UnitLevel 4Postgraduate

SON4010 Embryology, anatomy and pathophysiology

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

SON4010 Embryology, anatomy and pathophysiology is a level 4, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 7 units.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2025
Semester 1, Semester 2
Clayton
Assessment
Exam 80%
and 1 other task

This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Overview

This unit initially explores the main stages of embryonic development and then addresses specific systems such as the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary system in more detail. The second major component addresses the gross, regional and sectional anatomy of the thyroid, abdomen and pelvis, the vascular, musculoskeletal, hepatobiliary and genitourinary systems along with examples of pathophysiology relevant to medical ultrasound. A key component throughout this unit is the development of image evaluation skills in relation to the cross-sectional, coronal and sagittal display of these structures and their surrounding regional anatomy.

Offerings in 2025

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonOnline
Second semesterClaytonOnline

Assessment

  • In-semester exam (100 mins)Examination
    40%
  • End-of-semester exam (100 mins)Examination
    40%
  • Structured report (2,000 words)Written
    20%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Describe and explain the major stages of embryology, and the specific embryonic development of the digestive, genitourinary, and central nervous system;

  2. 2

    Describe and identify the normal structure and function of the vascular system, and explain common vascular pathologies such as atherosclerosis and deep vein thrombosis and their risk factors and symptoms;

  3. 3

    Describe the musculoskeletal system in general, explain the anatomy and relevant pathophysiology of the shoulder and knee in detail, and identify normal anatomy;

  4. 4

    Identify regional abdominal anatomy, including cross-sectional anatomy, and explain the pathophysiology of the hepatobiliary system and pancreas;

  5. 5

    Describe the normal anatomy, physiology and common pathologies of the thyroid and breast, and identify normal anatomy;

  6. 6

    Identify regional pelvic anatomy, including cross-sectional anatomy, and explain the pathophysiology of the urinary and reproductive systems.

Workload and teaching

  • Applied sessions36 hours
  • Applied sessions24 hours
  • Tutorials12 hours
  • Tutorials2 hours

Semester 1: Applied Sessions: 3 hours per week (3 x 12 weeks = 36 hours)

Tutorials: 1 hour per week (1 x 12 = 12 hours)

Teaching is all online

Semester 2: Applied Sessions:  2 hours per week (2 x 12 weeks = 24 hours)

Tutorials: 2 hours per semester 

Learning resources

Required resources

See Moodle for details about required resources.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Ali Al-Rubaie
Carolynne Cormack
Chief Examiners
Ignatius Pereira

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for SON4010?

SON4010 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

What can I take after SON4010?

SON4010 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 7 units, including SON5000, SON5020, SON5021, SON5022, SON5023 and SON5024.

When is SON4010 offered?

In 2025, SON4010 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton, with an online option.

Does SON4010 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 80% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
4
Study level
Postgraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational unit
Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Not available