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Unit outline_

PHAR2921: Infectious Diseases

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study focuses on infectious diseases, integrating the science underpinning the cause and treatment of infectious diseases, with pharmacy practice-related aspects. The science component focuses on the biology and pathogenicity of microorganisms; the physiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical features of infectious diseases; the antimicrobial agents used to treat infections, and the related issue of antimicrobial resistance; as well as cleanroom technology, sterile production, compounding, and infection control measures. All these underpin and provide context to the practice-related components of the unit, which includes extemporaneous preparations, dispensing, medicines and health services, and antimicrobial stewardship. Students reinforce learning through participating in hands-on practicals and applying their knowledge and skills in workshops and tutorials involving case-based scenarios of managing patients with infectious diseases.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
(BIOL1XX8 or BIOL1XX3 or MEDS1XX1) and (BIOL1009 or BIOL1X07) and PHAR1921
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lifeng Kang, lifeng.kang@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Andrew Holmes, andrew.holmes@sydney.edu.au
Timothy Newsome, timothy.newsome@sydney.edu.au
Jonathan Penm, jonathan.penm@sydney.edu.au
Sophie Stocker, sophie.stocker@sydney.edu.au
Lifeng Kang, lifeng.kang@sydney.edu.au
Jan-Willem Alffenaar, johannes.alffenaar@sydney.edu.au
Jack Collins, jack.c.collins@sydney.edu.au
Paul Groundwater, paul.groundwater@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final exam
Final exam (written)
40% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO11
Small continuous assessment prework
prework for pracs
4% Multiple weeks 5-10 minutes for each quiz
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2
Participation hurdle task Participation
participation in pracs and workshops.
3% Multiple weeks 6 attendances in total
Outcomes assessed: LO12
Supervised test
? 
Mid-semester exam
In-semester test (written)
20% Week 08
Due date: 17 Sep 2024 at 14:00
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7 LO5 LO6 LO11
Assignment Practical report
Individual prac report.
13% Week 12
Due date: 25 Oct 2024 at 23:59
as shown in the report template.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO3 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Presentation hurdle task group assignment Presentation
Oral presentation
20% Week 13 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO13 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO3 LO7 LO8
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Final exam: The final exam will consist of a series of multiple-choice questions. All aspects of the unit of study from the lectures will be examinable. Student must pass final exam to pass the unit.

Mid-semester exam: This is a closed-book, multiple-choice assessment. Questions of the mid-term exam come from materials from the first 7 weeks of semester. This includes all lectures and practical lab classes, including theoretical background of practical classes as well as the results of each exercise.

Oral presentation. This is a group work. The oral presentation should be carried out in groups of ~5 students, based on the scenario provided to each group. Peer assessment will be applied to marks. Student's must passthis assessment to pass the unit.

Practical report: A report template will be provided, for students to answer the questions based on the practicals. Both multiple-choice and short answer questions will be included. The deadline for submission will be specified in the report template.

Practical prework: Prior to each practical, students need to complete an online assessment (a series of multiple-choice questions) related to that practical. Students are required to answer questions without consulting other students.

Practical and workshop participation: Attendance at all practical and workshop sessions is compulsory. Students are always required to comply with the laboratory rules. Pre-lab tasks must be completed prior to coming to class. Student must paricipate to pass the unit.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

A fail in any hurdle task will result in a maximum mark of 45 FA for the unit of study.

Assessment criteria

Result name Mark range Description
HD Range from 85 to 100 inclusive Awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
DI Range from 75 to less than 85 Awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
CR Range from 65 to less than 75 Awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
PS Range from 50 to less than 65 Awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
FA Range from 0 to less than 50 Awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard established by the faculty. This grade, with corresponding mark, should also be used in cases where a student fails to achieve a mandated standard in a compulsory assessment, thereby failing to demonstrate the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard. In such cases the student will receive the mark awarded by the faculty up to a maximum of 49.

 

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:

Group Work: Non submission of peer assessment will result in a factor of zero (0) being applied to the non-submitter’s groupwork mark.

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
Mid-semester break AMS Workshop (1.5 hr) LO6 LO12
Multiple weeks Self directed learning Independent study (63 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 01 Introduction Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6 LO8
Medically Important Bacteria I Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO7
Week 02 Medically Important Bacteria II Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO7
Medically Important Viruses Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO7
Aseptic processing Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO13
Week 03 Medically Important Eukaryotes Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO7
Physical Sterilisation I Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO8
Aseptic processing Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO13
Week 04 Physical Sterilisation II Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO8
Chemical Antimicrobial Agents Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO8
Filtration, disinfection and preservation Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO13
Week 05 Contamination Control and Cleanroom Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO8
Antibiotics I Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO5 LO7
Filtration, disinfection and preservation Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO13
Week 06 Antibiotics II Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO5 LO7
Antivirals Hepatitis Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO5 LO7 LO9
Sterile compounding Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO13
Week 07 Antivirals HIV Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO5 LO7 LO9
Vaginal thrush Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO5 LO7 LO9
Sterile compounding Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO13
Week 09 GIT infections Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO5 LO7 LO9
AMS Lecture (1 hr) LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Sterile production Workshop (1.5 hr) LO4 LO8
Antimicrobial stewardship Lecture (1 hr) LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 10 STI Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO5 LO7 LO9
Pharmacy practice on antimicrobials Workshop (4 hr) LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
Week 11 Travel medicine Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO5 LO7 LO9
Practice points on antimicrobials I Lecture (1 hr) LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 12 Practice points on antimicrobials II Lecture (1 hr) LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Practice points on antimicrobials III Lecture (1 hr) LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 13 Antimicrobials in Indigenous people Lecture (1 hr) LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
PK consideration of antibiotics Lecture (1 hr) LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12

Attendance and class requirements

Students must attend a minimum of 85% of tutorials, workshops/and laboratory sessions to satisfy attendance requirements for this unit of study.

If a tutorial/lab/workshop is missed due to illness or misadventure, students are to submit a special consideration application along with supporting documentation.

Students arriving more than 10 minutes after the commencement of the tutorial/laboratory/workshop/placement will be marked as unprofessional, which is a component of the class participation and professionalism assessment.

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. Describe a microorganism's structure, function, bio-relationships and pathological processes of infection in humans for each major microbial group (bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoas).
  • LO2. Explain the chemistry and pharmacology that underpin the mechanism of action and activity of antimicrobial medicines.
  • LO3. Describe the physiology, epidemiology and pathophysiology of infectious diseases.
  • LO4. Describe the importance of managing microbial contamination in pharmaceutical products and demonstrate knowledge of good manufacturing practice and skills in sterile production.
  • LO5. Explain the cause and impact of antimicrobial resistance and list the main components of Australia's national antimicrobial resistance strategy.
  • LO6. Describe the pharmacist's role in infectious diseases management, including in antimicrobial stewardship.
  • LO7. Propose, and justify the rationale for, the most appropriate pharmacological and/or non-pharmacological treatment(s) tailored for a specific patient and their circumstances, using relevant evidence-based resources.
  • LO8. Dispense and/or prepare pharmaceutical products for a patient with an infectious condition in a legal, safe and ethical manner.
  • LO9. Communicate effectively and appropriately, in a culturally capable manner with patients, families, carers and other health professionals.
  • LO10. Demonstrate patient-centred care in interactions with patients, families and carers relating to antimicrobial medicines.
  • LO11. Provide appropriate tailored advice and counselling to a patient with an infectious condition to ensure the quality use of medicines.
  • LO12. Demonstrate responsibility for personal and professional development through independent learning and continuous reflection.
  • LO13. Work effectively and cooperatively as a member of a learning team.

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.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

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.