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Unit outline_

ANSC3102: Animal Reproduction

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit of study provides a comprehensive programme on basic and applied aspects of male and female reproductive biology, with particular emphasis on livestock and domestic animals. The fundamental topics include reproductive cycles, sexual differentiation, gametogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, gestation and parturition. An understanding of the applications of advanced reproductive technologies is developed through lectures, tutorials and the assignments. In addition, practical instruction is given on semen collection and processing, manipulation of the reproductive cycle, artificial insemination, and pregnancy diagnosis in sheep and pigs. Classes are held at the Camperdown Campus in Sydney and at the Camden Campus Animal Reproduction Unit and Mayfarm piggery.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
AVBS1002 and AVBS2XXX
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

A background in animal anatomy and physiology

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Simon de Graaf, simon.degraaf@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Roslyn Bathgate, roslyn.bathgate@sydney.edu.au
Simon de Graaf, simon.degraaf@sydney.edu.au
Christopher Grupen, christopher.grupen@sydney.edu.au
Jessica Rickard, jessica.rickard@sydney.edu.au
Taylor Pini, taylor.pini@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Final exam
Final exam
55% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14 LO15
Assignment group assignment Assignment 1 - poster
Submitted group poster
10% Week 04
Due date: 25 Mar 2021 at 09:00
More information on Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Skills-based evaluation Practical exam - online
MCQ practical exam - online in canvas
15% Week 12
Due date: 24 May 2021 at 13:00
35 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO14 LO13 LO12 LO11 LO10 LO7 LO6
Presentation Major presentation - Applied reproduction report
Individual report + individual 3 min powerpoint presentation
20% Week 13
Due date: 03 Jun 2021 at 09:00
3 min presentation + 500 word report
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO15 LO13 LO11 LO7 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)  
Repro 101 refresher Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Breeding strategies Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Oestrous, reproductive and seasonal cycles Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO9
Week 03 Spermatogenesis Lecture (3 hr) LO8
Week 04 Reproductive endocrinology Tutorial (1 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 05 Controlled breeding Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 06 Cryobiology Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO10
Semen analysis Practical (3 hr) LO10
Week 07 Oogenesis and fertilisation Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO8 LO9
Semen processing and storage Practical (3 hr) LO10
Week 08 Embryology Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO12 LO13
Embryology and IVF Practical (3 hr) LO9 LO12
Week 09 Advanced reproductive technologies Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7 LO11 LO13
Semen collection and cervical artificial insemination Practical (3 hr) LO2 LO5 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO15
Week 10 Pregnancy, parturition and peri-parturient period Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO14 LO15
Pregnancy diagnosis by ultrasound, fetal survival and health by wet/drying and laparoscopic artificial insemination Practical (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14 LO15
Week 11 Efficiency of reproduction and fertility investigations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO12 LO14 LO15
Week 12 Sexual development and differentiation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO15
Week 13 Wildlife reproduction Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO15
Presentation of major assessment Presentation (4 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO11 LO13 LO15
Course review and exam preparation Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14 LO15

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. give a definition of reproduction, describe sexual and asexual reproduction and describe the general rules of animal reproduction
  • LO2. describe the urogenital systems of male and female farm animals
  • LO3. understand the principles of reproduction and breeding strategies in domesticated and wild animals, and be able to describe and give examples of breeding strategies, tactics of sexual congress and the development and consequences of sexual differentiation, and provide an explanation of their significance in the breeding of farm animals
  • LO4. describe the oestrous cycle and natural breeding patterns of laboratory animals, companion animals and animals of agricultural significance
  • LO5. prescribe methods of controlling oestrus and ovulation in various species and appreciate the relative merits of the various methods
  • LO6. prescribe methods of breeding animals outside their normal breeding periods
  • LO7. prescribe methods of enhancing reproductive performance including, in broad terms, superovulating females and conducting an embryo transfer program
  • LO8. describe the processes of semen production and oocyte maturation in various species
  • LO9. describe the factors controlling ovulation and fertilisation in various species
  • LO10. analyse the quality of semen in various species, preserve the quality of semen, and store semen in liquid and frozen states
  • LO11. prescribe methods of insemination consistent with obtaining a high level of fertility and appreciate the relative merits of different insemination methods
  • LO12. describe embryo development and mechanisms of parturition in various species, and appreciate sources of embryo, fetal and neonatal mortality
  • LO13. describe the benefits and limitations of the gamete/embryo manipulations involved in various advanced reproductive technologies
  • LO14. prescribe methods of pregnancy diagnosis, management of pregnant animals and of induction of parturition
  • LO15. recognise reproductive problems in a variety of species and prescribe solutions.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Modified assessment style and format. Increased practical teaching.

Work, health and safety

Q-fever vaccination and completion of the Canvas module “Zoonosis Awareness” is compulsory.

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.