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Unit of study_

SURG5032: Physiology for Surgeons

Semester 2, 2022 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study covers most of the basic and advanced physiology and some pathophysiology that training surgeons need to have at their fingertips. With a focus on the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary systems, the systems and concepts studied confer a deep understanding of those at play during surgery. It provides students with a solid basis for preparation for the GSSE exam of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.

Unit details and rules

Unit code SURG5032
Academic unit Surgery
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jie Liu, j.liu@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Live+ supervised) Type A final exam Final graded exam
MCQ
50% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Online task PeerWise
Online written task
20% Multiple weeks 3 cycles
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Small test Module 4 graded quiz
Online quiz
7% STUVAC Approx. 1 minute per question
Outcomes assessed: LO9 LO10
Small test Module 1 graded quiz
Online quiz
10% Week 06 Approx. 1 minute per question
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test Module 2 graded quiz
Online quiz
8% Week 10 Approx. 1 minute per question
Outcomes assessed: LO6
Small test Module 3 graded quiz
Online quiz
5% Week 12 Approx. 1 minute per question
Outcomes assessed: LO7 LO8
Type A final exam = Type A final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Graded Quizzes: Due to the different length and load of each module, the quizzes will contain a proportional weighting and amount of questions, and time limits are calculated to reflect the number of questions. To serve as practice for the General Sciences Surgical Examination, the questions will be in three formats, following the description offered by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
  • PeerWise: Students author their own multiple choice questions related to the content they have been covering. Peers can then answer questions and provide critique or comments for improvement. All comments should be based upon relevant literature, with the use of references as much as possible.
  • Final graded exam: Fully invigilated exam conducted via Canvas with the help of an online proctor. The exam will contain multiple choice questions and is not open book.

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 - cardiovascular system; Module 1.1: cardiac physiology and the ECG Online class (10 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Module 1.2: control of the cardiovascular system Online class (10 hr) LO3
Week 03 Module 1.3: blood pressure and regional circulation Online class (10 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 04 Module 1.4: circulatory shock Online class (10 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 05 Module 1.5: blood Online class (10 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 06 Module 2 - respiratory system; Module 2.1: respiratory system - structure and normal function Online class (10 hr) LO6
Week 07 Module 2.2: control of ventilation and mechanics of breathing Online class (10 hr) LO6
Week 08 Module 2.3: respiratory system at chemical level Online class (10 hr) LO6
Week 09 Module 2.4: respiratory pathophysiology and other procedures Online class (10 hr) LO6
Week 10 Module 3 - urinary system and fluids; Module 3.1: urinary system; fluid and electrolytes Online class (10 hr) LO7
Week 11 Module 3.2: acid-base balance Online class (10 hr) LO8
Week 12 Module 4 - gastrointestinal system and nutrition; Module 4.1: gastrointestinal tract Online class (10 hr) LO9
Week 13 Module 4.2: nutrition and metabolism Online class (10 hr) LO10

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

The textbooks for this unit of study are:

  • KE Barrett et al. Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology. 26 ed. McGraw Hill; 2012.
  • West's Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials by JB West and AM Luks, 11th ed. Wolters Kluwer 2021

All readings for this unit can be accessed online through the University of Sydney Library via 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. demonstrate a thorough understanding of cardiac physiology at an organ, tissue and cellular level, and alterations by pathological processes
  • LO2. explain how the ECG is generated in healthy and diseased states
  • LO3. explain the control of the cardiovascular system, including cardiac function, blood pressure, regional circulation, and alteration during surgery or pathological processes, particularly hypertension and shock
  • LO4. explain current methods used in the measurement of blood flow and other cardiovascular parameters
  • LO5. explain what parameters influence decision making in blood transfusion management
  • LO6. explain respiratory physiology from a structural, mechanical, and chemical point of view, including the relationship to blood flow and gas exchange through the respiratory membrane, and the alterations due to pathological processes, surgery, or mechanical ventilation
  • LO7. describe normal physiology of the urinary system, including renal circulation and blood filtration, and recognise functional changes due to renal diseases, kidney failure, obstruction, diuretics, or surgical intervention
  • LO8. using your knowledge of the cardiovascular, respiratory and urinary systems, explain the regulation of acid-base balance in the human body, alterations by diseases of these systems, and compensatory mechanisms to restore acid-base homeostasis
  • LO9. describe the role of each section of the gastrointestinal tract and its accessory organs on gastrointestinal function (digestion, absorption, secretion and excretion), and demonstrate a working knowledge of gastrointestinal motility and its regulation
  • LO10. describe basic nutritional requirements for normal daily life, including the control of food intake, the impact on surgery, and alterations due to under-nutrition or over-nutrition.

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.