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Unit outline_

BIOS2115: Embryology

Semester 1, 2021 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study aims to develop an understanding of the embryological processes occurring to form the human body - from fertilisation to birth. Topics also to be discussed are: infertility, abnormal development, artificial reproductive technologies and fetal surgery.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
6 credit points of Junior Biology
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Helen Ritchie, helen.ritchie@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Final Exam
Short answer and MCQ
30% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Assignment Project
Report
25% STUVAC
Due date: 07 Jun 2021 at 09:00
Consult Canvas for more detail
Outcomes assessed: LO15
Tutorial quiz Topic quiz 1
Online multiple choice and sort answer questions
5% Week 02
Due date: 14 Mar 2021 at 22:00
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Tutorial quiz Topic quiz 2
Online multiple choice and sort answer questions
5% Week 05
Due date: 04 Apr 2021 at 22:00
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Small test In-Semester exam
Short-answer and multiple-choice question
30% Week 07
Due date: 19 Apr 2021 at 08:00
1 hr
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Tutorial quiz Topic quiz 3
Online multiple choice and sort answer questions
5% Week 10
Due date: 16 May 2021 at 22:00
30 minues
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO9 LO8 LO7
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Topic quizzes: The 3 tutorial quizzes must be completed by Sunday 10pm pin Weeks 2,5 and 10. The quizzes can be attempted twice and the highest mark will contribute to the final mark. The topics assessed include (1) early development to placentation, (2) cardiovascular and central nervous system, special senses, and (3) respiratory, digestive, urogenital and musculoskeletal systems.
  • In-semester exam: The In-semester exam will be held ONLINE at 8 am on Monday 19 April, 2021. If this clashes, contact me by Week 3 of the semester.
  • Project: Development of a congenital malformation. The project must be a unique work describing and explaining the abnormal development of an embryological process. Your anticipated audience should be imagined to be parents with no more than high school level of biology knowledge.
  • End-semester exam: To be held ONLINE in Week 15/16. Dates, times will be made available prior to the examination period. 

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

Work of exceptional standard

 

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 leve

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of superior standard

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

Competent work demonstrating potential for higher study

 

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

Work of acceptable standard

 

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

Work not of acceptable standard

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Early development: fertilisation to week 2 Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Early development: week 3-4 and placentation Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Development of the cardiovascular system 1 Individual study (2 hr) LO3
Week 04 Development of the cardiovascular system 2 Individual study (2 hr) LO3
Week 05 Development of the brain and nervous system and special senses Individual study (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 06 Development of the respiratory system Individual study (2 hr) LO6
Week 08 Development of the urogenital system Individual study (2 hr) LO8
Week 09 Development of the digestive system Individual study (2 hr) LO7
Week 10 Musculoskeletal development and face Individual study (2 hr) LO9 LO10
Week 11 Teratology Individual study (2 hr) LO11
Week 12 Reproduction intervention Individual study (2 hr) LO12 LO13
Week 13 Fetus as patient Individual study (2 hr) LO14

Attendance and class requirements

This unit is run online.

There are optional face-to-face tutorials on campus in weeks 2, 5 and 10.

There is a compulsory online  IN-SEMESTER EXAM on campus at 8 am on Monday 19 April, 2021. Clashes can be accommodated but you MUST contact me by Week 3 of semester to arrange an alternate time

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

The preferred text (below) is available for purchase from the campus bookshop:

Larsen's Human Embryology, 5th Edition (2015) By Gary C. Schoenwolf, PhD, Steven B. Bleyl, MD, PhD, Philip R. Brauer, BS, PhD and Philippa H. Francis-West, PhD Churchill Livingstone

Some copies are also available for loan from the library as a hard copy. This book is also available from the library as an ebook.

Other useful textbooks

K L Moore: The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology

T Sadler: Langman's Medical Embryology

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.

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

  • LO1. describe the development of the embryo during weeks 1 – 4
  • LO2. describe the processes of implantation and placentation
  • LO3. describe the development of the cardiovascular system and understand the processes affected in the formation of structural defects of the heart and great vessels
  • LO4. describe the development of the central nervous system and understand the processes affected in the formation of structural defects of the brain and spinal cord
  • LO5. Describe the development of the special senses and understand the processes affected in the formation of structural defects of the eye and ear.
  • LO6. describe the development of the respiratory system and understand the processes affected in the formation of structural defects of the lungs, diaphragm and trachea
  • LO7. describe the development of the digestive system and understand the processes affected in the formation of structural defects of the digestive system
  • LO8. describe the development of the urogenital system and understand the processes affected in the formation of structural defects of the kidney, bladder, gonads reproductive tubes and external genitalia
  • LO9. describe the development of the musculoskeletal system and understand the processes affected in the formation of structural defects of the musculoskeletal system
  • LO10. Describe the development of the face and palate and understand the processes affected in the formation of structural defects of the face and palate
  • LO11. Describe the basic principles of teratology
  • LO12. describe conditions that may cause subfertility
  • LO13. describe a number of different artificial reproductive technologies
  • LO14. name and describe some conditions that are currently possible to treat using prenatal surgery.
  • LO15. Explain the development of a selected birth defect.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

After student feedback, audio files have been updated
Email

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  • Use your university email address.
  • Address the person appropriately
  • Identify yourself by name
  • Identify the Unit of Study that you are enquiring about
  • Word your email clearly

Due to concerns about viruses, anonymous emails, emails containing unsolicited attachments emails from a non-university address are unlikely to be opened or read.

Disclaimer

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

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