Outline

Overview

Understanding the underlying mechanisms of disease and disease progression, improving human health and addressing the impact of human activity on individual health outcomes are some of the great challenges facing modern medical sciences in the 21st century. To equip students with skills appropriate for careers in the biomedical sciences and for further training in research or professional degrees it is necessary to provide an integrated understanding of how to evaluate and analyse crucial pathological mechanisms governing disease progression in humans. You will participate in inquiry-led museum and practical class sessions that review human pathological specimens using innovative online tools combined with high-resolution microscopy to crystallise and reinforce concepts developed in the unit. You will undertake investigations to gain an advanced understanding of the pathogenesis, natural history and related health complications of common human diseases. You will learn to use methodologies to exemplify key differences between normality and disease in order to explain cellular aspects of certain pathological processes. Through undertaking this unit you will develop the necessary practical skills required to employ advanced imaging technologies that are increasingly used to define and strategically assess how different organ systems react to injury/insult, which ultimately improve the capacity to manage and intervene in fundamental and clinical aspects of health and disease.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	A mark of 70 or above in 12 cp from [IMMU2X11 or IMMU2101 or MEDS2004 or MIMI2X02] or [MEDS2004 and (MEDS2001 or MEDS2003)]
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	CPAT3202
Assumed knowledge ?	A working knowledge of biology
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Melanie White, melanie.white@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Open book)	Final exam MCQ and short/extended answer questions covering all modules delivered	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Practical workbook SAQ with a microscopic and macroscopic evaluation of disease	10%	Please select a valid week from the list below	One workbook per learning module
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Video project Video presentation amd script	7.5%	Week 05	4-minute video
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 1 MCQ - Renal and Neurological modules	10%	Week 07	30 mins
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 2 MCQ - Reproductive and Cardiovascular	10%	Week 11	30 mins
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	LabStay ELN Assessment of ELN lab book	12.5%	Week 13	LabStay spans 7 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
= Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

Practical workbooks: One workbook is available per learning module. All questions must be attempted in short answer format to be considered as a completed submission. Submissions must be made prior to the relevant due date.

In-class quiz: The content being examined will include all relevant material for CPAT3202 up until (and including) the week prior to the exam.

LabStay ELN: Students will join a research laboratory to undertake a scientific study. The ELN will be submitted for assessment of the LabStay.

Pathogenesis video and script: Students will develop a script and video to do a deep-dive into a museum specimen, considering macroscopic and microscopic features and the pathogenic processes.

Final Exam: The exam is comprised of multiple-choice questions and short answer questions.

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	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.
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
Multiple weeks	Advanced museum tutorial	Tutorial (3 hr)
	Advanced approaches to the study of pathology	Tutorial (4 hr)
	Laboratory project	Science laboratory (9 hr)
Week 01	Renal Pathology 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Renal Pathology 1	Practical (1.5 hr)
Week 02	Renal Pathology 2	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Renal Pathology 3	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Renal Pathology 3	Practical (1.5 hr)
Week 04	Neurological Diseases 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Neurological Diseases 1	Practical (1.5 hr)
Week 05	Neurological Diseases 2	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Gynaecological Pathology 1	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Gynaecological Pathology 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Gynaecological Pathology 2	Practical (1.5 hr)
Week 08	Cardiovascular Pathology 1	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Cardiovascular Pathology 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Cardiovascular Pathology 2	Practical (1.5 hr)
Week 10	Cardiovascular Pathology 3	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Accessory Digestive Organ Diseases 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Accessory Digestive Organ Diseases 1	Practical (1.5 hr)
Week 12	Accessory DIgestive Organ Diseases 2	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of compulsory museum tutorials and microscope practicals for this unit, as per the University Coursework Policy

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 through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Robbins Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease; 10th edition; Vinay Kumar, Abul K. Abbas, Jon. C. Aster

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. Evaluate how different organ systems react to injury and adapt to pathology for comparison with physiological conditions.
LO2. Examine and evaluate diseased tissue at the macroscopic and microscopic levels using advanced investigative techniques.
LO3. Design experimental strategies, assess experimental data and propose appropriate scientific conclusions to examine pathogenic processes in a laboratory setting.
LO4. Translate complex pathogenic processes for a broader audience.
LO5. Transfer problem-solving skills to novel situations related to disease pathogenesis.
LO6. Find, formulate and articulate information on disease pathogenesis for written and verbal communication.

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.

Project options will be made available in Week 2

Additional information

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 posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eyewash 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.

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

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

CPAT3902: Pathogenesis of Human Disease 2 (Advanced)

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

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

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect