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Unit of study_

PMED5100: Paediatric Infectious Diseases

Semester 1, 2021 [Online] - Westmead, Sydney

This unit investigates indepth the epidemiology diagnosis and management of paediatric infectious diseases Modules of study within this unit will include worldwide patterns of infectious disease including assessment of scope of problem and burden of disease common paediatric infectious diseases current evidence based practice for diagnosis and treatment of common childhood infectious diseases infectious diseases in special populations such as immunocompromised malnourished and indigenous populations issues of policy and public health and emerging infectious diseases in paediatric settings

Unit details and rules

Unit code PMED5100
Academic unit Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School
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
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Discussion topic 1: Febrile infant
Discussion board - Post and reply required. Refer to Canvas.
3% Week 03 300 words not including references
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Discussion topic 2: Jamie’s arthritis
Discussion board - Post and reply required. Refer to Canvas.
3% Week 05 300 words not including references
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Discussion topic 3: Tuberculosis (TB) Case
Discussion board - Post and reply required. Refer to Canvas.
8% Week 07 400 words not including references
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Assignment 1
Refer to Canvas
25% Week 08 2000 words not including references
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Assignment Discussion topic 4: Returning Traveller
Discussion board - Post and reply required. Refer to Canvas.
8% Week 09 400 words not including references
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Discussion topic 5: Congenital infections
Discussion board - Post and reply required. Refer to Canvas.
12% Week 10 600 words not including references
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Discussion topic 6: Persistent fever
Discussion board - Post and reply required. Refer to Canvas.
12% Week 11 600 words not including references
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Assignment 2
Refer to Canvas
25% Week 13 2000 words not including references
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO8 LO9
Assignment AMR Webinar and Quiz
Attend AMR webinar and complete a quiz
4% Week 13 na
Outcomes assessed: LO10

Assessment summary

Discussion topics:

You will be assessed according to the quality of the initial posting for each topic, as well as the quality of your contributions each week to ongoing discussion, both with the module facilitators and your fellow students. Late postings will attract a penalty in grading.

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 by the due date. In your subsequent responses, you should respond to any questions asked by the clinicians, 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.

You are encouraged to read all the current discussion threads (messages), particularly before you make responses to discussions raised by students.

Your initial posting answer to each discussion topic is to 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 closes ten days from the initial post due date for any posts that will be marked.

Discussion boards will be made available a week before the first post is due.

  • First post: Wednesday of each relevant week, at 23:00 hours.
  • Final responses: Saturday of each relevant week, at 23:00 hours.

Grading: This assessment will contribute 50% of your final grade for the unit. Please refer to the assessments section for more information.

Assignment 1 and 2

Grading:

Assignment 1 will contribute 25% of your final grade for this unit.
Assignment 2 will contribute 25% of your final grade for this unit.
Word limit: 2000 words, not including 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. You may locate the referencing guidelines via Unit of Study Outline > Unit of Study Information > Guidelines for Correct Referencing.

Your written assignments and discussion tasks will be marked according to the Grading Criteria and Assessment Policy. Please refer to Canvas for information.

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.

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 must be submitted by the due date by 11pm unless a request for an extension is made at least 3 days prior to the due date. Requests for extensions should be submitted via email to the unit coordinator stating the reasons. Extensions granted by the unit coordinator will normally be no more than 3 days. This is because it is assumed that you commenced preparation of your assessment task well before the due date – not a few days before. The length of the extension granted will therefore be built on the assumption that work should have commenced on the assessment task well before the reason for the extension being requested. This policy has been developed to address a range of problems of a severe nature which interfere with a student’s ability to meet assessment requirements. Late assessment tasks that have not been granted extensions will attract a penalty of 5% of the maximum mark per day late including weekend days. Assessment tasks which are submitted more than 10 days late without prior approval will not be accepted and will be a fail. All assignments must be submitted by the due date. Students are expected to manage their time and to prioritise tasks to meet deadlines. Assessment items submitted after the due date without an approved extension using a special consideration or special arrangement form or request will incur the following penalties: • Late assignments that have not been granted extensions and are of a standard to receive a pass or higher mark will attract a penalty of 5% of the maximum mark per day (or part thereof) late including weekend days (e.g. if the assignment is worth 40 marks, the penalty is 2 marks per day late) until the mark reaches 50% of the maximum mark (e.g. 20 marks if the maximum is 40 marks). • Assignments that are not of a pass standard will not have marks deducted and will fail regardless. • Assignments submitted more than 10 days late without prior approval from the unit of study coordinator will not be accepted and will be given a zero (0) mark.

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
Multiple weeks Module 1: Introduction to infectious diseases (Weeks 1-3) Online class (30 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Module 2: Clinical case studies (Weeks 4, 5 & 7) Online class (30 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Module 3 : Infectious diseases in special populations (Weeks 8-10) Online class (30 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Module 4: Infectious disease mimics (Weeks 11 & 12) Online class (20 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Module 5: Policy and public health aspects (Weeks 13 & 14) Online class (20 hr) LO8 LO9 LO10

Attendance and class requirements

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
  • 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 each assignment/assessment task on time
  • Write in an Academic Writing Style (if you need assistance with academic writing, see more information in the 'Referencing Written Work')

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.

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, through the library's Electronic Reserve (e-reserve) collection. 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. The PDF format option is always the preferred method of viewing the articles, and you are usually given this choice. Therefore, where possible, choose the option to view the full text as PDF (or download the full text as PDF). You may choose to print the articles, or read them on your computer screen.

If an article is not provided via the library's Electronic Reserve collection, 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 Electronic Reserve 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.

Further assistance: Book an appointment with a Librarian

 

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. Understand the epidemiology of infectious diseases of global significant in children
  • LO2. Understand the epidemiology and pathogenesis of common infectious diseases in children.
  • LO3. Analyze mechanisms of susceptibility to infectious diseases in infants and children
  • LO4. Differentiate the clinical features of infectious diseases and non-infectious differential diagnoses
  • LO5. Apply best evidence to the management of paediatric infectious disease including selection of antimicrobial therapy
  • LO6. Evaluate different approaches to the management of paediatric infectious disease including selection of antimicrobial therapy
  • LO7. Generate brief management plans for common paediatric infectious diseases with clear rationale
  • LO8. Analyze prevention and control strategies used for infectious diseases in childhood
  • LO9. Analyze trends in and underlying factors influencing emergencce of infectious diseases including antimicrobial resistance
  • LO10. Classify mechanisms of antimicrobial action and pathogen resistance to antimicrobials

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.

We value your feedback about any aspect of the unit of study and your experience as a student of Sydney Medical School. To help ensure our courses meet your needs and maintain a high standard, we welcome your feedback at any time and we ask you to complete the Mid-Semester Evaluation Survey and the unit of study Evaluation Survey at the end of the semester. You can also rate any component of the unit using our star rating system found at the bottom of many pages as you progress through the unit. Your ratings and comments are anonymous and specifying what you liked and didn’t like about any of the learning materials, assessment items, discussion forums, feedback etc will help us to target our improvement efforts. Please note that your participation in this unit of study permits de-identified information about your learning experience and interaction with learning resources to be used for the purpose of improving the student learning experience.

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.