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Unit of study_

INTM5007: Basic Renal Medicine

Semester 2 Early, 2020 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The Basic Renal Medicine syllabus covers the requirements of trainee physician practice. The content is focussed on diagnosis and investigation of common renal conditions and the essentials of management of these conditions. The module learning materials are linked to a library of clinical cases representing common and important renal conditions.

Unit details and rules

Unit code INTM5007
Academic unit Internal Medicine
Credit points 3
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

This unit of study is available only to registered medical practitioners with experience working in an Australian or New Zealand clinical setting.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Angela Chou, angela.chou@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Live+ supervised) Type A final exam Final exam
MCQ
50% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Small continuous assessment Graded discussion boards
Discussion contributions
5% Multiple weeks To be added by the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test Graded quizzes
MCQ
10% Multiple weeks 60 minutes per quiz
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Online task Peerwise
Online task
10% Multiple weeks To be added by the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Case report
Report
25% Week 09 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Type A final exam = Type A final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Graded discussion boards: The discussion boards are a chance for students to talk about the clinical case vignettes and the learning materials with colleagues, a key component in developing professionalism. The most important part of continuing medical education throughout one’s career will be discussions with colleagues and expert practitioners. These discussion boards are overseen by a content expert and are students’ best opportunity to clarify any concepts they are struggling to master.
  • Graded quiz: The quizzes are designed to help students gauge their progress in meeting the learning outcomes; students may refer to
    learning materials when answering.
  • PeerWise: Students are to write multiple choice questions related to the learning materials, and answer and critique questions written by their colleagues. This is done via the PeerWise program. Writing questions about the learning materials help students focus on the important concepts, and will also allow students to confront areas of uncertainty.
  • Case report: The report should be based on a patient the student has cared for or seen, in the course of their clinical work. The format
    of the case report can be as a narrative or, arranged in the manner usual for medical record documentation.
  • Final exam: There will be 1 quiz with 60 multiple choice 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.

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 INTM5007 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 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
Week 01 Module 1: renal anatomy and investigations Online class (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Module 2: stones, infections, cysts, and masses Online class (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Module 3: electrolyte disorders Online class (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Module 3: electrolyte disorders Online class (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Module 4: hypertension Online class (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Module 4: hypertension Online class (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Moule 5: acute kidney injury Online class (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Module 6: glomerulonephritis Online class (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Module 7: chronic kidney disease Online class (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Module 7: chronic kidney disease Online class (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Module 8: dialysis Online class (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Module 8: dialysis Online class (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Module 9: transplantation Online class (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

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 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The texts for this course are:

  • Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine 19th edition, McGraw-Hill 2015
  • Oxford Textbook of Medicine, 5th edition, Oxford Medicine Online 2016

The primary text for this unit of study is:  

  • Johnson, R. J., Feehally, J., & Floege, J. (2015; 2014;). Comprehensive clinical nephrology (Fifth;5; ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders. [A clinical focus and good introduction for non-nephrologists]

The secondary texts for this unit of study is:  

  • Daugirdas JT. Handbook of Dialysis. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health, 2015. [A fantastic guide to dialysis. The early chapters provide a lucid explanation of the principles underlying the various modalities.]
  • Eaton DC, Pooler JP. Vander's renal physiology. New York: McGraw-Hill Education/Medical, 2013. [Excellent introduction to physiology]

Other suggested journals:

Review articles are a great introduction to specialist areas. In addition to the nephrology reviews in the general journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, there are review articles published regularly in the leading nephrology journals. In particular, it is worthwhile searching for relevant reviews in the following journals:

  • Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
  • Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation
  • Clinical Kidney Journal
  • Kidney International

Specific resources for individual study modules will also be suggested, on the 'Learning Material' or 'Supplementary Resources' pages.

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. recognise common patterns of presentation of renal diseases
  • LO2. diagnose and investigate patients presenting with these conditions
  • LO3. initiate management of patients presenting with these conditions
  • LO4. discuss patients with renal diseases with colleagues.

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.No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.