Leeds Institute of Genetics, Health and Therapeutics (LIGHT)

MSc Lifestyle, Ageing and Reproductive Health
Brand new in 2012

The effects of lifestyle and ageing on human health and wellbeing, particularly on cardiovascular and reproductive function (older, heavier and poorly nourished people generally experience more difficulty in reproducing) is fast becoming a 'hot' topic in clinical practice and the management of the infertile couple in the developed world.

The developing world has its own problems of poor reproductive outcomes including high rates of miscarriage and congenital abnormalities linked to poor nutritional standards and to environmental breakdown. The rapid expansion in research aimed at solving fertility problems in an increasingly ageing, obese and generally unfit population can therefore also be applied to those who live in impoverished conditions that erode reproductive health. This has prompted a fresh and exciting multi-disciplinary programme to prepare future clinicians and other health professionals for the challenges ahead.

In this respect, a set of learning outcomes for the MSc programme has been developed through a combination of taught components, transferable and professional skills training and research. The PGDip option will exclude a major research component.

What will this course teach me?

By the end of this 12 month, full-time programme, students will be able to:

Discuss, with confidence the scientific and social issues arising from lifestyle choices associated with ageing, cardiovascular disease, obesity and acquired STDs and how these can affect or influence reproductive function and infertility management.

Demonstrate a clear understanding of the biological processes that underpins the normal fertile male and female in the context of human reproduction.

Consider how poor nutrition can affect overall health and reproductive function.

Understand how hypothesis driven research can help us deal with reproductive dysfunction arising from lifestyle choices.

Formulate his/her own ideas and hypotheses.

Demonstrate a proven ability to plan and undertake an original piece of research (MSc only).

Demonstrate an understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of mammalian gametogenesis, fertilisation and early development with emphasis on the human and major animal models.

Have a good grasp of current scientific concepts regarding how ageing, malnutrition and lifestyle can affect reproductive health.

Read critically and evaluate the appropriate literature in the field.

Authoritatively discuss the emerging techniques in assisted reproduction such as prenatal and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection and in vitro maturation of human oocytes.

Understand the rationale behind stem cell research and be able to confidently and authoritatively discuss its benefits and likely implications.

Course content and structure

Students can opt for an MSc or a Postgraduate Diploma in Lifestyle, Ageing and Reproductive Health. You can change your mind and transfer to the other option if you wish, provided that you do this before you have completed the programme and before an award has been made. Both programmes can be completed in one year full-time, or over two years part-time. The modules within the course fit into two categories;

For both the MSc and the PGDip, the Taught Modules should come to 120 credits in total, comprising of 90 credits of compulsory modules plus an additional 30 credits must be obtained from optional modules. The MSc students will then go on to complete a Research Project and written dissertation worth 60 credits.

Compulsory modules:
Fundamentals of Reproductive Biology Part 1 (30 credits)
Lifestyle and Reproductive Health (30 credits)
Fundamentals of Reproductive Biology Part 2 (15 credits)
Health Research Methods (15 credits)

Optional modules:
Obesity and Public Health (15 credits)
Infertility and Assisted Reproduction Technology (15 credits)
Genetic Epidemiology (15 credits)
Molecular Epidemiology (15 credits)
Nutrition and Public Health (15 credits)

Research Project:
This module will give students experience of laboratory or database research through the undertaking of a supervised research project over 24 weeks (Semester 2) for final writing up and submission. It can be undertaken in any laboratory within the University covering one of the following broadly-based themes:

Reproductive Science including embryology and andrology.
Cardiovascular and endothelial research including obesity.
Stem cells.
Reproductive Toxicology.
Genetic screening.
Epidemiology.
Biostatistics and Bioinformatics.

Fees for 2012

MSC				PG Dip				PGCert
Home/EU		International		Home/EU		International		Home/EU		International
F/T	P/T	F/T	P/T	F/T	P/T	F/T	P/T	F/T	P/T	F/T	P/T
£7,000	£3,500	£16,200	£8,100	£4,666	£2,333	£10,800	£5,400	£2,333	N/A	£5,400	N/A

Please note that the Home/EU fees are currently under review and may change slightly in the near future.

How to apply

Once you have checked that you meet the below pre-requisites, and you wish to formally apply, you can do so online by following this link.

Pre-Requisites:

A good honours degree (2:2 or equivalent in appropriate biological sciences). Applicants with appropriate professional experience and qualifications will also be considered (in accordance with new DoH guidelines).

The programme is aimed at medical and biomedical graduate students and other health professionals who have a strong interest in biomedical science allied to human health and wellbeing and who wish to embark on a career in health research with a specific focus on lifestyle (defined as environmental and nutritional aspects) and ageing on human reproductive function and wellbeing.

Non-graduates with equivalent qualifications in a vocational subject such as HNC, according to guidelines set out by the DoH (Modernising Scientific Careers: Career and Training Pathways) may also be recruited.

English language requirements:

An overall score of 7.0 on IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with at least 6.0 in writing and no other skill below 6.5; from a TOEFL paper based test the requirement is a minimum score of 600, with 4.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE); from a TOEFL computer based test the requirement is a minimum score of 250, with 4.5 TWE; from a TOEFL Internet based test the requirement is a minimum score of 100, with 25 in the "Writing Skills" score.

Contact us

If you have any further queries about the course please do not hesitate to contact David Miller, the Programme Director, via email on mscreprohealth@leeds.ac.uk.