Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Nursing, Midwifery & Social Wk
This course will introduce students to the theory and practice of midwifery. Students will explore midwifery as a woman-centred profession and develop a sense of identity. An overview of the antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum periods, including normal newborn care will be explained to enable students to begin to develop the knowledge required to commence safe contemporary woman centred midwifery practice. A broad overview of each of the periods related to pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal care will be discussed with consideration of the qualities and skills required for a beginning level of midwifery practice.
This course will be the first course that Bachelor of Midwifery and Bachelor of Midwifery/Bachelor of Nursing (Dual degree) students are introduced to the beginning foundational theoretical aspectsﾠof the midwifery profession.ﾠ Students will learn what it means to identify as a midwife in the Australian context and how midwifery is organised in the different models of care available to women.ﾠ Students will learn about the assessment that occurs across the pregnancy continuum and have the opportunity to apply that knowledge to skills when practising before and during clinical placement. Students will develop their skills in communication and decision making using a woman centred care approach.ﾠ Students will undertakeﾠthis courseﾠin various modes of learning, including online modules, lectures, and inquiry based workshops.
Course requirements
Restrictions
Bachelor of Midwifery, Bachelors of Nursing / Midwifery
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Michelle Paliwoda
Dr Lisa Peberdy
Ms Emma Shipton
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The aim of this course is to provide students with the foundational theory and skill to commence their beginning practice as a midwifery student.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Apply the frameworks, governance, organization and decision making points of antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care within the context of midwifery care in Australia and contrast with global maternity care.
LO2.
Interpret the inherent qualities and role of a midwife in the establishment of relationships when caring for the woman, as well as those necessary when engaging in professional relationships with other health care practitioners.
LO3.
Illustrate the legal and professional requirements for midwifery practice across the woman's experience during the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum continuum.
LO4.
Explore factors that contribute to a positive pregnancy, birth experience and postpartum transition, for the woman, newborn and family, following a holistic physical and psychological approach to environment, support, assessment and monitoring, introducing communication and digital technologies.
LO5.
Explain the importance of woman-centred care based on the midwifery principles of partnership, continuity of care, culturally safe practice and holism.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation | Assessment item 1: Presentation | 20% |
18/03/2025 - 6/05/2025
Presentations will occur in weeks 4, 6, 8, and 10 during IBL classes. |
| Essay/ Critique | Assessment item 2 : Written Assignment | 40% |
16/05/2025 1:00 pm |
| Examination |
Assessment 3 : Digital On-campus invigilated exam
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
Assessment item 1: Presentation
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
18/03/2025 - 6/05/2025
Presentations will occur in weeks 4, 6, 8, and 10 during IBL classes.
Task description
Assessment item 1: In groups of three (3) students are to provide a presentation on a chosen topic that addresses an antenatal or intrapartum issue. Please refer to the task description and marking rubric within the Blackboard site for more detail.
Submission guidelines
Students are required to submit an electronic copy of this assessment to BlackBoard. Please visit the companion BlackBoard site for the link to upload.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Students to follow UQ policy.
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.
Late submissions will be penalised as per UQ policy.
Assessment item 2 : Written Assignment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
16/05/2025 1:00 pm
Task description
Students are to complete a written assignment surrounding normal birth. Please refer to the task description and marking rubric within the Blackboard site, for more detail.
Submission guidelines
Students are required to submit an electronic copy of this assessment to Turnitin via BlackBoard. Please visit the companion BlackBoard site for the link to upload.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Students to follow UQ policy.
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.
Late submissions will be penalised as per UQ policy.
Assessment 3 : Digital On-campus invigilated exam
- Identity Verified
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
Task description
This will be a 60 minute (1 hour) Digital on-campus invigilated exam using Inspera. Please refer to the Blackboard site for more detail.
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.
Students to follow UQ policy.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29.9 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46.9 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49.9 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.49 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 64.5 - 74.49 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 74.50 - 84.49 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 84.50 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
All pieces of assessment must be submitted for the student to be eligible to pass the course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Deferred Examination
ﾠ
If a student has missed or will miss an examination (including an in-class examination during teaching weeks) the student may apply for a deferred examination. Applications may be approved for medical reasons or exceptional circumstances, or there is a once-off discretionary deferred examination, as per the guidelines in my.UQ Deferring an exam
ﾠ
For an explanation of the procedure for applying please go to the PPL Examinations ProceduresﾠSection 3.8 is regarding Deferred Examinations.
Penalty for word count outside required length
A word count that is within ﾱ10% of the set length (word limit) is acceptable. A word count that is outside these 10% will be penalised through a reduction of 10% of the total mark available for the assessment.
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
PPL 6.20.01ﾠInformation and Communication Technology
Focus on Student and Alumni Email
- Information in respect to the use of the students UQ Email account and their responsibility to check email and their right to forward email.
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 |
Not Timetabled |
Online Learning You are expected to spend seven (7) hours per week on learning for this course. This includes working through the module material provided including preparation for your IBL workshops. Resources can be found in learning resources on the Blackboard site for this course. |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 12 |
Problem-based learning |
Inquiry Based Learning (IBL) Workshops Group based learning and inquiry. Six (6) workshops occurring throughout the semester. Further details of each workshop can be found in learning resources on the Blackboard site for this course. |
Lecture |
Introduction to Midwifery Practice On campus resource sessions. Further details of each session can be found in learning resources on the Blackboard site for this course. |
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
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.