Module Specification
An online version of this specification is available to prospective students at
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section3_moduledesc
ript/index.html
GENERAL INFORMATION
Module name
Foundations in Reproductive Health
Module code
2039
Module Organisers
Professor Joy Lawn and Dr Jenny Cresswell
Contact email
Joy.Lawn@lshtm.ac.uk and Jenny.Cresswell@lshtm.ac.uk
Home Faculty
Faculty of Epidemiology & Population Health
Level
This module is at Level 7 (postgraduate Masters ‘M’ level) of the QAA
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales & Northern
Ireland (FHEQ)
Credit
This module is weighted as equivalent to 15 credits, within the larger 60-credit
Term 1 super-module for each MSc course. Credits are not awarded for this
module individually, but only for successful completion of the Term 1 supermodule.
Accreditation
Not currently accredited by any other body
Keywords
reproduction, sexual health, fertility, pregnancy, perinatal, measurement
issues, reproductive health policy, reproductive health interventions
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
Intended learning
outcomes
Target audience
To give students an understanding of the main themes in reproductive health,
and to enable students to find and interpret information sources relevant to
reproductive health.
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
 Appreciate different medical, social, political and gender perspectives in
which reproductive health is constructed, and understand how these
perspectives influence research and practice;
 Define and use demographic measures relating to fertility;
 Appraise epidemiological methods used in reproductive health
research;
 Understand the rationale and approaches used for reproductive health
interventions, programmes and policies through the lifecycle, including
challenges related to social context;
 Critically assess the reproductive health literature.
This module is compulsory for students on the MSc course in Reproductive &
Sexual Health Research
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CONTENT
Session content
The module is expected to include sessions addressing the following topics
(please note that these may be subject to change):
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Maintaining a healthy reproductive system (STIs, HIV, reproductive
cancers).
Informed reproductive choices (contraception and induced abortion).
Safe pregnancy and childbirth (infertility and adverse fetal outcomes,
safe motherhood, perinatal health).
Gender perspectives and reproductive rights.
Services, programmes and policies for reproductive health.
Basic demographic methods related to fertility measurement.
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
Outline materials, and reference lists provided to the students. We aim to
upload lecture slides to Moodle prior to each session.
Teaching and learning
methods
The three primary teaching methods are lectures followed by classroom
discussion, seminars, and problem-based approaches around identifying
literature.
Assessment details
The formative progress assessment will involve identifying and interpreting
the literature relevant to reproductive health. Students write an annotated
bibliography on a topic of their choice (a list of suggested topics will be
provided).
Formal assessment is by written examination in June.
Assessment dates
The formative progress assessment will be due on 7 December 2015 at 9.30am.
The examination will be in June 2016.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt at
the written examination, the next examination date will normally be the
following May/June.
Language of study and
assessment
English (please see ‘English language requirements’ below regarding the
standard required for entry).
TIMING AND MODE OF STUDY
Duration
The module runs for 10 weeks at 1 day per week; this module runs on Monday
and Thursday mornings. In addition, some optional sessions will take place on
Friday afternoons.
Dates
For 2015-16, the module will start on Monday 5 October 2015 and finish on
Thursday 17 December 2015.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot Term 1.
Mode of Study
The module is taught face-to-face in London. Both full-time and part-time
students follow the same schedule
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Learning time
The notional learning time for the module totals 150 hours, consisting of:
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Contact time ≈ 45 hours
Directed self-study ≈ 30 hours
Self-directed learning ≈ 25 hours
Assessment, review and revision ≈ 50 hours
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
None
English language
requirements
A strong command of the English language is necessary to benefit from
studying the module. Applicants whose first language is not English or whose
prior university studies have not been conducted wholly in English must fulfil
LSHTM’s English language requirements, with an acceptable score in an
approved test taken in the two years prior to entry. Applicants may be asked to
take a test even if the standard conditions have been met.
Student numbers
Student numbers are typically around 25 per year; numbers may be capped
due to limitations in facilities or staffing.
Student selection
This module is compulsory for students on the MSc course in Reproductive &
Sexual Health Research.
Full Registration (full participation) by LSHTM research degree students is
required for this module.
Preference will be given to LSHTM MSc students and LSHTM research degree
students. Other applicants meeting the entry criteria will usually be offered a
place in the order applications are received, until any cap on numbers is
reached. Applicants may be placed on a waiting list and given priority the next
time the module is run.
Fees
For registered LSHTM MSc students, fees for the module are included within
MSc fees (given on individual course prospectus pages).
If registering specifically for this module, as a stand-alone short course,
individual module fees will apply.
Tuition fees must be paid in full before commencing the module, or by any fee
deadline set by the Registry.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not available for individual modules. Some potential sources
of funding are detailed on the LSHTM website.
Admission deadlines
For 2015-16:
 For registered LSHTM MSc students, the module choice deadline is the end
of Term 1 Orientation Week, Friday 2 October 2015.
 If registering specifically for this module, applications may be made at any
time. The School gives priority to the needs of students registering for
Masters and Research Degrees, and so places on any module may be limited
- early application is therefore advised. Formal registration will take place
on the morning of the first day of the module.
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ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
This module specification applies for the academic year 2015-16
Last revised 11 June 2015 by Jenny Cresswell
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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