Students

SPTH8830 – Body Functions and Structures for Speech Pathology

2022 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Claire Layfield
claire.layfield@mq.edu.au
Scott Barnes
scott.barnes@mq.edu.au
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
Quiz: Body Functions and Structures and clinical reasoning 40% Yes Week 7
Critical analysis: intervention principles 30% No Week 10
Critical analysis: instrumental procedures 30% No Week 14

Quiz: Body Functions and Structures and clinical reasoning

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 31 hours
Due: Week 7
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 Functions and Structures that are central for speech pathology practice (e.g., brain structures, cranial nerves, oral-facial musculature). Students will critically evaluate 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: 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.

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:

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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
07/02/2022 Editing changes.

Unit information based on version 2022.02 of the Handbook