ECHO12006 - Cardiac Science

General Information

Unit Synopsis

The accurate diagnosis of cardiac conditions requires comprehensive knowledge of cardiac pathophysiology, and the outcomes of a variety of cardiovascular assessment procedures. In this unit you will be introduced to cardiac assessment within the catheterisation laboratory. You will learn how to interpret a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), and how to assess cardiac structure and function by performing a two-dimensional echocardiographic examination. Within the ethical framework of best practice, you will examine simulated case-based clinical information. You will explore the outcomes of cardiac diagnostic procedures, formulate differential diagnoses and patient management strategies for a variety of common cardiovascular pathologies. Attendance at practical activities is a requirement of this unit.

Details

Level Undergraduate
Unit Level 2
Credit Points 12
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 2
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.25
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisite

ECHO11003 Fundamentals of Cardiac Science

AND

ALLH11009 Research Methods for Health Professionals

AND

MEDI11004 Professional Practice

AND

ECHO11002 Cardiac Structure and Function

and

ECHO11004 Biochemistry for Cardiac Pharmacology

Co-requisite
MEDS12001 Physics of Ultrasound 

and

MPAT12001 Medical Pathophysiology

 

 

 

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).

Class Timetable View Unit Timetable
Residential School No Residential School

Unit Availabilities from Term 2 - 2025

Term 1 - 2026 Profile
Brisbane
Sydney

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).

Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 12-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 hours for the unit.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Online Quiz(zes) 20%
2. Written Assessment 30%
3. Practical Assessment 0%
4. Performance 0%
5. Reflective Practice Assignment 0%
6. In-class Test(s) 50%

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

Past Exams

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Previous Feedback

Term 1 - 2025 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 66.67% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 29.55% response rate.

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.

Source: SUTE
Feedback
Students found the cardiac catheterization lectures difficult to follow due to the extensive verbal content, sparse slide information, and lengthy duration.
Recommendation
The cardiac catheterisation lectures should be reviewed with a focus on highlighting the important information on the lecture slides and presenting information in a concise way.
Action Taken
The cardiac catheterisation lectures were reviewed with a focus on concise presentation of content. Overall, the new lectures were well received. However, some students expressed that certain concepts required further clarification, highlighting valuable opportunities for deeper engagement.
Source: SUTE
Feedback
The ECQ quiz had many images that took time analyse making it difficult to complete the task in the required time frame.
Recommendation
The format and timing of the ECG quiz should be reviewed. Students will continue to be reminded to complete the online quiz on campus to ensure adequate computer speed to access the images in a timely manner.
Action Taken
The ECG Quiz timing was reviewed to allow students time to analyse the ECG whilst still emphasising knowledge recall. Students were encouraged to complete the assessment during business hours on campus to ensure adequate computer speeds and access to IT support if required.
Source: My Experience
Feedback
Feedback from tutors in laboratory sessions did not consistently offer clear guidance on areas for improvement.
Recommendation
Resources should be provided to tutors to enhance their feedback provisions.
Action Taken
Tutors were provided with a video as a key resource to support tutors in delivering effective feedback. However, further reinforcement or supplementary materials may be beneficial.
Source: SUTE Feedback
Feedback
Students would like access to measurement software at home.
Recommendation
Echocardiography students will have access to a new online measurement software from Term 2, 2025, following the university’s recent investment in the Phillips IntelliSpace CardioVascular web-based platform. This will allow use from home and support more flexible learning.
Action Taken
In Progress
Source: SUTE Feedback
Feedback
Students would like more guidance on the mark allocation for the written assessment.
Recommendation
Students were provided with a detailed marking rubric outlining mark allocation. Students may benefit from further explanation of the marking rubric and how the marks relate to the questions in the assessment, either in the unpacking of the assessment video or within a tutorial.
Action Taken
In Progress
Source: SUTE Feedback
Feedback
Students felt that too many assessments were due at the same time and suggested that deadlines could be more evenly spaced.
Recommendation
Scheduling should be reviewed to explore options for better spacing of assessments, aiming to support workload balance and reduce pressure.
Action Taken
In Progress
Source: SUTE and CQU Success Feedback
Feedback
Some students felt the lecture slides lacked sufficient detail.
Recommendation
The lecture slides are designed to highlight key concepts and encourage active listening and note-taking, which are essential for deeper understanding and retention. Students will continue to be supported through a range of learning resources and activities to reinforce their understanding.
Action Taken
In Progress
Source: SUTE Feedback
Feedback
Students noted inconsistencies in feedback between tutors and expressed a preference for feedback that not only highlights areas for improvement but also provides constructive guidance on how to improve, rather than focusing solely on what was done incorrectly.
Recommendation
A standardised feedback framework will be crafted and provided to all tutors. It should emphasise constructive guidance, helping students understand not only what needs improvement but also how to improve. A Zoom session with tutors may also be beneficial in supporting this approach and enhancing the overall learning experience.
Action Taken
In Progress
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Perform the standard two-dimensional echocardiographic protocol including associated anatomical quantification.
  2. Formulate and evaluate reasoned arguments for the exclusion of artefactual and discordant two-dimensional echocardiographic findings.
  3. Analyse case-based clinical information to formulate differential diagnoses and plan patient management strategies for a variety of common cardiovascular pathologies.
  4. Discuss common cardiac catheterisation procedures including radiation safety.
  5. Analyse the output of 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) studies.
  6. Apply professional behaviour, teamwork and communication skills consistent with safe practice.
  7. Apply reflective feedback to professional practice improvement.

Linked to National and International Standards
1. ASAR Accreditation Standards for Cardiac Sonography - critical practice Unit 8 - Cardiac, Foundation units of competence - 1 - 5.
2. European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging Core Syllabus
3. American Registry for Cardiac Sonography Core Syllabus

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 - Online Quiz(zes) •
2 - Written Assessment • •
3 - Practical Assessment • • •
4 - Performance •
5 - Reflective Practice Assignment •
6 - In-class Test(s) • • •
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
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 • • • •
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures • • •
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10