About this course: Do you have questions about sex hormones or menstrual cycles? This is a crash-course in human reproductive health through fact and biology-based information on a variety of topics. "Sex 101" will cover reproductive anatomy, key biological changes during puberty, sexual biology and contraceptive methods, reproductive disorders, and a special introduction to the exciting field of Oncofertility. Specific lecture titles are as follows: 1) Reproductive Anatomy & Hormones, 2) Menstrual Cycle, Oocyte Maturation, & Sperm Activation, 3) Sexual Biology, Fertilization, & Contraception, and 4) Reproductive Health & Disorders. The objective of this course is to ensure you understand reproductive health and not confuse reproduction with sex (or having sex). This course was designed with you in mind, and is aimed at providing you with quality information that is meaningful to you and that may be hard to find otherwise. Reproductive health is an area of knowledge that needs to be demystified. We have designed this course for you to examine reproduction through a biological and scientific lens addressing these issues in a comfortable and interactive format that will lead to a better understanding of holistic health, long-term.
Created by: Northwestern University
Taught by: Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., Vice Chair for Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas J. Watkins Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Director, Women’s Health Research Institute
Feinberg School of Medicine
| Commitment | 1-3 hours/week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Romanian |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Anatomy, Development, and Hormones
This module focuses on learning, identifying, and labeling all parts of male and female reproductive anatomy and the function of hormones on development. COURSE GOAL 1: Students will be able to label and analyze the basic functionality of all parts of male and female reproductive anatomy, conceptualize the role of hormones in the interactions between the brain, pituitary, and reproductive tract, and examine the basic functionality of the hormones involved during development and puberty.
6 videos, 18 readings
- Reading: Survey: Reproduction & You
- Video: Lecture 1.0 - Introduction to Reproduction
- Reading: Annotated Video Scripts - Lecture 1.0
- Reading: Course Logistics & Grading
- Reading: Meet Your Professor
- Reading: Meet your Teaching Assistants!
- Reading: Course Collaborators
- Video: Lecture 1.1 Part 1 - Male Reproductive Anatomy
- Video: Lecture 1.1 Part 2 - Female Reproductive Anatomy
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 1.1 Part 1
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 1.1 Part 2
- Reading: Reading: Overview of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems
- Reading: Reading: Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
- Reading: Reading: Ovaries
- Reading: Reading: Uterus
- Video: Lecture 1.2 - Reproductive Hormones
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 1.2
- Reading: Reading: Hormonal Regulation of the Male Reproductive System
- Reading: Reading: Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive Cycle
- Video: Lecture 1.3 - Reproductive Development
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 1.3
- Reading: Reading: Puberty
- Video: Lecture 1.4 - Summary of Module 1
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 1.4
Graded: Apply your Knowledge - Module 1
WEEK 2
Menstruation, Oocyte Maturation, and Sperm Activation
This module articulates the hormonal implications of the menstruation cycle and sperm activation as it relates to both reproductive health and overall health. COURSE GOAL 2: Students will be able to conceptualize the hormonal implications of the menstruation cycle, oocyte maturation, and sperm activation as it relates to both reproductive health and overall health, analyze how the hormones of the pituitary relate to target tissues, examine the mechanisms behind oocyte maturation and meiosis, and illustrate how sperm development leads to modal function.
5 videos, 13 readings
- Video: Lecture 2.0 - Introduction to Module 2
- Reading: Annotated Lecture Script - Module 2.0
- Video: Lecture 2.1 - Male Hormones & Sperm Activation
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 2.1
- Reading: Reading: Spermatogenesis
- Video: Lecture 2.2 - Menstrual Cycle
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 2.2
- Reading: Reading: Uterine (Menstrual) Cycle
- Reading: Reading: Ovarian Cycle
- Reading: Reading: Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive Cycle
- Reading: Reading: Oogenesis
- Reading: Apps for Menstrual Cycle Tracking
- Video: Lecture 2.3 - Meiosis
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 2.3
- Reading: Reading: Introduction to Meiosis
- Reading: Suggested Reading
- Video: Lecture 2.4 - Summary of Module 2
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 2.4
Graded: Apply Your Knowledge - Module 2
WEEK 3
Sex, Sexuality, and Contraception
This module outlines the scientific foundations of contraception beyond social norms. COURSE GOAL 3: Students will be able to classify the scientific foundations of male and female sexual biology and contrast differing contraception options through the lens of reproductive function and beyond social norms.
4 videos, 15 readings
- Video: Lecture 3.0 - Introduction to Module 3
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 3.0
- Reading: Suggested Reading
- Video: Lecture 3.1 - Male & Female Sexual Biology
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 3.1
- Reading: Reading: Female Sexual Response
- Reading: Reading: Male Sexual Response
- Video: Lecture 3.2 - Contraception
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 3.2
- Reading: Reading: Surgical Sterilization
- Reading: Reading: Hormonal Methods
- Reading: Reading: Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)
- Reading: Reading: Spermicides
- Reading: Reading: Barrier Methods
- Reading: Reading: Periodic Abstinence
- Reading: Contraception Types Comparison Chart
- Reading: Optional Reading: Bedsider.org
- Video: Lecture 3.3 - Module 3 Summary
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 3.3
Graded: Apply Your Knowledge - Module 3
WEEK 4
Reproductive Health Concerns
This module spotlights the possibility of infertility in the human body and provides an in-depth understanding upon the biology behind infertility, endometriosis, reproductive diseases, and oncofertility. COURSE GOAL 4: Students will be able to identify the possible causes of infertility in the human body, analyze the effects of reproductive tract disorders, recognize the risks and symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases, and discuss the field of oncofertility in relation to sexual and holistic health.
6 videos, 15 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Video: Lecture 4.0 - Introduction to Module 4
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 4.0
- Video: Lecture 4.1 - Infertility
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 4.1
- Video: Lecture 4.2 - Reproductive Tract Disorders
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 4.2
- Reading: Reading: Endometriosis
- Reading: Reading: Testicular Cancer
- Reading: Reading: Ovarian Cysts
- Reading: Reading: Ovarian Cancer
- Video: Lecture 4.3 - Sexually Transmitted Disease
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 4.3
- Reading: Reading: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
- Reading: STD Comparison Chart
- Video: Lecture 4.4 - Oncofertility
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 4.4
- Reading: Reading: Oncofertility
- Video: Lecture 4.5 - Module 4 Summary
- Reading: Annotated Video Script - Lecture 4.5
- Practice Quiz: Reproduction & You - Back to You! (survey)
- Reading: TA Ending Thoughts
- Reading: Survey: Reproduction & You - Back to You!
Graded: Case Study - Ian
Graded: Case Study - Ava
Graded: Case Study - Micah & Alena
Graded: Apply Your Knowledge - Module 4
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Ratings and Reviews
very good course! hoping there could be other courses covering more in-depth materials.
This course is perfect, everything we need to know is there in this course, the videos and the readings are exceptional <3
Very worth taking! Insights on hormonal changes in the female and male body has been very enlightening. I wish I could learn more in a more advanced course.
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QM
my major is reproductive medicine
and it is my first time learn such lesson
I got so much in difference view
all in all, it is useful. thanks~