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Unit outline_

INTM5014: Cardiology

Semester 1, 2024 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The Cardiology syllabus is designed to meet the needs of medical practitioners who are either trainee physicians or have a special interest in the practice of cardiology. The content is focussed on diagnosis and investigation of common cardiologic conditions and the essentials of management of these conditions. The module learning materials are linked to a library of clinical cases representing common and important cardiologic conditions.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Internal Medicine
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

This unit of study assumes theoretical and practical knowledge of cardiology at least at the level of a registered medical practitioner

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Karan Rao, karan.rao@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Multiple Choice Questions
50% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Tutorial quiz Graded quizzes
Multiple Choice Questions
10% Multiple weeks 60 minutes each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO12 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Graded discussion boards
Forum posts
20% Multiple weeks 500 words each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO12 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Case report
Report
20% Week 08
Due date: 21 Apr 2024 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12

Assessment summary

  • Graded quizzes: There are graded multiple choice quizzes from weeks 1-13 that address learning outcomes in material that you have covered. The quizzes are taken at a time of the student’s choosing within an allotted time-frame. Reference materials may be used to help. The quizzes are open for the duration of the module plus one additional week and it is recommended that students attempt them weekly.
  • Discussion boards: During the semester students are expected to participate in online discussions relating to a clinical case that will be outlined on the discussion board (4 cases per semester). Discussions are available for a duration of three weeks. Students will need to be active in the discussion boards. An initial response to the provided case must be posted within the first two weeks, replies to other students can be posted in the final week.
  • Case report:  Students should aim to produce a report, not including references. In general, about a third of the report should be allocated to the case report and two thirds to discussion of the case. The report should be based on a patient the student has cared for, or seen, in the course of their clinical work. The case report can be formatted as a narrative or, arranged with headings of; history of the presenting illness, previous medical history, social history, examination, investigations, and diagnosis.
  • Final exam: The final exam is a graded, fully invigilated exam conducted via Canvas with the help of an online proctor. This is known as "Live+ (Type A)" exam. You will be required to schedule your exam later in the semester. The exam will contain multiple-choice questions (single best answer). The exam is "closed book", you are not permitted any materials with you for this 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

 

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.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Module 1.1: cardiovascular risk and primary prevention Online class (10 hr)  
Week 02 Module 1.2: stable coronary artery disease Online class (10 hr)  
Week 03 Module 1.3: unstable coronary artery disease Online class (10 hr)  
Week 04 Module 2.1: systolic murmurs Online class (10 hr)  
Week 05 Module 2.2: diastolic murmurs and infective endocarditis Online class (10 hr)  
Week 06 Module 2.3: cardiomyopathy and systolic heart failure - chronic heart failure Online class (10 hr)  
Week 07 Module 2.4: cardiomyopathy and heart failure - acute heart failure and mycocarditis Online class (10 hr)  
Week 08 Module 3.1: palpitations and atrial arrhythmias Online class (10 hr)  
Week 09 Module 3.2: syncope, bradyarrhythmias Online class (10 hr)  
Week 10 Module 3.3: ventricular arrhythmias Online class (10 hr)  
Week 11 Module 4.1: pericardial diseases and introduction to pulmonary hypertension Online class (10 hr)  
Week 12 Module 4.2: aortic diseases Online class (10 hr)  
Week 13 Module 4.3: introduction to congenital heart disease Online class (10 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.

Required readings

All readings for this unit are available on Canvas.

  • Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, 12th Edition 2021 

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. outline the important pathophysiology that contributes to atherogenesis
  • LO2. describe the risk factors and clinical management of coronary artery disease including investigation of chest pain, primary prevention, secondary prevention, intervention, and medical management in stable and unstable disease
  • LO3. understand the aetiology and medical management/device management principles in acute and chronic heart failure
  • LO4. explain the causes, appropriate medical management, and indications or intervention in valvular heart disease
  • LO5. identify the common atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and describe the acute and chronic management plans for these arrhythmias
  • LO6. describe the common presentations, causes investigation and management of syncope
  • LO7. understand the basic indications for implantable pacemakers and defibrillators
  • LO8. outline the basic pathophysiology, investigation and management of channelopathies and cardiomyopathies which may manifest in sudden cardiac death
  • LO9. describe the presentation, investigation, and management principles in the myocarditis and pericardial diseases
  • LO10. outline the common Aortopathies and the management and intervention strategies for these
  • LO11. describe the classification, investigation, and management options in pulmonary hypertension
  • LO12. outline basic conditions and management principles of the congenital heart disease.

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 Sydney Medical School. 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. 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. No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.