School: Medical and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Human Reproduction, Development and Ageing
  • Unit Code

    SCH3434
  • Year

    2019
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    A/Prof Peter ROBERTS

Description

An indepth study of human reproduction, development, growth and ageing. This unit will build on the previous physiology units to demonstrate the control of human development and ageing through the neuro-endocrine system and the structure and function of the tissues involved in development.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from SCH1134, SCH1143

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the process of human reproduction and its control from gametogenesis to death.
  2. Locate, identify and describe the structures and functions of the tissues involved in development, growth and ageing.

Unit Content

  1. Embryology: Pre-embryonic stage - blastulation, gastrulation and neurulation, formation of germ layers, extraembryonic membranes. Mechanisms of organ formation - competence, embryonic induction, differential growth, programmed cell death and gene switching. Structural changes of the embryo by weeks.
  2. Fertilisation: The events of ovulation - the ovarian cycle in relation to oogenesis, the release of the ovum and formation of the corpus luteum. The physiology of coitus - the psychological, physiological, nervous and hormonal changes associated with sexual intercourse. The events of fertilisation - the sperms' conquest of an alien environment, penetration of the ovum, formation of the fertilisation membrane, completion of oogenesis and formation of the zygote, mono-and dizygotic twins. Implantation and the establishment of pregnancy - location, mechanism and timing of implantation, physiological changes as a result of pregnancy.
  3. Growth: Human growth curve - stages of postnatal growth, major physiological changes, body types and adaptation to different environments. Ageing, senesence and death - theories of ageing, senesence of body systems.
  4. The anatomy and physiology of reproduction: Anatomy of the male and female reproductive systems - structure and function of the testes, scrotum, spermatozoa, spermatic ducts, accessory glands, penis, secondary sexual characteristics, position and structure of the ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, vulva and mammary glands. Control of reproductive systems - interactions between the hypothalamus, pituitary, gonads and adrenal glands, nervous control of reproductive behaviour, non-verbal communication. mechanisms of erection, orgasm in both sexes, emission and ejaculation in the male, lactation, puberty in male and female. Menstrual cycle and menopause - phases of the menstrual cycle, cyclic changes in the endometrium and secretion of gonadotrophins, psychological and physiological changes associated with male and female menopause, the atrophy of secondary sexual characteristics.
  5. The foetal-placental unit and birth: The structure and function of the placenta and umbilical cord - placental senesence and changes in physiology, modifications of the foetal circulation before birth. The physiology of labour and parturition - dilation stage, expulsion stage and placental stage. The first days of life - physiological adaptations of the baby to a new environment, immunological protection, the colostrum, development of nervous control and co-ordination.
  6. The origin of sex: The cell cycle - mitosis and meiosis. Gametogenesis - a detailed description of the control, timing and differences in gametogenesis in the sexes. Sex determination and the sexual spectrum - the genetic determination of sex, abnormalities caused by physiological dysfunctions, the development of a potentially female embryo into a male.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, student research seminars using powerpoint and laboratory sessions with students working in pairs or small groups to plan/organise experimental work.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestPractical test20%
AssignmentAssignment (One third oral presentation, two thirds written presentation)30%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCH3434|1|1

School: Medical and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Human Reproduction, Development and Ageing
  • Unit Code

    SCH3434
  • Year

    2019
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Rachel ALEXANDER

Description

An indepth study of human reproduction, development, growth and ageing. This unit will build on the previous physiology units to demonstrate the control of human development and ageing through the neuro-endocrine system and the structure and function of the tissues involved in development.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 unit from SCH1134, SCH1143, SCH1106, MHS1101 or MHS1102

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the process of human reproduction and its control from gametogenesis to death.
  2. Locate, identify and describe the structures and functions of the tissues involved in development, growth and ageing.

Unit Content

  1. Embryology: Pre-embryonic stage - blastulation, gastrulation and neurulation, formation of germ layers, extraembryonic membranes. Mechanisms of organ formation - competence, embryonic induction, differential growth, programmed cell death and gene switching. Structural changes of the embryo by weeks.
  2. Fertilisation: The events of ovulation - the ovarian cycle in relation to oogenesis, the release of the ovum and formation of the corpus luteum. The physiology of coitus - the psychological, physiological, nervous and hormonal changes associated with sexual intercourse. The events of fertilisation - the sperms' conquest of an alien environment, penetration of the ovum, formation of the fertilisation membrane, completion of oogenesis and formation of the zygote, mono-and dizygotic twins. Implantation and the establishment of pregnancy - location, mechanism and timing of implantation, physiological changes as a result of pregnancy.
  3. Growth: Human growth curve - stages of postnatal growth, major physiological changes, body types and adaptation to different environments. Ageing, senesence and death - theories of ageing, senesence of body systems.
  4. The anatomy and physiology of reproduction: Anatomy of the male and female reproductive systems - structure and function of the testes, scrotum, spermatozoa, spermatic ducts, accessory glands, penis, secondary sexual characteristics, position and structure of the ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, vulva and mammary glands. Control of reproductive systems - interactions between the hypothalamus, pituitary, gonads and adrenal glands, nervous control of reproductive behaviour, non-verbal communication. mechanisms of erection, orgasm in both sexes, emission and ejaculation in the male, lactation, puberty in male and female. Menstrual cycle and menopause - phases of the menstrual cycle, cyclic changes in the endometrium and secretion of gonadotrophins, psychological and physiological changes associated with male and female menopause, the atrophy of secondary sexual characteristics.
  5. The foetal-placental unit and birth: The structure and function of the placenta and umbilical cord - placental senesence and changes in physiology, modifications of the foetal circulation before birth. The physiology of labour and parturition - dilation stage, expulsion stage and placental stage. The first days of life - physiological adaptations of the baby to a new environment, immunological protection, the colostrum, development of nervous control and co-ordination.
  6. The origin of sex: The cell cycle - mitosis and meiosis. Gametogenesis - a detailed description of the control, timing and differences in gametogenesis in the sexes. Sex determination and the sexual spectrum - the genetic determination of sex, abnormalities caused by physiological dysfunctions, the development of a potentially female embryo into a male.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, student research seminars using powerpoint and laboratory sessions with students working in pairs or small groups to plan/organise experimental work.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestPractical test20%
AssignmentAssignment (One third oral presentation, two thirds written presentation)30%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCH3434|2|2