MEDS2013: Semester 2, 2025

Units MEDS2013 Semester 2 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

MEDS2013: Frontiers of Human Health

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Current medical problems and approaches to solutions are underpinned byadvances in basic medical sciences. Consider the medical sciencechallenges only 30 years ago compared to the advances that have occurred today. Building on your earlier learning in medical sciences, this unit will explore how contemporary knowledge, with a focus on human genetics and genomics, has provided the basis for our understanding of the human body. This unit will provide you with an introduction to advances in medical science and the cutting edge treatments and innovations which are emerging. With this understanding you will be enabled to work together with experts in the field to further explore the scientific basis of human body function with a focus on human genetics and genomics and on cutting edge treatments. You will be introduced to the future of medical science and how you can consider this field moving forward into the future.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	6 credit points of (MEDS1001 or BIOL1XX8) and 6 credit points of (MEDS1002 or BIOL1XX7 or CHEM1X11)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Tara Christie, tara.christie@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final exam Written exam	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early feedback task Online quiz based on Weeks 1 and 2 lecturette, forum, prac and workshop content	0%	Week 03	15 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Data analysis	Group report Group report based on Week 3 workshop	10%	Week 05 Due date: 05 Sep 2025 at 23:59	Completed tables and 250 word summary	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group presentation Group presentation	20%	Week 07	~10 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Quiz 1 Online quiz based on lecturette, forum, prac and workshop content	10%	Week 08	30 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Quiz 2 Online quiz based on lecturette, forum, prac and workshop content	10%	Week 13	30 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Detailed information about each assessment will be available on the MEDS2013 Canvas website. Specific announcements regarding each assessment will be made available to students on this site.

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.

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

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:

If a student cannot complete any of the assessed items by the due date they should contact the MEDS2013 Coordination Team at the earliest opportunity explaining the reason and providing relevant supporting evidence where possible. Please also submit a Special Consideration if an assessment is missed due to illness or misadventure.

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
Multiple weeks	Module 1- genetics and genomics	Forum (5 hr)
	Module 2- genetic basis of health and disease	Forum (4 hr)
	Module 3- Conventional therapies to targeted treatments	Forum (4 hr)
	Weekly pre-work/pre-prac lessons	Independent study (12 hr)
	Module 1 lecturettes- genetics and genomics	Online class (4 hr)
	Module 2 lecturettes- genetic basis of health and disease	Online class (4 hr)
	Module 3 lecturettes- conventional therapies to targeted treatments	Online class (4 hr)
Week 01	Predicting heredity	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 02	Visualising DNA	Practical (3 hr)
Week 03	GWAS for forensics	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 04	Science Communication	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 05	Pathogen genomics	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 06	Detecting mutations	Practical (3 hr)
Week 07	Group presentation workshop	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 08	Gene expression	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 09	Traditional treatments	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 10	In vitro transcription	Practical (3 hr)
Week 11	Pharmacogenomics	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 12	Pharmacology workshop	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 13	Week 13 workshop	Workshop (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

It is an expectation of this unit that students attend all forums, workshops and practicals. Skills and content taught in forums, practicals and workshops will be directly assessed in Module Quizzes as well as the Final Exam.

Attendance at the Week 7 group presentation assessment workshop is obligatory for all students.

If students are unable to attend a workshop or practical class, please contact the MEDS2013 coordinator via email (MEDS2013.coordinator@sydney.edu.au) and provide supporting evidence.

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

Information on any required readings will be posted on the MEDS2013 Canvas page.

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. Explain the emergence of precision medicine and the future of therapies and how these impact on disease.
LO2. Integrate current medical science knowledge across different disciplinary areas and consider how this has evolved.
LO3. Collect, synthesise, analyse and critically evaluate omics data from a range of sources.
LO4. Evaluate and apply evidence-based information from different sources to current wicked problems in medical science and consider the future of these problems.
LO5. Demonstrate creative and innovative approaches to problem solving in medical science research by working effectively, responsibly, respectively and safely in individual and collaborative contexts.
LO6. Communicate observations and experimental findings in medical sciences and their implications through a broad variety of media to diverse audiences.

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.

MEDS2013 is a newly developed Unit of Study and is offered for the first time in 2025. The MEDS2013 Coordination Team welcome student feedback about this Unit.

Additional information

More information relating to this unit will be communicated via the MEDS2013 Canvas website.

Additional costs

PPE for the practical classes.

Work, health and safety

There are specific Work, Health and Safety requirements for MEDS2013 in relation to the on-campus practical classes in the Charles Perkins Centre Laboratory spaces on the Camperdown campus of The University of Sydney. Please see the MEDS2013 Canvas site for further information about how to complete these requirements.

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

Early feedback task

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

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

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