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Unit outline_

BMSC5002: Advances in Disease Diagnosis and Treatment

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Effective prevention and treatment of disease requires early, accurate and specific diagnoses. Biomedical advances in disease diagnosis and treatment are underpinned by the fundamentals of physics, cell biology and biochemistry. New imaging modalities for example, allow us to diagnose neurological diseases earlier and track the course of metastic cancers. New discoveries about how our genes contribute to disease enable design of novel intervention strategies that are leading to cures for some genetically-based diseases. And break-throughs in immunology mean we can now harness the power of our immune system to fight disease. In this unit, you will hear from clinician scientists at the frontier of biomedical research and translation. Working independently and in groups, you will deepen your knowledge and applicationn of the theory and technologies that underpin disease diagnosis and treatment. This will equip you to participate in the latest developments to diagnose and treat diseases.

Unit details and rules

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

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Anthony Don, anthony.don@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam Final Exam
Short and extended response questions
30% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Online Module Quizzes
Students are to complete short quiz questions based on module content.
15% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Written Assessment
Students are to submit a multimedia assignment.
30% Week 07 1100 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO2
Assignment Oral Presentation
Oral Presentation + Peer Review and Participation
25% Week 12 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

Online Module Quizzes: Students are to complete short quiz questions based on module content.

Written Assessment: Students are to submit a multimedia assignment. Further information will be provided via Canvas.

Oral Presentation: Students will provide an Oral Presentation and then will participate in peer critique and discussion. Further information will be provided via Canvas.

Final Examination: Student will complete a 2-hour examination, the examination will include short and extended response questions based on content and learning activities from the course.

 

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.

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:

Please note: for this unit of study (BMSC5002) the late submission penalty will be 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. This is to ensure that timely feedback is provided to students. If the assessment is submitted more than 10 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.

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 Module 1.1: Introduction to Advances in Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Block teaching (10 hr)  
Week 02 Module 1.2: Antibodies in Disease Diagnosis Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 03 Module 1.3: Molecular Biology and Genomics Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Module 1.4: Medical Imaging Technologies Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 05 Module 1.5: Mass Spectrometry Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 Module 2.1: Small Molecule Drugs Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 07 Module 2.2: Antibody Therapeutics Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 08 Module 2.3: Clinical Trials Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Module 2.4: Immunotherapy Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Module 3.1: Cell-based Therapies Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Module 3.2: Pairing Genomic Technologies with Therapy Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Module 3.3: mRNA Targeting Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Module 3.4: Gene Therapy Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are required to attend online weekly workshops (2-hours duration) and will be required to view weekly pre-recorded lecture material.

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.

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 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. Analyse advances in our understanding of disease in order to construct solutions for the effective diagnosis and treatment of new or re-emerging diseases.
  • LO2. Select and justify diagnostic tools in the design of innovative and/or optimal treatment strategies.
  • LO3. Acquire and apply advanced biomedical scientific knowledge and skills to the design of novel health interventions.
  • LO4. Validate and use evidence gathered from data sets to inform treatment practices.
  • LO5. Reflect on the impact of advances in disease diagnosis and treatment on the community.

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.

We value your feedback about any aspect of the unit of study and your experience as a student of the School of Medical Sciences. To help ensure our courses meet your needs and maintain a high standard, we welcome your feedback at any time and we ask you to complete the Mid-Semester Evaluation Survey and the unit of study Evaluation Survey at the end of the semester. You can also rate any component of the unit using our star rating system found at the bottom of many pages as you progress through the unit. Your ratings and comments are anonymous and specifying what you liked and didn’t like about any of the learning materials, assessment items, discussion forums, feedback etc will help us to target our improvement efforts. Please note that your participation in this unit of study permits de-identified information about your learning experience and interaction with learning resources to be used for the purpose of improving the student learning experience.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances

  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory

  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories

  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door

  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory

  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

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.