Outline

Overview

This unit will provide a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology and clinical features and management in Maternal and Fetal Medicine (MFM). Topics in Maternal medicine include maternal adaptation to pregnancy in health and disease, maternal complications of pregnancy, impact of chronic disease on pregnancy outcomes and long-term maternal health following pregnancy. In Fetal medicine topics include embryogenesis, advances in prenatal imaging, diagnosis and genetics, screening and surveillance in pregnancy, clinical management of fetal growth and structural anomalies. The unit will also cover key areas in MFM which include perinatal epidemiology, ethical and legal aspects related to MFM and concepts in developmental origins of health and disease (DoHAD).

Unit details and rules

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

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Dharmintra Pasupathy, dharmintra.pasupathy@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Rebecca Moses, rebecca.moses@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Shireen Meher, shireen.meher@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Written assignment Essay	30%	Formal exam period Due date: 14 Jun 2026 at 23:59	2,000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Clinical case study task 1 Clinical case study	12.5%	Week 05 Due date: 29 Mar 2026 at 23:59	750-1,000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Clinical case study task 2 Clinical case study	12.5%	Week 09 Due date: 03 May 2026 at 23:59	750-1,000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Multiple choice quiz (MCQ) In-person online quiz	25%	Week 10 Due date: 04 May 2026 at 17:00	45 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group case study presentation (Part 1) Oral presentation	16%	Week 10 Due date: 06 May 2026 at 17:00	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Evaluation	Group case study presentation (Part 2) Peer review	4%	Week 11 Due date: 13 May 2026 at 23:59	Short submission for each group member	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

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 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:

Please note, for this unit of study (SEXH5422) the late submission penalty will be 5% of the maximum awardable mark for 10 calendar days only. If the assessment is submitted more than 10 calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

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.

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.

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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Module 1: Physiological changes in pregnancy	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 02	Module 2: Fetal development & physiology	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 03	Module 3: Genetics	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 03	Online welcome session (12 March)	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 04	Module 4: Prenatal screening & diagnosis	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 05	Module 5: Diagnosis and management of fetal anomalies	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 06	Module 6: Diagnosis and management of other fetal conditions	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 07	Module 7: Maternal cardiovascular and respiratory disease	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 08	Module 8: Maternal endocrinology and gastroenterology	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 09	Module 9: Diagnosis and management of other maternal medical disorders	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 10	Module 10: Pregnancy related disorders	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 10	Intensive face-to-face teaching block (compulsory - 3 days - 4, 5 and 6 May)	Seminar (21 hr)
Week 11	Module 11: Ethics in maternal and fetal medicine	Self-directed learning (11 hr)
Week 12	Module 12: Imaging in maternal and fetal medicine	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 13	Module 13: High dependency and intensive care in maternal and fetal medicine	Self-directed learning (10 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Compulsory attendance at the intensive face-to-face teaching block (3 days, 4, 5 and 6 May). 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

This unit of study has the following textbooks:

Recommended textbooks

Pandya, P. P., Wapner, R., Oepkes, D., & Sebire, N., 2019, Fetal Medicine: Basic Science and Clinical Practice (3rd edition), Elsevier. Available here

Nelson-Piercy, C., 2020, Handbook of obstetric medicine (6th edition), CRC Press. Available here

All other 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. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of pregnancy and maternal and fetal complications.
LO2. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of screening and clinical presentation of conditions related to maternal and fetal medicine.
LO3. Demonstrate the principles of clinical management in the spectrum of maternal and fetal medicine together with the legal and ethical aspects of maternal and fetal medicine

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

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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

SEXH5422: Maternal and Fetal Medicine

Semester 1, 2026 [Block mode] - Westmead, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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