Program Overview

Introduction to CHIR6303 Medical Sciences B

CHIR6303 Medical Sciences B is a unit offered by Macquarie University, characterized by a moderate degree of flexibility and incorporating various learning tools and media.

General Information

• Unit Convenor and Teaching Staff: Stephney Whillier, Amy Melamet, Josh Fitzgerald, Martin Frutiger
• Credit Points: 10
• Prerequisites: CHIR6302 or CHIR604
• Corequisites: None
• Co-badged Status: HLTH3303
• Unit Description: This unit examines the aetiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and differential diagnosis of common conditions of the nervous, musculoskeletal, renal, reproductive, and integumentary systems. Case studies are used to develop the ability to create a differential diagnosis based on clinical presentation and examination.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• Identify the common pathologies that can occur in the nervous, musculoskeletal, renal, reproductive, and integumentary systems.
• Integrate knowledge of the aetiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation of common disorders.
• Compare and contrast diseases on the basis of aetiology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations.
• Explain the multifactorial nature of the development of disease states.
• Demonstrate fundamental skills required for decision-making and clinical reasoning necessary for differential diagnosis.
• Justify the need for chiropractors to have a sound knowledge and understanding of the diseases studied in this unit.

General Assessment Information

• Assessment Tasks:
  • Presentation
  • Case Study Assignment
  • Final Examination
• Grade Descriptors and Grading: Contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.
• Passing Requirements: Students must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Assessment Tasks

Final Examination

• Weighting: 50%
• Due: In the official examination period
• Description: Covers the lecture and tutorial content for the entire semester, testing knowledge of the theory and the ability to connect that knowledge to real-life situations.

Presentation

• Weighting: 25%
• Due: As arranged in the tutorial
• Description: Students individually choose a question or case study and give a presentation according to a rubric.

Case Study Assignment

• Weighting: 25%
• Due: 21/09/2025
• Description: Students write a draft case study, submit it to AI for analysis, address the AI's comments in a report, and then redraft the case study.

Delivery and Resources

• Lectures: 1 ﾗ 2-hour lecture per week, pre-recorded online.
• Tutorials: 1 ﾗ 2-hour tutorial class per week, on campus.
• Other: Revision, self-instructional learning, preparation for tutorials and readings from the manual/text.
• Required Resources: HLTH3303/CHIR6303 Tutorial Course Manual 2025.
• Recommended Resources: Craft JA et al. (2018) Understanding Pathophysiology ANZ, 3rd Edition, Elsevier Australia; McCance KL et al. (2019) Pathophysiology The biologic basis of disease in adults and children, 8th Edition, Elsevier Australia.

Policies and Procedures

• Academic Appeals Policy
• Academic Integrity Policy
• Academic Progression Policy
• Assessment Policy
• Fitness to Practice Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
• Special Consideration Policy

Diversity and Inclusion

Macquarie University promotes an equitable, diverse, and exciting campus community. Students are expected to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery.

Professionalism

Professionalism is a key capability embedded in all courses in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences. Students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions, show respect for academic staff and peers, and maintain a professional demeanor during learning activities.