Outline

Overview

This unit of study will examine various biological processes to assist students in developing their understanding of human cellular structure and function and the contribution this makes to healthy body function. The role of pharmacotherapy and specific pharmacological interventions aimed at restoring or replacing the function of specific cells, tissues or organs affected by these pathological changes will be considered.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	NURS5042
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	Vanessa Kerstine Olsen, vanessa.olsen@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Vanessa Kerstine Olsen, vanessa.olsen@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Ronald Castelino, ronald.castelino@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam	Online exam Short answer and MCQ	45%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
In-semester test	Mid-semester online exam MCQ and Short Answer Questions	15%	Week 06 Due date: 03 Apr 2020 at 23:59	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Case study Report	40%	Week 09 Due date: 03 May 2020 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Online lessons Weekly online lessons	0%	Weekly	To be added by the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Online lessons: Six online lessons have been developed to introduce you to basic bioscience and pharmacology principles. These lessons expand on lecture and tutorial content. Each lesson must be completed by the due date. Although no marks are awarded for the completion of these units, they are compulsory.
Mid-semester exam: Students will complete 10 multiple choice exam questions and two short answer questions. To ensure fairness across all tutorial groups, each class will be given a different exam. The exam may test any material included in lectures, tutorials, and online lessons in weeks 1 – 5.
Case study report: Students will be given a case study and will then be expected to analyse the case study, identify any pathophysiological/pharmacological reason for the patient’s signs and symptoms as well as discuss any nursing/pharmacological interventions required. Students should also determine if the patient may be showing signs of side effects from their current treatment and comment on the suitability of each drug listed in the patient’s treatment regime.
Final exam: The examination will cover all aspects of the unit of study and consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. The examination will emphasise the interrelatedness of body organ systems and conceptual frameworks that underpin the areas of cellular biology, homeostasis, metabolism, neuro-endocrine regulation, reproduction, and immunity.

Each student is required to submit/attend 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	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.
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:

Where an assignment is submitted late without an approved extension, a late penalty will apply. For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero marks 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.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction	Lecture (2 hr)
	The cell	Lecture (2 hr)
	Homeostasis and the cell	Online class (2 hr)
Week 02	1. Quality use of medicines and medication safety; 2. Pharmacology in nursing practice	Lecture (2 hr)
	The human body	Lecture (2 hr)
	Case study 1 - Medication safety and basic anatomy	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Human development	Lecture (2 hr)
	Central nervous system	Lecture (2 hr)
	Sources of drug information	Online class (2 hr)
Week 04	Pharmacokinetics	Lecture (2 hr)
	Pharmacodynamics	Lecture (2 hr)
	Case study 2 – CNS injury	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Peripheral and autonomic nervous system function	Lecture (2 hr)
	Alterations in normal NS function (Alzheimers, Parkinsons, MS and dementia)	Lecture (2 hr)
	Nervous system	Online class (2 hr)
Week 06	Autonomic nervous system and pharmacotherapy (urinary incontinence)	Lecture (2 hr)
	Medications used in Alzheimers/dementia, and parkinsons	Lecture (2 hr)
	Case study 3 – Alzheimer’s disease and urinary incontinence	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Endocrine system function	Lecture (2 hr)
	Medications for endocrine disorders 1	Lecture (2 hr)
	Endocrine system	Online class (2 hr)
Week 08	Medications for endocrine disorders 2	Lecture (2 hr)
	Reproduction physiology	Lecture (2 hr)
	Case study 3 - continued	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Reproductive pharmacology	Lecture (2 hr)
	Immune system 1	Lecture (2 hr)
	Antimicrobial resistance	Online class (2 hr)
Week 10	Immune system 2	Lecture (2 hr)
	Antimicrobials	Lecture (2 hr)
	Diabetes and infection	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Immune function	Online class (2 hr)
Week 11	Revision lecture 1	Lecture (2 hr)
	Revision lecture 2	Lecture (2 hr)
	Diabetes and infection continued	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students undertaking this unit of study are required to attend 90% of all lectures and 100% of tutorials / workshops which are supplemented with online activities. It is expected that students
will engage effectively in all components of the unit of study. Students will need to contact the UOS coordinator to discuss how they might best complete any missed work.
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

Craft, Gordon, Huether, McCance and Brashers. Understanding Pathophysiology: ANZ Edition (current ed.) Elsevier, Sydney (Electronic edition preferred)

Bryant B and Knights K Pharmacology for Health Professionals (current edition) Mosby Elsevier, Sydney

Rossi, S (ed) Australian Medicines Handbook (current ed.) Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd, Adelaide (available online from University of Sydney Library)

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. describe normal anatomy and physiological function within the body
LO2. describe pathogenic processes within the human body and their expression as observable alterations to normal anatomy/ physiological function
LO3. synthesise, integrate and apply foundational human bioscience knowledge to specific contexts and situations in health
LO4. find and critically evaluate evidence-based drug information with respect to quality and relevance for informing decision making in nursing practice
LO5. apply and integrate evidence-based pharmacotherapy knowledge to complex patients in order to optimise quality use of medicines
LO6. describe the legal and professional requirements associated with the use of pharmacotherapy in nursing practice
LO7. apply the Framework for Practice Thinking (What could/can be done? and So what?) to support the development of problem solving and critical thinking skills necessary to optimise medication management within nursing practice
LO8. adopt an ethical, social and professional ethos in relation to the use of pharmacological therapies in health.

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.

On the basis of previous student feedback, modifications have been made to the online lessons and additional lecture worksheets have been created.

Additional information

Faculty of Medicine and Health Handbook

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

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

NURS5042: The Body, Its Function and Pharmacology

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Westmead, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect