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Unit outline_

SURG5037: Basic Sciences and Benign Breast Disease

Semester 1, 2022 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Breast surgery requires comprehensive knowledge of the basic sciences of the breast and also the various elements of benign breast diseases. This unit of study aims to prepare candidates for a career in breast surgery. The unit focuses on: 1. the anatomy of the breast, axilla and donor sites for reconstruction flaps 2. anatomical variations and physiological changes in the breast and axilla 3. benign breast diseases including mastitis, mastalgia, nipple discharge and aberrations of normal development and involution (ANDI) 4. current radiological modalities in breast disease imaging and risk assessment for patients 5. genetic and non-genetic risk assessment for patients 6. the importance of oestrogen and HER 2 receptors in breast cancer.

Unit details and rules

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

This unit is designed as the first part of a curriculum for contemporary breast surgery for Post Fellowship Trainees and assumes practical skills training is obtained on the BreastSurgANZ PFT Program (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed general or plastic surgical training and have a strong interest in breast surgery

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jocelyn Lippey, jocelyn.lippey@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Susannah Graham, susannah.graham@sydney.edu.au
Jocelyn Lippey, jocelyn.lippey@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Live+ supervised) Type A final exam Final online exam
MCQ, short answer
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Small test Module quizzes
MCQ
10% Multiple weeks See Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Small continuous assessment Clinical case discussion
Online post contributions
15% Multiple weeks 500 words post, 100 words reply
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO6 LO4
Presentation hurdle task Webinars (Case reports)
Come prepared to present a case and discuss at each live webinar
15% Multiple weeks Unit coordinators to advise
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO3
Assignment Essay
Essay
10% Week 04 600 words per essay
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO1
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
Type A final exam = Type A final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Module quizzes: The quizzes are designed to help students gauge their progress in meeting the learning outcomes. There is one attempt only. The quizzes are open for a set period. Please note that quizzes cannot be completed after the close date.
  • Essay: The essay is designed to help students synthesise and apply the knowledge they have gained. The essay must be properly referenced.
  • Clinical case discussions: The clinical case discussions are designed to help students understand and apply the concepts that underpin the fundamentals. In these discussions, students will be presented with a case and asked to respond to the questions posed. You are required to post a response to every case discussion. Once submitted, students will have access to other students’ answers and will be required to prepare a comment to another student’s answer.
  • Webinars (case reports): Students will be required to attend two live webinars. Attendance of both webinars is compulsory. Students will be required to prepare a case prior to each webinar and present the case during the webinar in addition to participating in discussion.
  • Final online exam: The final exam is a graded, fully invigilated exam conducted via Canvas with the help of an online proctor. The exam will contain 40 multiple choice questions (single best answer) and 3 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

 

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Module 1: normal breast, axillary and lymphatic anatomy Online class (10 hr)  
Week 02 Module 1: normal breast, axillary and lymphatic anatomy Online class (10 hr)  
Week 03 Module 2: variations in breast and axillary anatomy and flap donor sites Online class (10 hr)  
Week 04 Module 3: benign breast disease Online class (10 hr)  
Week 05 Module 3: benign breast disease Online class (10 hr)  
Week 06 Module 4: normal and benign breast disease - radiology Online class (10 hr)  
Week 07 Module 4: normal and benign breast disease - radiology Online class (10 hr)  
Week 08 Module 5: breast cancer and imaging Online class (10 hr)  
Week 09 Module 6: breast imaging for therapeutic interventions Online class (10 hr)  
Week 10 Module 6: breast imaging for therapeutic interventions Online class (10 hr)  
Week 11 Module 7: recognising high risk Online class (10 hr)  
Week 12 Module 7: recognising high risk Online class (10 hr)  
Week 13 Module 8: receptors Online class (10 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance requirements: Students will be required to attend two live webinars for this unit of study. Attendance of both webinars is compulsory.

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. demonstrate the basics of anatomy and physiology of the breast and the impact of the female reproductive hormonal cycle on the breast
  • LO2. appraise the complexity of surgical and multidisciplinary management of benign breast disease and patients at high risk for breast cancer
  • LO3. assess the strengths and weaknesses of breast imaging - its strengths and weaknesses
  • LO4. critically evaluate the literature on sentinel node biopsy and breast localisation techniques
  • LO5. explain the genetic, hormonal and environmental factors influencing breast cancer risk
  • LO6. explain the role of Oestrogen, Progesterone and Her2 receptors in breast cancer phenotyping and treatment

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. You can also rate any component of the unit using our star rating system found at the bottom of many pages as you progress through the unit. 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.

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.