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Information Areas of Investigation Departments Students M Med/M Sc Med

Masters in Reproductive Health Sciences and Human Genetics

The Department offers opportunities for students to pursue a higher degree by research and/or course programs:

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Aims and Objectives
The main aims of these courses are to provide-
1. Up-to-date knowledge of the clinical and laboratory science and technological developments in reproduction and human genetics.
2. Insight into the social, ethical and public health aspects of these fields.
    A firm basis for vocational training in these disciplines.

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Program Overview - Part-Time or Full-Time Enrolment
The fields of reproductive health sciences, reproductive medicine, and human genetics have expanded rapidly in recent years. For professionals working in these areas or for those graduates wishing to embark on a career in reproductive science and medicine or public health, these courses offer an opportunity to gain a deeper insight into these rapidly growing disciplines. The courses are aimed at graduates in medicine, biology, veterinary science, nursing and related disciplines such as psychology or social work. Three streams of study are available: Clinical Science; Laboratory Science; and Genetics. Each stream leads to the degree of Master of Medicine or Master of Science in Medicine.

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Content of Masters Program
The courses offer a range of core subjects that cover the general field of reproductive health sciences and human genetics, and most of these core subjects are common to all streams. Some of the core subjects are shared with the Master of Public Health course. In addition, candidates undertake a number of elective subjects that particularly interest them.

The areas of study, including core and elective subjects, cover -
  • Reproductive physiology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology and pathology
  • Reproductive and perinatal epidemiology
  • Laboratory and experimental methods in reproductive science
  • Medical genetics
  • Biostatistics
  • Epidemiology
  • Fertility control
  • Ethical, social, legal and privacy issues
  • Counselling
  • Psycho-social aspects of parental and infant health

In addition, clinical or laboratory attachments (for full-time candidates) and field visits (for all candidates) are included in the course

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Delivery of Program Content
This degree is undertaken by coursework, clinical or laboratory assignments and research treatise, with full-time or part-time enrolment.

Lectures & Tutorials - All candidates are required to attend the lectures and tutorials, which are given by academics, clinicians and scientists from departments within the University and from outside organisations. The broadly-based experience and knowledge of the teaching staff ensure an up-to-date coverage of topics and issues related to the scientific, technological, clinical, public health and social aspects of reproduction and genetics. The tutorial program is complementary to the lectures and provides further opportunity for interactive discussion of specific issues and problems and critical review of the literature.

Clinical or Laboratory Placements - The course includes placements in a clinical or laboratory setting and these placements are assessed by reports which include literature reviews and oral presentations. The requirement for placements may be waived for part-time candidates who are employed in an appropriate field. Such candidates are still required to submit reports on their work.

Field Visits - During the course, visits to various laboratory and clinical areas will be conducted, with demonstrations of procedures and techniques.

Research Treatise - Candidates must complete a research project in an area of interest and submit their results in the form of a minor thesis or treatise. During the course, candidates will be assisted in choosing a suitable topic and designing their study, both by their supervisor and by a formal component of the coursework called treatise development.

Student Assessment
Assessment is by written examination, oral presentations, written assignments, placement reports and the research treatise.Assessment is by written examination, oral presentations, written assignments, placement reports and the research treatise.

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Timetable
Lectures and tutorials for both full- and part-time candidates are held from 5.00 to 9.00pm usually on two nights per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) over four semesters (2 years). Full-time candidates will develop and research their treatise topic during this time. In addition, they will participate - their clinical or laboratory placements. Thus, the full-time candidate should complete the full requirements for the course in two years. Part-time candidates are expected to complete their treatise in the minimum of a further year (3 years in total). It is likely that such candidates will not be required to attend a placement if they meet the appropriate requirements (see above).

Venue
Teaching is conducted in the Queen Elizabeth II Research Institute for Mothers and Infants, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, on the Main campus of the University of Sydney.

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Entrance requirements
The Master of Medicine (MM) or Master of Science in Medicine (MScMed) in Reproductive Science and Human Genetics is open to graduates in biological, medical, or paramedical sciences from an approved tertiary institution. Graduates from other disciplines with special interest in these fields will be considered and should also apply.

Applicants are expected to have one of the following: i) an Honours degree or equivalent from an approved institution; ii) a good pass degree with at least two years work experience in an appropriate field; or, iii) qualifications and experience deemed equivalent by this University.

Overseas students are encouraged to apply and are accepted only on a full-time basis.

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Cost to enter Masters Program (2004)
The masters program fees for part-time candidates are: AUD $7,200 per year for the first two years and AUD $3,600 for the third (treatise year).

Masters Program fees for overseas candidates are AUD $24,000 per year (full-time only for two years).

This Masters Program is only available as a fee-paying postgraduate course. The fees for this course will be adjusted annually - it is anticipated that this will be in accordance with movements in Australian Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Faculty reserves the right to increase fees at a higher rate should circumstances make that necessary.

Scholarships
Australian citizens and permanent residents are encourages to apply for Australian Postgraduate Research Award (APA) and University of Sydney Postgraduate Award Scholarships.

International students may apply for an Overseas Postgraduate Research Scholarship.

However with all these scholarships competition is extremely high because of the limited number of awards.

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Structure of Masters Program
The course units are presented over four semesters. Each unit is assigned a number of credit points. To qualify for the degree MM or MScM, candiates must gain at least 48 credit points from units offered and also complete a research treatise. Most of the units are compulsory. Options are only offered in the fourth semester (Year 2, Semester 2).
Subject
Credit points
  Code
 
   
YEAR 1
   
Semester 1
   
Introductory Biostatistics
6
   PUBH5018
Epidemiological Methods
6
   PUBH5010
 
   
Semester 2
   
Introductory Medical Genetics
4
   RHHG5026
Reproductive Sciences and Medicine
4
   RHHG5005
Reproductive Maternal and Child Health
4
   RHHG5006
 
   
 
   
YEAR 2
   
Semester 1
   
Clinical Reproductive Medicine
4
   RHHG5007
Counselling 1
2
   RHHG5008
Medical Genetics
2
   RHHG5028
Reproductive Sciences
4
   RHHG5010
 
   
Semester 2      
Ethical, Social, Legal and Privacy Issues in Reproduction
4
   RHHG5013
Cancer and Reproduction
2
   RHHG5021
Fertility Control
2
   RHHG5014
       
       
Options      
Please note: Students may choose only two of the course units listed below:
Counselling 2
2
   RHHG5012
Laboratory Assessment of Reproductive Function
2
   RHHG5015
Clinical/Laboratory Attachments
2
   RHHG5011
Medical and Molecular Genetics
2
   RHHG5016
Treatise A
6
   RHHG5019
Treatise B
6
   RHHG5020
 

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Links and Downloadable Files
More detailed information is available (in PDF format) for downloading and printing, at your conveience. To view PDF files you must installed a PDF reader, such as Adobe Acrobat, which is freely available.

 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

For more information about the requirements for postgraduate study at the University of Sydney, follow these links;

Graduate Handbook - the University's Postgraduate Studies Handbook
Information for International Students - information about applying to study at the University of Sydney, fees scholarships, cost of living, accommodation etc...
Sydney University Postgraduate Representive Association (SUPRA) - information about postgraduate study and resources available for students.
Sydney University Research and Scholarships Office - information about postgraduate scholarships.

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Enquiries and Further Information
Initial enquiries from Postgraduate Students for study in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Sydney should be emailed to:

Dr. Robert Markham
Senior Lecturer
Postgraduate Co-Ordinator - Reproductive Health Sciences and Human Genetics
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Queen Elizabeth II Research Institute for Mothers and Infants
University of Sydney, NSW 2006
Telephone: (612) 9351 2722, Facsimile: (612) 9351 4560,  Mobile: 0402 000 544