Overview
The accurate diagnosis of cardiac conditions requires comprehensive knowledge of cardiac pathophysiology, and the outcomes of a variety of cardiovascular assessment procedures. In this unit you will be introduced to cardiac assessment within the catheterisation laboratory. You will learn how to interpret a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), and how to assess cardiac structure and function by performing a two-dimensional echocardiographic examination. Within the ethical framework of best practice, you will examine simulated case-based clinical information. You will explore the outcomes of cardiac diagnostic procedures, formulate differential diagnoses and patient management strategies for a variety of common cardiovascular pathologies. Attendance at practical activities is a requirement of this unit.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisite ECHO11003 Fundamentals of Cardiac Science AND ALLH11009 Research Methods for Health Professionals AND MEDI11004 Professional Practice AND ECHO11002 Cardiac Structure and Function and ECHO11004 Biochemistry for Cardiac Pharmacology Co-requisiteMEDS12001 Physics of Ultrasound and MPAT12001 Medical Pathophysiology
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 12-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE Feedback
Students would like access to measurement software at home.
Echocardiography students will have access to a new online measurement software from Term 2, 2025, following the university’s recent investment in the Phillips IntelliSpace CardioVascular web-based platform. This will allow use from home and support more flexible learning.
Feedback from SUTE Feedback
Students would like more guidance on the mark allocation for the written assessment.
Students were provided with a detailed marking rubric outlining mark allocation. Students may benefit from further explanation of the marking rubric and how the marks relate to the questions in the assessment, either in the unpacking of the assessment video or within a tutorial.
Feedback from SUTE Feedback
Students felt that too many assessments were due at the same time and suggested that deadlines could be more evenly spaced.
Scheduling should be reviewed to explore options for better spacing of assessments, aiming to support workload balance and reduce pressure.
Feedback from SUTE and CQU Success Feedback
Some students felt the lecture slides lacked sufficient detail.
The lecture slides are designed to highlight key concepts and encourage active listening and note-taking, which are essential for deeper understanding and retention. Students will continue to be supported through a range of learning resources and activities to reinforce their understanding.
Feedback from SUTE Feedback
Students noted inconsistencies in feedback between tutors and expressed a preference for feedback that not only highlights areas for improvement but also provides constructive guidance on how to improve, rather than focusing solely on what was done incorrectly.
A standardised feedback framework will be crafted and provided to all tutors. It should emphasise constructive guidance, helping students understand not only what needs improvement but also how to improve. A Zoom session with tutors may also be beneficial in supporting this approach and enhancing the overall learning experience.
- Perform the standard two-dimensional echocardiographic protocol including associated anatomical quantification.
- Formulate and evaluate reasoned arguments for the exclusion of artefactual and discordant two-dimensional echocardiographic findings.
- Analyse case-based clinical information to formulate differential diagnoses and plan patient management strategies for a variety of common cardiovascular pathologies.
- Discuss common cardiac catheterisation procedures including radiation safety.
- Analyse the output of 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) studies.
- Apply professional behaviour, teamwork and communication skills consistent with safe practice.
- Apply reflective feedback to professional practice improvement.
Linked to National and International Standards
1. ASAR Accreditation Standards for Cardiac Sonography - critical practice Unit 8 - Cardiac, Foundation units of competence - 1 - 5.
2. European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging Core Syllabus
3. American Registry for Cardiac Sonography Core Syllabus
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | |||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||||||
| 3 - Practical Assessment - 0% | |||||||
| 4 - Performance - 0% | |||||||
| 5 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 0% | |||||||
| 6 - In-class Test(s) - 50% | |||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||||
Information for Textbooks and Resources has not been released yet.
This information will be available on Monday 16 February 2026As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
