Outline

Overview

This unit of study provides a comprehensive programme on basic and applied aspects of male and female reproductive biology, with particular emphasis on livestock and domestic animals. The fundamental topics include reproductive cycles, sexual differentiation, gametogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, gestation and parturition. An understanding of the applications of advanced reproductive technologies is developed through lectures, tutorials and the assignments. In addition, practical instruction is given on semen collection and processing, manipulation of the reproductive cycle, artificial insemination, and pregnancy diagnosis in sheep. Classes are held at the Camperdown Campus in Sydney and at the Camden Campus Animal Reproduction Unit. Risk assessments are regularly conducted for units that require the completion of compulsory learning activities that may expose students to zoonotic diseases. These assessments aim to identify appropriate risk mitigation controls, such as vaccination against vaccine- preventable zoonoses. Vaccination against Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) is an inherent requirement for students enrolling in this unit of study. Students must be vaccinated against Q fever before commencing the unit or no later than week one of the enrolled teaching session. Q fever vaccination is only available in Australia with the vaccination process taking three weeks to complete. Students must also submit a Q fever Vaccination Declaration upon enrolment. Students who fail to receive vaccination by the specified deadline and/or submit a Q fever Vaccination Declaration are precluded from practical learning activities and will not be able to satisfactorily complete relevant units of study and/or progress in their course more generally. Please refer to the University’s website https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/q-fever-vaccinations.html for more information on student vaccinations.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	AVBS1002 and AVBS2XXX
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	A background in animal anatomy and physiology
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Simon de Graaf, simon.degraaf@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	Final exam Final exam	55%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Zoonosis Awareness Module This is an online Canvas module which provides introductory content on zoonoses—diseases transmitted from animals to humans. This module is an essential part of your work health and safety induction for practical activities.	0%	Week -01	30 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Assignment 1 poster - Part B Q&A Oral answers to questions regarding the content of your group's poster on the oestrous (or ovarian) cycle of a mammalian species.	3%	Week 04 Due date: 19 Mar 2026 at 09:00	5 mins of questions	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assignment 1 Poster - Part A presentation You are asked to produce a poster on the oestrous (or ovarian) cycle of a mammalian species to be negotiated.	7%	Week 04 Due date: 16 Apr 2026 at 09:00	1.5 hour poster session	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Practical in class assessment Closed book in person MCQ quiz on content from the six practical classes.	15%	Week 12 Due date: 18 May 2026 at 13:00	40 mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Assignment 2: Applied reproduction - Part C Q&A Oral question and answer session following the PowerPoint presentation on an aspect of applied reproduction to be negotiated	2%	Week 13 Due date: 28 May 2026 at 09:00	5 mins of question time.	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assignment 2: Applied reproduction - Part A Report Produce a written report on an aspect of applied reproduction to be negotiated	10%	Week 13 Due date: 28 May 2026 at 09:00	500-word report	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assignment 2: Applied reproduction - Part B Presentation 3 minute PowerPoint presentation on an aspect of applied reproduction to be negotiated.	8%	Week 13 Due date: 28 May 2026 at 09:00	3 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Final exam: This assessment is compulsory and failure to attend, attempt, or submit will result in the award of an AF grade. This is a hurdle task: you must achieve a mark of at least 40% in this assessment to pass the unit of study. If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam). The alternative assessment will meet the same learning outcomes as the original exam. The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the unit coordinator.

“If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam). The alternative assessment will meet the same learning outcomes as the original exam. The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the Unit Coordinator.”

Zoonosis Awareness Module

This is an online Canvas module which provides introductory content on zoonoses—diseases transmitted from animals to humans.

This module is an essential part of your work health and safety induction for practical activities requiring frequent contact with animals. It must be completed before you begin any practical activities and is mandatory for this unit of study.

Assessment criteria

Assignment 1

Result Name	Mark Range	Description
High Distinction	85–100%	The poster is outstanding, with comprehensive and critically evaluated information on the oestrous cycle. The content is accurate, detailed, and exceptionally well-organized. Visual design is creative, highly professional, and clearly communicates complex concepts effectively. Referencing is meticulous and enhances the content. Responses to questions are concise, accurate, highly relevant, and demonstrate exceptional critical thinking and mastery of the topic.
Distinction	75–84%	The poster demonstrates a strong understanding of the oestrous cycle, with accurate, well-organized, and relevant content. The visual design is polished, professional, and engaging, with clear use of diagrams and text. Referencing is thorough and accurate. Responses to questions are concise, correct, and show some critical evaluation. The poster reflects a high level of effort and attention to detail.
Credit	65–74%	The poster shows a clear understanding of the oestrous cycle with mostly accurate information and logical organization. Presentation is clear and visually appealing, though some minor issues may be present. Referencing follows the Harvard style with minor errors. Responses to questions are generally correct and relevant but may lack critical evaluation or full conciseness.
Pass	50–64%	The poster demonstrates a basic understanding of the oestrous cycle but with notable gaps in factual accuracy or detail. Presentation is adequate but may lack clarity or visual appeal. Referencing is minimal or inconsistent. Responses to questions are correct but lack depth or conciseness. The poster fulfills the task requirements at a minimal level.
Fail	<50%	The poster does not meet the basic requirements. It may lack key elements such as accurate information, logical organization, or proper referencing. There are significant issues with spelling, grammar, or visual presentation, and the poster fails to effectively communicate the oestrous cycle. Responses to questions are mostly incorrect or incomplete.

Assignment 2

Result Name	Mark Range	Description
High Distinction	85–100%	The report and presentation demonstrate an outstanding grasp of applied reproduction. The written work is comprehensive, exceptionally well-organized, and presents critical analysis backed by a broad range of relevant literature. Visual aids are highly professional and enhance understanding. The presentation is clear, engaging, and confidently addresses questions with insight. There is a seamless flow in presenting complex concepts clearly and logically, with strong conclusions supported by robust evidence.
Distinction	75–84%	The report and presentation show a strong understanding of applied reproduction, with accurate and well-organized content. Literature is relevant and well-integrated, showing evidence of wider reading. Visual aids are polished and effectively support the presentation. Delivery is clear and engaging, with good handling of questions. There is a logical progression of ideas and conclusions are clearly drawn from the data presented. Minor issues may be present but do not detract from the overall quality.
Credit	65–74%	The report and presentation provide a good understanding of the topic, though with some gaps in depth or critical analysis. Information is generally accurate and organized logically. Visual aids are clear but may lack a professional touch. The presentation is audible and covers the main points adequately, but there may be occasional lapses in clarity or engagement. Responses to questions are correct but may lack depth or full relevance.
Pass	50–64%	The report and presentation meet basic requirements, offering a limited understanding of the topic. Content may be disorganized or lack depth, and critical analysis is minimal. Visual aids are basic and may not effectively support the presentation. Delivery is adequate but may lack confidence or clarity. Questions are answered with limited accuracy or relevance. Overall, the work fulfills the minimum standards but lacks engagement with the material.
Fail	<50%	The report and presentation fail to meet key criteria. Information may be inaccurate, poorly organized, or irrelevant. Visual aids are poorly prepared or ineffective. Presentation delivery lacks clarity, and responses to questions are inadequate. There is little evidence of understanding applied reproduction, and critical analysis is absent. Significant improvement is needed to meet academic standards.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction	Lecture (1 hr)
	Repro 101 refresher	Lecture (1 hr)
	Breeding strategies	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Oestrous, reproductive and seasonal cycles	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 03	Spermatogenesis	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	Controlled breeding	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	Reproductive endocrinology	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Presentation of oestrous cycle poster	Assessment (1.5 hr)
Week 05	Oogenesis and fertilisation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Semen analysis	Practical (3 hr)
Week 06	Cryobiology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Semen processing and storage	Practical (3 hr)
Week 07	Embryology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Embryology and IVF	Practical (2 hr)
Week 08	Advanced reproductive technologies	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Pre-farm AI and Ultrasound preparation.	Practical (2 hr)
Week 09	Semen collection and cervical artificial insemination	Practical (3 hr)
Week 10	Pregnancy, parturition and peri-parturient period	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Pregnancy diagnosis by ultrasound, fetal survival and health by wet/drying and laparoscopic artificial insemination	Practical (3 hr)
Week 11	Efficiency of reproduction and fertility investigations	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Efficiency of reproduction and fertility investigations	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	In class practical assessment	Assessment (1 hr)
Week 12	Sexual development and differentiation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Reproductive health and disease	Lecture (1 hr)
	Course review and exam preparation	Lecture (1 hr)
	Assignment 2 presentations	Assessment (5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to participate in at least 80% of the timetabled activities for all units of study in their degree, unless granted an exemption by the Associate Dean. To meet the learning outcomes of this Unit of Study, students are required to attend a minimum of five of the practical classes as defined in the unit of study outline. A student may fail this unit of study where inadequate attendance results in learning outcomes not being met.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. give a definition of reproduction, describe sexual and asexual reproduction and describe the general rules of animal reproduction
LO2. describe the urogenital systems of male and female farm animals
LO3. understand the principles of reproduction and breeding strategies in domesticated and wild animals, and be able to describe and give examples of breeding strategies, tactics of sexual congress and the development and consequences of sexual differentiation, and provide an explanation of their significance in the breeding of farm animals
LO4. describe the oestrous cycle and natural breeding patterns of laboratory animals, companion animals and animals of agricultural significance
LO5. prescribe methods of controlling oestrus and ovulation in various species and appreciate the relative merits of the various methods
LO6. prescribe methods of breeding animals outside their normal breeding periods
LO7. prescribe methods of enhancing reproductive performance including, in broad terms, superovulating females and conducting an embryo transfer program
LO8. describe the processes of semen production and oocyte maturation in various species
LO9. describe the factors controlling ovulation and fertilisation in various species
LO10. analyse the quality of semen in various species, preserve the quality of semen, and store semen in liquid and frozen states
LO11. prescribe methods of insemination consistent with obtaining a high level of fertility and appreciate the relative merits of different insemination methods
LO12. describe embryo development and mechanisms of parturition in various species, and appreciate sources of embryo, fetal and neonatal mortality
LO13. describe the benefits and limitations of the gamete/embryo manipulations involved in various advanced reproductive technologies
LO14. prescribe methods of pregnancy diagnosis, management of pregnant animals and of induction of parturition
LO15. recognise reproductive problems in a variety of species and prescribe solutions.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Upgraded video learning resources and practical equipment for ultrasound and AI.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Risk assessments are regularly conducted for units that require the completion of compulsory learning activities that may expose students to zoonotic diseases. These assessments aim to identify appropriate risk mitigation controls, such as vaccination against vaccine- preventable zoonoses.

Vaccination against Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) is an inherent requirement for students enrolling in this unit of study. Students must be vaccinated against Q fever before commencing the unit or no later than week one of the enrolled teaching session. Q fever vaccination is only available in Australia with the vaccination process taking three weeks to complete.

Students must also submit a Q fever Vaccination Declaration upon enrolment.

Students who fail to receive vaccination by the specified deadline and/or submit a Q fever Vaccination Declaration are precluded from practical learning activities and will not be able to satisfactorily complete relevant units of study and/or progress in their course more generally.

Please refer to the University’s website here for more information on student vaccinations.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ANSC3102: Animal Reproduction

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links