Title and Aim

The title of the graduate study programme is Master studies in Reproductive Biology which is an interdisciplinary study – sciences and mathematics, and medical sciences – joint programme. The aim of the study programme is the education and training of students for work in institutions dealing with research in reproductive and developmental biology, in assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratories as a member of the team for biomedically assisted fertilisation, as well as the possibility to continue education at doctoral studies.

Academic Title

Upon completion of this study programme students obtain the academic title of Master Reproductive Biologist – Embryologist in the field of interdisciplinary studies.

Admission Criteria

For admission to the study programme can apply candidates with at least 240 ECTS achieved by finishing the previous level of studies such as academic study programme in biology, academic study programme in biochemistry, integrated academic studies in medicine, integrated academic studies in veterinary medicine, integrated academic studies in pharmacy or the candidates who have completed similar academic studies with bachelor degree which can also apply for this programme. The Commission for Master Studies upon the evaluation of the candidates’ documents may define a number of additional courses of basic academic study programme in Biology at the Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences (these courses are not included in the fund of ECTS credits determined for master academic studies Reproductive biology), defined as required in Rules for the admission of students of Faculty of Sciences University of Novi Sad.

The Structure of the Study Programme

The study programme consists of academic-general, theoretical-methodological, scientific-professional and professional-applicable courses. Student during three semesters has 10 obligatory and 5 elective courses. Elective courses are offered in three elective blocks, where elective blocks 1 and 3 have two courses each, and one course should be elected, while elective block 2 has six courses among which students elect three courses. Also, a student has a mandatory professional practice for 90 hours and 3ECTS and the Master thesis with 15 ECTS.

Length of the Studies

Master studies in Reproductive Biology are a three-semester study programme with 90 ECTS. The number of ECTS for each course was determined in relation to the tasks that the student needs to do to achieve the course objectives and learning outcomes. Teaching activities relevant to the achievement of the course objective and learning outcome and the time required for each teaching activity are defined for each course so that the total student engagement for the course corresponds to the ECTS.

The purpose of the joint master programme – reproductive biology is to educate professionals in the reproductive biology field and their training for the future job in ART laboratories, for jobs in the institutions performing research in reproductive and developmental biology, as well as for continuing education at the doctoral level.

The curriculum of this study programme provides high-quality knowledge on reproductive biology and embryology, infertility and assisted reproduction. The current knowledge of reproductive physiology and endocrinology, fertilisation and early embryo development should enable students to understand the latest findings in the field of reproductive biology, to learn about the possible causes of infertility and assisted reproductive procedures. The syllabi of professionally applicable courses cover general principles of laboratory work, molecular methods used in biological research, assisted reproduction technologies, including quality control and ethical and legal aspects of in vitro fertilisation.

The goal of the Master study programme in Reproductive Biology is the higher education of professionals in reproductive biology, i.e. education of Master in Reproductive Biology – Embryology. Acquired theoretical and practical knowledge opens the possibility for further training and involvement in scientific investigation in the institutions dealing with reproductive and developmental biology research. Moreover, this master programme provides a good basis for further training in ART laboratories. The education of high-quality staff holding the degree of Master in Reproductive Biology – Embryology assumes general competences and academic skills as well as mastery of subject-specific skills necessary for the profession.

General and Course-specific Competencies of Students

Upon completion of the study programme, students acquire the following general competences:

• skills in research methods and procedures;
• team research;
• scientifically based interpretation of experimental data;
• professional ethics.

Upon completion of the study programme, students acquire the following subject-specific competences:

• knowledge of the causes and treatment of infertility and knowledge of legal and ethical aspects of infertility treatments;
• acquiring basic fertilisation techniques and knowledge of the embryo selection methods and embryotransfer procedures as well as basics of cryopreservation of gamete and embryos and techniques for preimplantation genetic screening;
• following of updates in the field and long-life learning;
• usage of information technologies in the development of new skills and obtaining new information.