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Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- External
- Attendance mode
- Online
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Herston
- Coordinating unit
- UQ Medical School
The focus of this course is two-fold. You will gain sound knowledge of:
1. Medical and surgical treatments as they apply to the majority of skin cancer presentations in the Primary Care arena. This includes medications, cryotherapy, curettage, biopsy techniques and excision of skin lesions with direct repair.
2. The therapeutic relationship, which includes educating patients (and colleagues) about skin cancer and knowing when to refer cases to ensure appropriate patient care.
IMED7010 forms an essential part of the clinical stream for the Master Medicine and Graduate Certificate Programs. It provides the foundation theoretical and practical knowledge for each student to be able to effectively undertake the initial management of the majority of skin cancer presentations to their practice. The syllabus includes biopsy techniques, cryotherapy, curettage as well as topical and medical treatments. This course also covers the surgical management by elliptical excision of skin lesions with direct repair and in turn prepares you for further courses in Advanced Therapeutics and Advanced Clinical Cases.
The course is taught entirely online over one semester which is divided into six fortnightly learning modules. Each module will focus on a particular form of therapy or biopsy technique and part of this learning will provide the basis for each student to prepare a short video presentation of core skills that is submitted for assessment onto the Discussion Board. You will also appraise the assignments of your peers in a supportive and constructive way with the support of experienced faculty staff as oversight. The video skills are deemed essential skills and include punch and shave biopsy, curettage, interrupted and dermal sutures, and finally elliptical excision. In addition to these six videos of essential practical skills each student will also have six short written assignments, each comprising two sections, designed to demonstrate understanding of the theoretical knowledge that complements these skills. The essay assignments are marked by a process of Peer Review, where each student will be allocated the assignments of two of their peers for marking and feedback during the fortnight following submission of the essay assignment. Peer review will help support critical analysis skills of the work of each student and that of others.
Discussion board will run alongside the learning modules and bring collegiate discussion into play as we analyse challenges and test received wisdom in the same way that collegiate discussions help up problem solve as clinicians. Masters Graduates are often called on for advice and in order to support both your own learning and future teaching skills there is a discussion board forum on this subject. There will also be a Hot Tips thread where you can share and gain practical knowledge that never finds its way into textbooks and is only really promulgated in clinical conversations. Discussion board is also open for general discussion and the conversations are wide and far ranging but are not formally available for “second opinions” on clinical management.
The semester culminates in a Final Examination, to be held online during exam week. The date will be announced on the Discussion Board during semester. The exam takes the form of an MCQ paper and will test the theoretical knowledge of students under time pressure. To pass the course a 70% grade is required in the final examination, as well as a total aggregated grade of 70% for the combined assessments items of Video Skills, Essay Assignments, Peer Review and Final Examination.
Course requirements
Assumed background
IMED7001 and IMED7002 are pre-requisites and must be successfully completed before undertaking IMED7010.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
IMED7001 and IMED7002
Restrictions
Restricted to GCMed and MMed (Skin Cancer) students only
Course contact
Course staff
Course coordinator
Dr John Prossor
Timetable
Additional timetable information
There is no timetable for this course, all material is provided online and the study modules can be completed online each week by the student at their convenience.
Aims and outcomes
To gain a comprehensive understanding of diagnostic techniques, haemostasis, cryotherapy, surgery structures and non-surgical options as they relate to skin cancer.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Plan therapeutic strategies for managing patients with skin cancer;
LO2.
Understand different skin biopsy techniques;
LO3.
Display professional characteristics of a modern practitioner as expected by registration boards such as working with patients in a therapeutic relationship and working as a member of a health care team.
LO4.
Demonstrate clinical skills
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/ Demonstration, Reflection |
Clinical Skills Videos
|
30% |
24/02/2025 - 26/05/2025
Dates due will be posted on Learn.UQ (Blackboard). |
| Essay/ Critique |
Essay Assignment
|
30% |
24/02/2025 - 26/05/2025
Due dates will be posted on the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site. |
| Essay/ Critique |
Essay Peer Review
|
10% |
3/03/2025 - 26/05/2025
Due dates will be posted on the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site. |
| Examination |
End of Semester Examination
|
30% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
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
Clinical Skills Videos
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration, Reflection
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
24/02/2025 - 26/05/2025
Dates due will be posted on Learn.UQ (Blackboard).
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
A clinical skill video is submitted to the discussion board each fortnight. Students then comment about the skill.
Submission guidelines
Via video upload to Discussion Board on Learn.UQ (Blackboard).
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 21 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Only on application to course coordinator prior to submission due date.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
According to UQ Policy.
Essay Assignment
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
24/02/2025 - 26/05/2025
Due dates will be posted on the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Each fortnight 6 essay style assignments comprising 2 parts will be submitted that is marked by your peers. This may take the form of an information leaflet for patients, or short answer questions. During the fortnight following submission the students will mark the assignments of 2 peers.
Submission guidelines
Via Discussion Board on Learn.UQ (Blackboard).
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 21 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Only on application to course coordinator prior to submission due date.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
According to UQ policy.
Essay Peer Review
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
3/03/2025 - 26/05/2025
Due dates will be posted on the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
You are expected to mark and review, comment and critique constructively and politely on the essays of 2 peers that are allocated to you during the fortnight following submission.
Submission guidelines
Via Discussion Board on Learn.UQ (Blackboard).
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 21 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Only on application to course coordinator prior to submission due date.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
As per UQ policy.
End of Semester Examination
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Online examination of 90 minutes duration held during the University exam period.
Hurdle requirements
It is a requirement that students achieve a score of 70% or more to pass the exam. Note, it is also a requirement that students achieve an overall grade of 70% to pass the course.Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Other |
| Invigilation | Not invigilated |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
According to UQ policy. Application for deferral must be made stating specified reasons to the course coordinator prior to the exam date.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 54 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of less than 55%. |
| 2 (Fail) | 55 - 59 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 55% but less than 60%. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 60 - 69 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 60% but less than 70%. |
| 4 (Pass) | 70 - 79 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 70% but less than 80%. |
| 5 (Credit) | 80 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least80% but less than 85%. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 85 - 89 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 85% but less than 90%. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 90 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 90%. |
Additional course grading information
To pass IMED 7010 a minimum aggregate score of 70% is required. In addition, it is a requirement that students achieve a minimum score of 70% in the final examination in order to pass the course.
Pass marks are set for assessment items, however on occasion a recognised standard setting method may be used to determine the pass mark.ﾠ
Calculation of Final Grade
The percentage mark for this course is reached by calculating the weighted average percentage mark achieved across the marked assessment tasks. The total of the weighted assessment tasks for the course will be rounded to two decimal points if required, with the final mathematical rounding to an integer at the end yielding a percentage mark. A mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Please note that all submission dates for assessments are in Brisbane time - Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
Deferred examinations
A student who is unable to sit or complete a scheduled final examination must apply for a deferred examination no later than 5 calendar days after the date the original examination was held.
Please see Learn.UQ (Blackboard) for further information on deferred exams (including the application process).
Timing of deferred exams
Deferred exams will be held in the Semester 1 deferred and supplementary exam period.
Artificial Intelligence:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides emerging tools that may support you in completing some assessments. You may appropriately use AI in completing your assessment tasks for this course unless otherwise indicated by the Course Coordinator. You must clearly reference any use of AI in each instance. A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. Refer to the following guide regarding referencing ofﾠAI:ﾠOverview - ChatGPT and other generative AI tools - Library Guides at University of Queensland Library (uq.edu.au).
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.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Patient(s)/pork belly/synthetic skin | The videoed skills element of this course requires access to one of these items (patient option preferred). | own item needed |
Additional learning resources information
Information on sourcing pork belly or synthetic skin is available at the start of the course (and there is time to procure before the assessment opens). Patient consent forms and advice is available. Note that a far better learning experience is provided via a video of real-life skin surgery on a consenting patient. Additionally, it is also far easier technically for the student to operate on human skin rather than porcine or synthetic skin.
Reading material will be available on the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Practical |
Clinical Skills Video Students submit a video to the discussion board of their performing a clinical skill. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
General contact hours |
Essay Assignment Preparation and submission of short essay style assignments. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 13 |
General contact hours |
Peer Review Students peer review the essay assignments of 2 of their colleagues. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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 - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.