Outline

Overview

Major Trauma Management course: Injuries are a major health care issue in Australia. Recent data shows that injuries accounted for: • over 527,000 hospitalisations • over 13,400 deaths – injury is the leading cause of death for people aged 1-44 • 8.4% of the burden of disease in Australia • 7.6% ($8.9 billion) of health expenditure in Australia. Critical care practitioners assess and manage trauma patients in both the initial stabilisation phase in emergency and during their stay in hospital. CRIT5016 is designed to provide students with a solid grounding in the basic concepts of trauma resuscitation and management. It addresses numerous key aspects including trauma systems and epidemiology. Course material covers the identification and management of injuries specific to each organ system and gives an overview of how to treat any trauma patient holistically. Trauma is a diverse and complicated speciality. Improving your knowledge and expertise in trauma at Sydney University has 3 distinct pathways: 1. For a full year of engagement with trauma, enrol in two 6 credit point units of study CRIT5016 for semester 1 and CRIT5019 for semester 2. Over the year you will develop your trauma skills from pre-hospital and basic emergency resuscitation to learning key principles of surgical, intensive care, forensics, and ward-based trauma management. 2. If you wish to learn the basics of trauma resuscitation and an overview of the emergency response to a trauma patient then you can enrol in major trauma management CRIT5016 as a non degree unit of study.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Critical Care
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Christine Bowles, christine.bowles@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Out-of-class quiz	Multiple Choice Graded Quiz Online task	0%	Multiple weeks	15 minutes per quiz	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Introductory Discussion A brief PowerPoint presentation	10%	Week 02 Due date: 08 Mar 2026 at 23:59	Short introduction 4-slide PowerPoint	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Preparing for Major Trauma Case study	25%	Week 07 Due date: 27 Apr 2026 at 23:59	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Pecha Kucha Presentation and comments/replies to students.	25%	Week 10 Due date: 03 May 2026 at 23:59	6 minutes 40 seconds	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	SAQ Short answer questions	40%	Week 13 Due date: 31 May 2026 at 23:59	100 minutes (TBC)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Introductory Discussion: Students use this oppportunity to inroduce themselves to their colleagues and teaching staff with a short presentation. There are 10 marks allocated for this task and is worth 10% of your final mark.

Module Graded Quizzes: This unit of study includes five (5) online closed book graded quizzes. Students are allowed one attempt only to complete the graded quizzes. Each graded quiz consists of 10 multiple choice questions: The MCQs require students to select the single most correct response from four options. Students receive marks for correct answers and are not penalised for incorrect answers. All questions have equal weighting.

Preparing for Major Trauma: Students will be given some information about patients who are arriving imminently and asked to detail how they would prepare for each of their arrivals.

Pecha Kucha: The assessment consists of a Pecha Kucha (PK), which is a Japanese story-telling format where a speaker presents 20 slides and discusses each slide for 20 seconds. A total of 6 minutes 40 seconds. Students must prepare a PK on a traumatic injury on a topic that will be allocated. Marks will be based on the clarity of your PK, as well as your ability to present the topic thoroughly within the PK format and time limit. Students will also be marked based on the key areas to be covered which will be detailed on the assessment page. A marking rubric will be provided.

SAQ: Students will be asked questions that require them to apply knowledge of the content of this Unit of Study, and answer them in a short answer form of several sentences, several dot points, or table form.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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:

Please note, for this unit of study (CRIT5016) the late submission penalty will be 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date for 5 calendar days only. This is to ensure that timely feedback is provided to students. If the assessment is submitted more than 5 calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 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. 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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Module 1.1: Trauma as a disease	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 02	Module 1.2: Trauma in perspective	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 03	Module 2.1: Resuscitation overview	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 04	Module 2.2: Resuscitation practicalities	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 05	Module 3.1: Post-resus care	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 06	Module 3.2: Complications of trauma	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 07	Module 4.1: Airway and c-spine injuries	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 08	Module 4.2: Thorax injuries	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 09	Module 4.3: Circulation injuries	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 10	Module 4.4: Brain injuries	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 11	Module 4.5: Exposure and other injuries and procedures	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 12	Module 5.1: Populations at risk	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 13	Module 5.2: Trauma types	Self-directed learning (10 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Online only. It is expected you will spend about 10 hours per week completing the unit.

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

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. Understand trauma as a disease
LO2. Assess and manage the effects of trauma on various acute case presentations
LO3. Identify and discuss management of trauma patients after the initial resuscitation
LO4. Apply skills to manage trauma in special circumstances and special populations
LO5. Demonstrate effective teamwork including communication, role delegation and effective handover.

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.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CRIT5016: Major Trauma Management

Semester 1, 2026 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links