This course encompasses the second year of the ANU medical program, which is part of Phase 1. During year 2 students study the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, digestive system, haematology, cancer and immunity. Students also learn about pathological processes of metabolic imbalance, inherited disease, infection, immunity, neoplasm and degenerative disease. Students continue their learning of the themes and frameworks of the ANU medical program in the context of the physiological systems and the associated population and social determinants of health and medical ethics and the law. The transition block is designed to synthesise the learning of Phase 1 in preparation for learning in clinical environments in Phase 2.
Course Structure and Content
Block 4: Musculoskeletal and Neuroscience
Block 5: Digestive and Nutrition
Block 6: Haematology, Oncology and Infectious Diseases
Block 7: Transition
MEDI8011, MEDI8012, MEDI8015, MEDI8020, MEDI8025 and either MEDI8022 or MEDI8023 form part of Phase 1 of the MChD program.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate effective communication skills that are patient-centred; demonstrate the ability to develop an effective professional relationship with patients, families and carers, including appropriate communication, and integrate strategies to adapt communication in recognition of the impact of language, culture, abilities, age, gender and/or health status; discuss culturally safe practice.
- Plan and elicit an accurate and concise medical history; plan and conduct a comprehensive physical examination, including the appropriate procedural skills; plan, conduct and interpret medical investigations; interpret and synthesise information obtained from a history, examination and investigations to generate and justify a list of differential diagnoses
- Integrate the medical sciences and population health to explain optimal health and common diseases including the range of factors affecting health and disease; discuss the prevention, diagnosis and management of disease.
- Discuss the structure and functions of health care systems; integrate the psychological, social, economic, environmental and cultural issues that affect the health of individuals and populations.
- Discuss the historic and contemporary factors impacting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples health and wellbeing, including diseases ; discuss Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples culture and history, and their impact on wholistic health and Social and Emotional wellbeing.
- Discuss the core principles of ethics, law and professionalism that underpin social institutions and professional and clinical decision making; discuss professional leadership, followership and teamwork in health care and within interprofessional healthcare teams.
- Critically analyse, interpret and apply evidence to research and answer specific clinical issues.
- Discuss the key elements of fitness to practice medicine through acquiring a commitment to professional behaviours including respect, teamwork, patient safety, ethics, quality and regulatory obligation; demonstrate an ability to reflect upon feedback on your own performance to generate strategies that optimise individual and team performance; demonstrate effective engagement in learning activities and teamwork with peers.
Research-Led Teaching
Courses within the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD) are categorised as Profession-Led. The Profession-Led features of MEDI8020 include teaching by medical practitioners in the course and expert tuition in clinical skills by medically trained tutors. The MChD curriculum is grounded in the principles of evidence based medicine and reflects current practice standards. Problem based learning cases have been devised by medically trained staff, who are discipline experts. Assessment is aligned to learning outcome statements and is developed in consultation with content experts.
The Themes (Medical Science, Professionalism and Leadership, Population Health, Clinical Skills) and Frameworks (Social Foundations of Medicine, Indigenous Health, Rural Health, Research) have been developed and are taught by active researchers.
The curriculum associated with the Research Framework provides students with an introduction to the principles of medical research and the foundation knowledge for students to develop a research question that will be investigated in the formal Research Project/Advanced Research Project Course in Year 2.
Additional Course Costs
Students are responsible for travel costs between the Acton and Canberra Hospital (TCH) campuses and other associated clinical teaching sites.
Students are provided with a stethoscope by the School of Medicine and Psychology in year 1 but any replacements are at the cost of the student.
Examination Material or equipment
Examinations are conducted according to the Assessment Rule 2016. The information on the Examination Conduct page describes what to expect during an examination. Note the written examinations are completed online in person with reading time incorporated into the examination time. No additional reading time is allocated.
Further information on the conduct of examinations for the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery will be available on the LMS.
Required Resources
Students are required to purchase safety glasses and have suitable footwear for the laboratory. (Laboratory coats are provided to students, although you may elect to have your own).
Students are required to have a stethoscope.
Recommended Resources
Students are recommended to purchase a suitable laptop computer as all examinations are held in person online.
There is no prescribed textbook for this course, however a recommended reading list of suitable textbooks is provided on the LMS. These resources are accessible via the library.
Resources are detailed on the LMS for the respective curriculum blocks.
There are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.
ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.
Staff Feedback
Students will be provided with ongoing feedback during learning activities, following within semester written examinations and the progressive clinical skills assessments.
A report detailing the breakdown of assessment results in the end of year written examination will be provided to students around the time official results are released on ISIS. Students who are required to undertake supplementary assessment are given priority access to review their examination scripts and to meet with a staff member. All students are provided with opportunity to review their examination scripts at scheduled sessions early in the following academic year.
Student Feedback
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.
Other Information
MChD students are also directed to the Assessment Rule 2016 and the Academic Progress Rule 2019 for information related to progression requirements.
Students are required to meet the passing standard in each of the three hurdles independently of each other. When students achieve the passing standard for each hurdle the result is CRS (Course Requirement Satisfied). Achievement of a HLP (Higher-Level Pass) in the course is determined by detailed analysis of the overall results across all assessments and hurdles and defined by standard setting methods endorsed in the Board of Examiners Meeting. Due to the non-compensatory nature of each of the hurdles you will not receive a final course total score.
Note you may not be eligible for supplementary assessment if your score in either the Foundations for Medical Practice Hurdle or Clinical Practice Hurdle is below 45% Note raw marks will be scaled to a standardised pass mark. You may be granted a supplementary assessment in one or both of these hurdles.
Below is an excerpt from clause 21 Academic progress required for medical programs of the Academic Progress Rule 2019:
(1) If a medical student fails 1 or more courses in the student’s medical program in any year of enrolment in the program, the student is considered to have failed to maintain a satisfactory standard of academic progress in the student’s medical program, and is regarded as on probation for the remainder of the program.
(4) If a medical student to whom subsection (1) applies fails, for a second or subsequent time, any course in the student’s medical program in any year of enrolment in the program, the Delegated Authority may exclude the student from medical programs for a specified period of no longer than 5 years.
(7) If a medical student fails any course in the final year of the student’s medical program, the student is considered to have failed to maintain a satisfactory standard of academic progress in the student’s medical program and the Delegated Authority may exclude the student from medical programs for a specified period of no longer than 5 years.
(8) If a medical student fails a second or later year ANU Medical School [since 2023 School of Medicine and Psychology] professional practice course, the student is considered to have failed to maintain a satisfactory standard of academic progress in the student’s medical program and the Delegated Authority may exclude the student from medical programs for a specified period of no longer than 5 years.
Student feedback (additional information)
In addition to SELT, the School of Medicine and Psychology conducts in house formative surveys of the student experience of teaching and learning in its courses for the MChD program.
Class Schedule
| Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Block 4: Musculoskeletal and Neuroscience (12 weeks)Weekly timetables are available in the Outlook calendar. | Block 4 Written ExaminationProgressive Clinical Skills AssessmentClinical Skills Tutor AppraisalSee the LMS for details |
| 2 | Block 5: Digestive Diseases and Nutrition (7 weeks)Weekly timetables are available in the Outlook calendar. | |
| 3 | STUVAC and EXAMINATION Students are offered study time for assessments, in 2025 these dates are:
Progressive Clinical Skills Assessment: Wednesday 11 June 2025Mid year written examination: Monday 16 June - Tuesday 17 June 2025Exact details will be advised via the LMS |
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| 4 | TEACHING BREAK:This course is not a standard ANU semester-based course, therefore the breaks are slightly different. For 2025 these include:
Note that as an ACT based program, the curriculum follows the public holidays for the ACT regardless of state/territory students are completing placements in. |
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| 5 | Block 6: Haematology, Oncology, Immunology, and Infectious diseases (10 weeks)Weekly timetables are available in the Outlook calendar. | Progressive Clinical Skills AssessmentClinical Skills Tutor Appraisal |
| 6 | STUVAC and EXAMINATION Students are offered study time for assessments, in 2025 these dates are:
End of Year Written Examination: Week of 29th September 2025 Exact details will be advised via the LMS |
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| 7 | TEACHING BREAK:This course is not a standard ANU semester-based course, therefore the breaks are slightly different. For 2025 these include:
Note that as an ACT based program, the curriculum follows the public holidays for the ACT regardless of state/territory students are completing placements in. |
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| 8 | RURAL IMMERSIONWeek commencing 13 October 2025 | |
| 9 | Block 7: Transition (3 weeks)Weekly timetables are available in the Outlook calendar. | Block 7 assessmentsSee the LMS for details. |
| 10 | It is recommended that students remain in Canberra until final course results are released Monday 17th November 2025 in order to be available for further examination that may be required. The following dates are for the MEDI8020 supplementary assessments. Students should ensure that they are available to attend these dates should they be required to sit any supplementary assessments. Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th November 2025 |
Assessment Summary
| Assessment task | Value | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations for Medical Practice Hurdle | 0 % | 2,3,4,5,6,7 |
| Clinical Practice Hurdle | 0 % | 1,2,3,5 |
| Professionalism and Engagement Hurdle | 0 % | 1,2,6,8 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
Policies
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:
- Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Extenuating Circumstances Application
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
- Code of practice for teaching and learning
Assessment Requirements
The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.
Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.
Participation
Additional information in relation to attendance
There is an expectation that students will attend all scheduled teaching and clinical activities as a requirement of meeting the expected standards of professional behaviour of a learner. In-person attendance is compulsory for all of the following activities:
- Rural immersion
- Problem Based Learning (PBL) sessions
- Medical Science practical sessions
- Professionalism and Leadership (PAL) class and group work sessions
- Population Health group work sessions
- Clinical Skills sessions
Attendance will be monitored by a variety of methods including sign-in, clinical tutor appraisals and random monitoring.
Students not meeting the participation requirements will be referred as outlined in the Professional Behaviour Guideline.
Absences
Refer to the MChD leave guidelines.
Examination(s)
Examinations are conducted according to the Assessment Rule 2016. The information on the Examination Conduct page describes what to expect during an examination. Note the written examinations are completed online in person with reading time incorporated into the examination time. No additional reading time is allocated.
Further information on the conduct of examinations for the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery will be available on the LMS.
It is recommended that students remain in Canberra until results are released in order to be available for further examination that may be required.
The following dates are for the MEDI8020 supplementary assessments. Students should ensure that they are available to attend these dates should they be required to sit any supplementary assessments.
Tuesday 25th November and Wednesday 26th November 2025
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 2,3,4,5,6,7
Foundations for Medical Practice Hurdle
This hurdle focuses on assessing the knowledge and application aspects across all the underpinning MChD Themes and Frameworks. Examples include knowledge related to medical sciences, clinical skills, ethics and the law, social and behavioural sciences, population health, Indigenous health and research. The assessments will consist of written tasks including invigilated examinations. The written examination items contributing to this hurdle will assess content that is aligned to the learning outcome statements for MEDI8020 and teaching and learning activities. A proportion will assess related topics where there is a reasonable expectation that a student will have acquired the knowledge and skill through self-directed learning and discussions in problem based learning sessions across all themes and frameworks also building on prior course materials (from year 1).
The assessment items contributing to this hurdle include:
- Block 4 written examination: assessing the Musculoskeletal and Neuroscience topics comprising 10% of the score for this hurdle
- Mid year written examination: with a focus on Musculoskeletal and Neuroscience, Digestive Diseases and Nutrition and also revision of topics from prior blocks in both year 1 and 2, comprising 40% of the score for this hurdle
- End of year written examination: while there will be a proportion of this examination sampling Block 6: Haematology, Oncology, Immunology and Infectious Disease, this examination will also sample content from all blocks from MEDI8020, MEDI8011 and MEDI8012 and comprises 50% of the score for this hurdle (note the passing requirement for this component described below)
The written examinations will involve a number of papers with a range of question types completed across multiple days, are invigilated in person and completed electronically. Further details are provided in the LMS.
Passing standard and hurdle requirements
To meet the overall hurdle passing standard students:
- Must attempt all assessment items AND
- Achieve a scaled total mark of 50 or greater in the end of year written examination (item 3 above) AND
- Achieve a scaled combined total score of 50 from assessment items 1, 2 and 3.
Standard setting procedures are used to determine the raw pass mark for the end of year written examination and the combined total score which is then scaled to a standardised pass mark.
Timing and Due Date
The written examinations will be held at the Acton campus (exact details will be provided in the LMS).
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,5
Clinical Practice Hurdle
This hurdle focuses on assessments to demonstrate the development of increasingly complex practical skills required by medical practitioners such as history taking, physical examination, medical investigations and clinical procedures with the associated communication skills. The assessments will consist of a sequence of practice based clinical tasks of increasing complexity completed in a simulated setting and will be observed by examiners.
The assessments contributing to this hurdle include:
- Progressive Clinical Skills Assessments to demonstrate competence in specific Clinical Skills learnt during blocks 4, 5 and 6 (skills from year 1 may also be assessed). Students will be required to undertake a series of short performance based assessments to demonstrate their competency in Clinical Skills appropriate to their level of study. An assessor observes your performance involving clinical assessment of a volunteer patient/actor focusing on history taking, clinical examination and/or reasoning skills developed in the Clinical Skills Theme. Performance across each clinical skills assessment is cumulative, such that you are required to accrue 9 points towards a possible total of 12 points by the end of the academic year, noting that history assessments are weighted double other formats (examination and viva).
- Clinical Skills Tutor Appraisals: Clinical tutors will complete an observation of professional behaviour in the clinical skills context for each student twice during the year to provide feedback on your development and approaches to learning in the clinical skills setting.
Passing standard and hurdle requirements
To meet the overall hurdle passing standard students:
- Must attempt all Progressive Clinical Skills Assessments AND
- Achieve the overall passing standard in the Progressive Clinical Skills Assessments. The passing standard for each clinical assessment instance is determined using standard setting methods and is determined by evaluating your performance across 5 domains of practice aligned to the key step guides and a global assessment by the assessor. Meeting the passing standard in each clinical assessment instance will contribute to one point (or in the case of history 2 points) towards your cumulative total. The overall passing standard across all Progressive Clinical Skills Assessments is determined by achieving a minimum of 9 points (out of a possible maximum of 12 points) AND
- Meet the overall passing standard in the Clinical Skills Tutor Appraisals by achieving an acceptable standard in each criterion. Where a rating of below this is received you are required to meet with the Clinical Skills Theme Lead to discuss strategies to improve your performance. This may lead to implementation of a learning plan and when indicated a referral as outlined in the Professional Behaviour Guideline.
Timing
The Progressive Clinical Skills Assessments are scheduled as detailed on the LMS.
The Clinical Skills Tutor Appraisals are completed during blocks 4 and 6.
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,6,8
Professionalism and Engagement Hurdle
This hurdle focuses on you demonstrating engagement in learning activities and further development of personal attributes consistent with the university’s student code of conduct and the values and attitudes required for medical practice. This includes assessment tasks that contribute to the development of professional identity, self-regulatory behaviour, working with others and the growth mindset required for clinical practice. The assessments contributing to this hurdle are designed to allow you to demonstrate consistent engagement in learning activities across the year enabling you to demonstrate your development of clinical competence and experiential learning. These assessments should be used to help guide learning throughout the medical program.
You are required to:
- Complete the confidentiality agreement for online exams.
- Attend all required learning activities and engage consistently. See further information included below under the participation section of the class summary.
- Participate constructively in the formal PBL peer review activity to be completed in a timely manner (without reminders) each semester.
- Complete to the required standard all components of the PAL assessment tasks. See the LMS for further details.
- Complete all Block 7 tasks by the due date, including completion of risr/advance portfolio activities.
- Consistently engage and complete all required Kuracloud and other online modules (including the required Population Health modules) across the year and by the due date
- Meet all deadlines including completion of any required online modules and other written submissions (including where indicated achieving the required standard). See the LMS for further details.
Passing standard and hurdle requirements
To meet the requirements of this hurdle and pass this course you must
- Complete requirements 1,3,4,5,6 and 7, listed above. Note it is your responsibility to monitor your full completion of all tasks through the LMS and risr for block 7 activities. Note failure to demonstrate consistent engagement in these tasks across the year may impact your ability to meet the required standard in the professionalism and engagement hurdle AND
- Achieve the passing standard for the PAL assessment tasks, with an opportunity for one resubmission if the passing standard is not achieved with the first submission. Further information and the rubric will be available in the LMS. AND
- Meet the participation requirements.
Timing and Due Dates
See the LMS and risr/advance for individual item due dates. Progress in relation to achievement of the Professionalism and Engagement Hurdle will be reviewed during the mid year teaching break. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they progress consistently through the items. If you are falling below the passing standard in this hurdle you will need to demonstrate improvement in achievement of the requirements for this hurdle prior to the end of year progress decision. Any dishonesty or plagiarism will be taken very seriously and will be dealt with under the Professional Behaviour Guideline and the Academic Integrity Rule 2021.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.
The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.
The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.
The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.
Online Submission
You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean Education submission must be through Turnitin.
To ensure students have demonstrated achievement of the learning outcomes, information about when students may or may not be allowed to use generative artificial intelligence (AI) is detailed on the LMS for each assessment item. For assessment items where generative AI may be used, students will be required to complete and submit an Acknowledgement Form (available on the LMS) to acknowledge and document their use of generative AI.
Hardcopy Submission
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean Education. Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.
Late Submission
- Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.
Referencing Requirements
The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.
Resubmission of Assignments
Professionalism and Engagement Hurdle
- If the standard is not met in the PAL assessment tasks students will have the option for one resubmission.
Privacy Notice
The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.
Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.
Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.
Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students
Convener
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Dr Karin Messerle
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