contribute competently to the human infertility clinical services. Theoretical and practical skills are presented in the broader context of the regulations and the ethical considerations which apply to human IVF, both nationally and internationally, along with the quality control procedures required to ensure maximum success for IVF patients. The guidelines, protocols and regulations that steer and control human infertility services are also presented.
Minimum entrance requirements Students should have a medical degree, veterinary science degree, Bachelor of Science degree (with honours - first class or upper second class) or the equivalent professional experience in embryology or reproductive biology gained following a pass degree.
The course consists of eight compulsory sequential units four to six weeks long, comprising theoretical and practical work. Lectures are delivered by experts from all disciplines in, and related to, the IVF field. It must be stressed that the Master of Clinical Embryology is a laboratory-based training course, with no patient contact. Mouse and ovine IVF are used as models for practical work. Mid-year, students are given the opportunity to visit an Australian or New Zealand IVF clinic, or a clinic may be selected from overseas. Off-campus students will follow similar timelines and assessments as the on-campus students, except that practical experience will largely be acquired in the student's workplace, with occasional on-campus workshops