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Unit of study_

PAIN5010: Clinical Aspects of Neurobiology

Semester 1, 2023 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit aims to build on information acquired from previous units, exploring the neurobiological contributors to pain, how they are influenced by the mind and their implications for assessment and management of different pain conditions. It examines nociceptive, neuropathic and neuroplastic mechanisms and their contribution to pain; the link between mind and body and how psychological processes contribute to and modify the experience of pain through modulation of the neurobiological components.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PAIN5010
Academic unit Discipline of Pain Medicine
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Duncan Sanders, duncan.sanders@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Duncan Sanders, duncan.sanders@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small continuous assessment group assignment Structured Online Discussion and Reflection Report
Two parts: 1a. Structured Online Discussion 1b. Written Reflection Report
30% Week 10
Due date: 07 May 2023 at 23:59
See unit guide
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Synthesis grid
Written task
20% Week 12
Due date: 21 May 2023 at 23:59
1000-1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5
Assignment Topic review
Written task
50% Week 13
Due date: 28 May 2023 at 23:59
3000-3500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Assignment 1a. Structured online discussion and 1b. Written reflection report: This discussion activity is conducted from Week 2 to Week 10. The first three modules have a 2-week discussion timeframe. The online tutor will post 1-2 discussion questions each week in the discussion forum for you to consider. These questions are provided to initiate discussion about the module content and core readings. Students will review the contributions to the module discussions and evaluate the best contribution/s for at least four of the module discussions during the large group discussion. Students are to submitt these contributions with a short evaluative statement identifying what novel insights they have gained from the discussion, and how the small group discussion and case summaries have changed their thinking and/or practice.
     
  • Assignment 2a. Synthesis grid: Students will need to conduct a literature search and choose at least ten relevant articles in relation to their chosen topic  and develop a synthesis grid. 
     
  • Assignment 2b. Topic review: Students will need to develop a topic review using the information gathered in the synthesis grid. Students may use any other relevant material gathered following the submission of their synthesis grid. 
     

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 Orientation Individual study (2 hr)  
Week 01 Online Introduction Online class (8 hr)  
Week 02 Module 1: Neurobiological contributors to pain Online class (20 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 04 Module 2: The mind-body link Online class (20 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 06 Module 3: The placebo effect Online class (20 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 08 1. Group case study; 2. Short statement preparation Online class (20 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Review short statements Online class (20 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Unit review Online class (20 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Active participation in online discussion forums is a compulsory activity for completion of this unit of study. It is expected that students will contribute unique content and/or reflections on other students’ postings at least twice per week.

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

There is no prescribed textbook for this unit of study. All required readings are available online via Canvas and the University Library.

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. Explain the nature of the neuropathic, nociceptive and neuroplastic mechanisms that contribute to the pain experience
  • LO2. Discuss the link between psychological and neurobiological processes and therefore the link between mind and body in the pain experience
  • LO3. Explain the mechanisms of the placebo effect and how this informs our understanding of this mind/body link
  • LO4. Consider the evidence for the role of nociceptive, neuropathic and neuroplastic contributors in low back pain, post amputation pain, fibromyalgia
  • LO5. Appreciate the implications of nociceptive, neuropathic and neuroplastic contributors for both assessment and management of that condition.

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.

Minor content updates 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.