SURG5034: Semester 1, 2026

Units SURG5034 Semester 1 2026 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

SURG5034: Surgical Anatomy Based on GSSE

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This course provides students with knowledge of anatomy required for surgical training and to assist students in the preparation of the Anatomy component of GSSE conducted by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). Teaching comprises of modules covering the upper extremity, lower extremity, head and neck, thorax and back, abdomen, and pelvis, with a faculty including anatomists, surgeons and surgical registrars. Teaching primarily occurs on Saturday sessions complemented by online resources. The Saturday sessions can be attended in person or online. Each module has three components: a) Identification and SCORPIOS of anatomical structures in wet prosections of the anatomical area for the session. b) SPOT Test using the wet prosections with associated MCQ’s. Teaching is modified depending on the students experience and time to sit the GSSE. The course is suitable for medical students to surgical trainees. There may be opportunity for students to enrol in a Whole Body Dissection component.

Unit details and rules

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

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Nabil El Massri, nabil.elmassri@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 exam	Final Exam MCQs and SPOT Tests	50%	Formal exam period	3 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	SPOT Tests SPOT tests with specimens	20%	Multiple weeks	-	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Online quizzes MCQs and SPOT Tests	30%	Multiple weeks	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Online Quizzes: Students will complete an online timed test consisting of MCQs and SPOT questions for each topic.
SPOT Tests: Students will complete a SPOT test using specimens at each workshop day (exluding revision day).
Final Exam: For the final session of the semester, students will sit an exam under exam conditions.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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.

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
Formal exam period	Head and Neck III	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Formal exam period	Revision	Practical (9 hr)
Mid-semester break	Pelvis and Perineum	Practical (8 hr)
STUVAC	Head and Neck III	Practical (8 hr)
Week 01	Upper Extremeties	Practical (8 hr)
Week 02	Upper Extremities	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 03	Lower Extremeties	Practical (8 hr)
Week 04	Lower Extremities	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 05	Thorax and Back	Practical (8 hr)
Week 06	Thorax and Back	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 07	Abdomen	Practical (8 hr)
Week 08	Abdomen	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 09	Pelvis and Perineum	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 10	Head and Neck I	Practical (8 hr)
Week 11	Head and Neck I	Self-directed learning (10 hr)
Week 12	Head and Neck II	Practical (8 hr)
Week 13	Head and Neck II	Self-directed learning (10 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

This unit comprises 9 dissection sessions, which will be conducted in-person and online at the University of Sydney, Camperdown Campus. Sessions will not be repeated.

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.

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. Develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of the five regions of the body
LO2. Recognise and explain all common and important characteristics of an anatomical structure
LO3. Develop an understanding of key relationships and common variations of topographical regional anatomy which are important to surgeons in the management of patients in clinical and operating rooms.
LO4. Correlate clinically relevant regional anatomy with core systematic anatomy of surgical importance
LO5. Interpret transition regions of the body and sectional anatomy regions of the body using modern imaging techniques

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.

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 and the unit of study Evaluation Survey (USS) at the end of the semester. Your feedback 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.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

All students must comply with the conditions of entry for the anatomy labs.

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links