Students

MEDI2102 – Renal, Reproductive and Endocrine Systems

2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Linda Ban
Level 1, 75 Talavera Road
Course Director, Bachelor of Clinical Science
Mark Butlin
Lecturer
Elena Shklovskaya
Lecturer
Lucinda McRobb
Lecturer
Mirjana Strkalj
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to Bachelor of Clininical Science and ANAT1001 and (100 cp at 1000 level or above)
Corequisites Corequisites
MEDI2200 and MEDI2101
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit builds on knowledge acquired in the foundation and systems units in the Bachelor of Clinical Science. You will extend your knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the urinary system by focusing on renal blood flow, glomerular filtration, urine production, and the importance of kidneys in homeostasis of various fluid compartments. You will study how key hormones interact with target cell receptors in regulating and modifying organ and cellular functions within the human body. You will discuss hormonal mechanisms and their regulatory activities on the structure and function of reproductive organs during puberty, reproductive stages, and aging in humans. You will also investigate how genetics and hormones interact with environmental and social influences to affect systems development and lifecycle outcomes. Key learning activities will include lecture modules, tutorial classes, and a group presentation.

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 structural components of the genitourinary systems, endocrine glands and structural organisation of the abdomino-pelvic wall and viscera.
  • ULO2: Identify the structural components of the nephron and interpret its function and contribution to fluid and electrolyte balance.
  • ULO3: Describe the embryological development of the major structures of the genitourinary and endocrine systems and apply that knowledge to describe common embryological abnormalities.
  • ULO4: Describe the mechanisms of hormonal control, action and feedback to explain how hypersecretion or hyposecretion of hormones leads to symptoms and signs of endocrine disorders.
  • ULO5: Explain how genetic, hormonal, environmental and socioeconomic factors may interact to influence phenotypic development throughout the lifecycle.
  • ULO6: Discuss case studies by organising and integrating knowledge of genitourinary and endocrine glands structures and functions (as well as concepts of pathophysiology) and by critically evaluating evidence from scientific and medical literature.

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.

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.

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 to the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted.

 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

Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55 pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. Submission of assessments after 7 days can be accepted at the discretion of the unit convenor and may be considered in determining whether you have met the learning outcomes of the unit to support passing the unit.

Special Consideration

If you are unable to complete an assessment task on or by the specified date due to circumstances that are unexpected, unavoidable, significantly disruptive and beyond your control, you may apply for special consideration. This is in accordance with the Special Consideration Policy. Applications for special consideration must be supported by appropriate evidence and submitted via ask.mq.edu.au. Other than in exceptional circumstances, only one (1) opportunity for a supplementary examination will be provided.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Endocrine Cases 20% No Week 5
Genitourinary Cases 30% No Week 11
End of session examination 50% No Exam Period

Endocrine Cases

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 20%

 

You will create and discuss flowcharts that illustrate the connections between endocrine systems and their related conditions.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the structural components of the genitourinary systems, endocrine glands and structural organisation of the abdomino-pelvic wall and viscera.
  • Describe the mechanisms of hormonal control, action and feedback to explain how hypersecretion or hyposecretion of hormones leads to symptoms and signs of endocrine disorders.
  • Explain how genetic, hormonal, environmental and socioeconomic factors may interact to influence phenotypic development throughout the lifecycle.
  • Discuss case studies by organising and integrating knowledge of genitourinary and endocrine glands structures and functions (as well as concepts of pathophysiology) and by critically evaluating evidence from scientific and medical literature.

Genitourinary Cases

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 27 hours
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 30%

 

You will create and discuss flowcharts that illustrate the connections between the reproductive or renal system and their related conditions.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the structural components of the genitourinary systems, endocrine glands and structural organisation of the abdomino-pelvic wall and viscera.
  • Identify the structural components of the nephron and interpret its function and contribution to fluid and electrolyte balance.
  • Describe the embryological development of the major structures of the genitourinary and endocrine systems and apply that knowledge to describe common embryological abnormalities.
  • Describe the mechanisms of hormonal control, action and feedback to explain how hypersecretion or hyposecretion of hormones leads to symptoms and signs of endocrine disorders.
  • Explain how genetic, hormonal, environmental and socioeconomic factors may interact to influence phenotypic development throughout the lifecycle.
  • Discuss case studies by organising and integrating knowledge of genitourinary and endocrine glands structures and functions (as well as concepts of pathophysiology) and by critically evaluating evidence from scientific and medical literature.

End of session examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 50%

 

You will complete a formal exam that uses a combination of question types assessing content delivered across the session. You will complete this assessment under examination conditions during the University examination period.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the structural components of the genitourinary systems, endocrine glands and structural organisation of the abdomino-pelvic wall and viscera.
  • Identify the structural components of the nephron and interpret its function and contribution to fluid and electrolyte balance.
  • Describe the embryological development of the major structures of the genitourinary and endocrine systems and apply that knowledge to describe common embryological abnormalities.
  • Describe the mechanisms of hormonal control, action and feedback to explain how hypersecretion or hyposecretion of hormones leads to symptoms and signs of endocrine disorders.
  • Explain how genetic, hormonal, environmental and socioeconomic factors may interact to influence phenotypic development throughout the lifecycle.

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, tutorials, and readings. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Recommended Readings

  • Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology (13th ed), ISBN: 9781455770052
  • Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach (8th ed), ISBN: 9781292259628
  • Gray's Anatomy for Students (4th ed), ISBN: 9780323611053

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.

Unit Schedule

Week Lectures Tutorial Assessments
1
  • Hormone biology and cell signalling
  • Hormone axes and feedback loops
No tutorial  
2
  • Thyroid gland
  • Parathyroid gland
Somatotropic axes  
3
  • Adrenal glands
  • Endocrine pancreas
Thyroid and parathryroid axes  
4
  • Endocrinology and systems development
Adrenal axes  
5
  • Male reproductive anatomy
  • Male reproductive physiology
Pancreatic axes

AT1 (20%) 

6
  • Female reproductive anatomy
  • Female reproductive physiology
Male reproductive physiology  
7
  • Pregnancy, parturition, and lactation
  • Genitourinary embryology
Female reproductive physiology  
8
  • Urinary system anatomy
  • Functional anatomy of nephron
Reproductive anatomy  
Recess      
9
  • Glomerular filtration
  • Tubular reabsorption and secretion
Genitourinary embryology  
10
  • Fluid and electrolyte balance
  • Acid-base balance
Renal filtration  
11
  • Pharmacology of kidneys I
  • Pharmacology of kidneys II
Renal regulation AT2 (30%)
12
  • Pathology of kidneys
Renal Games

 

13 No lectures No tutorial  
Exam Period    

AT3 (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 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

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 the 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.


Unit information based on version 2025.03 of the Handbook