Overview
This unit advances your study of obstetric ultrasound from MEDS12006 into the second trimester as well as evaluating the sonographer's role in technique and evaluation of the breast. You will explore the sonographic assessment of normal and pathological obstetric ultrasound and breast ultrasound cases. You will participate in simulated scanning sessions to facilitate the identification of normal sonographic appearance of the second trimester fetus as well as basic breast scanning techniques and lesion localisation. Clinical scenarios are used to engage you in the sonographic decision-making process which expands your knowledge and assists in creating sonographer reports.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: MEDS12006 Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology 1
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 - 2025
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 SUTE comments
Some students found the assessment quiz questions more difficult than what was given in the tutorial and practice questions.
Include some more difficult questions in the tutorials and formative quizzes to align more closely with the end of term exam.
Feedback from SUTE comments
Some students found the unit content unorganized and hard to follow.
Consider including an overview of each topic to allow more cohesion of the each weeks learning.
Feedback from SUTE comments
Some students found it difficult to discern the 'need to know' information.
Expand on the information in the weekly study plan to assist students' understanding of the important learning requirements for each topic.
Feedback from SUTE comments
Some students found the tutorials lengthy and 'tedious'.
Keep tutorials to the prescribed time with a more succinct delivery of information.
- Analyse normal and abnormal obstetric ultrasound findings with reference to embryology, clinical presentation, sonographic appearance and aetiology
- Analyse normal and abnormal breast ultrasound findings with reference to anatomy, clinical presentation, sonographic appearance, aetiology and correlation with other breast imaging modalities
- Analyse clinical scenarios to provide a differential diagnosis and produce sonographic reports
- Formulate strategies for the provision of safe and ethical patient care
- Apply sonographic techniques and diagnostic criteria, appropriate to obstetric and breast ultrasound respectively, to produce and analyse limited examinations in a simulated environment.
The learning outcomes for this unit relate to the requirements of general sonography courses under the Australasian Sonography Accreditation Registry (ASAR), Standards for the Accreditation of Sonographer Courses (SASC):
Foundation Units of Competence 1-5
Critical Practice Units of Competence 7 & 10
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 30% | |||||
| 2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | |||||
| 3 - Examination - 50% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 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.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
k.sweeney@cqu.edu.au
k.russo@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 10 Mar 2025Module/Topic
- Breast Anatomy
- Ultrasound (US) Appearance of Normal Breast Tissue
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on eReading list.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Compulsory Online Safety Induction to be completed by Monday.
Zoom tutorial Friday 9am AEST.
Week 2
Begin Date: 17 Mar 2025Module/Topic
- US Appearance of Breast Pathology
- Correlation of Breast US with Other Imaging Modalities
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on eReading list.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Friday 9am AEST.
Week 3
Begin Date: 24 Mar 2025Module/Topic
- Fetal Environment
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on eReading list.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Friday 9am AEST.
Week 4
Begin Date: 31 Mar 2025Module/Topic
- Fetal Biometry
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on eReading list.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Friday 9am AEST.
Quiz 1 due Friday 4 April 3pm AEST
Week 5
Begin Date: 07 Apr 2025Module/Topic
- Fetal Heart
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on eReading list.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lab #1 Wednesday.
Zoom tutorial Friday 11 April 9am AEST.
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 14 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Vacation week. No new content.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 21 Apr 2025Module/Topic
- Fetal Heart continued
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on eReading list.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lab #2 Wednesday.
Week 7
Begin Date: 28 Apr 2025Module/Topic
- Fetal Neural Tube Structures
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on eReading list.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Friday 9am AEST.
Quiz 2 due Friday 2 May 3pm AEST
Week 8
Begin Date: 05 May 2025Module/Topic
- Fetal face, neck and chest
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on eReading list.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 due Tuesday 6 May 4pm
Zoom tutorial Friday 9am AEST.
Practical and Written Assessment Due: Week 8 Tuesday (6 May 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 9
Begin Date: 12 May 2025Module/Topic
- Fetal gastrointestinal, genitourinary and musculo-skeletal systems
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on eReading list.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Friday 9am AEST.
Week 10
Begin Date: 19 May 2025Module/Topic
- Fetal anomalies and disorders
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on eReading list.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Friday 9am AEST.
Quiz 3 due Friday 23 May 3pm AEST
Week 11
Begin Date: 26 May 2025Module/Topic
- Multiple gestations
Chapter
Content provided in lectures and reading items on eReading list.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Friday 9am AEST.
Week 12
Begin Date: 02 Jun 2025Module/Topic
Review week.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Friday 9am AEST.
Quiz 4 due Friday 6 June 3pm AEST
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 09 Jun 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
End of term exam. Time and date to be confirmed.
Exam Week
Begin Date: 16 Jun 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
The unit coordinator is Kathleen Sweeney. Kathleen is based on the Sydney campus and works with CQU part-time: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The best way to contact her is via email: k.sweeney@cqu.edu.au, however please keep in mind that there may be some delay in responding to emails on her non-CQU days. She is however, generally very responsive to email.
It is important that students regularly check their student email and the News Forum on Moodle to receive updates about the unit. Please ensure that your email correspondence is via your CQU student email.
As this is a 6 credit point unit, you are expected to spend on average 12.5 hours each week on study activities for this unit.
This time includes:
- Watching recorded lectures and attending tutorials
- Creating study notes to meet weekly learning objectives using lectures, videos, and additional resources via the eReading list to supplement your learning
- Researching, revising, and working on assessment items
- Completing formative quiz questions and worksheets
- Lab time is made available (weeks 5 and 6) to obtain recordings and images to complete Assessment 1.
Discussions about unit content and assessments are provided in the tutorials. Tutorials are held on Fridays at 9am AEST. Tutorials are an opportunity to engage in real time about the content with the unit coordinator and your fellow students, so it is highly recommended to be available for tutorials. Participating in the tutorials is a more active method of learning than only looking at the uploaded tutorial information.
The schedule and link to tutorials is available on Moodle under the Virtual Classroom tile. Tutorial slides and recordings will be available on the unit Moodle site the following day, although not all tutorials will be recorded. Please see the virtual classroom tile for more information.
The unit is graded. There are three assessment items. Please refer to the assessment information for more details.
1 Practical and Written Assessment
This assessment will require you to practically acquire images and videos using phantoms in the CQU sonography labs,
and using provided obstetric ultrasound images, produce a written discussion. Part A will focus on the obstetric
component and Part B will focus on the breast component.
Part A- Obstetrics Component
Overview
The sonographic assessment of fetal morphology is an important component for the prenatal assessment of fetal
structural conditions, biometry, placental position, amniotic fluid, and fetal number. The findings can have significant
implications for the management of pregnancy, for delivery, and post-natal care. The purpose of this assessment is to
prepare you for undertaking sonographic assessment in a clinical environment and analyse the sonographer’s role in the
routine mid trimester morphology scan.
Task Description
Practical component- Acquisition of videos, images and measurements.
It is important that sonographers have the necessary skills and knowledge to safely and effectively image patients. This
involves probe manipulation to adapt for fetal position, appropriate image optimisation, accurate measurements, and
image evaluation. You will complete the following components:
1. Using the 2nd trimester obstetric phantoms in the CQU sonography lab, your task is to produce two (2) short videos
(maximum length 2 minutes each) with audio (using smart phone or similar) demonstrating and explaining in detail how
you will personally assess the following:
a. Fetal position and situs
b. Axial sweep through the fetal heart to include 4 chamber heart, outflow tracts and 3vv.
2. Using the 2nd Trimester obstetric phantoms, acquire the following sonographic static images:
a. Sagittal fetal profile
b. Axial trans thalamic plane
c. Axial abdomen at the level where the abdominal circumference would be measured
d. Longitudinal femur
e. Placental location (to include cord insertion)
3. Static sonographic Images will be provided. You will analyse the images and personally select the most technically
correct image for the following images:
a. Bi-parietal diameter (BPD)/head circumference (HC)
b. Abdominal circumference (AC)
c. Femoral length (FL)
d. Cervix length
e. Posterior fossa
You must use your own unique MRN to produce these videos and images. They must be your own work. Any identified
cases of potential collusion will result in a breach of academic integrity case being raised.
Written component- Discussion of image series
Please ensure all images are included within your discussion.
1. For each phantom image acquired in item 2 of the practical component, provide a brief critique of your image (dot points are adequate). In addition, list at least 2 important reasons as to why each image was acquired in this way e.g., anatomical orientation for accurate caliper placement.
2. You will provide a reflective discussion on your imaging series for item 3. For each image submitted:
a. Discuss the required landmarks, the correct technique of measuring each image and the information gained from the measurement.
b. Justify the clinical purpose or importance of each image and how EFW is used.
c. Discuss what other important information is gained from each image (e.g. what other structures are assessed).
Part B- Breast Component
Overview
Breast ultrasound is an important practical component in screening and the diagnosis of breast disease. This component
will assess the sonographer’s role in the technique and evaluation of lesions.
Task Description
Practical component- Acquisition of video, images, and analysis of a lesion.
Using the breast phantoms in the CQU sonography lab, you will personally acquire the following:
1. A short video (maximum 2 minutes) with audio (using smart phone or similar) demonstrating and explaining how to
perform one (1) of either a) cross hatch survey scanning or b) radial and anti- radial survey scanning.
2. Obtain four (4) US images taken at 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions. Images should be
appropriately optimised, annotated, and with body marker correctly used.
3. Choose one (1) lesion within the breast phantom. Image and measure this lesion in two orthogonal planes and with
Colour Doppler, using appropriate optimisation, annotation, and body markers.
You must use your own unique MRN to produce these videos and images, and they must be your own work. Any
identified cases of potential collusion will result in a breach of academic integrity case being raised.
Written component- Discussion of image series
Please ensure all images (items 2 and 3) are included within your assessment.
For the images of your chosen lesion (item 3) ONLY:
· describe the lesion using appropriate terminology (appearance, size, location, etc.)
· based on the appearances of the lesion you have chosen, determine and explain the BIRADS classification.
Week 8 Tuesday (6 May 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 11 Friday (23 May 2025)
All components will be assessed for adherence and attention to task requirements. A marking rubric is available for more
detailed outline of assessment criteria.
Practical component - Acquisition of images
Your images and videos will be assessed for:
- optimisation
- scan plane
- demonstration and explanation of technique
- appropriate selection of image
- accurate caliper placement
- annotation
- use of ultrasound machine features (zoom, chroma maps, split screen, etc.)
- appropriate timing (where applicable)
Written component - Discussion of image series
Your discussion will be assessed on:
- spelling, grammar, and academic writing
- critical evaluation of research sources and accurate and complete referencing
- adherence to word count (+/- 10%)
As well as the following:
Part A
- quality of critique on image quality for images in item 1
- justification of clinical relevance of images and interpretation of reports/graphs for item 2
- discussion of key optimisation techniques for item 2
Part B
- quality of provided images
- quality of critique on image quality
- accuracy of description of basic lesion characterisation
The following assessment supports can be found on the unit Moodle site
- Marking rubric
- Assessment Video
- Vancouver referencing information
If Generative AI is used in any way, it must be cited as per the CQU guidelines. 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 it was used) in accordance with the requirements of this unit. The reason I used this was to (explain why it was used). The details of how it was used is as follows (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."
As per academic writing requirements and assessment criteria: citation of information should be of the primary source (i.e. information returned by AI must be fact-checked and referenced from their original source as well as the AI source). There is information on CQU's Academic Learning Centre (ALC) site that can assist you with referencing AI.
Failure to cite primary sources as well as AI sources could be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Your use of generative AI must be clearly outlined in an appendix as a separate file which includes the prompt used and generative AI response. Failure to include an appendix may result in an academic integrity investigation.
- Formulate strategies for the provision of safe and ethical patient care
- Apply sonographic techniques and diagnostic criteria, appropriate to obstetric and breast ultrasound respectively, to produce and analyse limited examinations in a simulated environment.
2 Online Quiz(zes)
There are four (4) online quizzes to complete in this unit.
In Week 4, you will complete an online quiz to assess your understanding of the concepts delivered for weeks 1-3. The
quiz can be accessed through the assessment tab on Moodle.
In Week 7, you will complete an online quiz to assess your understanding of the concepts delivered for weeks 4-6. The
quiz can be accessed through the assessment tab on Moodle.
In Week 10, you will complete an online quiz to assess your understanding of the concepts delivered for weeks 7-9. The
quiz can be accessed through the assessment tab on Moodle.
In Week 12, you will complete an online quiz to assess your understanding of the concepts delivered for weeks 10-11.
The quiz can be accessed through the assessment tab on Moodle.
All quizzes will comprise of multiple choice and matching questions, and are worth 5% each. Students will need to note
opening and closing times to complete the quizzes during this time period.
Each quiz will be open for 20 mins and only ONE attempt is allowed. Once started, the quiz cannot be paused or
restarted.
Questions will be drawn from a pool of questions to allow tests to be different for each student.
This assessment is to be undertaken as an individual. As with all other university assessment, colluding with other students on non group work tasks is considered academic misconduct, and will be reported to the Academic Integrity Unit. Please be advised the use of Large Language Models (LLMs), a type of artificial intelligence (AI) such as Chat GPT are not permitted in this assessment.
4
Other
Quiz 1 due Friday 11/04/25 3pm AEST. Quiz 2 due Friday 2/5/25 3pm AEST. Quiz 3 due 23/5/25 3pm AEST. Quiz 4 6/6/25 3pm AEST.
Quiz results will be released when all students have attempted the quiz
Answers will be either correct or incorrect and tabulated by the unit's online Moodle system.
Students must achieve a minimum mark of 50% to pass this assessment.
- Analyse normal and abnormal obstetric ultrasound findings with reference to embryology, clinical presentation, sonographic appearance and aetiology
- Analyse normal and abnormal breast ultrasound findings with reference to anatomy, clinical presentation, sonographic appearance, aetiology and correlation with other breast imaging modalities
Examination
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?
