E-Learning

Postgraduate Diploma in Assisted Reproduction and Clinical Embryology

Programme Description

The programme in Assisted Reproduction and Clinical Embryology is designed to appeal to recent medical graduates and other health professionals in biomedical sciences, biochemistry and pharmacy seeking career advancement in assisted reproductive technology (ART), reproduction research or clinical embryology.

The programme will enhance the students’ depth of knowledge and understanding of the fundamental scientific theory of cell and molecular biology in relation to human reproduction, fertility, andrology and embryology; the practices and genetic and epigenetic concepts and consequences of micromanipulation techniques and genetic screening through pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and screening; advances in cryobiology and its application to gamete, embryo and fertility preservation; as well as the ethical and legal issues related to clinical embryology and assisted reproduction technology in humans. The students will receive training in specialist laboratory techniques associated with the practices of clinical embryology and the new and emerging technologies of assisted reproduction that are used to treat human infertility.

Programme Mission Statement

The mission of the PGD in CEART programme is to create a new brand of embryologist or scientific researcher in the field of ART. This will be achieved by provision of evidence of demonstrable transferable generic skills, specialist laboratory technical skills as well as academic achievement and in so doing, graduating students will be able to develop and demonstrate the attributes that will make them employable.

Programme Goals

Through a series of compulsory modules, the programme is aimed at training biomedical, medical and dental graduates in the evolving and emerging growing field of Clinical embryology to understand the concept of assisted reproductive technologies and its application in medicine and other areas.

Programme Objectives

The PGD in CEART programme is a laboratory-based, science degree course and not a clinically based infertility treatment course. Therefore, the programme curriculum is designed to:

  1. Provide students with a detailed knowledge of the theory and practices that underpin human clinical embryology and ART.
  2. Equip students with the ability to pursue a career in assisted conception (e.g., clinical embryology, infertility treatment) and/or research in reproductive biology.
  3. Provide students with laboratory skills and ART, particularly gamete micromanipulation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).
  4. understand the importance of ethics in ART and the ethical challenges posed by novel genetic and medical technologies applied to reproductive medicine.

Programme Expected Learning Outcomes

On completion of the PGD in CEART programme students should have shown evidence of being able to:

  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the principles and practices of clinical embryology and ART.
  • Apply ethical decision-making to issues related to clinical embryology and assisted reproductive technology laboratory practice
  • Maintain an IVF laboratory consistent with current regulatory standards operating with state-of-the-art equipment and procedures.
  • Submit a research project proposal carried out within the field of Assisted Reproduction Technology and undertake a lab design project.

Admission Requirements

The minimum eligibility criteria for PGD-SRH would include any of the following:

  1. Any degree in Medicine such as MBBS, BDS, etc.
  2. Any degree in Nursing, Midwifery, Public Health, Pharmacy / Pharmaceutical Sciences, veterinary and related fields
  3. Any degree in Bioscience/Life Sciences such as Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Biotechnology, Zoology etc.
  4. Any degree in Pharmacy / Pharmaceutical Sciences
  5. Registered healthcare professionals without these recognised qualifications will be considered on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account.
  6. Students in their final year of graduation for the above courses are also eligible to apply

Duration of the Programme

The PGD in CEART programme shall extend over a period of one academic years. Each academic year consists of 2 semesters with each semester extending over a period of 20 weeks (18 weeks for teaching and learning, and 2 weeks for examination).

Mode of Educational Delivery

The course shall be delivered using a blended learning approach which combines lectures, seminars, tutorials, interactive group discussions, presentations and problem-based-learning sessions or case studies, and self-directed learning. Theoretical training is complemented by a small number of laboratory-based practical sessions.

Students in this programme shall also be given the opportunity to observe clinical procedures at the Women’s Hospital International and Fertility centre’s IVF laboratory during the course under the supervision of a Senior Clinical Embryologist