CQUniversity Unit Profile

In Progress

Please note that this Unit Profile is still in progress. The content below is subject to change.
MEDS12003 Superficial Structures in Ultrasound
Superficial Structures in Ultrasound
All details in this unit profile for MEDS12003 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit explores the sonographic assessment of normal and pathological superficial structures. You will apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology and embryology to conduct sonographic examinations of superficial structures in the laboratory setting as well as utilising simulated clinical scenarios and case studies to critically reflect on sonographic problems. Development of the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to perform an ultrasound examination of the thyroid will be assessed within a simulated environment.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisites MEDS11001 Fundamentals of Sonographic Practice and MEDS11002 Relational Anatomy and Image Recognition and Corequisite MEDS12001 Physics of Ultrasound

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

Brisbane
Mackay
Melbourne
Sydney

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

Assessment Grading

This is a pass/fail (non-graded) unit. To pass the unit, you must pass all of the individual assessment tasks shown in the table above.

Previous Student Feedback

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 unit comments

Feedback

Students felt the Moodle content was extensive and the layout could be improved and condensed

Recommendation

Consider condensing the information under sub-headings to make navigation simpler and content easier to find.

Feedback from SUTE unit comments

Feedback

Some students were not satisfied with the time limit of the online test even though it was increased from prior year.

Recommendation

Continue with zoom tutorials using cases studies to demonstrate examples of online test questions. Consider stressing the importance of tutorial attendance to students in welcome and assessment videos.

Feedback from SUTE unit comments and Unit co-ordinator reflection

Feedback

Students liked the extra labs added to the unit and the 30 minute appointment-style time limit to complete Assessment One

Recommendation

Keep Assessment One as an authentic style assessment and the extra lab practice for students

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology and embryology of superficial structures to the sonographic examination.
  2. Differentiate the clinical appearance, sonographic appearance and aetiology of pathologies of superficial structures.
  3. Analyse clinical scenarios to provide a differential diagnosis and produce a sonographic report.
  4. Apply the practical skills and critical thinking necessary to perform a sonographic examination of the thyroid.
  5. Display professional behaviour, teamwork and communication skills and criteria to meet safe sonographic practice, the profession's Code of Conduct, and CQUniversity's graduate attributes.

The learning outcomes for this unit relate to the requirements of general sonography courses under the Australasian Sonography Accreditation Registry (ASAR), Standards for the Accreditation of Sonographer Courses (SASC):

Foundation Units of Competence 1-5

Critical Practice Units of Competence 12

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Practical Assessment - 0%
2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 0%
3 - Online Test - 0%
4 - On-campus Activity - 0%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
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
Textbooks and Resources

Information for Textbooks and Resources has not been released yet.

This information will be available on Monday 16 February 2026
Academic Integrity Statement

Information for Academic Integrity Statement has not been released yet.

This unit profile has not yet been finalised.