MEDIMAGE 722 : Special Topic: Introduction to Cardiac Ultrasound
Medical and Health Sciences
2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Course Contacts
Course Director
Dr Sibusiso Mdletshe
Senior Lecturer and Postgraduate Director
Email: sibusiso.mdletshe@auckland.ac.nz
Profile: https://unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz/profile/sibusiso-mdletshe
Course Coordinator:
Allanah Harrington
Professional Teaching Fellow
Email: allanah.harrington@auckland.ac.nz
Profile: https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/allanah-harrington
Capabilities Developed in this Course
Capability 1: | People and Place |
Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
Capability 6: | Communication |
Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Assess normal cardiac anatomy and corresponding vessels on 2-D ultrasound. (Capability 3)
- Analyse the application of 2D, M-mode, spectral Doppler, and colour Doppler on the normal cardiac ultrasound exam. (Capability 3)
- Outline image optimisation techniques, transducer orientation, and patient positioning for each scan plane in the normal cardiac ultrasound examination. (Capability 3)
- Perform and interpret images and basic measurements and calculations on images obtained during the normal cardiac ultrasound examination using a critical lens and normal reference values to formulate a written report. (Capability 3, 4 and 6)
- Interpret normal, abnormal, and life-threatening rhythms using electrocardiography. (Capability 3)
- Examine how communication, interpersonal and interprofessional dynamics, adapted to a range of social, cultural, and ethical perspectives, impact on their role as a medical imaging practitioner. (Capability 1, 4, 6 and 8)
Assessments
Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
---|---|---|
Assignments | 30% | Individual Coursework |
Reflection | 20% | Individual Coursework |
Quizzes | 10% | Individual Coursework |
Test | 40% | Individual Test |
4 types | 100% |
Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |||||
Assignments | ||||||||||
Reflection | ||||||||||
Quizzes | ||||||||||
Test |
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in. This represents approximately 150 hours of study and may be broken down as follows:
• Set readings relevant to ultrasound theory and clinical practice (40 hours).
• Other resources provided on Canvas e.g. videos, and websites (10 hours).
• Assignments and self-directed learning (100 hours).
Delivery Mode
Online
The course is delivered online with all modules being available from the beginning of the semester to allow some degree of flexible learning. Attendance on campus is not required for the summative test; however, this course will be supported by a mandatory orientation course delivered at the Grafton campus near the start of the first semester. The mandatory orientation course will incorporate an overview of the first-year courses using lectures, tutorials, demonstrations, labs, and interactive scanning sessions to enhance learning. Self-assessment tools throughout the course will provide an opportunity for students to receive continuous feedback on their comprehension of the content delivered.
Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
- Anderson, B. (2017). Echocardiography: The Normal Examination and echocardiography Measurements (3rd ed.). Echotext Pty Ltd.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Other Information
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Contact details for the Medical Imaging Postgraduate Student Representatives may be found in the Medical Imaging Postgraduate Programme Information on Canvas.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.