Clinical Embryology MSc Proving Popular

An intensive one-year residential taught MSc course in Clinical Embryology at Oxford University 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.

Course Director, Dr Kevin Coward (Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, University of Oxford) said: “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.”

Nikon, which has supplied the facility with some of its latest optical microscopes and micromanipulation workstations, also sponsors an academic award presented 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”.