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Unit of study_

PAED5003: Neurology and Developmental Paediatrics

Semester 1, 2024 [Online] - Westmead, Sydney

This unit examines some of the common medical and developmental conditions encountered in paediatric practice. There will be a focus on the approach to the child with a developmental disability and behavioural disorders, as well as latest evidence for diagnosis, investigation, prognosis and management of other common and important medical conditions. Specific modules include developmental disability, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, child protection, enuresis, feeding disorders of infancy and common neurological and renal conditions.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PAED5003
Academic unit Paediatrics
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Shekeeb Mohammad, shekeeb.mohammad@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Sandra L J Johnson, sandra.johnson@sydney.edu.au
Wui-Kwan Wong, wwon7651@sydney.edu.au
Shekeeb Mohammad, shekeeb.mohammad@sydney.edu.au
Natalie Ong, natalie.ong@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Assignment 2: Headaches
Address a case given to you.
25% Formal exam period
Due date: 09 Jun 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO7
Online task Discussion Topic 1: Joshua (ADHD)
Discussion board
6.25% Week 02
Due date: 28 Feb 2024 at 23:59
600 words, excluding references
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Online task Discussion Topic 2: James (ASD)
Discussion board
6.25% Week 03
Due date: 06 Mar 2024 at 23:59
600 words, excluding references
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Online task Discussion Topic 3: Sharifa (Developmental Delay)
Discussion board
6.25% Week 05
Due date: 20 Mar 2024 at 23:59
600 words, excluding references
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Online task Discussion Topic 4: Jessica (learning difficulties/foetal alcohol)
Discussion board
6.25% Week 07
Due date: 10 Apr 2024 at 23:59
600 words, excluding references
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Assignment 1: ASD
Address a case given to you.
25% Week 08
Due date: 21 Apr 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Online task Discussion Topic 5: Movement disorders
Discussion board
6.25% Week 09
Due date: 24 Apr 2024 at 23:59
600 words, excluding references
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Online task Discussion Topic 6: Seizures
Discussion board
6.25% Week 10
Due date: 01 May 2024 at 23:59
600 words, excluding references
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Online task Discussion Topic 7: Funny Turns
Discussion board
6.25% Week 12
Due date: 15 May 2024 at 23:59
600 words, excluding references
Outcomes assessed: LO5
Online task Discussion Topic 8: Floppy Infant
Discussion board
6.25% Week 13
Due date: 22 May 2024 at 23:59
600 words, excluding references
Outcomes assessed: LO6

Assessment summary

Discussion topics:

In this unit of study, each discussion topic accounts for 6.25% of your assessment. Therefore, with eight discussion topics, your discussion board contributions total 50% of your grade for this unit.

You will be assessed according to the quality of the initial posting for each topic, as well as the quality of your contributions to ongoing discussion, both with the discussion topic facilitator and your fellow students. 

For each discussion topic, in your first response (first posting to the discussion board) you should respond to all the questions and issues outlined in that discussion topic task. In your subsequent responses, you should respond to any questions asked by the Facilitator, and you may choose to respond to questions or issues raised by other students.

NOTE: You must create a thread and submit your first response in order to view other threads in a forum.

If you have any general queries, use the discussion forum entitled ‘Any Questions?’ This will remain open throughout the semester so that you can post any general questions to the group or experts as they arise. It is important that you check the current topics regularly so that you do not miss any new postings.

Your answer to each discussion topic should be submitted by Wednesday (due date) of the relevant week, so that you and your peers have time to read and comment on one another's discussion postings. Each discussion topic opens for ten days for any posts that will be marked.

Assignment 1 and 2:

Grading: Each assignment will contribute 25% of your final grade for the unit.

Word limit: 2000 words, excluding references.

Referencing Style: References should be included at the end of your written paper. Cite them using the Vancouver Style and do not include them in the word count. Please refer to the guidelines for Correct Referencing on the course site in Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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.

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:

Assessment tasks that are submitted late and have not been granted an approved extension or special consideration application will attract a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date for 10 calendar days. If the assessment is submitted more than 10 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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Module 1: Development. This Module is suggested for weeks 1-8 of the semester. Independent study (80 hr)  
Module 2: Neurology. This Module is suggested for weeks 9-13 of the semester. Independent study (50 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

This unit is offered fully online.

It is essential that you have regular internet access, as you will be required to engage in a number of online tasks.

You will be expected to:

  • Check your University mail electronically at least every week (see below)
  • Participate actively in online discussions. Active participation means that you are present and engage with others in discussion of ideas found in readings and/or grounded in practical experience
  • Carefully read the required course materials, including readings
  • Complete the self-assessment questions (in the Cases) and use the feedback to direct your independent learning
  • Complete each assignment/assessment task on time (refer to Assignments on your course in Canvas)
  • Write in an Academic Writing Style (if you need assistance with academic writing, see more information in the 'Referencing Written Work' section below)

If any period of absence is completely unavoidable, we advise you to:

  • Manage your time so that you complete the readings and online tasks before you leave
  • Use the Discussion Board to advise your peers of your absence
  • Notify the Unit Coordinator

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

Throughout the modules we will provide references to support your learning. Usually, these references are to current journal articles and reviews. Required Readings are important references that you will need to read critically in order to fully meet the stated learning outcomes. Recommended readings are references for those wishing to further their knowledge in a particular area.

Many of these articles will be available to you online via the “Reading List” option in the unit’s Canvas site on the left side menu. This allows students, using the links in the Readings, to navigate directly (or near directly) to the article. You should view and read the full text of the article.

If an article is not provided via the Reading List, you will need to use the library catalogue to search for the Journal name. Then you need to access the online version of the Journal (in most instances, it will be available), then search for the article and view/download the full text.

Sometimes online access to the article is via a database subscription, e.g. Ovid, MD Consult. This means that only a certain number of users can simultaneously access the database. Consequently, this is a good practice to adopt: when you have finished accessing your article, you should check for a 'Logoff' or 'Exit' in the top right (or sometimes in the lower left) of the lowest open window. If you have a 'Logout' or 'Exit' option, use it.  If it's not there, continue working as usual.

Electronic Access to the Library

The University of Sydney Library will become an important asset for developing your own knowledge and completing the assessment requirements for this Unit of Study.

Passwords

The use of online reading articles is restricted to current University of Sydney staff and students, therefore access to these items is password protected. When you are trying to access these electronic readings from a home or work computer, you may be prompted to login with your UniKey username and password.

How do I use the library catalogue to find references?

The University of Sydney Library has an online catalogue to help you find what is in the Library and what the Library can access electronically.

You can contact your faculty's librarian for further assistance by phone or email.

Medical Resources - via the University of Sydney Library

Database of Australian medicines: MIMS Online. (please ensure that you Logoff the database after use), and the Medical Subject Guide, Compiled by librarians, is a guide to some of the available Medical resources.

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. have an understanding of the approach, assessment and comorbidities in children with normal and abnormal behaviour, attention difficulty, hyperactivity and autistic spectrum disorder and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
  • LO2. have an understanding of investigation, management and follow up for children with attention difficulty, hyperactivity, autistic spectrum disorder and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
  • LO3. have an understanding of evaluation and management of children with prolonged seizures
  • LO4. recognise and understand clinical evaluation and management of common childhood seizure syndromes
  • LO5. recognise and understand the clinical evaluation of children with common movement disorders, associated comorbidity and overview of approach to treatment
  • LO6. understand clinical approach, overview of investigation approach and overview of treatment framework for children with low body tone due to various etiologies
  • LO7. understand the approach to evaluation, differential diagnosis and treatment of children with headache

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.

UoS coordinator considered feedback and made appropriate changes/improvements. Feedback about any aspect of the unit of study and your experience as a student is highly valued. To ensure our courses meet your needs and maintain a high standard, we welcome your feedback at any time and ask you especially to complete the Unit of Study Survey (USS) towards the end of the semester. Your participation in the USS permits de-identified information about your learning experience to be used for the purpose of improving future student learning experiences.

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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.