Outline

Overview

This unit will address the syllabus requirements of the Primary or First Part examinations of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, College of Intensive Care Medicine and the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine. It includes basic pharmacology and clinical applications of relevant drugs and drug groups.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	CRIT5003
Academic unit	Critical Care
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	This unit of study is only available to medical graduates.
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ross MacPherson, ross.macpherson@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Live+ supervised)	Final Exam Online Task	50%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Ungraded practice quizzes MCQ, nonwritten components	0%	Multiple weeks	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Graded module quizzes MCQ, nonwritten elements	10%	Multiple weeks	1 minute per question
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Discussion boards Discussion contributions	10%	Multiple weeks	300-500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Short answer questions Written task	30%	Multiple weeks	500-750 words
Outcomes assessed:
= Type A final exam ?

Assessment summary

Ungraded and graded module quizzes: Each of the 9 modules in this unit of study includes an online practice quiz (ungraded) and graded quiz. The quizzes are comprised of multiple choice and extended matching questions. Unlike the practice quizzes, students are allowed one attempt only to complete the graded quizzes and there is a time limit for each quiz. The number of questions and time limit for each quiz varies depending on the weighting for the module; i.e. longer modules have more questions.
Discussion boards: The discussion forums are part of your participation in the course. Satisfactory participation in the discussion forums will contribute 10% to your final mark. Please note that leaving all your posting to the last few days before the discussion board closes does not foster meaningful discussion. These boards are designed so that you can learn from your peers and consider different approaches to pharmacology; it is in your best interest to actively participate. Posts should be kept concise, approx. 300-500 words for an initial post as a guide.
Short answer questions: There will be 3 SAQs throughout the semester. Student answers must be between 500-750 words and properly referenced where appropriate. Answers will be submitted via Turnitin similarity detection software.
Final graded exam: Fully invigilated exam conducted via Canvas with the help of an online proctor. The exam will contain 40 multiple choice questions, 3 extended matching questions and 2 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 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.

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
Mid-semester break	Module 9: IV fluids	Online class (10 hr)
Week 01	Module 1: Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Pharmaceutics	Online class (10 hr)
Week 02	Module 2: Autonomic nervous system	Online class (10 hr)
Week 03	Module 3: Anti-arrhythmic Agents	Online class (10 hr)
Week 04	Module 3: Myocardial Ischaemia/Infarction and Cardiac Failure	Online class (10 hr)
Week 05	Module 3: Anti-Hypertensive Agents	Online class (10 hr)
Week 06	Module 4:Respiratory Pharmacology, Pulse Oximetry and Gas Analysis	Online class (10 hr)
Week 07	Module 4: Surfactant, Pulmonary Vasodilators and Therapeutic	Online class (10 hr)
Week 08	Module 4: ICU/ED: Toxicology. Anaesthesia: Volatile Anaesthetic Agents I & II and BIS.	Online class (10 hr)
Week 09	Module 5: Local Anaesthetic Agents and Intralipid	Online class (10 hr)
Week 10	Module 5: Neuromuscular blocking agents and dantrolene	Online class (10 hr)
Week 11	Module 5: Sedatives, hypnotics and IV induction agents	Online class (10 hr)
Week 12	Module 6: analgesia - opioids; non-opioids	Online class (10 hr)
Week 13	1. Module 7: ICU/ED: antimicrobial agents; anaesthesia: anti-microbial agents, antineoplastic agents and disinfectants; 2. Module 8: anti-emetics	Online class (10 hr)
Week 14 (STUVAC)	Module 9: diuretics	Online class (10 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Required materials: The following equipment is required in order to take the final exam: a desktop computer or laptop (not tablet), a webcam and microphone, an internet connection speed of at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload speed and a browser with pop-up blocker disabled (Chrome is recommended).

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Katzung, B. (2018). Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 14e (14th ed.). New York, N.Y: McGraw-Hill Education LLC.

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. Demonstrate a high level of understanding of the major drug groups used in critical care medicine
LO2. Demonstrate confidence in discussing appropriate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, mechanism of action and important adverse effects.

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.

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.

Additional information

Student hub - Professional Medical Education

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.

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

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

CRIT5003: Pharmacology for Critical Care

Semester 2, 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

Media

Student links

About us

Connect