Students

MEDI2103 – Alimentary System, Nutrition and Metabolism

2021 – Session 1, Special circumstances

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 Unit Convener
Mirjana Strkalj
mirjana.strkalj@mq.edu.au
Course Director
Cara Hildreth
cara.hildreth@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to BClinSc and (HLTH108 or ANAT1001) and (MEDI209 or MEDI219 or MEDI2200)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In this unit you will develop an in depth understanding of the anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of the alimentary system. You will be provided with a unique learning experience that encompasses anatomy wet laboratory sessions, simulation laboratory classes, and interactive tutorials. Gross and surface anatomy will be taught alongside gastrointestinal physiology and the major metabolic pathways (carbohydrate, protein and fatty acid metabolism). You will engage in clinical problem solving supported by relevant medical and scientific literature and discuss the ways in which scientific advances translate into clinical practice.

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: Describe the anatomy of the gastrointestinal system, including structural components and structural organisation of the abdominopelvic wall and viscera.
  • ULO2: Describe the physiology of the gastrointestinal system, including regulation of motility, secretory function and absorption.
  • ULO3: Describe the pathways involved in the metabolism of glucose, fatty acids and amino acids.
  • ULO4: Describe the hormonal mechanisms that regulate food intake and metabolism.
  • ULO5: Explain anatomical and physiological changes that occur in common gastrointestinal diseases.
  • ULO6: Discuss case studies by organising and integrating knowledge of gastrointestinal structures and functions (as well as concepts of pathophysiology) and by critically evaluating evidence from scientific and medical literature.

General Assessment Information

Student Professionalism

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses. As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including tutorials. Furthermore, lectures and seminars are key learning activities that you are expected to review throughout completion of the Bachelor of Clinical Science. 

Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of all small group interactive sessions. Students that do not meet this requirement may be deemed unable to meet expectations regarding professionalism and may be referred for disciplinary action (which may include exclusion from assessments and unit failure).

Similarly, as part of developing professionalism, students are expected to submit all work by the due date. Applications for assessment task extensions must be supported by appropriate evidence and submitted via www.ask.mq.edu.au. For further details please refer to the Special Consideration Policy available at https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration

Late Submission

All assignments which are officially received after the due date, and where no extension has been granted, will incur a deduction of 5% for the first day, and 5% for each subsequent day including the actual day on which the work is received up until 10 days after the due date, after which the assignment will not be accepted. Weekends and public holidays are included. For example:

Due date

Received

Days late

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

Friday 14th

Monday 17th

3

15%

75%

60%

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Anatomy and Physiology Test 25% No Week 7
Final Exam 50% No Scheduled per university timetable
Video Infographic 20% No Week 8
Online Quiz 5% No Week 5

Anatomy and Physiology Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 25%

In class practical test assessing integrated anatomy and physiology knowledge of the alimentary system.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the anatomy of the gastrointestinal system, including structural components and structural organisation of the abdominopelvic wall and viscera.
  • Describe the physiology of the gastrointestinal system, including regulation of motility, secretory function and absorption.
  • Explain anatomical and physiological changes that occur in common gastrointestinal diseases.

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Scheduled per university timetable
Weighting: 50%

Formal written exam using a combination of question types assessing content delivered across the session. This task is completed under examination conditions during the University examination period.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the anatomy of the gastrointestinal system, including structural components and structural organisation of the abdominopelvic wall and viscera.
  • Describe the physiology of the gastrointestinal system, including regulation of motility, secretory function and absorption.
  • Describe the pathways involved in the metabolism of glucose, fatty acids and amino acids.
  • Describe the hormonal mechanisms that regulate food intake and metabolism.
  • Explain anatomical and physiological changes that occur in common gastrointestinal diseases.
  • Discuss case studies by organising and integrating knowledge of gastrointestinal structures and functions (as well as concepts of pathophysiology) and by critically evaluating evidence from scientific and medical literature.

Video Infographic

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 20%

Creation of a three minute video that provides a newly diagnosed patient with relevant medical and scientific information about the disease.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the anatomy of the gastrointestinal system, including structural components and structural organisation of the abdominopelvic wall and viscera.
  • Describe the physiology of the gastrointestinal system, including regulation of motility, secretory function and absorption.
  • Describe the pathways involved in the metabolism of glucose, fatty acids and amino acids.
  • Describe the hormonal mechanisms that regulate food intake and metabolism.
  • Explain anatomical and physiological changes that occur in common gastrointestinal diseases.
  • Discuss case studies by organising and integrating knowledge of gastrointestinal structures and functions (as well as concepts of pathophysiology) and by critically evaluating evidence from scientific and medical literature.

Online Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 5%

Online quiz assessing integrated knowledge of anatomy and physiology (MCQ, problem solving questions)
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the anatomy of the gastrointestinal system, including structural components and structural organisation of the abdominopelvic wall and viscera.
  • Describe the physiology of the gastrointestinal system, including regulation of motility, secretory function and absorption.
  • Describe the pathways involved in the metabolism of glucose, fatty acids and amino acids.
  • Describe the hormonal mechanisms that regulate food intake and metabolism.
  • Explain anatomical and physiological changes that occur in common gastrointestinal diseases.

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

Unit Readings

  1. Physiology: Hall, J.E. & Guyton, A.C. (2006 ). Textbook of medical physiology (13th ed). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders, Elsevier.
  2. Anatomy: Moore, K.L., Dalley, A.F. & Agur, A.M.R. (2014). Clinically oriented anatomy (7th ed). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  3. Anatomy Atlas: Abrahams, P.H. et al. (2008) McMinn's clinical atlas of human anatomy (6th ed). London, England: Mosby / Elsevier.
  4. Histology: Ross, M.H., & Pawlina, W. (2011). Histology: a text and atlas (6th ed). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Wiliams & Wilkins.
  5. Embryology: Moore, K., Persaud, T. V. N. (2015) The developing human: Clinically oriented embryology (10th ed). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders,   Elsevier

Unit Schedule

Lectures 2h per week, online available Tuesday morning

Practical classes, 1.5 h in weeks 2, 3 and 6

Tutorials, 2 h per week

Please see iLearn for details!

WEEK

LECTURES

2 hours (online)

TUTORIALS

2h

PRACTICALS

1.5 h

TESTS AND EXAMS

W1

 

 Introduction to the unit

1. Oral cavity and principles of mastication

2. Structures of the neck and anatomy of the pharynx and principles of swallowing

Oral cavity, structures of the neck,

Pharynx

 

 

Formative quiz basic histology of the GI system

W2

3. Histology of the oral cavity and pharynx, anatomy and histology of the oesophagus

Salivary glands

4. Development of the structures of the head and neck

 

ANAT LAB

Oral cavity

Muscles of mastication and facial expression, temporal, infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossae

 

Formative quiz

Embryology of the head and neck

W3

5. General organization of the abdominal wall and cavity, peritoneum

6. Stomach and small intestine

 

ANATOMY LAB

Abdominal wall, peritoneum and abdominal viscera, simulation (regions of the abdomen)

surface anatomy, palpation, bowel movement

 

W4

7. Accessory digestive organs (liver, gall bladder and pancreas)

8. Gastrointestinal secretion

TUTORIAL

Structure and function of the accessory digestive organs

Gastrointestinal secretion

 

 

 

Formative quiz

Structure and function of the accessory digestive organs

W5

 

9. Large intestine

10. Gastrointestinal absorption

 

Anatomy of the large intestine and GI absorption

 

Online quiz 5%

Tests topics from W1-W5

W6

11. Physiology of the smooth muscle and regulation of GI motility

12. Anatomy of the pelvis and general organisation of the pelvic viscera, rectum and anal canal 

 

ANATOMY LAB

Anatomy of the accessory digestive organs, large intestine, pelvis

 

W7

13. Embryology of the GI 

14. Gut microbiome (online)

 

 

In class practical test 25%

Testing the topics covered from W1-W6

W8

15. Common disorders of GI

16. Pharmacology of the GI

Pharmacology of GI

 

Formative quiz

Common disorders of the GI

W9

17- 18. Gut Immunity

Gut immunity

 

 

W10

19. Micronutrients and Macronutrients

20. Carbohydrate metabolism

Complete online module

 

Video assignment 20%

W11

21. Fat metabolism

22. Protein metabolism

Complete online module

 

 

Formative quiz Metabolism practice quiz

W12

23. Hormonal control of food intake

24. Obesity and starvation

TBL

 

Formative quiz Hormonal control of food intake

W13

Revision week

 

 

Final exam as per University timetable 50%

 

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:

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.

Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook