Unit outline_

SEXH5406: Professional Practice

Semester 2, 2025 [Online] - Westmead, Sydney

This capstone unit provides students with an opportunity to integrate their learning throughout the candidature with current and future practice in a capstone experience. Students will apply their newly gained knowledge, skills, and values in a professional setting. Students are expected to satisfactorily fulfil 60-80 hours of capstone experience in the form of clinical/observational placement, research project, data audit, field/site visits, gap analysis or a mixture of different options. The unit also provides students with an introduction to the essential practical competencies in their specific Pathway and emphasises the interdisciplinary nature of health. On completion of this unit, students will be able to: (i) Synthesise learning in the context of professional practice; (ii) Develop a practice framework which is based on ethical, regulatory and socio-cultural contexts of the discipline; (iii) Demonstrate understanding of inter-disciplinary practice; (iv) Apply reflexive practice to identify and act on opportunities for learning/professional development; and (v) Appraise the theory to practice/practice to theory nexus in the context of professional practice. The University will assist in locating clinical, public health, and counselling related observations and/or placements where relevant. In addition, students will work in multidisciplinary professional groups to reflect on their role in the multidisciplinary team for the management of sexual and reproductive health issues. There is a compulsory on campus intensive teaching block for this unit of study in addition to the online learning activities. Exemptions and/or credit requests are not available for this unit.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Sexual Health
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
SEXH5401 or CEPI5100 or PUBH5010
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Vijayasarathi Ramanathan, vijay.ramanathan@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Written work Capstone experience report
Report
20% Formal exam period
Due date: 17 Nov 2025 at 23:59
1,000 - 4,000 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Written work Reflective report
Reflective report
30% Formal exam period
Due date: 24 Nov 2025 at 23:59
2,500 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Contribution Online Discussion 1
Online discussion
5% Week 06
Due date: 09 Sep 2025 at 23:59
250 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Written work Interview and report
Interview and report
30% Week 07
Due date: 15 Sep 2025 at 23:59
1,500 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Contribution Online Discussion 2
Online discussion
5% Week 09
Due date: 07 Oct 2025 at 23:59
250 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Presentation Capstone experience presentation
Online oral presentation
10% Week 12
Due date: 01 Nov 2025 at 17:00
6 minutes AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 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. 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
Ongoing Students are expected to satisfactorily fulfil 60-80 hours of capstone experience. Students can choose a form of clinical or observational placement/mentorship, short research project, data audit, field/site visits, gap analysis or a mixture of different options. Independent study (80 hr)  
Week 01 Professional capabilities for health care professionals Independent study (4 hr)  
Week 02 Cultural humility & competency in SRH practice Independent study (4 hr)  
Week 03 Cultural humility & competency in SRH practice Independent study (4 hr)  
Week 04 Principles of ethics and values in health care practice Independent study (4 hr)  
Online webinar 1 (Synchronised) (Compulsory) Online class (2.5 hr)  
Week 05 Principles of ethics and values in health care practice Independent study (4 hr)  
Week 06 Principles of ethics and values in health care practice Independent study (4 hr)  
Week 07 Integrating theory & practice Independent study (4 hr)  
Week 08 Health literacy Independent study (4 hr)  
Week 09 Health literacy Independent study (4 hr)  
Online webinar 2 (Synchronised) (Compulsory) Online class (2.5 hr)  
Week 10 Professional capabilities for health care professionals Independent study (4 hr)  
Week 11 Professional capabilities for health care professionals Independent study (4 hr)  
Week 12 Online intensive workshop (compulsory - 2 days) Online class (16 hr)  
Week 13 Sexual Attitudes Reassessment Independent study (4 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Block mode students: Intensive teaching sessions (online and face-to-face)

Online students: Intensive teaching sessions (online) 

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 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. synthesise learning in the context of professional practice
  • LO2. develop a practice framework which is based on ethical, regulatory and socio-cultural contexts of the discipline
  • LO3. demonstrate understanding of inter-disciplinary practice
  • LO4. apply reflexive practice to identify and act on opportunities for learning/professional development
  • LO5. appraise the theory to practice/practice to theory nexus in the context of professional 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
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

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.