Students

MEDI2103 – Alimentary System, Nutrition and Metabolism

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 Unit Convenor
Linda Ban
Level 1, 75 Talavera Rd
Anatomy Lead
Jessica Madden
Course Director, Bachelor of Clinical Science
Mark Butlin
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

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 Convenors.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 127).

To pass this unit, students 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 Submission

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 11.55 pm. A one-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.

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 in accordance with the Special Consideration Policy. The application for Special Consideration must be lodged either before or no later than five (5) working days after the assessment task due date. All Special Consideration applications must be lodged online via the Service Connect portal and must include supporting documentary evidence. For exam-style assessments only one (1) opportunity for a supplementary examination will be provided, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Anatomy Practical Test 20% No Week 7
Pathophysiology Presentation 30% No 23/05/2025
Final Exam 50% No Exam Period

Anatomy Practical Test

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%

 

In-class practical test assessing anatomy 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.
  • Explain anatomical and physiological changes that occur in common gastrointestinal diseases.

Pathophysiology Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 23/05/2025
Weighting: 30%

 

Creation of a short video that explains the relevant pathophysiology of an alimentary disorder.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 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.

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Exam Period
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.

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

Recommended textbooks

The following texts are recommended. Copies are available electronically via MQ Library - ClinicalKey Student and/or held in library reserve. 

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 PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT
1 Anatomy of ingestion Physiology of ingestion No tutorial No practical  
2 Anatomy of swallowing Physiology of swallowing Ingestion Anatomy of ingestion  
3 Anatomy of the foregut Physiology of the foregut Swallowing Anatomy of swallowing  
4 Anatomy of the intestines Physiology of the intestines Foregut Anatomy of foregut  
5 Anatomy of the pelvic cavity Physiology of gut motility Intestines Anatomy of intestines  
6 Development of cranial GIT Development of abdominopelvic GIT Development of GIT Anatomy of pelvic cavity  
7 No lectures Gut motility   AT1 Anatomy Practical Test
8 Gut immunity I Gut immunity II Gut immunity    
9 Pathology of GIT Pharmacology of GIT Pharmacology of GIT    
10 Metabolism of carbohydrates Metabolism of lipids Nutrient metabolism I    
11 Metabolism of proteins Metabolism regulation Micronutrients Nutrient metabolism II   AT2 Pathophysiology Presentation
12 Energy balance Energy balance    
13 No lectures No tutorial    
Exam period       AT3 Final Exam

 

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/

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 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.

Changes from Previous Offering

The number of summative assessments has been reduced to ameliorate the concatenation of multiple assessments on student load.

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.

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 2025.02 of the Handbook