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Unit of study_

GMED5004: Cancer Genomics

Semester 1, 2024 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Advances in genomics are impacting on many aspects of the diagnosis and management of cancer. This unit provides understanding of molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis, with particular reference to familial cancer conditions. It provides contemporary knowledge of familial cancer syndromes including their characteristic patterns of presentation, epidemiology, underlying causative genetic pathology and preventative management approaches. Case - based approaches will be used for the development of in-depth knowledge of familial breast, ovarian, bowel and endocrine malignancies. Other familial cancer syndromes explored will include the neurofibromatoses, and conditions such as Li-Fraumeni and Von Hippel Lindau syndromes. Review of other genetic conditions in which cancer risk is increased will be undertaken. Ethical issues in cancer genomics will be considered as well as advances in precision medicine applicable to familial cancer.

Unit details and rules

Unit code GMED5004
Academic unit Genomic Medicine
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
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None
Prerequisites
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None
Corequisites
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None
Assumed knowledge
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None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Alan Ma, alan.ma@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Robyn Jamieson, robyn.jamieson@sydney.edu.au
Alan Ma, alan.ma@sydney.edu.au
Christina Girgis, christina.girgis@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
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Final Graded Exam
Final Graded Exam
40% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Small test Quizzes
3x Graded Quizzes consisting of multiple choice and short answer questions.
30% Multiple weeks 3x 30 minute quizzes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO2
Online task Discussion Boards
See Canvas for details
30% Multiple weeks 3x discussions, under 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Participation Module 1.1 Self Assessment Questions
See Canvas for details
0% Week 04
Due date: 17 Mar 2024 at 23:59
4x Short answer Questions
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

  • Quizzes: Students are to complete 3 graded quizzes
  • Discussion Boards: Each discussion board will have a clinical scenario followed by some questions. Students must provide answers with references.
  • Final Exam: The exam will contain a mixture of MCQs and SAQs

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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.

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 (GMED5004) the late submission penalty will be 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date for 10 calendar days only. This is to ensure that timely feedback is provided to students. If the assessment is submitted more than 10 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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Module 1 - Introduction to Cancer and Genetics Individual study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Module 1 - Introduction to Cancer and Genetics Individual study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Module 1 - Introduction to Cancer and Genetics Individual study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Module 1 - Introduction to Cancer and Genetics Individual study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Module 2: Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer - Genomic and precision approaches Individual study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 06 Module 2: Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer - Genomic and precision approaches Individual study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 07 Module 3: Renal, Endocrine and Gastrointestinal Cancer Genetics Individual study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 08 Module 3: Renal, Endocrine and Gastrointestinal Cancer Genetics Individual study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 09 Module 4: Precision medicine approaches in paediatric cancer genomics and research Individual study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 10 Module 4: Precision medicine approaches in paediatric cancer genomics and research Individual study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 11 Module 4: Precision medicine approaches in paediatric cancer genomics and research Individual study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 12 Module 5: Haematological and other cancers and precision approaches Individual study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 13 Module 5: Haematological and other cancers and precision approaches Individual study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

This unit is run completely online.

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

Specific readings will be listed on Canvas. The main text book for this unit of study is:

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. Investigate the molecular mechanisms of cancer, integrating cancer diagnostics, oncogenesis, and cancer management
  • LO2. Distinguish the key differences between germline and somatic cancer genetics, and the implications of this for genomic testing and management
  • LO3. Evaluate the role of genomics in cancer diagnostics and management, and how to order, interpret and explain cancer genomic testing in the clinical setting
  • LO4. Assess the complex counselling, ethical and legal aspects of cancer genomics, including the role of genetic counsellors, and the perspectives of patients and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
  • LO5. Categorise the key familial cancer syndromes and genes in a wide variety of clinical settings including breast, ovarian, gastrointestinal, renal, haematological, endocrine, neurofibromatosis, and retinoblastoma
  • LO6. Assess how genomics is paving the way to precision medicine approaches in cancer and somatic testing, with genotype-specific therapies

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.

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Additional costs

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Site visit guidelines

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Work, health and safety

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Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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