AMED3903: Semester 2, 2020

University home

Library

Current students

Staff intranet

Find an event

Give

Current students

Units AMED3903 Semester 2 2020 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

AMED3903: Diagnostics and Biomarkers (Advanced)

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Westmead, Sydney

Overview

Diagnostic sciences have evolved at a rapid pace and provide the cornerstone of our health care system. Effective diagnostic assays enable the identification of people who have, or are at risk of a disease, and guide their treatment. Research into the pathophysiology of disease underpins the discovery of novel biomarkers and in turn, the development of revolutionary diagnostic assays that make use of state-of-the-art molecular and cellular methods. In this unit you will explore a diverse range of diagnostic tests and gain valuable practical experience in a number of core diagnostic methodologies, many of which are currently used in hospital laboratories. Together we will also cover the regulatory, social, and ethical aspects of the use of biomarkers and diagnostic tests and explore the pathways to their translation into clinical practice. By undertaking this unit, you will develop an advanced understanding of diagnostic assays and biomarkers and acquire the skills needed to embark on a career in diagnostic sciences.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	A mark of 70 or above in [12cp from (IMMU2101 or MEDS2004 or MIMI2002 or MIMI2902 or PHSI2007 or PHSI2907 or MEDS2001 or PCOL2011 or PCOL2021 or MEDS2002 or BCMB2001 or BCMB2901 or MEDS2003)] or a mark of 70 or above in [BMED2401 and 6cp from (BMED2402 or BMED2403 or BMED2404 or BMED2405 or BMED2406)]
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	AMED3003
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Fabienne Brilot-Turville, fabienne.brilot@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Open book)	Cognitive-problem-based exam Written examination	20%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Attendance and participation Workshops and practicals participation	10%	Multiple weeks	10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assignment 1: communication and creativity Sales Pitch, Schematic in Illustrator, Oral Presentation	30%	Multiple weeks	5 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2: skill-based assessment Laboratory report	20%	Multiple weeks	~1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 3: skill-based assessment poster including figure and schematic	20%	Multiple weeks	1 piece (~250 words)
Outcomes assessed:
= Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

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 Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Prenatal diagnostic and post-natal management	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 02	Unit of study introduction and sale pitch	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 03	Down syndrome and newborn screening	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 04	Tracking disease and disease surveillance	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	Schematic representation of a concept	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 06	Normal range, accuracy, and precision in diagnostic	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	Gold standard, sensitivity, and specificity in diagnostics	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	How to represent data-Social implication of diagnostic	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 09	Oral presentations	Presentation (2 hr)
Week 10	Method validation from biomarker to diagnostic and regulatory framework	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 11	Bad biomarkers and unorthodox diagnostic tests	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 12	Overtesting of disease	Workshop (2 hr)

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. investigate the biological processes underlying the discovery of viable biomarkers that lead to the diagnosis of disease
LO2. evaluate the characteristics of biomarkers that make them suitable for use as diagnostic tools
LO3. compare and contrast the key tests that are used to diagnose and track the course of disease
LO4. demonstrate competence in a variety of clinical diagnostic techniques
LO5. assess data from key technologies and design strategies to improve outcomes
LO6. analyse the development of advanced diagnostic technologies and critique the scientific basis for their application
LO7. create a translational pathway for a biomarker or a diagnostic assay
LO8. apply quality assurance and audit tools as well as national regulatory and ethical standards in the application of medical sciences to the clinical environment.

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.

This is the first time AMED3903 is proposed. However some assessments are common with AMED3003, and have been modified according to students' feedback. For example Lab report 1 has now short answers that are more targeted. This is to teach students how to structure the results and discussion sections of a lab report.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect