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Unit of study_

NURS1001: Health and Human Biology

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Mallett Street, Sydney

This unit of study is designed to provide students with an introductory level understanding of the concepts related to human anatomy and physiology. The unit will focus on the major body organ systems and the interrelationship between these systems. The integration of the body organ systems will provide a basis to explore processes fundamental to health, including oxygenation, metabolism, elimination, movement, neuro-endocrine regulation, protection, and reproduction. The key physiological processes of each body organ system will be explored using the principle of homeostasis to develop a beginner's level understanding of compensatory mechanisms that may occur during alterations of physiological function and illness. This will provide students with a foundational basis with which to understand more complex physiological alterations and pathophysiology later in the degree.

Unit details and rules

Unit code NURS1001
Academic unit Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Nick Olsen, nick.olsen@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Vanessa Kerstine Olsen, vanessa.olsen@sydney.edu.au
Claudia Harper, char3436@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam hurdle task Online Final exam
Short answer and MCQ
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
In-semester test hurdle task Mid-semester exam
MCQ
15% Week 05
Due date: 28 Mar 2020 at 12:00
20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Physiology workbook
Case study, short answer responses
35% Week 08
Due date: 26 Apr 2020 at 23:59
1600 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Mid-semester exam: The exam may test any material included in lectures, tutorials, and online lessons in weeks 1 - 4. Readings are not examinable but will support your understanding of unit content.
  • Physiology workbook: Students must submit their completed workbook online via the NURS1001 Canvas site. The workbook will enable students to explore the material covered in class in greater depth and apply it to a clinical case study. The workbook comprises four case study modules. Each case study requires a short answer of no more than 400 words.
  • Final exam: The examination will cover all aspects of the unit of study. Students are expected to understand the interrelatedness of body organ systems and conceptual frameworks that underpin the areas of homeostasis, cellular biology, movement, metabolism, oxygenation, immunity, neuroendocrine regulation, reproduction and elimination.

Each student is required to submit all assessment items in order to pass this unit. 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.

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 1. Course orientation; 2. Body normal Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 02 3. The cell, let’s start with one (Transport); 4. Fuel, powering it all up (cellular metabolism and energy production) Lecture (2 hr)  
The cell homeostasis Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 03 5. Let it flow - Circulatory and lymph system (The heart and blood pressure); 6. Taking my breath away - Respiratory system Lecture (2 hr)  
Circulatory system Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 04 7. Bony bits - The musculoskeletal system; 8. Is muscle just for show - How does the body move? Lecture (2 hr)  
Oxygenation Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 05 9. The nervous system; 10. Debunking neuromyths Lecture (2 hr)  
Musculoskeletal Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 06 11. Body balance - control and homeostasis; 12. Body regulation - feedback loops Lecture (2 hr)  
Nervous system Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 07 13. Digest this - How do we feed the body; 14. Break it down and build it up - Systems and design, the gut and transport Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 08 Digestion and metabolism Workshop (2 hr)  
15. Endocrine system; 16. Too much of a sweet thing - hormone control, hunger and satiety Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 09 17. Housekeeping: excretion - no poisoning; 18. Getting rid of it - Kidney and liver function Lecture (2 hr)  
1. Excretory system; 2. Endocrine system Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 10 19. Defence: Innate and adaptive, immunity and inflammation; 20. Immunology in human disease Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 12 21. Female reproductive system (EC); 22. Male reproductive system (EC); 23. Revision lecture (EC) Lecture (3 hr)  
Immunity reproductive systems Workshop (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: The Sydney Nursing School Resolutions specifically outline attendance requirements. Resolution 7.2 states that if students are absent without leave for more than 10% of classes in a particular unit of study in any one semester, the Head of School may call upon them to show cause why they should not be deemed to have failed that unit of study. Students must also attend 100% of all clinical simulation laboratories (CSL) and off-campus clinical, which are supplemented with online and group activities.
  • Referencing: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 6th Edition, 2010 as its official referencing style. This is an author-date style of referencing.

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.

  • Tortora et al., 2018. Principles of Anatomy & Physiology, 2nd Asia-Pacific Edition. (Option of e-Text or Print edition)

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. describe the major anatomical structures and the terminology used to identify anatomical positions
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the concept of homeostasis and how body organ systems are controlled
  • LO3. provide an overview of the mechanisms of body organ systems
  • LO4. demonstrate an introductory level understanding of the interaction of body organ systems in the coordination of bodily functions
  • LO5. demonstrate an introductory understanding of homeostatic alterations and how these impact on an individual’s physiology
  • LO6. describe at a beginner level, linkages between physiological systems and the interpretation of physical assessment data.

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.

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.