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Unit outline_

SURG5028: Thorax, Back, Spinal Cord by Dissection

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

This is a face to face teaching course. Candidates dissect in supervised groups, according to a strict daily dissection schedule, utilising team-based learning (TBL) methods. This is a proven technique for teaching clinical topographical anatomy to surgical trainees. Throughout this course there is a strong emphasis on applied clinical and surgical anatomy. Supervision is by anatomists and/or specialist surgeons. All candidates are given allotted tasks to prepare for presentation to the class prior to dissection. Self-directed study is required before each of the sessions of approximately 10 hours per session as a minimum. The student is expected to have read and learnt the appropriate texts before coming to class. There are ongoing SCORPIOs carried out during the dissection. At the end of each module there is a summative examination. The dissection covers all aspects of the thorax, including body wall, thoracic wall, diaphragm, thoracic cavity, superior, anterior, middle and posterior mediastinum, pleura, lungs, heart, oesophagus, and osteology of thorax.

Unit details and rules

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

This is an advanced course and it is recommended for advanced trainees who are preparing for the GSSE or for a SET program. It is also available if you have completed other Anatomy courses/training

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Nabil El Massri, nabil.elmassri@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Skills-based evaluation Viva voce
Viva knowledge demonstration
30% Formal exam period 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Skills-based evaluation SPOT test
SPOT test with specimens
10% Formal exam period
Due date: 24 Nov 2024 at 23:59
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Presentation Presentations
Presentation
20% Multiple weeks 2x 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test Online quiz
Online quiz
10% Multiple weeks
Due date: 01 Dec 2024 at 23:59
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Skills-based evaluation Dissection Performance
Evaluation of Dissection Skills
10% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Essay
Written essay
20% Week 08
Due date: 22 Sep 2024 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Skills Based Evaluations

Spot Tests: Students will be given a small test assessing the topics covered in the practical sessions. 
Dissection Performance: Students will be assessed on their dissection skills during the practical sessions. 
Viva Voce: At the completion of the dissection days students will complete a 10 minute viva voce on an assigned topic.

Online Assessment

Presentations: Students will complete two 10-minute presentations, these will be pre-recorded and submitted via Canvas. 
Essay: Students will complete short essay on a given anatomical topic. 
Online Quiz: Students will complete a timed quiz online via Canvas, the quiz will include SPOT questions with images and MCQs. 

More details can be found in 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
Formal exam period Walls of Thorax and Thoracic Activity Practical (16 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
STUVAC Back Muscles, Vertebral Column and Spinal Cord Practical (16 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

There are 4 hands-on practical sessions for this unit which will be held in-person at the University of Sydney, Camperdown Campus. 

  • Saturday 9th November
  • Sunday 10th November
  • Saturday 23rd November
  • Sunday 24th November

 

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. Develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of the five regions of the body
  • LO2. Recognise and explain all common and important characteristics of an anatomical structure
  • LO3. Develop an understanding of key relationships and common variations of topographical regional anatomy which are important to surgeons in the management of patients in clinical and operating rooms
  • LO4. Correlate clinically relevant regional anatomy with core systematic anatomy of surgical importance
  • LO5. Interpret transition regions of the body and sectional anatomy regions of the body using modern imaging techniques

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 unit of study Evaluation Survey (USS) at the end of the semester. Your feedback 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

All students must comply with the conditions of entry for the anatomy labs.

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.