Introduction to Ultrasound PG (10160.3)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Introduction to Ultrasound PG
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Hybrid
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Medical Radiation Post Graduate Level Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit will introduce students to the practice of medical ultrasound. This will include an understanding of ethical and medico-legal issues in ultrasound, developing skills in professional communication and safe ergonomic scanning skills. Students will begin to develop their anatomical knowledge and normal gross anatomical relationships, including normal variants, of the neck, abdomen and pelvic regions and the vascular, musculoskeletal, hepatobiliary and genitourinary systems. The focus will be on identifying the cross-sectional, coronal and sagittal ultrasound image appearances of these structures and their associated anatomy. Students will explore the main stages of embryonic development and then review specific systems such as the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary system.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify and describe the normal structure and function of common anatomical regions that are visualised in medical ultrasound;
2. Describe and discuss the major stages of embryology, and the specific embryonic development of the digestive, genitourinary, and central nervous system;
3. Identify and explain the sonographers role and professional requirements;

4. Explain ethical and medico-legal considerations and apply culturally appropriate professional communication skills; and

5. Integrate safe ergonomic principles in beginning clinical scanning skills.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

Enrolment in 361JA Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound OR HLC501 Graduate Certificate in Ultrasound Studies.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

Anatomy and physiology at the equivalent of 2 units of study at undergraduate university (AQF7) level.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 Hybrid Ms Karen Pollard
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 Hybrid Ms Karen Pollard
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 Hybrid Ms Karen Pollard
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 Hybrid Ms Karen Pollard
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

The prescribed readings for this unit are available via the Canvas site by direct link (Reading List). 

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Referencing guidelines

Correct and consistent referencing is an important component of producing professional and credible academic work. Marks will be deducted for inadequate referencing.

Referencing should be in accordance with the APA Style Guidelines (American Psychology Association). Information to support APA style referencing is available on the UC library website at http://canberra.libguides.com/c.php?g=599301&p=4148716.

Special assessment requirements

In order to receive a passing grade in this unit, all assessment tasks must be attempted and submitted, and you must achieve a cumulative, minimum score of 50% of the total available unit marks.

Any ultrasound related images or materials presented must be de-identified. Failure to remove patient, staff and / or site identification will result in a zero mark being awarded for the assessment item.

Moderation

Assessment items will be moderated to ensure consistency and equity. Moderation of assessment items will include all failed submissions and a selection of other graded assessment items in each cohort in adherence with the Faculty of Health guidelines.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

As a course entry requirement you must have previously studied human anatomy and physiology. This is assumed knowledge. You may need to spend additional time revising this content, especially if it has been some time since you studied, or if your undergraduate degree focussed more on microscopic anatomy.

Participation requirements

Active engagement in all online modules enhances your learning and is strongly advised.

Unless specifically stated in the unit outline, there is no mandatory attendance requirement. However, you may elect to attend timetabled activities, as they allow you to ask 'real time' questions to develop your understanding for the relevant assessment tasks.

Optional face to face workshops will be available to all enrolled students. Details will be provided on the UCLearn/Canvas site.

Students are expected to actively contribute to online, topic based discussions throughout the semester.

Online tutorials/ meetings may be held out of hours to facilitate attendance. Online meetings are not compulsory and will be recorded where possible or relevant.

Required IT skills

Access to the Internet and UCLearn/Canvas site are essential.

This unit involves online activities in real time using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn/Canvas teaching site. The Virtual Room provides a virtual classroom or meeting room where you can communicate in real time with your lecturer and other students. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality we recommend a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, please visit the UCLearn/Canvas site and 'Join Course Room'. This will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room. 

In-unit costs

Optional workshops may be offered during the semester. Students will have the opportunity to use the ultrasound laboratory simulation equipment and ultrasound machines. Students are responsible for any costs associated with travel and/or accommodation.

Work placement, internships or practicums

This unit may involve a concurrent clinical placement or professional experience. Students are responsible for arranging their own clinical training positions.

Students must adhere to University policy during WIL experiences, including the Student Conduct Rules 2018, the WIL Policy and WIL Procedure, and the Assessment Policy and Assessment Procedure.

This unit may have pre-placement requirements (e.g. Working with Vulnerable People registration, immunisations, recording of relevant details in InPlace etc), which must be completed prior to commencement of your placement; refer to Placement Requirements

Contact your unit convener if you have any concerns with meeting the requirements of this unit.

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