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Unit outline_

NURS5056: The Biology of Cancer and Haematology

Semester 1, 2021 [Block mode] - Remote

This unit of study will provide the scientific basis for cancer and haematology nursing practice. Students will examine, in detail, biological concepts related to haemopoeisis, immunology, carcinogenesis, genetics and epigenetics. Recent advances in the understanding the biology of cancer will be critiqued. This unit of study will provide a framework and foundation for understanding the impact of both malignant disease and the therapeutic management. Biological and physiological principles that support cancer treatments will be reviewed in detail. A detailed understanding of the biology of malignant disease together with that of the physiological effect of treatment is imperative for developing skills and capacity in specialist cancer and haematology nursing practice. Strategies to support physiological function and manage complex clinical presentations will be examined with students undertaking critical appraisal of treatment guidelines.

Unit details and rules

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

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Shannon Philp, shannon.philp@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Kate White, kate.white@sydney.edu.au
Shannon Philp, shannon.philp@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Assessment 1: Clinical guidelines essay
Essay
40% Week 06
Due date: 09 Apr 2021 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3
Tutorial quiz Assessment 2: Online quiz
MCQ
15% Week 09
Due date: 10 May 2021 at 23:59
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Final exam (Take-home extended release) Type E final exam Assessment 3 - Open book examination
Written examination
45% Week 13
Due date: 31 May 2021 at 23:59
48 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Type E final exam = Type E final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Clinical guidelines essay: Students will select one area of clinical practice from their health care organisation that is regulated by either a clinical practice guideline or policy document, and examine the authority of the document in relation to the current literature.
  • Online quiz: The quiz will relate to concepts discussed in modules 1 to 4 of the unit.
  • Open book examination: Students will undertake a take-home exam where they will be presented with a number of scenarios in the form of case studies and will be required to provide short/long answers to the questions relating to the scenarios.

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 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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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 02 Study Day 1 Block teaching (6 hr) LO1 LO2
Study Day 2 Block teaching (6 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 09 Study Day 3 Block teaching (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Study Day 4 Block teaching (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

  • Referencing style: 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.
  • Attendance: This 6 credit point unit of study is conducted through a blend of compulsory study days (delivered remotely online in real time) and online learning supported by the University’s eLearning platform. There are 4 study days equating to 24 hours of face-to-face learning. Additional student learning will occur through print-based and platform online activities. The work in this unit of study reflects approximately 120 hours of student learning. It is expected that the student will actively engage with the unit of study materials, which directly relate to the learning outcomes and are designed to assist with successful completion of assignments.
  • Attendance: The Sydney Nursing School Resolutions specifically outline attendance requirements. If students are absent without leave for more than 10% of classes in a particular unit of study in any one semester, the Dean may call upon them to show cause why they should not be deemed to have failed that unit of study.

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.'

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. apply knowledge of normal and altered physiology in cancer and haematology patients to physical and clinical assessment findings
  • LO2. evaluate the clinical management of cancer and haematology patients
  • LO3. critique research-based information that informs cancer and haematology nursing practice.

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'

This unit will be delivered remote (live), which means study days are delivered online in real time.

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.