Skip to main content
Unit of study_

BIOS5041: Ageing, Biology and Health

Semester 2, 2021 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit studies human ageing from biological perspectives. The unit is designed to address issues relevant to health care service provision and the promotion of quality of life in ageing. It is not directed at a specific professional group, and addresses issues related to ageing in a generalist way. The emphasis is on understanding the main features of 'normal' ageing or senescence as distinct from disease processes and the contribution of environmental factors to ageing. It has three modules: the first addresses the processes underlying the process of ageing, the second addresses how health service interventions can modify the response to ageing in beneficial and detrimental ways; and the third focuses on the roles of nutrition and exercise in improving the wellbeing of the ageing population.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BIOS5041
Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Peter Knight, peter.knight@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Assignment 1
Essay
50% Week 06 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Assignment 2
Essay
50% Week 13 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

Students will be required to write an essay relevant to the two modules they select to be assessed on. Students are free to choose the details of the topic they write about.

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

Students have demonstrated an outstanding knowledge of issues and
have extensively applied their knowledge to the evaluation of issues.
They have demonstrated excellent problem solving skills and evidence
that they have thought about broad issues related to aged care that are
not limited to those covered in the unit. They have shown insight into the
myriad difficulties confronting aged care providers.

Distinction

75 - 84

Students have demonstrated an extensive knowledge of issues and have
shown evidence of being able to apply their knowledge to the evaluation
of issues. They showed evidence of developing a broad perspective on
issues of aged care.

Credit

65 - 74

Students have demonstrated a useful working knowledge of the areas
studied and have begun to demonstrate that their knowledge can be
applied to higher level interpretive tasks.

Pass

50 - 64

Students have demonstrated a basic working understanding of the key
concepts. They have not demonstrated the ability to apply their
knowledge in any advanced or abstract way. They have achieved the
basic outcomes describes in the unit of study.

Fail

0 - 49

Students who fail this unit have failed to accumulate enough marks to
reach the pass threshold. This means that they have failed to demonstrate
an adequate level of knowledge of basic concepts or the basic skills
required to meet the aims of the unit as specified in the unit of study
description.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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
Weekly There are 4 modules which students complete in the order they choose. These are biological basis of ageing, effects of hospitalistion, preventive gerontology and pain. Independent study (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

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. Understand the basic biological principles of ageing
  • LO2. Develop an in-depth understanding of the issues surrounding two of the following topics: hospitalisation; preventive gerontology; pain; geriatric radiography.
  • LO3. Discuss in detail the issues issues surrounding two of the following topics: hospitalisation; preventive gerontology; pain; geriatric radiography.
  • LO4. Propose solutions for problems encountered in providing appropriate aged care for older people from theoretical and practical perspectives.

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.

Student feedback is considered in reviewing and redesigning the unit.

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.