Outline

Overview

This unit of study occupies as a significant portion of learning in Year 1 and is gradually replaced by clinically focused units of study as the course progresses. As a foundational unit of study, students are introduced to the head and neck anatomy and the biochemical and biological processes which are fundamental to life, cells and tissues.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	ORHL1101 and ORHL1102
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Belal Chami, belal.chami@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Robin Arnold, robin.arnold@sydney.edu.au
	Hilary Lloyd, hilary.lloyd@sydney.edu.au
	Helen Ritchie, helen.ritchie@sydney.edu.au
	Babak Sarrafpour, babak.sarrafpour@sydney.edu.au
	Christina Adler, christina.adler@sydney.edu.au
	Belal Chami, belal.chami@sydney.edu.au
	Ramin Mostofi Zadeh Farahani, ramin.mostofizadehfarahani@sydney.edu.au
	Reena Singh, reena.singh@sydney.edu.au
	Zaklina Kovacevic, zaklina.kovacevic@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Summative final examination (ORHL1104) 80 Question (MCQ) 2 h exam	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Online quiz (MCQ) - 'Small Wonders' Online quiz (MCQ) - 'Small Wonders'	2.5%	Week 05	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Online quiz (MCQ) - 'Life is Live' Online quiz (MCQ) - 'Life is Live'	2.5%	Week 07	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Online quiz (MCQ) - 'Scaffolding the Human Body' Online quiz (MCQ) - 'Scaffolding the Human Body'	2.5%	Week 11	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Summative oral presentation (ORHL1104) In-class assessment	25%	Week 12	5 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Online quiz (MCQ) - 'Offense Vs Defence' Online quiz (MCQ) - 'Offense Vs Defence'	2.5%	Week 13	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Summative written report (ORHL1104) Written report	25%	Week 13	800 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

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, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
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.

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	Life sciences orientation; Introduction to Wilson Anatomy Museum (Anatomy); CPEBLS orientation (Oral pathology)	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 02	Building blocks of life: amino acids and proteins (Biochemistry)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	The code of life: DNA and RNA (Molecular biology)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Assignment introduction	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Introduction to microbes (Microbiology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Biological membrane and lipids (Biochemistry)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Bacteria morphology and nomenclature (Microbiology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Introduction to histology and histological sections (Histology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Structure of eukaryotic cell (Cell biology)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Homeostasis (Physiology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Biological fuel: carbohydrates (Biochemistry)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Protein in action: haemoglobin and enzymes (Biochemistry)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Cell membranes and transport (Physiology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cell communication - receptor and signal (Physiology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Introduction to applied pharmacology pharmacokinetics (Pharmacotherapeutics)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Pharmacodynamics: main principles (Pharmacotherapeutics)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Bacterial metabolism (Microbiology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Drug formulations and routes of administration (Pharmacotherapeutics)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Introduction to dental development and histology (Histology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Introduction, anatomical terminology, surface anatomy (Anatomy)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Oral cavity landmarks and features (Anatomy)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Introduction to human embryology (Embryology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Blood (Histology)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Epithelial tissue (Histology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Connective tissues and extracellular matrix (Histology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Vessels, nerves and muscles (Histology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cranial bones and vertebrae (Anatomy)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Dental development and histology (Histology)	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Synapses and neurotransmission (Physiology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Facial bones (Anatomy)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tutorial on cranial facial bones (Anatomy)	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Facial expression muscles (Anatomy)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Autonomic nervous system medications (Pharmacotherapeutics)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Autonomic nervous system (Physiology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Host microbe interaction (Microbiology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Muscles of mastication, the tongue and neck (Anatomy)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Innate immunity (Immunology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Acquired immunity and antibodies (Immunology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Pathogens (Microbiology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Acquisition of oral flora (Microbiology)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tutorial on muscles (Anatomy)	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
	H and N anatomy review (Anatomy)	Tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Life sciences review	Tutorial (1.5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Attendance is a professional responsibility required of all students admitted to academic programs within the Sydney Dental School. All programs in the Sydney Dental School have a 90% attendance policy, for all compulsory components of Units of Study, as detailed in the Faculty of Dentistry Attendance Provisions 2015. This includes all clinical and practical sessions. The course requirements cannot be satisfied if more than 10% of any section of a course is missed for any reason.
Professionalism: Students in all Sydney Dental School programs are subject to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Professionalism Requirements 2019 and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Professionalism Provisions 2019. Professionalism is an essential component of developing competency to practice. It is important for students to demonstrate professional behaviour in all contexts and environments. In accordance with these local provisions: candidates who demonstrate serious or repeated unprofessional behaviour may be required to show cause as to why their enrolment should be continued. Failure to show cause may result in exclusion from the course.

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.

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.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand the biological principles of molecular, cellular, tissue and organ system processes that provide the intellectual basis for oral health
LO2. understand the head and neck anatomy, histology and embryology knowledge related to oral health practice
LO3. understand the microbiological principles of infection prevention and control
LO4. understand the principles of pharmacology in using therapeutic agents relevant to oral health practice
LO5. locate and apply scientific evidence in a critical manner to support oral health care.

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Professional Competencies of the Newly Qualified Dental Hygienist, Dental Therapist and Oral Health Therapist (2016) - 3.1. locate and evaluate evidence in a critical and scientific manner to support oral health care 5.1. understand the biological, physical and behavioural sciences in relation to oral health and disease 5.3. understand the scientific principles and application of infection prevention and control 5.4. understand the scientific basis, application and risks of using ionising radiation
	Professional Competencies of the Newly Qualified Dental Hygienist, Dental Therapist and Oral Health Therapist (2016) - 5.1. understand the biological, physical and behavioural sciences in relation to oral health and disease 6.1.2. perform an examination for health, disease and abnormalities of the dentition, mouth and associated structures
	Professional Competencies of the Newly Qualified Dental Hygienist, Dental Therapist and Oral Health Therapist (2016) - 5.3. understand the scientific principles and application of infection prevention and control
	Professional Competencies of the Newly Qualified Dental Hygienist, Dental Therapist and Oral Health Therapist (2016) - 5.1. understand the biological, physical and behavioural sciences in relation to oral health and disease 5.6. understand the principles of pharmacology and the risks in using therapeutic agents
	Professional Competencies of the Newly Qualified Dental Hygienist, Dental Therapist and Oral Health Therapist (2016) - 3.1. locate and evaluate evidence in a critical and scientific manner to support oral health care 3.3. understand scientific method and the role of research in advancing knowledge and clinical practice 4.4. understand the design, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based health promotion 5.1. understand the biological, physical and behavioural sciences in relation to oral health and disease

Professional Competencies of the Newly Qualified Dental Hygienist, Dental Therapist and Oral Health Therapist (2016) -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.5		recognise the importance of continuing professional development for all members of the dental team
2.3		communicate effectively and clearly with other health professionals involved in patients’ care
2.5		recognise the importance of their own and others health and wellbeing on the ability to practise
2.6		understand the importance of intra and interprofessional approaches to health care
2.9		communicate responsibly and professionally when using media
3.1		locate and evaluate evidence in a critical and scientific manner to support oral health care
3.2		apply clinical reasoning and judgement in a reflective approach to oral health care
3.3		understand scientific method and the role of research in advancing knowledge and clinical practice
4.1		understand the determinants of health, risk factors and behaviours that influence health
5.1		understand the biological, physical and behavioural sciences in relation to oral health and disease
5.3		understand the scientific principles and application of infection prevention and control
5.4		understand the scientific basis, application and risks of using ionising radiation
5.6		understand the principles of pharmacology and the risks in using therapeutic agents
6.1.1		obtain and record a relevant history of the patient’s medical, social and oral health status
6.1.2		perform an examination for health, disease and abnormalities of the dentition, mouth and associated structures
6.1.3		select necessary clinical, pathology and other diagnostic procedures and interpret results
6.2.1		recognise health as it relates to the individual
6.2.3		determine the impact of risk factors, systemic disease and medications on oral health and treatment planning
6.2.4		formulate and record a patient-centred evidence-based oral health treatment plan
6.2.5		determine when and how to refer patients to the appropriate health professional
6.3.9		manage medical emergencies

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

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

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Students must comply with work health and safety, infection control and dress standard policies of all laboratories, placement sites and Local Health Districts (LHDs).

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ORHL1104: Life Sciences I

Semester 1, 2022 [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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links