Name and the Goals of the Study Programme
The name of the Study programme is Joint study programme of the Faculty of Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine: Reproductive biology (1.5 years, 90 ECTS), and the objectives of the study programme is to educate and train students for professional and research career in the field of biology.
Type of the Study and the Outcome of the Education Process
Upon completion of this study programme, the student obtains the interdisciplinary Master Degree in Reproductive Biology and Embryology.
Professional Title, Academic, or Scientific Title
The title of the second degree study programme is Master studies in Reproductive Biology which is an interdisciplinary studies – sciences, mathematics and medical sciences – joint programme.
The purpose of the joint master programme – reproductive biology is to educate professionals in reproductive biology field and their training for the future job in laboratories for assisted reproduction as members of the team for biomedically assisted fertilisation, for jobs in institutions doing research in reproductive and developmental biology, as well as for continuing education at doctoral level.
Realisation of this master programme is an excellent basis for participation of the graduates into the activities of assisted reproduction laboratories and obtaining necessary experience and licence for individual work within teams for biomedically assisted fertilisation, since such programmes have been unavailable in our country and neighbouring countries.
Curriculum of this study programme provides high quality knowledge on cells and molecules and clinical aspects of reproduction and early embryonic development. This study programme includes mastering of laboratory techniques in assisted reproduction technology, introduction to quality control as well as legal and ethical aspects of this procedure.
Joint study programme has been designed in concordance with the quality policy of the Faculty of Science and Medical Faculty in Novi Sad in the field of education and scientific research. Joint realisation of the programme is facilitated by competent teaching staff and good technical support at both faculties.
The goal of the Master study programme in Reproductive biology is the higher education of professionals in reproductive biology, i.e. education of reproductive biologists-embryologists. Theoretical and practical knowledge will offer the opportunity for the advancement and participation in scientific research in institutions for reproductive and developmental biology. On the other hand, this master programme is an excellent basis for further specialization in laboratories for artificial insemination.
Education of professionals with master diploma in reproductive biology implies the competences and academic skills, mastering specific skills necessary for the job and laboratory techniques and technologies for assisted reproduction, introduction to quality control, legal and ethical aspects of this procedure.
The goals of the study programme are in concordance with the basic tasks and goals of the Faculty of Science and Medical Faculty regarding the success of education and scientific and research activites.
General and course-specific competencies of students
- logical thinking, assumptions and conclusions;
- spreading and publishing scientific and professional information, opinions and exchanging ideas;
- individual and team research;
- scientifically based interpretation of experimental data;
- efficient scientific communication;
- research team management;
- positive attitude on lifelong learning.
Learning outcomes
- understanding molecular and endocrine control of reproduction, gametogenesis, fertilisation, as well as early stages of development of an embryo, epigenesis, causes and treatments of infertility;
- ability to use laboratory molecular methods;
- adopting techniques of assisted reproduction including micromanipulation, maintenance of reliable quality system invaluable for teamwork in biomedically assisted fertilisation;
- mastering the selection procedures of the best oocytes and embryos;
- introduction to the most contemporary techniques of cryopreservation oocytes, spermatozoids, zygotes, blastocysts and ovarian and testicular biopsies;
- ability to discuss ethical aspects of the infertility treatment;
- ability to conduct a research project in reproductive biology.
Master academic studies in Reproductive Biology last one year and a half or three semesters. All subjects are one semester subjects.
Curriculum consists of 9 compulsory subjects and 5 elective subjects that a student chooses from five elective subject blocks containing two subjects each. Study plan comprises the total of 75 active teaching hours out of which 31.33% refers to study research work. Elective subject AS013 was taken from the accredited Master study programme Applied statistics, Centre for the applied statistics, University of Novi Sad.
Subjects timetable for the study programme by semesters and years.
A Distribution of the Courses into Semesters and Academic Years
| Course code | Course title | Semester | Course Status | Active teaching hours | Active teaching hours | Active teaching hours | Active teaching hours | Other lessons | ECTS | |
| Course code | Course title | Lectures | Exercises | OFT | SRW | Other lessons | ECTS | |||
| 1 | RB01 | Reproductive Physiology | I | C | 2 | 4 | 6 | |||
| 2 | RB02 | Fertilisation and embryogenesis | I | C | 3 | 2 | 5 | |||
| 3 | RB03 | Laboratory methods and practical skills | I | C | 1 | 3 | 5 | |||
| 4 | RB04 | Practicum in Reproduction | I | C | 1 | 4 | 6 | |||
| 5 | RB05 | Cryopreservation of gametes and embryos | I | C | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||
| 6 | Elective block subject 1 | I | EB | 2 | 3 | -3 | 5 | |||
| 7 | RB06 | Reproductive Endocrinology | II | C | 2 | 3 | 5 | |||
| 8 | RB07 | Infertility and assisted reproduction | II | C | 3 | 1 | 20 | 5 | ||
| 9 | RB08 | Techniques of assisted reproduction | II | C | 2 | 5 | 25 | 8 | ||
| 10 | RB09 | Social and legal aspects of assisted reproduction | II | C | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| 11 | Elective block subject 2 | II | EB | 2(3) | 3(2) | 5 | ||||
| 12 | Elective block subject 3 | II | EB | 2(1) | 2 | 4 | ||||
| Total active teaching hours = 55 | Total ECTS = 60 | Total ECTS = 60 | Total ECTS = 60 | Total ECTS = 60 | Total ECTS = 60 | Total ECTS = 60 | ||||
| Total practical teaching hours = 45 | Total ECTS = 60 | Total ECTS = 60 | Total ECTS = 60 | Total ECTS = 60 | Total ECTS = 60 | Total ECTS = 60 | ||||
| 13 | Elective block subject 4 | III | EB | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||
| 14 | I032 | Elective block subject 5 | III | EB | 2 | 0 | 3 | |||
| 15 | RBSMR | Research for the master thesis | III | C | 15 | 9 | ||||
| 16 | RBMR | Master thesis | III | C | 15 | |||||
| Total active teaching hours | Total ECTS =30 | Total ECTS =30 | Total ECTS =30 | Total ECTS =30 | ||||||
| (1 semester) = 20 | Total ECTS =30 | Total ECTS =30 | Total ECTS =30 | Total ECTS =30 |
- Course type: AO-academic and general education, ТМ-theoretical-methodological, SP-scientific-professional, PА-professional applicative
- Course status: O-obligatory, E-elective block
- Teaching hours: L-lecture, E-exercise, АE-auditory exercises, LE-laboratory exercises, OTF-other teaching forms (seminar work, etc.), SRW-study research work
Elective courses in the Study Program
| No. | Course code | Course title | Course Status | Active teaching hours | Active teaching hours | Active teaching hours | Active teaching hours | Other lessons | ECTS |
| Course code | Course title | Lectures | Exercises | OFT | SRW | Other lessons | ECTS | ||
| Elective block 1 | Elective block 1 | Elective block 1 | Elective block 1 | Elective block 1 | Elective block 1 | Elective block 1 | Elective block 1 | Elective block 1 | Elective block 1 |
| 1 | RB10 | Cell signalling in reproduction | EB | 2 | 2 | 5 | |||
| 2 | RB11 | Human genome and epigenetics | EB | 2 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Elective block 2 | Elective block 2 | Elective block 2 | Elective block 2 | Elective block 2 | Elective block 2 | Elective block 2 | Elective block 2 | Elective block 2 | Elective block 2 |
| 3 | RB12 | Controlled ovarian stimulation | EB | 3 | 2 | 5 | |||
| 4 | RB13 | Determination and differentiation of cells | EB | 2 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Elective block 3 | Elective block 3 | Elective block 3 | Elective block 3 | Elective block 3 | Elective block 3 | Elective block 3 | Elective block 3 | Elective block 3 | Elective block 3 |
| 5 | RB14 | Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis | EB | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||
| 6 | PSO13 | Statistical software | EB | 1 | 2 | 4 | |||
| Elective block 4 | Elective block 4 | Elective block 4 | Elective block 4 | Elective block 4 | Elective block 4 | Elective block 4 | Elective block 4 | Elective block 4 | Elective block 4 |
| 7 | RB15 | Histology and cytology of female genital system | EB | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||
| 8 | RB16 | Biology of stem cells | EB | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||
| 9 | RB17 | Folliculogenesis and ovarian communication | EB | 2 | 0 | 3 | |||
| 10 | RB18 | Infertility of males | EB | 2 | 0 | 3 |
- Course type: AO-academic and general education, ТМ-theoretical-methodological, SP-scientific-professional, PА-professional applicative
- Course status: O-obligatory, E-elective block
- Teaching hours: L-lecture, E-exercise, АE-auditory exercises, LE-laboratory exercises, OTF-other teaching forms (seminar work, etc.), SRW-study research work