Students
SPTH8830 – Body Functions and Structures for Speech Pathology
2021 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Claire Layfield
Margaret Wood
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MSpchLngPath
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides speech pathology students with an advanced introduction to the body systems that mediate speech and language, and the application of this knowledge in speech pathology practice. The unit introduces the behavioural manifestations of brain damage in acquired speech and language disorders, intervention principles relevant for causing change in body systems and motor functioning, and explores the application of instrumental procedures in speech pathology practice, including the research evidence supporting their use. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Identify, describe, and analyse disruptions to the neurophysiological bases of speech and language, causing impairments relevant for speech pathology practice.
- ULO2: Develop hypotheses about disruptions to body functions and structures via critical synthesis of client presentation with knowledge about the neurophysiological bases of speech and language.
- ULO3: Analyse and evaluate the implications of current knowledge about neuroplasticity and motor learning for speech pathology practice, particularly in interventions targeting body functions and structures.
- ULO4: Critically evaluate the role of instrumental procedures targeting body functions and structures in speech pathology practice with reference to research evidence and its quality
General Assessment Information
Word limits
Assessment submissions with excessive word counts will receive a penalty commensurate with the amount the submission has exceeded the word limit stated in the assessment description. Excessive word counts will result in the following penalties:
- From 11 to 20% over the word limit = reduction by one grading band.
- More than 20% over the word limit = reduction by at least two grading bands, with further penalties applied at the discretion of the unit convenor.
For example: Word limit = 2000 words; Submission word count = 2240, i.e., 12% over the limit, and therefore a penalty is applied as follows:
- Initial grade = D
- Penalty = reduction of one grading band
- Final grade = C
Penalty for late submission
Late submission of assessments will result in the following penalties:
- 1 day late = reduction by no more than one grading band, at the discretion of the unit convenor
- 2 days late = reduction by no more than two grading bands, at the discretion of the unit convenor
- 3 or more days late = reduction by at least two grading bands, with further reductions at the discretion of the unit convenor
For example: A submission is two days late, and therefore a penalty is applied as follows:
- Initial grade = HD
- Maximum penalty = reduction of two grading bands
- Final grade = C
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical analysis: intervention principles | 30% | No | Week 10 |
| Quiz: Body Functions and Structures and clinical reasoning | 40% | Yes | Week 6 |
| Critical analysis: instrumental procedures | 30% | No | Week 14 |
Critical analysis: intervention principles
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 23 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 30%
In this assessment task, students will critically appraise speech pathology intervention approaches targeting changes in Body Functions and Structures, focusing on intervention employing principles of neuroplasticity and principles of motor learning. Students will analyse published research evidence, and draw conclusions for speech pathology practice.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify, describe, and analyse disruptions to the neurophysiological bases of speech and language, causing impairments relevant for speech pathology practice.
- Analyse and evaluate the implications of current knowledge about neuroplasticity and motor learning for speech pathology practice, particularly in interventions targeting body functions and structures.
Quiz: Body Functions and Structures and clinical reasoning
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 31 hours
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 40%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
In this assessment task, students will be provided with clinical information relating to speech pathology clients with impairments affecting Body Fuctions and Structures that are central for speech pathology practice (e.g., brain structures, cranial nerves, oral-facial musculature). Students will critically evauate the relevance of this information for speech and language, develop hypotheses about clinical implications, and summarise it in spoken and written forms.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify, describe, and analyse disruptions to the neurophysiological bases of speech and language, causing impairments relevant for speech pathology practice.
- Develop hypotheses about disruptions to body functions and structures via critical synthesis of client presentation with knowledge about the neurophysiological bases of speech and language.
Critical analysis: instrumental procedures
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 23 hours
Due: Week 14
Weighting: 30%
In this assessment task, students will critically evaluate speech pathology assessment and intervention employing instrumental procedures targeting Body Functions and Structures. Students will analyse published research evidence, and draw conclusions for speech pathology practice.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify, describe, and analyse disruptions to the neurophysiological bases of speech and language, causing impairments relevant for speech pathology practice.
- Critically evaluate the role of instrumental procedures targeting body functions and structures in speech pathology practice with reference to research evidence and its quality
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Students will participate in 2 hour seminar classes blending teacher-fronted delivery with small group activities. Students will be expected to engage with learning materials before attending and participating in weekly classes, and then to complete learning activities following class. All learning and teaching activities will occur over the standard 13 teaching weeks of the session. In addition, two anatomy labs form part of the structured learning activities in this unit.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 22/03/2021 | Typographical errors in CMS entry for this unit. Nil other changes. |
| 23/02/2021 | Ordering of assessment tasks amended due to an administrative error. |
Unit information based on version 2021.05 of the Handbook