Outline

Overview

Breast surgery requires comprehensive knowledge of the basic sciences of the breast and also the various elements of benign breast diseases. This unit of study aims to prepare candidates for a career in breast surgery. The unit focuses on: 1. the anatomy of the breast, axilla and donor sites for reconstruction flaps 2. anatomical variations and physiological changes in the breast and axilla 3. benign breast diseases including mastitis, mastalgia, nipple discharge and aberrations of normal development and involution (ANDI) 4. current radiological modalities in breast disease imaging and risk assessment for patients 5. genetic and non-genetic risk assessment for patients 6. the importance of oestrogen and HER 2 receptors in breast cancer.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	SURG5037
Academic unit	Surgery
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	This unit is designed as the first part of a curriculum for contemporary breast surgery for Post Fellowship Ttrainees and assumes practical skills training is obtained on the BreastSurgANZ PFT Program (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed general or plastic surgical training and have a strong interest in breast surgery.
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jocelyn Lippey, jocelyn.lippey@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Jocelyn Lippey, jocelyn.lippey@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Susannah Graham, susannah.graham@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Live+ supervised)	Final online exam MCQ, short answer	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Module quizzes MCQ	10%	Multiple weeks	15 minutes each
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Clinical case discussion Online post contributions	15%	Multiple weeks	500 words post, 100 words reply
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Webinars (Case reports) Come prepared to present a case and discuss at each live webinar	15%	Multiple weeks	Unit coordinators to advise
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay Essay	10%	Week 10	600 words per essay
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = Type A final exam ?

Assessment summary

Module quizzes: The quizzes are designed to help students gauge their progress in meeting the learning outcomes. There is one attempt only and there will be 8 graded quizzes. The quizzes are open for a set period. Please note that quizzes cannot be completed after the close date.
Essay: The essay is designed to help students synthesise and apply the knowledge they have gained. The essay must be properly referenced.
Clinical case discussions: The clinical case discussions are designed to help students understand and apply the concepts that underpin the fundamentals of neurophysiology. In these discussions, students will be presented with a case and asked to respond to the questions posed. There are 3 case discussions throughout the semester and you are required to post a response to every case discussion. Once submitted, stuednts will have access to other students’ answers and will be required to prepare a comment to another student’s answer.
Webinars (case reports): Students will be required to attend two live webinars. Attendance of both webinars is compulsory. Students will be required to prepare a case prior to each webinar and present the case during the webinar in addition to participating in discussion.
Final online exam: The final exam is a graded, fully invigilated exam conducted via Canvas with the help of an online proctor. The exam will contain 40 multiple choice questions (single best answer) and 3 short answer questions.

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.

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 (SURG5037) the late submission penalty will be 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date for 5 calendar days only. This is to ensure that timely feedback is provided to students. If the assessment is submitted more than 5 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.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Module 1: normal breast, axillary and lymphatic anatomy	Online class (10 hr)
Week 02	Module 1: normal breast, axillary and lymphatic anatomy	Online class (10 hr)
Week 03	Module 2: variations in breast and axillary anatomy and flap donor sites	Online class (10 hr)
Week 04	Module 3: benign breast disease	Online class (10 hr)
Week 05	Module 3: benign breast disease	Online class (10 hr)
Week 06	Module 4: normal and benign breast disease - radiology	Online class (10 hr)
Week 07	Module 4: normal and benign breast disease - radiology	Online class (10 hr)
Week 08	Module 5: breast cancer and imaging	Online class (10 hr)
Week 09	Module 6: breast imaging for therapeutic interventions	Online class (10 hr)
Week 10	Module 6: breast imaging for therapeutic interventions	Online class (10 hr)
Week 11	Module 7: recognising high risk	Online class (10 hr)
Week 12	Module 7: recognising high risk	Online class (10 hr)
Week 13	Module 8: receptors	Online class (10 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance requirements: Students will be required to attend two live webinars for this unit of study. Attendance of both webinars is compulsory.
Required materials: The following equipment is required in order to take the final exam: a desktop computer or laptop (not tablet), a webcam and microphone, an internet connection speed of at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload speed and a browser with pop-up blocker disabled (Chrome is recommended).

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. demonstrate the basics of anatomy and physiology of the breast and the impact of the female reproductive hormonal cycle on the breast
LO2. appraise the complexity of surgical and multidisciplinary management of benign breast disease and patients at high risk for breast cancer
LO3. assess the strengths and weaknesses of breast imaging - its strengths and weaknesses
LO4. critically evaluate the literature on sentinel node biopsy and breast localisation techniques
LO5. explain the genetic, hormonal and environmental factors influencing breast cancer risk
LO6. explain the role of Oestrogen, Progesterone and Her2 receptors in breast cancer phenotyping and treatment

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 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.

Additional information

Student hub - Professional Medical Education

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

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

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

SURG5037: Basic Sciences and Benign Breast Disease

Semester 1, 2021 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

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

Media

Student links

About us

Connect