Abdominal Ultrasound PG (10161.2)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Abdominal 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)
In this unit students will develop knowledge in, and an understanding of, the medical ultrasound scanning methods and protocols related to examinations of the abdomen and the male and female pelvis. Students will also develop and demonstrate appropriate scanning techniques and develop a critical analytical approach to identifying and understanding clinical questions that relate to the patient's condition to optimise scanning protocols and image quality. Interpretation of sonographic findings will be underpinned by a thorough understanding of the relevant anatomic, physiologic and pathological processes.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Undertake ultrasound examinations of the anatomical regions covered in this unit in a safe and ethical manner, providing due care for the patient;

2. Present sonographic images demonstrating a logical and methodical approach to scanning and communicate findings clearly and accurately;
3. Recognise a range of normal and abnormal image appearances of the areas listed in the syllabus and explain the contributing role and nature of pathologic and developmental processes;
4. Explain the significance of clinical tests and complementary modalities relevant to topics within the syllabus;
5. Obtain an advanced beginner practitioner level of competence in abdominal ultrasound examinations as assessed by a UC approved Accredited Medical Sonographer; and

6. Critically evaluate their own professional practice.


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
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
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 - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
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

Students must have a clinical sonography training position or have access to a clinical sonography training site, such as the UC ultrasound laboratory.
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 Kate Leary
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 Hybrid Ms Kate Leary
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 Hybrid Ms Kate Leary
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 Hybrid Ms Kate Leary
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

Rumack, C. & Levine, D. (2023). Diagnostic Ultrasound (6th ed.). Elsevier.
 

 

Submission of assessment items

Special assessment requirements

All assessment items must be attempted. Students must obtain an aggregate result from the numerically marked assessment items of greater or equal to 50% to pass this unit. In addition, students must also obtain a level of at least ‘advanced beginner' in the Clinical Skills Assessment. 

 

Referencing guidelines

Referencing:

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.

 

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.

Participation requirements

1 - Students without a clinical placement or training position will need to achieve a minimum of 40 hours of supervised scanning experience in the UC Ultrasound Laboratory Workshops. This is assessed as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory as part of the Clinical Skills Assessment.

2 - Students with a training position also require a minimum of 40 hours of supervised scanning experience. This will be assessed as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory as part of the Clinical Skills Assessment as per your registered supervisor. 

This is a hurdle requirement as the scheduled laboratories provide clinical skill development required to complete the clinical skills assessment and meet the learning outcomes of this unit.

Any non-attendance must be supported by documentary evidence of misadventure. No individual labs will be offered to make up for missed laboratory sessions.

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.

Required IT skills

This unit may involve online meetings in real time using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn teaching site. The Virtual Room allows you to 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, go to the Virtual Room in your UCLearn site and 'Join Course Room'. This will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room.

This unit requires the use of Canvas, Smartabase, INPLACE, library searching skills, and word processing skills.

Work placement, internships or practicums

This unit is offered in conjunction with supervised clinical practice and therefore, additional student responsibilities are required in addition to those described in this section. Work-place learning requires strict adherence to professional practice principles and ethics. Client/patient confidentiality must always be maintained including for assessment items such as case studies. Failure to maintain confidentiality will result in a zero mark being awarded. 

Additional information

This unit may involve a 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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