Outline

Overview

ANAT3909 provides students with the theoretical knowledge of the histology of different functional systems of the body. Hands-on practical training is gained in the operation of the light microscope to examine complex human and animal histological slides of different tissues. An in-depth understanding is gained of the alimentary, renal, endocrine, reproductive, and sensory systems, and this knowledge is applied to current trends in research and in the clinical field. For example, students are exposed to current research regarding embryo implantation and placental development, and its clinical application relating to IVF treatment. This encourages students to apply their knowledge to various fields and gain professional attitude towards learning and scientific endeavour. The practical sessions complement the theory lectures, ensuring students apply the lecture content and necessitate group work to complete practical discussion points. Students develop their written and oral communications skills in the language and conventions of the subject through regular discussions. The theoretical and practical skills gained will provide a basis for further studies in fields such as anatomy, histology, and pathology, or in postgraduate medicine, as well as in areas of research requiring knowledge of advanced cell biology and histological examination and evaluation. We will further enhance learned skills by developing independent learning in specific topic selections. This advanced learning will allow students to apply their foundational knowledge of the normal histology of functional tissues and apply this to a clinical scenario relating how pathological cellular changes and processes contribute to tissue dysfunction and disease.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	A mark of 70 or above in [12cp from ANAT2008 or (ANAT2010 or ANAT2011 or ANAT2910) or (PHSI2005 or PHSI2905) or (PHSI2006 or PHSI2906) or (PHSI2007 or PHSI2907 or MEDS2001) or (PHSI2008 or PHSI2908) or MEDS2002 or MEDS2003 or MEDS2004 or MEDS2005 or (PSYC2010 or PSYC2910) or (PSYC2011 or PSYC2911) or PSYC2012 or PSYC2013 or PSYC2014 or (BIOL2021 or BIOL2921) or (BIOL2022 or BIOL2922) or (BIOL2024 or BIOL2924) or (BIOL2030 or BIOL2930) or (BIOL2031 or BIOL2931) or (BMED2401 and BMED2402)]
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	ANAT3009
Assumed knowledge ?	ANAT2008 or equivalent. competency with use of light microscope
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Frank Lovicu, frank.lovicu@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Margot Day, margot.day@sydney.edu.au
	Katie Dixon, katie.dixon@sydney.edu.au
	Samson Dowland, sam.dowland@sydney.edu.au
	Filip Braet, filip.braet@sydney.edu.au
	Gerry Shami, gerald.shami@sydney.edu.au
	Frank Lovicu, frank.lovicu@sydney.edu.au
	Laura Lindsay, laura.lindsay@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Richard Ward, richard.ward@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final Exam - Theory & Practical SAQ (short answer questions) with use of the microscope	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Theory Quiz 1 Canvas Quiz	0%	Week 04	5 mins
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Theory Quiz 2 Canvas Quiz	0%	Week 06	5 mins
Outcomes assessed:
Supervised test ?	Practical Exam Short answer questions with the use of the Microscope	30%	Week 08 Due date: 20 Sep 2023 at 13:00	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Creative assessment / demonstration	Student Presentation Oral Presentation	20%	Week 08	20 mins
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Theory Quiz 3 Canvas Quiz	0%	Week 10	5 mins
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Theory Quiz 4 Canvas Quiz	0%	Week 13	5 mins
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Theory quizzes: These quizzes will include theory questions and examples of these questions with answers can be found at the end of each chapter.
Practical exam: Students will be expected to recognise and answer SHORT ANSWER questions on structures in histological slides and in electron micrographs. Diagrams and other illustrative material may also be included in the practical exam.

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	Mastery of topics showing extensive integration and ability to transfer knowledge to novel contexts; treatment of tasks shows an advanced synthesis of ideas; demonstration of initiative, complex understanding and analysis; work is very well presented; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to an outstanding level
Distinction	75 - 84	Excellent achievement, consistent evidence of deep understanding and application of knowledge in medical science; treatment of tasks shows advanced understanding of topics; demonstration of initiative, complex understanding and analysis; work is well-presented; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to a superior level
Credit	65 - 74	Confident in explaining medical science processes, with evidence of solid understanding and achievement; occasional lapses indicative of unresolved issues; treatment of tasks shows a good understanding of topic; work is well-presented with a minimum of errors; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to a high level
Pass	50 - 64	Satisfactory level of engagement with and understanding of topic; some inconsistencies in understanding and knowledge of medical science; work is adequately presented, with some errors or omissions, most criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to an adequate level
Fail	0 - 49	Unsatisfactory achievement and engagement with the medical science discipline; inadequate understanding or fundamental misunderstanding of topics; most criteria and learning outcomes not clearly or adequately addressed or achieved; lack of effort/involvement in the unit

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

All assignments must be submitted by the due date and quizzes and exams attended when they are scheduled. Students are expected to manage their time and to prioritise tasks to meet deadlines. Assessment items submitted after the due date without an approved extension using a special consideration or special arrangement form or request will incur penalties. Failure to meet assessment deadlines will incur mark deductions of 5% of the maximum awardable mark available for every day past the due date (for electronic submissions, days late includes Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays). These deductions will continue for 10 calendar days, until the solutions for the assignment are released, or marked assignments are returned to other students. At that point the mark awarded will be zero. For example, on an assignment given a mark of 70/100, the penalty would be 5 marks if submitted up to 24 hours late, resulting in a final mark of 65/100. If the assignment is submitted 6 days late, the penalty would be 30 marks and the final mark would be 40/100. If the assignment is more than 10 days late, submitted after the solutions for the assignment are released, or marked assignments are returned to other students, the final mark will be 0/100.

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	Introductory Histology: Functional Systems	Lecture (1 hr)
	Getting the Histology Picture	Lecture (1 hr)
	Introductory Prac	Practical (3 hr)
	Introducing ANAT3909	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Alimentary 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Alimentary 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Alimentary A	Practical (3 hr)
	ANAT3909 Progress Update	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Alimentary 3	Lecture (1 hr)
	Alimentary 4	Lecture (1 hr)
	Alimentary B	Practical (3 hr)
	ANAT3909 Progress Update	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Renal 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Renal 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Renal	Practical (3 hr)
	ANAT3909 Progress Update	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Endocrine 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Endocrine 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Endocrine	Practical (3 hr)
	ANAT3909 Progress Update	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Special Senses 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Special Senses 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Special Senses A	Practical (3 hr)
	ANAT3909 Progress Update	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Special Senses 3	Lecture (1 hr)
	Special Senses 4	Lecture (1 hr)
	Special Senses B	Practical (3 hr)
	ANAT3909 Progress Update	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	ANAT3909 Student Presentations 1	Presentation (1 hr)
	ANAT3909 Student Presentations 2	Presentation (1 hr)
	ANAT3909 Progress Update	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Male Reproduction 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Male Reproduction 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Male Reproduction	Practical (3 hr)
	ANAT3909 Progress Update	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Female Reproduction 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Female Reproduction 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Female Reproduction A	Practical (3 hr)
	ANAT3909 Progress Update	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Female Reproduction 3	Lecture (1 hr)
	Female Reproduction 4	Lecture (1 hr)
	Female Reproduction B	Practical (3 hr)
	ANAT3909 Progress Update	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Embryo Development	Lecture (1 hr)
	Placenta	Lecture (1 hr)
	Female Reproduction C	Practical (3 hr)
	ANAT3909 Progress Update	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Revision	Lecture (1 hr)
	Revision	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Revision	Practical (3 hr)
	ANAT3909 Progress Update	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Requirements for passing the unit of study: Students must pass both theory and practical examinations to pass the unit overall.

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.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

Histology: A Text and Atlas by W. Pawlina (Wolters Kluwer, 8th edition 2020)
The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology by Moore (10th edition, 2016)

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. To be competent with the use of the light microscope.
LO2. To use the light microscope and histological slides to interpret, classify and identify various tissues.
LO3. To interpret electron microscope images to identify ultrastructural details related to cell/tissue function.
LO4. To discuss differences in tissue architecture via light and/or electron microscopy techniques and relate to tissue function.
LO5. To compare different histological features between multiple tissues to aid in identification and classification.
LO6. To analyse tissue using microscopy techniques and draw conclusions on tissue structure and function.
LO7. To demonstrate competence in interpretation of microscopy samples to aid in explaining the characteristic features of different tissues.
LO8. To apply knowledge obtained using microscopy techniques to other fields of science and technology.
LO9. To effectively communicate any findings arising from independent learning and analysis of histological tissues, by both oral and written presentations.

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.

Adjusted timing of assessments

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

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

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

Current students

ANAT3909: Functional Systems Histology (Advanced)

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

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