Overview
This unit supports you to identify and develop core professional practices and skills required by all graduates to succeed in your chosen career in the field of Medical Sciences. You will learn about medical science disciplines and develop foundation skills and knowledge. You will learn about your personal attributes; and develop study, organisational and planning skills which can be applied to your future career. An inter disciplinary, integrated approach will be provided so that you will understand the interrelationships across all disciplines of medical science and how each one is associated with clinical work, research and education. You will learn about your chosen profession and career options and plan your course and overall study path to build the knowledge and skills to reach your desired career outcomes. Throughout this unit, your academic, critical and creative thinking skills will be enhanced so that you can effectively engage in future studies.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student feedback.
Some internal practical classes had time pressures with high numbers of activities to complete in a single session.
Timing and layout of practical classes will be revised without altering the learning outcomes.
Feedback from Student feedback, observation.
Variable engagement with guest speakers based on alignment to chosen specialisation.
Continue to engage guest speakers for all specialisations and include an emphasis on the multidisciplinary nature of medical science.
Feedback from Student feedback.
Students appreciated the inclusion of both foundation academic and career development skills.
Continue to include foundation academic and career development skills in the unit.
- Reflect on individual personal skills and capabilities necessary to develop the attributes expected of graduates in a chosen medical science profession.
- Demonstrate learning success and resilience utilising introductory academic writing, critical thinking, organising, problem-solving and planning skills.
- Develop requisite discipline knowledge, underlying principles and concepts as a basis for career success.
- Create and maintain a professional e-Portfolio that synthesises knowledge of self, careers and disciplines to map academic, career and learning paths.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||
| 2 - Laboratory/Practical - 30% | ||||
| 3 - Portfolio - 40% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
There are no prescribed text books for this unit.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- ZOOM
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.balzer@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 04 Mar 2024Module/Topic
Introduction & Foundation Academic Skills
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 11 Mar 2024Module/Topic
Workplace Health & Safety in Medical Sciences
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practical/Laboratory, Assessment 2 (on-campus students).
Week 3
Begin Date: 18 Mar 2024Module/Topic
Bioethics
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practical/Laboratory, Assessment 2 (on-campus students).
Week 4
Begin Date: 25 Mar 2024Module/Topic
Industry standards, professional conduct, privacy.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practical/Laboratory, Assessment 2 (on-campus students).
Week 5
Begin Date: 01 Apr 2024Module/Topic
Professional Communication Skills
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practical/Laboratory, Assessment 2 (on-campus students).
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 08 Apr 2024Module/Topic
Break Week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 15 Apr 2024Module/Topic
Cross-cultural Competence in Medical Sciences and Professional Environments
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 22 Apr 2024Module/Topic
Australian Healthcare System and Socioeconomics in Health / Medical Science
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 29 Apr 2024Module/Topic
Introduction to Evidence Based Practice
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 06 May 2024Module/Topic
First Nations Health
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Residential School (Laboratory/Practical Assessment 2) Rockhampton (mixed mode students).
Written Assessment Due: Week 9 Friday (10 May 2024) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 10
Begin Date: 13 May 2024Module/Topic
Careers in Medical Science
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 20 May 2024Module/Topic
Work Integrated Learning and Course Planning
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 27 May 2024Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 03 Jun 2024Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 10 Jun 2024Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
There are no prescribed textbooks for this unit. All weekly readings, content and activities will be uploaded to the unit Moodle site.
Each week students will be expected to complete the following:
1 hour lecture (online, face to face, or recorded)
1 hour tutorial (online, face to face, or recorded)
3-5 hours of self-directed study
3-5 hours preparing assessments
Online sessions will be facilitated via Zoom and meeting links will be provided on the Moodle site. Recordings of lectures and tutorials will be made available on the unit Moodle site.
This unit contains mandatory practical classes which are associated with Assessment 2 (Laboratory/Practical). Internal students are to attend a 3 hour practical class in weeks 2, 3, 4 and 5. Mixed mode students will attend a 2 day residential school. All students must attend and complete the assessment to pass the unit. Please check the timetable for dates and times of internal practical classes and the residential school.
1 Written Assessment
Academic writing and research skills will be used throughout your degree. In this assessment you will develop writing and research skills, as well as apply knowledge from classroom teachings.
You will be provided with a written stimulus which presents a social, ethical, professional, cultural or communication issue in medical sciences that may be encountered in your profession. You will then respond to a series of questions which assess understanding of the specific challenges in medical science as well as professional conduct. To answer the questions you will be required to utilise knowledge gained from lectures and tutorials, as well as undertake independent academic research.
Three stimulus options will be provided, of which you will choose one to respond to:
1) Workplace culture, communication and integrity in laboratories.
2) Cross-cultural interactions with low English literacy patients.
3) Use of social media in medical sciences.
Student are permitted to use Generative AI for this assessment in the following ways:
- developing literature search strategies
- compiling suitable literature sources and locating data
- guidance for structuring question responses
If Generative AI is used in any way, it must be cited as per the CQU Guidelines (Academic Learning Centre).
If students choose to use generative AI, the following statement must be completed and included on the front page of the uploaded assessment: "I have used (insert technology) to (insert how you used this) in accordance with the requirements of this unit. The reason I used this was to (explain why you used it). The details of how I used it as (insert how). I hereby declare that the submission is an appropriate representation of my individual skills and abilities to meet the requirements of the task/s."
As per academic writing requirements and assessment criteria; citations of information should be of the primary source (i.e statistics returned by AI must be fact-checked and referenced from their original source as well as the AI source). Failure to cite primary sources as well as AI sources could be considered breach of academic integrity.
Your use of Generative AI must be clearly outlined in an appendix including the prompt used and Generative AI response. Failure to include an appendix may result in academic integrity investigation.
Week 9 Friday (10 May 2024) 5:00 pm AEST
Upload to the assessment submission portal in Moodle in PDF or word format.
Week 11 Friday (24 May 2024)
Grades will be allocated based on ability to:
- use academic research skills,
- review literature and show understanding of medical science and healthcare challenges,
- effectively present ideas,
- discuss the impact of improving medical sciences delivery,
- interpret legal, ethical, and professional considerations,
- apply academic writing, structure, and format, grammar, spelling and punctuation,
- apply referencing skills.
A full marking rubric will be provided on the Moodle site.
- Reflect on individual personal skills and capabilities necessary to develop the attributes expected of graduates in a chosen medical science profession.
- Demonstrate learning success and resilience utilising introductory academic writing, critical thinking, organising, problem-solving and planning skills.
2 Laboratory/Practical
Success in the medical sciences field includes professional and safe behaviour when working in a laboratory environment.
You will be assessed on your ability to work safely and professionally in a laboratory environment across 4 practical sessions. This will be be carried out by observation and ability to complete written or verbal tasks.
You will be assessed in-class across 4 laboratory sessions. Times will vary depending on enrolment mode. On campus students will be assessed in weeks 2 ,3, 4 and 5. Mixed Mode students will be assessed at the Residential School. No late submissions are allowed.
Students will receive feedback in-class and throughout the practical sessions.
Students will be assessed based on the following:
- professionalism, timeliness, preparedness,
- operating safely in a laboratory environment,
- organisation skills,
- completion of laboratory work / workbook,
- safe and effective use of equipment (pipette, microscope, lancet, spirometer, standiometer, etc.),
- safe chemical handling and disposal,
- hazard minimisation and infection control,
- interpersonal / professional communication.
- Demonstrate learning success and resilience utilising introductory academic writing, critical thinking, organising, problem-solving and planning skills.
- Develop requisite discipline knowledge, underlying principles and concepts as a basis for career success.
3 Portfolio
You will contribute to your portfolio throughout the semester. It will be comprised of artifacts collected throughout the term.
Studying at CQU offers you lifetime access to an ePortfolio tool called Portfolium. An ePortfolio can be used to keep track of, and display, your proficiencies and skills. Portfolium can be shared with your employers to showcase your experience, skills, achievements and knowledge that you gain during your studies at CQU.
Throughout the semester you will gain new skills and knowledge. You will use Portfolium to record your capabilities and achievements which you can continue to add to throughout your degree. Other ePortfolio platforms / formats may be used with approval from the Unit Coordinator. Portfolium can be accessed via Moodle. You will be required to provide a PDF copy of your Portfolium profile (or other suitable ePortfolio platform) via the Moodle Submission link, as well as all artifacts required for assessment.
You will be graded on the professional presentation of your profile, and the inclusion of evidence relating to skills, credentials, and achievements.
Week 12 Friday (31 May 2024) 5:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (14 June 2024)
You will be graded on the professional presentation of your profile, and the inclusion of evidence of skills, credentials, and achievements including:
- e-portfolio successfully registered.
- accurate presentation of information (education, skills).
- professional language and presentation.
- inclusion of knowledge and skill evidence (please see marking rubric for details).
A marking rubric will be provided on the Moodle site.
- Reflect on individual personal skills and capabilities necessary to develop the attributes expected of graduates in a chosen medical science profession.
- Create and maintain a professional e-Portfolio that synthesises knowledge of self, careers and disciplines to map academic, career and learning paths.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
