Students

ESPS1004 – Foundation Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise and Sports Science

2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Rebecca Cross
Jessica Madden
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to BExerSpSc
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit will explore human anatomy and physiology focussing on the musculoskeletal, neural, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary and immune systems. You will learn the anatomical terms, structures, and functions of these systems. You will gain an understanding of how these systems communicate and interconnect to maintain homeostasis and how they influence human movement and performance. This knowledge is critical for future anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience units in this exercise and sports science course. There will be a focus on surface anatomy relevant to exercise testing.

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: Adopt and appropriately utilise anatomical terminology: define the anatomical position, anatomical planes, sections and directional terms. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO2: Describe the key anatomical structures of the major systems of the human body that are relevant for an exercise scientist and explain their primary functions. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO3: Describe the primary physiological functions of the broad range of human cells in a sport and exercise context. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO4: Demonstrate skills required of an exercise scientist in identifying major surface anatomy landmarks of the musculoskeletal and vascular systems. (Exercise Science Practitioner)

General Assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better. You must also make a serious attempt at all assessment items.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

 For example:

Number of days (hours) late

Total Possible Marks

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

1 day (1-24 hours)

100

5

75

70

2 days (24-48 hours)

100

10

75

65

3 days (48-72 hours)

100

15

75

60

7 days (144-168 hours)

100

35

75

40

>7 days (>168 hours)

100

-

75

0

 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Practical Exam 35% No Week 7
Group Presentation 30% No Week 9 (video submission); Week 10 (Q&A)
Final Exam 35% No Central Exam Period

Practical Exam

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 35%

 

You will be required to identify various anatomical landmarks and features

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Adopt and appropriately utilise anatomical terminology: define the anatomical position, anatomical planes, sections and directional terms. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Describe the key anatomical structures of the major systems of the human body that are relevant for an exercise scientist and explain their primary functions. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Describe the primary physiological functions of the broad range of human cells in a sport and exercise context. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Demonstrate skills required of an exercise scientist in identifying major surface anatomy landmarks of the musculoskeletal and vascular systems. (Exercise Science Practitioner)

Group Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 33 hours
Due: Week 9 (video submission); Week 10 (Q&A)
Weighting: 30%

 

You will present to the class an exercise and sports science focussed anatomical analysis of a relevent movement/activity/task

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Adopt and appropriately utilise anatomical terminology: define the anatomical position, anatomical planes, sections and directional terms. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Describe the key anatomical structures of the major systems of the human body that are relevant for an exercise scientist and explain their primary functions. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Describe the primary physiological functions of the broad range of human cells in a sport and exercise context. (Scientist and Scholar)

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: Central Exam Period
Weighting: 35%

 

Your knowledge will be assessed in a final exam

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Adopt and appropriately utilise anatomical terminology: define the anatomical position, anatomical planes, sections and directional terms. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Describe the key anatomical structures of the major systems of the human body that are relevant for an exercise scientist and explain their primary functions. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Describe the primary physiological functions of the broad range of human cells in a sport and exercise context. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Demonstrate skills required of an exercise scientist in identifying major surface anatomy landmarks of the musculoskeletal and vascular systems. (Exercise Science Practitioner)

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

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online and face-to-face learning activities, including lectures, practicals and tutorials.  Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Recommended Readings

  • McKinley, M. P., O'Loughlin, V. D., & Pennefather-O'Brien, E. E. (2021). Human anatomy (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

  • Marieb, E. N., & Hoehn, K. N. (2022). Human anatomy and physiology (12th ed.). Pearson.

  • Tortora, G. T., Derrickson, B. H., Burkett, B., Peoples, G., Dye, D., Cooke, J., Diversi, T., McKean, M., Summers, S., Di Pietro, F., Engel, A., Macartney, M., & Green, H. (2021). Principles of anatomy and physiology (3rd Asia-Pacific ed.). Wiley.

  • Hall, J. E., & Guyton, A. C. (2016). Guyton and Hall textbook of medical physiology (13th ed.). Saunders.

Technology Used

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.

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 connect.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/

Academic Success

Academic Success 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 the Service Connect Portal, 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.

Inclusion and Diversity

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

Professionalism

Fitness to Practice (FTP) is the demonstration of professional competence, acceptable professional behaviour, freedom from impairment and compliance with course-specific requirements needed for a student to practice properly and safely throughout their course and to appropriately practice within a professional environment as a future Exercise Scientist.

Students undertaking the Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science are required to demonstrate they meet requirements of the four attributes of FTP – Conduct, Performance, Health and Compliance throughout their entire program of study so that they can meet the requirements of the exercise science profession.

Students must also meet the inherent requirements to complete their degree, course, or unit and graduate. To meet the inherent requirements of the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, full participation in practical classes which involve observation, manual handling, undertaking exercise for the purposes of instruction and demonstration is expected.

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 clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.

Professionalism in Anatomy

The study of human anatomy at Macquarie University is governed by the Anatomy Act (1977) and students are admitted to the anatomy laboratories on the proviso that they comply with all relevant legislation.  

It is important that this includes respect and professionalism in your dealings with human material and your interactions with your colleagues and members of the public. Donating one's body to science is an act of selflessness and generosity that contributes greatly to advancing medical research and education. It behoves us all, therefore, to treat the donations with outmost care, respect and professionalism. Failure to do so not only can result in serious reputational consequences for you and the University, but can result in suspension, expulsion and possible imprisonment.  

Please behave professionally at all times and treat our valuable human anatomy teaching resources with utmost care and respect. Thank you.


Unit information based on version 2025.01 of the Handbook