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Unit outline_

SEXH5422: Maternal and Fetal Medicine

Semester 2, 2023 [Block mode] - Westmead, Sydney

This unit will provide a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology and clinical features and management in Maternal and Fetal Medicine (MFM). Topics in Maternal medicine include maternal adaptation to pregnancy in health and disease, maternal complications of pregnancy, impact of chronic disease on pregnancy outcomes and long-term maternal health following pregnancy. In Fetal medicine topics include embryogenesis, advances in prenatal imaging, diagnosis and genetics, screening and surveillance in pregnancy, clinical management of fetal growth and structural anomalies. The unit will also cover key areas in MFM which include perinatal epidemiology, ethical and legal aspects related to MFM and concepts in developmental origins of health and disease (DoHAD).

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Sexual Health
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Dharmintra Pasupathy, dharmintra.pasupathy@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay
Essay
30% Formal exam period
Due date: 17 Nov 2023 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Online task Clinical Case study tasks
Complete online via Canvas Assignments
30% Multiple weeks 300 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Small test Multiple Choice Quiz (MCQ)
Online quiz within a 24 hour specified period
25% Week 11
Due date: 18 Oct 2023 at 12:00
60 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Group Case study presentation
Oral presentation during Intensive teaching block
15% Week 13
Due date: 01 Nov 2023 at 23:59
20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

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.

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 (SEXH5422) the late submission penalty will be 5% of the maximum awardable mark for 10 calendar days only. 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 – Maternal physiology in pregnancy Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 02 Module 2 - Fetal development & physiology Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 03 Module 3 - Genetics Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 04 Module 4 - Prenatal screening & diagnosis Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 05 Module 5 - Diagnosis & management of fetal malformation Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 06 Module 6 - Diagnosis & management of other fetal conditions Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 07 Module 7 - Maternal cardiovascular & respiratory disease Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 08 Module 8 - Maternal endocrinology & gastroenterology Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 09 Module 9 - Diagnosis & management of other maternal medical disorders Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 10 Module 10 – Maternal pregnancy related disorders Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 11 Module 11 - Bereavement and ethics Independent study (11 hr)  
Week 12 Module 12 – Imaging in MFM Independent study (10 hr)  
Face-to-Face Intensive Teaching Block Workshop (20 hr)  
Week 13 Module 13 – High dependency & intensive care in MFM Independent study (10 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance at the face-to-face intensive sessions is compulsory for all students. Failure to attend may result in an absent fail for the unit of study.

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

This unit of study has the following textbooks:

  • Pandya, P. P., Wapner, R., Oepkes, D., & Sebire, N., 2019, Fetal Medicine: Basic Science and Clinical Practice (3rd edition), Elsevier.
  • Nelson-Piercy, C., 2020, Handbook of obstetric medicine, CRC Press.

All other readings for this unit can be accessed on Canvas.

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. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of pregnancy and maternal and fetal complications.
  • LO2. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of screening and clinical presentation of conditions related to maternal and fetal medicine.
  • LO3. Demonstrate the principles of clinical management in the spectrum of maternal and fetal medicine together with the legal and ethical aspects of maternal and fetal medicine

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.

UoS Coordinator will consider any feedback and make appropriate changes/improvements.

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.