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Unit of study_

SLEE5102: Breathing Disorders of Sleep

Semester 1, 2020 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study aims to develop a thorough understanding of the relationship between sleep and the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Topics will cover respiratory and cardiovascular control and changes in breathing associated with sleep. Mechanisms, causes and assessment of upper airway obstruction during sleep, central breathing disorders of sleep, and sleep related hypoventilation will be discussed. Learning will include regular short answer quizzes, as well as broader written assessments.

Unit details and rules

Unit code SLEE5102
Academic unit Sleep Medicine
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
SLEE5101
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Colin Sullivan, colin.sullivan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam SLEE5102 Final Graded Online Exam
Online exam
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Module 1 assignment
Writen assignment
10% Week 04 4-6 questions
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Module 3 assignment
Written assignment
10% Week 08 4-6 questions
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO6
Assignment Module 4 assignment
Written assignment
10% Week 12 4-6 questions
Outcomes assessed: LO7 LO8
Assignment Essay
Written essay
30% Week 13 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7 LO8

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.

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
Week 01 Module 1.1: Upper airway anatomy and the mechanics of breathing Individual study (3 hr) LO1
Week 02 Module 1.2: Respiratory control Individual study (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 03 Module 1.3: Cardiovascular control in sleep and wake Individual study (3 hr) LO4
Week 04 Module 2.1: Sleep-disordered breathing: consequences and comorbidities Individual study (2 hr) LO5
Week 05 Module 2.1: Sleep-disordered breathing: consequences and comorbidities Individual study (2 hr) LO5
Week 06 Module 3.1: The anatomy and physiology of upper airway obstruction Individual study (3 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 07 Module 3.1: The anatomy and physiology of upper airway obstruction Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 08 Module 3.2: Respiratory control and upper airway obstruction Individual study (3 hr) LO3
Week 09 Module 3.3: The spectrum of upper airway obstruction Individual study (4 hr) LO6
Week 10 Module 4.1: Mechanisms of central breathing disorders Individual study (3 hr) LO7
Week 11 Module 4.2: The assessment and clinical aspects of central breathing disorders Individual study (3 hr) LO7 LO8
Week 12 Module 5.1: Sleep-related hypoventilation; Mechanisms, causes and assessment Individual study (3 hr) LO9
Week 13 Module 5.1: Sleep-related hypoventilation; Mechanisms, causes and assessment Individual study (3 hr) LO9

Attendance and class requirements

This course is delivered online, with no specific attendance requirements.

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 through the Library, available 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. understand the anatomy and physiology of the upper airway, the mechanics of breathing during wake and sleep, and identify factors involved in the maintenance of upper airway patency that are linked to SDB
  • LO2. Understand the development, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of respiratory control and appreciate the differences in the control of ventilation between wake, NREM and REM
  • LO3. Compare and contrast the control of ventilation between normal individuals and those with obstructive sleep apnea and understand the influence that hypoxia and hypercapnia have on respiratory control in OSA
  • LO4. Recognise central and autonomic regulation of cardiovascular function as it relates to sleep including sleep dependent changes in cerebral and peripheral circulation
  • LO5. Understand the epidemiological and medical evidence for the bi-directional links between SDB and comorbidities and appreciate the health and economic consequences of SDB with identification of the demographic and lifestyle risk factors that increase the likelihood of obstructed SDB
  • LO6. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the assessment of SDB, including the clinical and polysomnographic features of central and obstructive breathing disorders and hypoventilation, and describe the spectrum of obstructed breathing during sleep
  • LO7. Explain the role of chemoreceptor and arousal thresholds during sleep in relation to central apnoea and identify and explain other possible causes of central sleep apnoea, including conditions associated with increased and decreased central respiratory drive
  • LO8. Appreciate clinical aspects that are specific to central breathing disorders particularly the relationship between heart disease and central sleep apnoea
  • LO9. Understand the mechanisms underpinning different conditions linked to sleep related hypoventilation, identify the possible causes and contrast this to other forms of SDB

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last 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.