Course coordinator
Dr Selwin Samuel
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2026 (27/07/2026 - 20/11/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- Herston
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Herston
- Coordinating unit
- Dentistry School
This course provides an in depth knowledge of head & neck anatomy as it relates to general dental practice. Structures will be examined from a range of perspectives (gross, microscopic and imaging) to ensure a detailed, integrated and clinically relevant course.
This course builds on the fundamental knowledge of anatomical structures and landmarks of the head and neck region introduced in the first year of Dental Sciences I and Dental Practice I. This course provides students with the knowledge and understanding to consolidate and further explore concepts of human head and neck anatomy and oral biology. Knowledge of anatomy is essential for dental practice; this is especially obvious when performing anesthesiological or surgical procedures and when using various examination methods. For this reason, in-depth knowledge of anatomy is fundamental to the dentist’s daily work.
Of special note:
- The study of real human anatomy depends on altruistic gifts of donors and demands a respectful behaviour and professional attitude of students and staff at all times (see the course Blackboard site: Learning Resources for compulsory training and relevant acts and policy documents). Students should note that it is a requirement under Queensland law to appropriately conduct themselves when examining any material derived from donated human cadavers. The Transplantation and Anatomy Act, 1974 (Qld), s34 (2) states that: "A person who performs an anatomical examination upon a body shall do so in a quiet, orderly and decent manner." A failure to comply with this rule of the Anatomy Act may be regarded as a criminal offence under part s236 (b) of the Criminal Code Act, 1899 (Qld) which states "A person improperly or indecently interferes with, or offers any indignity to, any dead human body or human remains, whether buried or not...is liable to imprisonment...". Any such breaches may be referred to, or prosecuted by, the police.
- As per the SBMS Code of Conduct for Use of Human Tissues (see the course Blackboard site: Learning Resources), personal electronic devices including mobile phones, cameras, tablets and other recording devices, must not be used anywhere in the anatomy teaching facilities, and they cannot be carried on your person (even in the off position) beyond the bag rack areas. Exemptions may be provided by the GAF manager for certain medical conditions. Use of the cadavers for entertainment, profit, and/or other personal purposes is strictly prohibited. Unauthorised photography, electronic imaging, and/or postings on social media that compromise donor confidentiality or discuss dissecting room protocol are banned. Severe penalties apply for breach of these rules, including expulsion from the University.
Course requirements
Assumed background
All content covered in Year 1 and Year 2 semester 1 of BDSc(Hons) Program.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
DENT2062
Course contact
Lecturer
Dr Selwin Samuel
Course staff
Lecturer
Professor Rodrigo Resende
Dr Sandleen Feroz
Mr Ryan Homes
Dr Ahmed Abdulmunem
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
On completion of this course students should demonstrate knowledgeﾠof the structure and function of the head and neck with relevance to clinical practice.
ﾠLearning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate knowledge of the major anatomical structures of the head and neck and relate this to their function.
LO2.
Demonstrate in depth knowledge of the anatomical structures of the orofacial region, as relates to the normal function of the mouth and associated structures.
LO3.
Demonstrate in depth knowledge of the histological and radiographic features of structures of the orofacial region.
LO4.
Differentiate between normal and abnormal features (pathology) with respect to structures of the oro-facial region and appreciate their clinical relevance to dental practice.
LO5.
Apply knowledge and appreciate the importance of head and neck anatomy, oral biology and oral histology for the practice of dentistry within a comprehensive patient care model.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
In-semester exam
|
30% |
In-semester Saturday 5/09/2026 - 20/09/2026 |
| Examination, Practical/ Demonstration |
GAF spotter exam
|
30% |
23/10/2026 9:00 am |
| Examination |
End of semester exam
|
40% MUST PASS |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/11/2026 - 21/11/2026 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
In-semester exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
In-semester Saturday
5/09/2026 - 20/09/2026
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
The in-semester exam will be held in-person and invigilated via Inspera and centrally administered by the university during the in-semester period.
Students will ideally bring their own laptops with the Inspera safe browser installed to complete and submit this exam. If a student does not have a laptop with access to the internet (connected to Eduroam), the student may be able to borrow a laptop from UQ Library (https://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-and-student-it-help/using-library-devices/laptop-loans).
This 60-minute exam might contain a combination of multiple-choice, essay, short-answer and problem-solving questions covering content delivered across all sessions from Week 1 to Week 5.
Assessment security
Secure assessment: This assessment is designed to protect academic integrity and assess your understanding of course concepts. You must only use the approved materials and tools for this assessment task. Use of prohibited materials in this task may be investigated and treated as academic misconduct. See assessment instructions for more details.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
GAF spotter exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Examination, Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
23/10/2026 9:00 am
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
Students will rotate through various anatomical stations and answer questions based on labelled anatomical models/specimens at each station.
Each station will have a time limit of 60 seconds, and the student moves on to the next station when the time limit is reached.
The exam will be of 60 minutes in total duration, including the time allocated for general instructions.
The exam will start at 09:00 am and finish at 12:00 pm at the Gross Anatomy Facility at the St Lucia Campus.
Assessment security
Secure assessment: This assessment is designed to protect academic integrity and assess your understanding of course concepts. You must only use the approved materials and tools for this assessment task. Use of prohibited materials in this task may be investigated and treated as academic misconduct. See assessment instructions for more details.
Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
End of semester exam
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40% MUST PASS
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/11/2026 - 21/11/2026
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This exam will be held in-person and invigilated via Inspera, and students will complete and submit this using their own device as per the in-semester exam. This 90-minute exam might contain a combination of multiple-choice, essay, short-answer and problem-solving questions covering content delivered across all sessions from Week 1 to Week 13.
This is a Must Pass assessment item (achieve a minimum of 60% to pass).
Assessment security
Secure assessment: This assessment is designed to protect academic integrity and assess your understanding of course concepts. You must only use the approved materials and tools for this assessment task. Use of prohibited materials in this task may be investigated and treated as academic misconduct. See assessment instructions for more details.
Hurdle requirements
Must achieve a minimum of 60% to pass.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of less than 20% |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 20% but less than 45% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 45% but less than 50% OR Attains the overall pass mark BUT has failed one hurdle requirement |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 50% but less than 65% AND has passed the hurdle requirements |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 65% but less than 75% AND has passed the hurdle requirements |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall marks of 75% but less than 85% AND has passed the hurdle requirements |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 85% and has passed the hurdle requirements |
Additional course grading information
Students must reasonably attempt all assessment tasks. The end-of-semester examination is a hurdle assessment which must be passed in order to pass the course overall.
Percentage marks will be rounded to the nearest whole number – e.g., 84.4% rounds down to 84%, and 84.5% rounds up to 85%. This applies to all grade cutoffs except for a grade of 4. The minimum pass mark is 50%, and a pass cannot be achieved by rounding up from 49.5%.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
A Gross Anatomy Facility (GAF) Policy and Procedures Laboratory Manual will also be available to students when in the GAF. Any non-compliance with state legislation or university, school or GAF policy may result in an investigation and disciplinary action.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Not scheduled |
Not Timetabled |
GAF Induction Modules Online Anatomy Induction Training: Students must complete the online training for the "SBMS Code of Conduct for use of Donated Human Tissues" and the "Online GAF induction" at the UQ blackboard training website prior to attending their first in-person induction session. A record of student completions of this training will be cross-checked against class rolls for each practical session. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Lectures on head and neck anatomy A series of lectures covering macrostructures and microstructures of the head and neck relevant to clinical practice. Attendance in all learning activities is highly recommended. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 13 |
Workshop |
Practical sessions (Workshops) A combination of group activities and digital anatomy sessions will be delivered. These sessions are neither recorded nor repeated; hence, attendance is highly encouraged. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 6 To Week 12 |
Practical |
Practical sessions (GAF) Gross Anatomy practical sessions will be delivered as compulsory, non-repeated sessions; attendance is mandatory. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Identification: It is a requirement that ALL students wear a clean white laboratory coat (or disposable gown for dissection classes as directed), safety glasses, fully enclosed shoes and their student identification cards when in the Gross Anatomy Facility. Students WILL NOT be permitted in the laboratory (including their first laboratory session) without these items. PPE and identification card holders can be purchased from anywhere. Each student must have their UQ Student Identification Card visibly displayed above the waist at all times during these sessions. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05 |
Additional learning activity information
A mandatory one-hour induction session has been scheduled on 18/08/2026.
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
- Recording of Teaching Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:
- Occupational Health and Safety in the Laboratory Guideline
- Vaccinations and Immunisation Procedure
- Supporting Students' Fitness to Study Policy
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: