SEXH5200: Semester 1, 2023

University home

Library

Current students

Staff intranet

Find an event

Give

Current students

Units SEXH5200 Semester 1 2023 [Block mode]

Unit of study_

SEXH5200: Advanced STIs

Semester 1, 2023 [Block mode] - Westmead, Sydney

Overview

This unit aims to describe the epidemiology, microbiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnostics, and management strategies for the common Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). On completion of this unit, students will be able to: (i) Discuss the microbiology, pathogenesis and epidemiology of the common STIs; (ii) Demonstrate an understanding of the clinical spectrum of STIs, including asymptomatic infection, genital manifestations and complications; and (iii) Understand the principles of infection control, methods used in diagnostic microbiology including specimen collection, storage and transport, and principal methods of detection for common STIs; (iv) Describe principles of STI prevention and management of common STIs. HIV infection will only be covered in the context of its interactions with other STIs. Course content includes epidemiology, STIs in key populations, microbiology, diagnostics, and clinical aspects of the following conditions: vaginal discharge, urethral discharge, anorectal discharge, genital ulceration, upper genital tract infections including pelvic inflammatory disease, syphilis, anogenital warts and cancer, genital infestations, and genital dermatology. Challenges faced in resource-poor settings and syndromic management will also be covered.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	SEXH5200
Academic unit	Sexual Health
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Shailendra Sawleshwarkar, shailendra.sawleshwarkar@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Iryna Zablotska-Manos, iryna.zablotska@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Hans Ramlochun, hans.ramlochun@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final Exam Final invigilated exam. Date to be confirmed by Exams Office	60%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Journal club Oral presentation	10%	Ongoing	20 - 25 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Group exercises Case studies	10%	Ongoing	60 minutes each
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Short note 1: formative Short essay	0%	Week 04 Due date: 15 Mar 2023 at 23:59	750 - 1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Multiple Choice Quiz (MCQ) Multiple choice quiz on learning content from Modules 1-6	10%	Week 07 Due date: 05 Apr 2023 at 12:00	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Short note 2: summative Short essay	10%	Week 08 Due date: 19 Apr 2023 at 23:59	750 - 1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Mock exam (modules 1 - 6) Online exam	0%	Week 13 Due date: 14 May 2023 at 23:59	45 minutes
Outcomes assessed:

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
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:

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 late including weekend days. 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.

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	Module 1: Introduction to STIs, laboratory basics and infection control	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 02	Module 2: Anatomy and physiology	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 03	Module 3: Clinical orientation investigations, specimen collection, processing	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 04	Module 4: Introduction to STI diagnostic test types, sensitivity and specificity	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 05	Module 5: STI syndromes - female	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 06	Module 6: STI syndromes - male	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 07	Module 7: STI syndromes - other	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 08	Module 8: Bacterial infections	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 09	Module 9: HPV, warts and anogenital neoplasia	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 10	Module 10: HSV and miscellaneous infections	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 11	Module 11: Key populations and special issues	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 12	Module 12: Management of STIs	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 13	Intensive face-to-face teaching block (3 days)	Block teaching (24 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Normal Day (ND): Weekly face-to-face lectures and sessions as well as Intensive face-to-face teaching block – attendance is compulsory. Failure to attend may result in an absent fail for the unit of study.

Block Mode (BM): Intensive face-to-face teaching block – attendance is compulsory. Failure to attend may result in an absent fail for the unit of study.

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed on Canvas

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. describe the microbiology, pathogenesis and epidemiology of STIs
LO2. describe the clinical spectrum of STIs, such as asymptomatic infection, genital manifestations and complications
LO3. demonstrate an understanding of approaches to diagnosis and management of STI syndromes and individual STIs
LO4. appreciate the impact of STIs at individual and public health levels
LO5. analyse issues related to STIs through critical reflection and evidence-based practice.

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.

UoS coordinator considered feedback and made appropriate changes/improvements

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

Required readings

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