Outline

Overview

This unit of study aims to develop an understanding of the embryological processes occurring to form the human body - from fertilisation to birth. Topics also to be discussed are: infertility, abnormal development, artificial reproductive technologies and fetal surgery.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	6 credit points of Junior Biology
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Helen Ritchie, helen.ritchie@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Final Exam Short answer and MCQ	30%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project Report	25%	STUVAC Due date: 07 Jun 2021 at 09:00	Consult Canvas for more detail
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Topic quiz 1 Online multiple choice and sort answer questions	5%	Week 02 Due date: 14 Mar 2021 at 22:00	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Topic quiz 2 Online multiple choice and sort answer questions	5%	Week 05 Due date: 04 Apr 2021 at 22:00	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	In-Semester exam Short-answer and multiple-choice question	30%	Week 07 Due date: 19 Apr 2021 at 08:00	1 hr
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Topic quiz 3 Online multiple choice and sort answer questions	5%	Week 10 Due date: 16 May 2021 at 22:00	30 minues
Outcomes assessed:
= Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Topic quizzes: The 3 tutorial quizzes must be completed by Sunday 10pm pin Weeks 2,5 and 10. The quizzes can be attempted twice and the highest mark will contribute to the final mark. The topics assessed include (1) early development to placentation, (2) cardiovascular and central nervous system, special senses, and (3) respiratory, digestive, urogenital and musculoskeletal systems.
In-semester exam: The In-semester exam will be held ONLINE at 8 am on Monday 19 April, 2021. If this clashes, contact me by Week 3 of the semester.
Project: Development of a congenital malformation. The project must be a unique work describing and explaining the abnormal development of an embryological process. Your anticipated audience should be imagined to be parents with no more than high school level of biology knowledge.
End-semester exam: To be held ONLINE in Week 15/16. Dates, times will be made available prior to the examination period.

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

Work of exceptional standard

Mastery of topics showing extensive integration and ability to transfer knowledge to novel contexts; treatment of tasks shows an advanced synthesis of ideas; demonstration of initiative, complex understanding and analysis; work is very well presented; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to an outstanding leve

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of superior standard

Excellent achievement, consistent evidence of deep understanding and application of knowledge in medical science; treatment of tasks shows advanced understanding of topics; demonstration of initiative, complex understanding and analysis; work is well-presented; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to a superior level

Credit

65 - 74

Competent work demonstrating potential for higher study

Confident in explaining medical science processes, with evidence of solid understanding and achievement; occasional lapses indicative of unresolved issues; treatment of tasks shows a good understanding of topic; work is well-presented with a minimum of errors; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to a high level

Pass

50 - 64

Work of acceptable standard

Satisfactory level of engagement with and understanding of topic; some inconsistencies in understanding and knowledge of medical science; work is adequately presented, with some errors or omissions, most criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to an adequate level

Fail

0 - 49

Work not of acceptable standard

Unsatisfactory achievement and engagement with the medical science discipline; inadequate understanding or fundamental misunderstanding of topics; most criteria and learning outcomes not clearly or adequately addressed or achieved; lack of effort/involvement in the unit

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:

All assignments must be submitted by the due date and quizzes and exams attended when they are scheduled. Students are expected to manage their time and to prioritise tasks to meet deadlines. Assessment items submitted after the due date without an approved extension using a special consideration or special arrangement form or request will incur penalties. Failure to meet assessment deadlines will incur mark deductions of 5% of the maximum awardable mark available for every day past the due date (for electronic submissions, days late includes Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays). These deductions will continue for 10 calendar days, until the solutions for the assignment are released, or marked assignments are returned to other students. At that point the mark awarded will be zero. For example, on an assignment given a mark of 70/100, the penalty would be 5 marks if submitted up to 24 hours late, resulting in a final mark of 65/100. If the assignment is submitted 6 days late, the penalty would be 30 marks and the final mark would be 40/100. If the assignment is more than 10 days late, submitted after the solutions for the assignment are released, or marked assignments are returned to other students, the final mark will be 0/100.

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Early development: fertilisation to week 2	Individual study (2 hr)
Week 02	Early development: week 3-4 and placentation	Individual study (2 hr)
Week 03	Development of the cardiovascular system 1	Individual study (2 hr)
Week 04	Development of the cardiovascular system 2	Individual study (2 hr)
Week 05	Development of the brain and nervous system and special senses	Individual study (2 hr)
Week 06	Development of the respiratory system	Individual study (2 hr)
Week 08	Development of the urogenital system	Individual study (2 hr)
Week 09	Development of the digestive system	Individual study (2 hr)
Week 10	Musculoskeletal development and face	Individual study (2 hr)
Week 11	Teratology	Individual study (2 hr)
Week 12	Reproduction intervention	Individual study (2 hr)
Week 13	Fetus as patient	Individual study (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

This unit is run online.

There are optional face-to-face tutorials on campus in weeks 2, 5 and 10.

There is a compulsory online IN-SEMESTER EXAM on campus at 8 am on Monday 19 April, 2021. Clashes can be accommodated but you MUST contact me by Week 3 of semester to arrange an alternate time

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

The preferred text (below) is available for purchase from the campus bookshop:

Larsen's Human Embryology, 5th Edition (2015) By Gary C. Schoenwolf, PhD, Steven B. Bleyl, MD, PhD, Philip R. Brauer, BS, PhD and Philippa H. Francis-West, PhD Churchill Livingstone

Some copies are also available for loan from the library as a hard copy. This book is also available from the library as an ebook.

Other useful textbooks

K L Moore: The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology

T Sadler: Langman's Medical Embryology

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. describe the development of the embryo during weeks 1 – 4
LO2. describe the processes of implantation and placentation
LO3. describe the development of the cardiovascular system and understand the processes affected in the formation of structural defects of the heart and great vessels
LO4. describe the development of the central nervous system and understand the processes affected in the formation of structural defects of the brain and spinal cord
LO5. Describe the development of the special senses and understand the processes affected in the formation of structural defects of the eye and ear.
LO6. describe the development of the respiratory system and understand the processes affected in the formation of structural defects of the lungs, diaphragm and trachea
LO7. describe the development of the digestive system and understand the processes affected in the formation of structural defects of the digestive system
LO8. describe the development of the urogenital system and understand the processes affected in the formation of structural defects of the kidney, bladder, gonads reproductive tubes and external genitalia
LO9. describe the development of the musculoskeletal system and understand the processes affected in the formation of structural defects of the musculoskeletal system
LO10. Describe the development of the face and palate and understand the processes affected in the formation of structural defects of the face and palate
LO11. Describe the basic principles of teratology
LO12. describe conditions that may cause subfertility
LO13. describe a number of different artificial reproductive technologies
LO14. name and describe some conditions that are currently possible to treat using prenatal surgery.
LO15. Explain the development of a selected birth defect.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

After student feedback, audio files have been updated

Additional information

When communicating with teaching staff the most straightforward method is via email. Note the following guidelines when emailing staff.

Use your university email address.
Address the person appropriately
Identify yourself by name
Identify the Unit of Study that you are enquiring about
Word your email clearly

Due to concerns about viruses, anonymous emails, emails containing unsolicited attachments emails from a non-university address are unlikely to be opened or read.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BIOS2115: Embryology

Semester 1, 2021 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links