Introduction to Reproduction

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Introduction to Reproduction

Instructor: Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., FRS

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

550 reviews

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

550 reviews

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

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Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in 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.

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.

What's included

6 videos18 readings1 assignment

6 videosTotal 16 minutes

Lecture 1.0 - Introduction to Reproduction3 minutes
Lecture 1.1 Part 1 - Male Reproductive Anatomy2 minutes
Lecture 1.1 Part 2 - Female Reproductive Anatomy4 minutes
Lecture 1.2 - Reproductive Hormones1 minute
Lecture 1.3 - Reproductive Development5 minutes
Lecture 1.4 - Summary of Module 11 minute

18 readingsTotal 180 minutes

Survey: Reproduction & You10 minutes
Annotated Video Scripts - Lecture 1.010 minutes
Course Logistics & Grading10 minutes
Meet Your Professor10 minutes
Meet your Teaching Assistants!10 minutes
Course Collaborators10 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 1.1 Part 110 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 1.1 Part 210 minutes
Reading: Overview of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems10 minutes
Reading: Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System10 minutes
Reading: Ovaries10 minutes
Reading: Uterus10 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 1.210 minutes
Reading: Hormonal Regulation of the Male Reproductive System10 minutes
Reading: Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive Cycle10 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 1.310 minutes
Reading: Puberty10 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 1.410 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Apply your Knowledge - Module 130 minutes

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.

What's included

5 videos13 readings1 assignment

5 videosTotal 12 minutes

Lecture 2.0 - Introduction to Module 21 minute
Lecture 2.1 - Male Hormones & Sperm Activation4 minutes
Lecture 2.2 - Menstrual Cycle5 minutes
Lecture 2.3 - Meiosis1 minute
Lecture 2.4 - Summary of Module 21 minute

13 readingsTotal 130 minutes

Annotated Lecture Script - Module 2.010 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 2.110 minutes
Reading: Spermatogenesis10 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 2.210 minutes
Reading: Uterine (Menstrual) Cycle10 minutes
Reading: Ovarian Cycle10 minutes
Reading: Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive Cycle10 minutes
Reading: Oogenesis10 minutes
Apps for Menstrual Cycle Tracking10 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 2.310 minutes
Reading: Introduction to Meiosis10 minutes
Suggested Reading10 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 2.410 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Apply Your Knowledge - Module 230 minutes

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.

What's included

4 videos15 readings1 assignment

4 videosTotal 11 minutes

Lecture 3.0 - Introduction to Module 31 minute
Lecture 3.1 - Male & Female Sexual Biology2 minutes
Lecture 3.2 - Contraception8 minutes
Lecture 3.3 - Module 3 Summary1 minute

15 readingsTotal 150 minutes

Annotated Video Script - Lecture 3.010 minutes
Suggested Reading10 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 3.110 minutes
Reading: Female Sexual Response10 minutes
Reading: Male Sexual Response10 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 3.210 minutes
Reading: Surgical Sterilization10 minutes
Reading: Hormonal Methods10 minutes
Reading: Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)10 minutes
Reading: Spermicides10 minutes
Reading: Barrier Methods10 minutes
Reading: Periodic Abstinence10 minutes
Contraception Types Comparison Chart10 minutes
Optional Reading: Bedsider.org10 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 3.310 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 20 minutes

Apply Your Knowledge - Module 320 minutes

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.

What's included

6 videos15 readings5 assignments

6 videosTotal 28 minutes

Lecture 4.0 - Introduction to Module 41 minute
Lecture 4.1 - Infertility10 minutes
Lecture 4.2 - Reproductive Tract Disorders6 minutes
Lecture 4.3 - Sexually Transmitted Disease8 minutes
Lecture 4.4 - Oncofertility2 minutes
Lecture 4.5 - Module 4 Summary1 minute

15 readingsTotal 150 minutes

Annotated Video Script - Lecture 4.010 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 4.110 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 4.210 minutes
Reading: Endometriosis10 minutes
Reading: Testicular Cancer10 minutes
Reading: Ovarian Cysts10 minutes
Reading: Ovarian Cancer10 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 4.310 minutes
Reading: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)10 minutes
STD Comparison Chart10 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 4.410 minutes
Reading: Oncofertility10 minutes
Annotated Video Script - Lecture 4.510 minutes
TA Ending Thoughts10 minutes
Survey: Reproduction & You - Back to You!10 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 140 minutes

Case Study - Ian30 minutes
Case Study - Ava30 minutes
Case Study - Micah & Alena30 minutes
Apply Your Knowledge - Module 420 minutes
Reproduction & You - Back to You! (survey)30 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(79 ratings)

Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., FRS

Northwestern University

2 Courses34,804 learners

Offered by

Northwestern University

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Reviewed on Dec 8, 2025

Super informative - a bit outdated of course as it's from 2015 but really fascinating and information I strongly believe should be known by everyone.

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2022

Very detailed content ranging from anatomy, hormonal regulation, gametogenesis, contraception, infertility, STDs and oncofertility. Thank you so much!

Reviewed on May 4, 2021

This course was very comprehensive and the presentation of materials and production value were excellent.

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