Outline

Overview

Our ever-changing world requires knowledge that extends across multiple disciplines. The ability to identify and explore interdisciplinary links is a crucial skill for emerging professionals and researchers alike. This unit presents the opportunity to bring together the concepts and skills you have learnt in your discipline and apply them to a real-world problem. For example, you will work on projects that might examine how simple robotics or AR/VR or 3D printing methods can help rehabilitate patients, how machine learning can be used to define signalling pathways, use design thinking approaches to address patient care or the design user interfaces or work with public health or epidemiology to develop policy and communications around global health challenges. All these projects will challenge you to apply your existing knowledge to truly interdisciplinary areas. In this unit, you will continue to understand and explore disciplinary knowledge, while also meeting and collaborating with students from across the University through project-based learning; identifying and solving problems, collecting and analysing data and communicating your findings to a diverse audience. All of these skills are highly valued by employers. This unit will foster the ability to work in interdisciplinary teams, and this is essential for both professional and research pathways in the future.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	PHSI3888
Academic unit
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	PHSI3007 or PHSI3008 or PHSI3907 or PHSI3908
Prerequisites ?	12 cp from (PHSI2X05 or PHSI2X06 or PHSI2X07 or MEDS2001 or PHSI2X08 or BMED2402 or BMED2403 or BMED2404 or BMED2406)
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Laurence Macia, laurence.macia@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Meloni Muir, meloni.muir@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Research project oral presentation Final oral project presentation	10%	-	5-10 min
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Multimedia presentation Multimedia project presentation for lay audience	15%	-	3-5 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Written assignment Written individual assignment	20%	Week 05	maximum 1200 words
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Exam Examination of discipline-specific lecture content from weeks 1-8 inclusive	30%	Week 10	50 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Reflective teamwork statement and peer- and self evaluation.	10%	Week 11	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project scientific manuscript	15%	Week 12	4000 words
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Skills based assessment: Students will collect and extract nutritional information from their daily food intake using an application as well as calculate their daily energy requirements. Results will be presented and interpreted from a health viewpoint in an individually written report.
Final exam: The exam will cover all lecture material from the physiology lectures. Questions will be a single best answer format delivered on Canvas.
Submitted work: Students will write a reflective statement about their teamwork experience as well as provide formative and summative self- and peer-assessment online.
Group project oral presentation: This will be a brief oral presentation of the interdiscilinary project. The project will be designed by students and focus on a real-life problem.
Group project multimedia presentation: The interdisciplinary team will create a multimedia presentation aimed at a lay audience summarizing the group project results.
Group written assessment: This will be a group written final written scientific report on their project.

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	At HD level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to students who demonstrate the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.
Distinction	75 - 84	At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the units material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the units material and can solve routine problems and/ or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.
Pass	50 - 64	At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory adequately referencing the original source of the work.
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:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than 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.

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, Systems health & the environment	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Systems health & the environment, Evolutionary medicine	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	Urban living; the challenges, What is a smart city, Traditional lifestyle & health	Lecture (3 hr)
	Nutritional environment assessment	Practical (3 hr)
	Introduction to project & group work	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 04	Neutron & deuteration for food science, ANSTO's research structures & capabilities, Technology & physiology	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	Project & teamwork	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	Female fertility & environment, Male fertility & environment, Development & environment	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	Project & group work	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 06	Ecophysiology of the vasculature, Environment & bone physiology, Environment & skin physiology	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	Project & teamwork	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	Innume health & environment	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	Project & teamwork	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	Environment & central nervous system, Environment & mental health	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 08	Project & teamwork	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 09	Project & teamwork	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 10	Porject & teamwork	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 11	Project & teamwork	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 12	Project oral presentation	Presentation (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Prac & seminar attendance compulsory

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Apply disciplinary knowledge to solve problems in an interdisciplinary context.
LO2. Find, define and delimit authentic problems in order to address them.
LO3. Create an investigation strategy, explore solutions, discuss approaches and predict outcomes.
LO4. Analyse data using modern information technology and digital skills.
LO5. Demonstrate integrity, confidence, personal resilience and the capacity to manage challenges, both individually and in teams.
LO6. Collaborate with diverse groups and across cultural and disciplinary boundaries to develop solution(s) to the project problems.
LO7. Communicate project outcomes effectively to a broad audience.
LO8. Accept, act on and deliver constructive criticism.
LO9. Interpret and write-up the results of scientific experiments as conducted in practical classes.
LO10. Collaboratively develop and adhere to appropriate rules for group conduct of collaborations and assignments.
LO11. Demonstrate an understanding of the limitations of experimental measurements.
LO12. Describe the impact of specific environmental factors on physiology.
LO13. Demonstrate effective time management to achieve learning outcomes.

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.

This is the first time this unit has been 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.

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

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

PHSI3888: Physiology Interdisciplinary Project

Semester 2, 2020 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, 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

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect