Oxford MSc in Clinical Embryology now entering 3rd successful year

October 5, 2010

In depth training and cutting edge techniques attract international interest

The intensive one-year residential taught MSc course in Clinical Embryology has now completed two successful years.  Developed in response to concerns that there are too few appropriately trained clinical embryologists to maintain current patterns of growth in assisted reproductive technology (ART), the course has been highly sought after by students in the international medical and scientific community, with numbers increasing year on year.

According to the Course Director, Dr Kevin Coward (Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, University of Oxford), “We have been delighted with the calibre of applicants and the enthusiasm and dedication of students on the courses to date.  Applicants have come from all over the world to take advantage of our comprehensive course, world class teaching and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.”

The dedicated teaching facility benefits from the very latest optical microscopy equipment, including Nikon’s Eclipse E200 compound microscope, SMZ1500 stereomicroscope, SMZ445 stereomicroscope, Eclipse 80i fluorescent microscope and several sophisticated micromanipulation workstations – Nikon Eclipse Ti-S inverted microscopes equipped with Narashige manipulators/injectors.  Each student is guaranteed hands-on practical experience of laboratory-based IVF techniques, facilitated by senior embryologists from the Oxford Fertility Unit, which is located in the same building.  The aim is to produce academically-informed students with significant hands-on training in IVF procedures.

Careful training of new personnel is critical to future advancement of the ART arena and ensuring patients consistently receive the best care.  The Oxford MSc course involves highly intensive theoretical and practical training in human reproductive biology, embryology, infertility and ART, and also includes key areas such as international IVF legislation, ethics and quality control.  Students learn a wide array of practical skills and techniques directly relevant to ART, as well as a range of both traditional and cutting edge scientific techniques and procedures commonly used in reproductive science/medicine research.  Data arising from the students’ final laboratory research projects has already been presented at numerous international conferences and/or incorporated into original research articles for journal submission.

Ariane Heynen (Class of 2009-10) thoroughly enjoyed the course, “I found the MSc Clinical Embryology course both challenging and rewarding.  The practical experience was invaluable, as was the expertise and teaching skill of the tutors.  Perhaps the most advantageous aspect of this course is the high degree of involvement with the Oxford Fertility Unit, in the form of practical training and input from clinical and laboratory staff and the use of such advanced microscopy equipment.  I highly recommend this course to people with an interest in ART and the reproductive sciences.”

An academic prize, sponsored by Nikon, is awarded annually to the MSc student who shows the most improved gamete micromanipulation skills, based upon experience and skill base prior to the course. Judged by Caroline Ross and Tracey Griffiths, senior embryologists in the Oxford Fertility Unit, the prize is presented at the end of the course by Professor Sir Richard Gardner. This year’s winner, Bianka Seres, previously obtained a first class honours degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Westminster and is now employed as a trainee embryologist at the Oxford Fertility Unit.

Dr Coward observed, “We hope to create individuals who are well informed academically, technically very capable, and aware of the latest research in the field of IVF.  We like to think that our students will graduate with a broad, holistic view of clinical embryology as a  subject and will be able to apply their skills in either an ART unit or a research laboratory. All of our first year students are now working in centres around the world or studying for a PhD.  We are thrilled to have produced such a successful group of graduates over the past two years.  The course continues to grow in stature and recognition, and its content is continually being refined and expanded to include new developments in IVF”.

The course benefits from permanent, dedicated facilities alongside the Oxford Fertility Unit, within the brand new Institute of Reproductive Sciences, located on the Oxford Business Park. The Institute provides a unique learning environment for the students, including purpose built teaching and research laboratories, a lecture theatre, postgraduate study room and close links with clinical and laboratory staff within the Oxford Fertility Unit.