Curriculum and Program of Study
The curriculum is rigorous and consists of focused reproductive science courses, laboratory group work, and independent research. Students complete coursework across 6 quarters of full-time study and earn a Master’s of Science degree in 18 months.
Courses
MS-RSM courses include reproductive science core courses, a required responsible conduct of research course, and research and seminar courses. Students complete course and credit requirements with electives from a variety of related disciplines. A basic understanding of physiology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and a general background in reproductive processes are requirements for all MS-RSM core courses.
Core MS-RSM courses (required)
REPR_SCI 406: Human Reproductive Development- Fall, every year, ABC grading, 1 unit
This is a lecture and critical thinking-based course designed to challenge students with foundational and contemporary concepts in reproductive science and to create context for future research problems and bench solutions. The guide for this course will include educators whom are themselves making basic science breakthroughs. Topics covered will include male and female sex determination, ovary and testis development, gametogenesis, meiosis, fertilization, pre-implantation embryo development, implantation, and placentation. For each topic, didactics will include core textual readings together with analysis of 1) a classic paper which represents a paradigm shift in thinking, 2) a recent paper that updates the field, 3) a controversial paper that challenges present knowledge, 4) and a paper likely to become the next ‘classic’ for the reproductive science student of the future. Students are asked to think critically about how problems are identified, what technologies exist or must be created to approach/answer the question, and what specific hurdles limit or slow reproductive science based on external factors (e.g. federal/global law, ethical issues, funding). Students are then directed to derive a series of ‘next generation’ fundamental questions that will improve knowledge regarding biological function, to map these ideas, and then to communicate them in lay and professional formats. Communicating reproductive science is an explicit skill that will be developed in this course. This course is the first of three linked core curricula (reproductive science-reproductive medicine-reproductive endocrinology), and students are expected to learn how to think critically about the literature and to develop independent concepts for intellectual analysis.
REPR_SCI 440: Reproductive Technologies Laboratory- Fall, every year, ABC grading, 1 unit
This is an intensive laboratory-based course designed to provide students with exposure to a range of topics and associated technologies used in reproductive science and medicine. All of the experiments in this course will use the mouse model system, not only to avoid ethical issues, but also to allow results to be obtained under the time constraints of an academic quarter. Modules will cover topics including gonad architecture, gametogenesis, meiosis, fertilization, preimplantation embryo development, reproductive signaling, stem cell biology, and epigenetic regulation. Techniques that will be acquired include, but are not limited to, collection and micromanipulation of reproductive tissues and cells, immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry, biomaterial-based culture methods, microinjection, in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, live cell imaging, and advanced microscopy. In addition, students will learn firsthand how to conduct experiments using the principles of the scientific method and how to communicate their results via various mechanisms. Students are also expected to complete laboratory safety training in preparation for laboratory activities.
REPR_SCI 420: Human Reproductive Health and Disease- Winter, every year, ABC grading, 1 unit
This course is designed to examine the disorders of reproduction, with an emphasis on human, and current therapeutic approaches. The course is organized around the key topics of female reproductive tissues, male reproductive tissues, infertility, reproductive aging, mood disorders related to reproductive processes, and sexually transmitted diseases. Experts who are active in research and patient care will present the disorders covered this quarter. Discussions will include the pathology, molecular pathways, cellular behavior, organ function, treatments, and the current status of research in each topic.
REPR_SCI 411: Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility Management- Spring, every year, ABC grading, 1 unit
This course is designed to explore the molecular basis of hormone action and management of fertility in humans. The 20th century starts with the isolation of steroids and ends with the elucidation of the detailed molecular pathways by which reproductive hormones regulate gene expression to affect the physiological function and behavior of the individual. In the later half of the 20th century, physicians and scientists created the new field of assisted reproduction technologies. Discoveries in reproductive endocrinology have pioneered concepts adopted across biology, lead to some of the most common medications used today, been celebrated with Nobel prizes, and sparked social revolutions that are still debated. Human fertility management and regenerative medicine are practiced in the context of passionately debated ethical and religious views and these issues are raised for discussion and consideration throughout the course. Endocrinology topics include logic of endocrine systems, hypothalamic pituitary axes, gonadal steroid receptors and the nuclear receptor superfamily, signaling mechanisms, and environmental endocrine disruption. Fertility management includes components of fertility, contraception, assisted reproductive technologies, and applications of stem cells and regenerative medicine. The course culminates in a student debate on the ethical and societal consequences of applying science to human fertility management.
Responsible Conduct of Research/Ethics (required)
Responsible conduct of research (RCR) training ensures that anyone involved in research is able to conduct the most ethical research possible with integrity and confidence. RCR training is critical to prepare researchers to address ethical challenges that may arise when conducting research.
IBiS 423: Ethics in Biological Research, Spring, every year, Pass/No-Pass, 1 unit
The MS-RSM program has identified IBiS 423: Ethics in Biological Research as an appropriate RCR course for students in the life sciences.Students are strongly encouraged to take IBiS 423 as their responsible conduct of research course. If a student has a serious time conflict, he/she should speak with the DGS to discuss alternatives. IBiS 423 is held on the Evanston campus.
Students with clinical backgrounds are welcome to take clinical research conduct courses as their responsible conduct of research/ethics course. Students should consult with the DGS.
Research and seminar courses (required)
REPR_SCI 450: Presentations in Reproductive Science and Medicine, Fall, Winter, Spring, every year, ABC grading, 1 unit, required
This course is designed to support student scientific and professional development in tandem with mentoring provided through faculty advisors and research laboratories. . Students will learn critical skills for successful graduate and professional careers in research, including how to perform literature searches and index citations, deliver research presentations, and critically read and analyze the scientific literature. Students will demonstrate competency through reading and presenting scientific papers to peers. Students will also receive guidance on selecting research laboratories.
Students may elect to take additional quarters of REPR_SCI 450 as electives. Winter focuses on proposal and manuscript writing, while spring focuses on career development.
REPR_SCI 590: Research in Reproductive Science and Medicine-Fall, Winter, Spring, every year, ABC grading, 1 unit
Each student will work with the DGS to identify a laboratory in which they will perform mentored research leading to a master’s thesis. Students are expected identify research mentors by the end of the first quarter and begin working in thesis laboratories the beginning of their second quarter. The project will be mentored, but the student is expected to develop an ability to independently design and interpret experiments and propose future directions to address the hypothesis. Students will register for 1 unit of REPR_SCI 590 during quarter 2, quarter 3, and quarter 5. Students enroll in TGS 512 during quarter 4, which is the summer quarter.
TGS 512: Summer research, Summer every year, Pass/No-pass, 1 unit
TGS 512 is a continuous enrollment course that maintains full-time status for students during the summer quarter. Students pay reduced tuition when enrolled in TGS 512 and may not enroll in courses other than TGS 512. Students are expected to work in the laboratory full-time towards completing their thesis research.
REPR_SCI 591: Thesis research, Winter even and odd years, ABC grading, 1, 2, or 3 units
Students will register for REPR_SCI 591 quarter 6 of the program to complete their research project and produce a written thesis. In "Thesis Research" students will prepare a paper describing their research project including the research question/hypothesis, rationale and significance, a literature review, experimental approach, data, and future directions. The paper is formatted as a scientific manuscript. The completed thesis will be submitted to the thesis committee who will assign a final grade and recommendation for the Master of Science degree.
Electives
Students may choose from a variety of electives to complete their degree. Electives enable students to tailor their degree to professional and personal interests by developing a focus area and/or achieve breadth. Electives span several related disciplines:
Life Sciences: IGP/DGP; IBIS
Anthropology: ANTHRO
Medical Humanities and Bioethics: MHB
Clinical Investigation: MSCI
Gender Studies: GNDR_ST
Public Health: PUB_HLTH
Epidemiology: EPI_BIO