PE4S136 - Assisted Reproduction and Ethics 01 Sep 2019 - 31 Aug 2031 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PE4S136
Module Title: Assisted Reproduction and Ethics
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Allied Health and Chiropractic
Faculty Sub Group: Clinical Services
Module Leader: Karl New
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2017 Final Year of Intake: 2030
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100260 - healthcare science
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2031

Module Aims

Critically examine and evaluate the complex landscape of assisted reproduction, including its scientific, ethical, and societal challenges, developing strategies to navigate these issues in clinical practice.

Content Summary

Indicative content to include topics outlined below and/or any other relevant current topics to fulfil the module aims and learning outcomes:

Topics may include:

Understanding IUI, IVF and ICSI, including basic embryological procedures.

Selection of patients for assisted conception and treatment pathways depending on the underlying physiological or anatomical disorder.

Understanding the complications of Assisted Reproduction treatments including the potential genetic abnormalities in the resultant offspring.

The indication and appropriate use of donor eggs and sperm, in addition to the use of a surrogate.

Understanding expected treatment success rates depending on age, aetiology of subfertility and how this relates to expectations.

Ethical and legal considerations surrounding Assisted Reproduction Selection/Treatment and Subsequent child birth.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 40
Seminars 40
Problem/Challenge-based Learning 40
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically appraise and evaluate current infertility treatments, including their indications, success rates, and potential complications, synthesising this knowledge to inform advanced clinical practice.
LO2 Analyse and critically debate the ethical dilemmas surrounding assisted reproduction, evaluating their relationship to diverse political and religious sensitivities and developing strategies to navigate these complex issues in clinical practice.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Online Assessment Time-constrained assessment (Online) 1 Assessment to be completed in a specific timescale, which is neither an invigilated examination nor a piece of coursework. To be completed over an extended period (e.g. a 2-hour task to be completed within 48 hours, or a 24-hour assessment). Learna: End of module 1-hour Case-based Multiple-choice Examination related to Assisted Reproduction and Ethics to be completed within a 10-day period. 60 N/A 30 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Self Reflective Assessment 1 A personal record of a student’s learning experiences. It requires students to record and reflect upon their observations and responses to situations, which can then be used later to explore and analyse ways of thinking and being in context. Generally involves critical diaries, learning logs and written / visual journals. Learna: Reflective journal. 0 600 10 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Project 1 A detailed analysis of a topic, involving some original research undertaken by the candidate who makes use of data and/or primary sources. Learna: Completion of an individual/group task related to Assisted Reproduction and Ethics. 0 1000 20 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 A concentrated inquiry into a single case or subject. Learna: Case-based scenarios and a discussion forum related to Assisted Reproduction and Ethics. 0 2500 40 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Time-constrained assessment (Online) 1
Self Reflective Assessment 1
Project 1
Case study 1

Reading List

The module reading list is available to the students to access via electronic links on the learning platform (Moodle).

In addition to the list below, each list is supplemented with up-to-date peer-reviewed journal articles and studies that are continually refreshed as guidelines change and new treatments and technologies emerge.

Additional reading resources are also provided where relevant by the tutors during the running of the module in the discussion forum to keep the reading resources current and relevant

Core Textbooks:

Balen, A.H. (2022) Infertility in Practice. 5th edn. Routledge.

Heffner, L.J. and Schust, D.J. (2014) The Reproductive System at a Glance. 4th edn. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

O'Neill, R. and Murphy, R. (2015) Endocrinology. 4th edn. Maryland Heights: Mosby.

Tal, R. and Taylor, H.S. (2021) 'Endocrinology of Pregnancy', in Feingold, K.R. (ed.) Endotext. South Dartmouth: MDText.

Core Websites:

Artal-Mittelmark, R. (2021) Physiology of Pregnancy. [Online]

Evans, J. (no date) Endometriosis Diagnosis and Management. [Online]

Hill, M.A. (2022) Timeline human development. [Online]

Khan Academy (no date) Human embryogenesis. [Online]

Indicative Module 6 Reading:

Balen, A.H. (2022) Infertility in Practice. 5th edn. Routledge.