Program Presentation
The fundamental purpose of the Master’s Degree in Assisted Human Reproduction is to enrich the training of students interested in a degree in the human reproduction field, through a high-level academic program, which enables students to develop a reflexive, critical and humanist thinking; with a focus on the clinical aspects of human infertility, as well as in the knowledge of the skills necessary in the embryology laboratory.
In this way, this master's degree is intended to be presented as a program of academic reference, that, through a new academic articulation, focused on the knowledge and research development, generate skills and sustainable solutions to meet the needs required by the exercise of the human infertility and reproductive medicine specialization.
The academic program of the Master's Degree in Assisted Human Reproduction channels all the participants experience and complements them with the most up-to-date academic and professional information taken from other realities, which, as a whole, are applied to the participants situations and experiences. The program puts also a strong emphasis on two central and essential concepts: human fertility and reproductive medicine.
Who is the programme for?
This program has two student profiles who, although having different characteristics, have complementary points that enable to offer a comprehensive academic proposal:
- Students who have a bachelor's degree in Medicine and Surgery, Nursing, Biology or related degrees. Also those who possess the medical specialization of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Urology and other specializations related to reproductive medicine. This type of students has at least two profiles:
- Students who are looking for a professionalization in the different ways to analyze and understand the reproductive medicine. These students are interested in a complementary and specific training that enables to deepen, recycle or upgrade their professional skills and perform more effectively their jobs; or that such studies improve their employability; or provide a qualitative difference due to the competitive professional environment.
- The other profile are students who are interested in deepening in the theoretical and methodological knowledge with a more investigative interest that facilitates them the access to doctoral studies.
- Students holding non-related degrees such as a degree in business administration, economists, health and medical insurance managers, psychologists, etc. These students are looking for a training that teaches them the tools necessary to efficiently develop the management of human reproduction units.
Diploma
Successful completion of the Program will enable you to be awarded the degree in Master's Degree in Assisted Human Reproduction.
After successfully completing the Program, the student will receive the degree as awarded by the University where they have enrolled.
Program Structure
The Master's Degree in Assisted Human Reproduction, it is composed of 92 credits divided into the following modules to be carried out during two academic years. The distribution of the modules is described in the following table:
| ECTS CREDITSa | DURATIONb | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Part: Human Reproduction | 68 | 17 |
| 2nd Part: Management of Human Reproduction Centers | 6 | 2 |
| 3rd Part: Research and Master’s Degree Final Project | 18 | 5 |
| TOTAL | 92 | 24 |
a. The equivalence in credits may vary according to the university that grants the degree.
b. Length in months.
Extracurricular internship
After the theoretical course, the students of the Master's Degree in Assisted Human Reproduction are able to carry out their Extracurricular Internship; they are not mandatory and they are not part of the study plan, but they are a fundamental part within a master’s degree.
Students are given the option to spend 120 hours in the Instituto para el Estudio de la Biología de la Reproducción Humana (INEBIR), an international reference clinic in assisted reproduction. This fertility clinic, located in Sevilla (Spain), is distinguished by its high rates of success in assisted reproduction treatments, it is characterized by paying special attention on its patients, based on honesty, coherence and transparency.
For the students of this Master’s Degree, this internship is an opportunity to put into practice all the theoretical knowledge in an assisted reproduction center . In addition, different options will be offered in order to customize their training as much as possible, so that the students can know in depth the functioning of the area they are most interested in.
INEBIR carries out treatments like ovulation induction, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, oocyte donation, ROPA method (Reception of Oocytes from Partner) and fertility preservation. It has a laboratory, which has the latest technological advances in fertilization, with highly qualified and trained personnel for a completely different working model: gynecologists and embryologists cooperate to study each patient’s case to offer the best solution. In addition, INEBIR have its own lines of research in order to promote advances in medicine and embriology.
To take the SFI, a tutor in the Internship Center is assigned, as well as a university tutor. The student will be always in contact with both of them to solve any doubts that may arise during the SFI and to develop the SFI’s final project report.
Note: The SFI has an additional cost apart from the program's cost. Furthermore, students will need to pay for the transport and accommodation costs. If there are students willing to carry out the SFI, but who cannot travel to INEBIR, they can assess their case with an adviser.
Objectives
General Objective
- Training specialists with a multidisciplinary profile in the main areas of knowledge of infertility and reproductive medicine, which will contribute to the improvement of the professional performance through the acquisition of new knowledge and clinical tools that enable to provide a better service to the user of the human reproduction units, both public and private.
Specific Objective
- Strengthening the theoretical-philosophical basis of reproductive medicine and embryology laboratories, with an emphasis on activities that favor the logical thinking and scientific reasoning.
- Developing skills, abilities, attitudes, and skills for the implementation of an effective knowledge management in the fields of reproductive medicine and embryology laboratory.
- Assessing the importance and entering the educational process in the professional endeavor, both in individual and collective actions.
- Managing the care of the infertile patient, through multidisciplinary teams in different scenarios, considering the current scientific and technological progresses in the area.
- Establishing an effective communication and leadership with people, family and community; also with the health care team.
- Contributing toward the reproductive medicine services improvement in order to respond to the real and potential needs of people's health.
- Promoting research aimed at professional exercise.
Career Opportunities
Some of the career opportunities of the Master’s Degree in Assisted Human Reproduction are the following:
- Health professions specialized in Reproductive Medicine, dependent on the student's specialization as Obstetrics and Gynecology, Urology or other professions related to medicine, nursing and biology.
- Responsible or coordinator of the management of human reproduction units in specialized medical centers in the field of reproductive medicine.
Note: Professional practice is subject to each country’s legislations.
Study Plan
The estimated length of this Master’s Degree is 2 years, which shall be pursued along a program provided by the Academic Direction. With respect to the time distribution, it is established that the flexibility of attending the online education enables to reduce this period. However, staying in the Program will be required for those pursuing six-month Programs (exceptional cases). This period will be counted from the registration date until the day the Master’s Degree Final Project is submitted.
The interactive activity consists in the online participation in forums and conferences, aiming to stimulate the student's critical capabilities, for the acquisition of skills and of the new knowledge contained in the medical scientific literature.
The program consists of 3 modules and represents a total of 92 credits.
- 1st PART: HUMAN REPRODUCTION (68 CREDITS)
This module establishes the concepts necessary for the understanding and the development of human reproduction through the analysis of all the anatomical, physiological, pathophysiological and clinical aspects of human infertility and assisted human reproduction process.
The subjects and their corresponding credits that make up the 1st Module: Human Reproduction are shown in the following table:
- 2nd PART: MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN REPRODUCTION CENTERS (6 CREDITS)
This module enables to know and understand all the complexity in relation to the field of management applied to the Human Reproduction Centers, from its conceptual and theoretical foundations, to its organizational, social and technological implementation.
| 2nd PART: MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN REPRODUCTION CENTERS | ||
|---|---|---|
| # | SUBJECTS | CREDITS |
| 1 | Management Skills in Health Centers of Assisted Reproduction | 3 |
| 2 | Online Marketing for health services | 3 |
| TOTAL | 6 | |
- 3rd PART: RESEARCH AND MASTER’S DEGREE FINAL PROJECT (18 CREDITS)
The forth part is dedicated to prepare and accompany the students in the acquisition of knowledge and research skills, as well as for the professional practice, allowing them to demonstrate the skills learned during the program.
| 3rd PART: RESEARCH AND MASTER’S DEGREE FINAL PROJECT | ||
|---|---|---|
| # | SUBJECTS | CREDITS |
| 1 | Scientific Research Methodolgy | 3 |
| 2 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| 3 | Master’s Degree Final Project | 12 |
| TOTAL | 18 | |
The student may carry out the project during the entire course of the Master’s Degree, and shall present it once all modules are finished. Once the topic is chosen, analytical and bibliographical research will be developed, enriching it with personal reflections and/or direct quotes from other authors.
Note: The contents of the academic program may be subject to slight modifications, depending on the updates or the improvements made.
Description of the Subjects
1st PART: HUMAN REPRODUCTION
- ANTHROPOLOGICAL, SOCIOLOGICAL, AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF HUMAN REPRODUCTION
This subject consists of the following topics:
Socio-economic aspects. Anthropological, ethical and religious approaches. The psychology unit in the human reproduction units. Doctor-patient relationship. The informed consent. Rights and duties of the patient. National and international legislation.
- PRINCIPLES OF MEDICAL GENETICS
This subject consists of the following topics:
Brief history of medical genetics. Medicine in the context of genetics. Nature and frequency of genetic diseases. Genome and gene expression structure. Mutations: nature and consequence. Mendelian inheritance. Segregation analysis. Genetic links analysis. Chromosomal basis of inheritance. Molecular genetic diagnosis. Population Genetics. Genetic epidemiology. Genetic evaluation and analysis of the pedigree. Genetic basis of the disease. Epigenetics and epigenetic disorders related to infertility and assisted reproduction. Genetic risk assessment. Heterozygosis and screening of carriers. Genetic basis of female and male infertility. Diagnostic methods. Pre-implantation diagnosis. Techniques for prenatal diagnosis. Neonatal Screening. Gene therapy. Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics. Genetic counselling. Social, ethical and legal aspects of the clinical genetics.
- ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE FEMALE AND MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
This subject consists of the following topics:
Female reproductive system. Female reproductive cycle. Male reproductive system. Disorders of the male reproductive system.
- ENDOCRINE PATHOLOGY AND REPRODUCTION
This subject consists of the following topics:
Endocrine system. Endocrine disorders in assisted reproduction. Intersex states.
- FEMALE INFERTILITY
This subject consists of the following topics:
Introduction. Etiology. Diagnosis. Treatments. Environmental factors related to fertility. Obstetric pathology and perinatal outcomes related to fertility. Contraindication to treatments. Social and ethical aspects.
- MALE INFERTILITY
This subject consists of the following topics:
Introduction. Male study. Physiopathology. Treatment. Male contraception. Seminal fluid. Semen analysis and functional tests. Selection of the assisted reproduction technique. Sperm cryopreservation. Genetic studies. Clinical cases.
- REPRODUCTIVE SURGERY
This subject consists of the following topics:
Introduction. Laparoscopy. Hysteroscopy. Fertiloscopy. Clinical cases.
- RECURRENT MISCARRIAGE
This subject consists of the following topics:
Introduction to the recurrent miscarriage. Etiology. Idiopathic recurrent miscarriage. Clinical strategy and recurrent miscarriage treatment. Prognosis. Recurrent miscarriage in the context of assisted reproduction. Clinical cases.
- UTERINE MALFORMATIONS
This subject consists of the following topics:
Embryological memory. Incidence and etiology. Clinic. Diagnosis. Classification. Treatment. Clinical cases.
- ENDOMETRIOSIS AND ADENOMYOSIS
This subject consists of the following topics:
Introduction. Clinic. Treatment. Infertility. Deep Endometriosis. Adenomyosis.
- ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
This subject consists of the following topics:
Definition. Diagnosis. Differential diagnosis. Strategy. Prognosis and future fertility.
- CLINICAL ASPECTS OF THE ASSISTED REPRODUCTION TREATMENTS
This subject consists of the following topics:
Pharmacology and human reproduction. Ovulation induction and ovarian stimulation protocols. Low response to ovarian stimulation protocols. High response to ovarian stimulation protocols. Iatrogenesis associated with assisted reproduction techniques. Clinical cases.
- TISSUE CRYOPRESERVATION TECHNOLOGY
This subject consists of the following topics:/p>
Introduction. Cryopreservation techniques. Fertility preservation. Bank of gametes management. Clinical cases.
- EGG, SPERM AND EMBRYOS DONATION PROGRAM
This subject consists of the following topics:
Introduction to the gametes, embryos and surrogate uterus donation program. Oocytes donation. The recipient of donated eggs. Sperm donation. Embryos donation. Surrogate uterus. Uterus transplantation.
- DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE HUMAN REPRODUCTION LABORATORIES
This subject consists of the following topics:
Introduction to design and construction. International cleanroom standards. Regulation, licensing and accreditation. Architectural project of the reproduction laboratory. Reproduction laboratory equipment. Clinical cases.
- OOCYTES RECOVERY AND EMBRYO TRANSFER. CLINICAL APPROACH
This subject consists of the following topics:
The operating room. Anesthesia. Oocyte recovery techniques. Embryo transfer. Clinical cases.
- ASSISTED REPRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES
This subject consists of the following topics:
Introduction to the assisted reproduction technologies. Equipment and materials. Assisted reproduction technologies Procedures in the laboratory. Clinical cases.
- EMBRYONIC MICROSURGERY
This subject consists of the following topics:
ICSI, intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Zygote micromanipulation. AHA, assisted hatching. PGD, preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Other techniques under study. Clinical cases.
2nd PART: MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN REPRODUCTION CENTERS
- MANAGEMENT SKILLS IN HEALTH CENTERS OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION
This subject consists of the following topics:
Management of Health Services. Effective time management. Interpersonal communication techniques. The burnout syndrome.
- ONLINE MARKETING FOR HEALTH SERVICES
This subject consists of the following topics:
Creating a corporate website. Online promotion and persuadability. Branding: the power of the brand. Positioning on search engines. Customer loyalty through email marketing. Social media marketing. Digital marketing plan.
3rd PART: RESEARCH AND MASTER’S DEGREE FINAL PROJECT
- SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This subject consists of the following topics:
Epistemological aspects of the scientific research. Scientific research process. How to start a research? Project: starting point. Construction of the theoretical framework. Design of the methodological strategy. Research report.
- BIOSTATISTICS
This subject consists of the following topics:
Descriptive statistics. Frequency distribution. Descriptive statistics. Centralization and dispersion measures. Descriptive statistics. Relationship between two variables. Relationship between three variables. Stratified analysis. Confusion and interaction. Proportions and probability. Bayes Theorem. Probability distributions: binomial, Poisson and normal. Statistical inference with a proportion. Normal distribution and central limit theorem. Statistical inference with an average. Statistical inference with two averages. Statistical inference with two proportions. Sample size for estimation. Case-Control design. Contingency tables. Variance analysis. Linear regression. The Bayesian Inference. Statistical power of a research and sample size for tests.
- MASTER’S DEGREE FINAL PROJECT
The student must develop an integration work of knowledge and skills acquired throughout the Program studies on a relevant aspect of the Master's Degree.
Management
Academic Direction
- Dr. José Manuel Navarro. PhD in Medicine from the Universidad de Sevilla, Spain. Degree in Medicine and Surgery at the Faculty of Medicine in Seville. Medical Specialist in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecological Endoscopy Surgery.
International Coordination
- Dra.(c) Irma Domínguez. Phd in Education from the International Iberoamerican University (in process). International Master's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, with specialization in Nutrition and Aging. Master’s Degree in Physical Activity: Training and Sports Management. International coordinator of the Health Area of FUNIBER.
Teaching staff and Authors
- Dr. José Manuel Navarro. PhD in Medicine from the Universidad de Sevilla, Spain. Degree in Medicine and Surgery at the Faculty of Medicine in Seville. Medical Specialist in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecological Endoscopy Surgery. Responsible for the Master's degree in Assisted Human Reproduction of INEBIR/FUNIBER. Director of the Human Reproduction Unit of INEBIR.
- Dra. Carolina Vega. PhD in Medicine (in process). Degree in Medicine at the Universidad de Sevilla, Spain. Doctor Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Gynecologist expert in Human Reproduction at INEBIR.
- Dra. Ana Teresa Marcos. PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Leon. Degree with honors (Cum Laude) in Education with specialization in Biological Sciences at the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (Caracas). More than 10 years of experience in the teaching of subjects related to biology. Responsible for the Master's degree in Human Genetics at INEBIR/FUNIBER. Expert in Genetics at INEBIR.
- Dr. Raffaele Carputo. PhD in Medicine (in process). Degree in Medicine at the Universidad de Sevilla, Spain. Doctor Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Master's Degree "Research and advances in Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the University of Granada. Gynecologist expert in Human Reproduction at INEBIR.
- Dr. Fernando Beltramone. PhD in Medicine (in process). Degree in Medicine at the Universidad de Córdoba (Argentina). Master's Degree "Research and advances in Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the University of Granada. Doctor Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Gynecologist expert in Human Reproduction at CIGOR and GALLIA.
- Dra. (c) Carmen Lilí Rodríguez Velasco. PhD in Education from the Iberoamerican International University (in process). Master’s Degree in Labor and Organizational Psychology at the University of La Havana, Cuba. International Academic Coordinator of the Management Development, Business Organization and Human Resources Area, FUNIBER.
- Dr. Roberto Coco. PhD in Biochemistry and Degree in Biochemistry from the University of Buenos Aires. Doctor Specialist in Reprogenetics. Professor of Clinical Embryology at the University of Buenos Aires. Scientific Director and Director of the Laboratory of Genetics and IVF in FECUNDITAS.
- Dr. Conrado Avendaño. PhD in Health Sciences and Degree in Biochemistry from the University of Buenos Aires (Argentina). Specialist in Andrology. Biochemist responsible of the Clinical Analysis Laboratory “Centro Bioquímico” and of the Clinical Analysis Laboratory "LAC". Chair of Human Physiology. Faculty of Medical Sciences. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba.
- Dra. María de Gracia. PhD in Psychology (in process). Degree in Psychology at the Universidad de Sevilla, Spain. Specialist in Clinical Psychology. Master's Degree in Family Therapy and Systems at the Universidad de Sevilla. Responsible for the Psychology Unit at INEBIR.
- Dr. Jorge Crespo. PhD from the University of Cantabria. Civil Engineer from the ISPJAE (Cuba). Degree recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Superior de España. Expert in Modeling and Computational Simulation of deterministic and stochastic phenomena. Coordinator of the Master's Degree Programs in Strategic Management with specialization in Technology at FUNIBER and Coordinator of Graduate Programs at the European University of the Atlantic.
- Dra. Susana Martínez. Degree and PhD in Biology from the University of Leon. Master’s Degree in occupational risk prevention and with specialization in safety, hygiene, ergonomics and psychosociology.
- Dra. Andrea Corrales Pardo. PhD in Physiology and Pharmacology from the University of Cantabria. Interuniversity Master's Degree in Molecular Biology and Biomedicine at the University of Cantabria and the University of the Basque Country. Degree in Pedagogy at the University of the Basque Country.
- Dr. Maurizio Antonio Battino. Biochemist researcher and professor at the School of Specialization in Food Science. Professor at the Polytechnic University of Marche. Scientific Director in the European University of the Atlantic.
- Dra. Mónica Gracia. PhD in Projects Engineering: Environment, Safety, Quality and Communication from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Degree in Communication Sciences at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and Postgraduate in Communication Management and Advertising at the School of Business Management and Administration in Barcelona (EADA).
- Dra. (c) Mariana Dornelles. PhD in Education (in process). Degree in Social Communication at the University of Brasilia (Brazil). Specialist in communication of cultural and educational projects. Master's Degree in Cultural Management at the University of Barcelona.
FUNIBER Training Scholarships
The Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER) allocates periodically an extraordinary economic item for FUNIBER Training Scholarships.
To apply, please fill out the information request form that appears in the web of FUNIBER or contact directly the Foundation’s headquarters in your country that will inform you if you need to provide some additional information.
Once the documentation is received, the Evaluation Committee will determine your application's eligibility for the FUNIBER Training Scholarship.