Unit Outline

This unit examines the role of complementary medicines in contemporary healthcare through interdisciplinary perspectives from Pharmacy, Sociology, Law, and traditional health practices.

You will develop foundational knowledge of widely used complementary medicine approaches, including herbal medicine, naturopathy, traditional medical systems, medicinal cannabis, and commonly used supplements such as nutraceuticals and vitamins.

You will also explore debates about evidence and complementary medicine, and consider the complex relationship between orthodox medicine and the field of complementary and alternative medicine and gain an understanding of ethical and legal issues related to complementary medicine including the regulation of complementary medicine products and practitioners.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Discuss the evolving role of Complementary Medicines with a particular focus on Australia.
2	Analyse the legal, regulatory, and ethical frameworks governing the safety, availability, and promotion of Complementary Medicines in Australia and internationally.
3	Appraise the use of evidence in decisions to use complementary medicines.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	XBR120

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In response to the feedback from previous student cohort, changes have been made which may include adjustments to assessments and alignment of some of the timelines. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2026, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s Unit Survey following your completion of the unit.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Online quizzes	Week 4	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Digital Poster	Week 8	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Oral Presentation	Week 12	40 %	LO1, LO2

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online quizzes

Task Description:

You will complete four (4) online quizzes.
10 questions in each quiz
Due Weeks 4, 8, 10 and 12

Task Length:

10 questions each quiz

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify potential benefits and risks associated with complementary medicine use.	LO1
2	Analyse ethical and legal regulations in Australia in relation to Complementary medicines.	LO2
3	Explain how different types of evidence influence decisions.	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Digital Poster

Task Description:

This assessment requires you to create and submit a digital poster, accompanied by a 3-minute recorded video.
You will critically examine complementary medicines and the evidence supporting their use and communicate your analysis in a clear and structured manner.
Submission: Recorded poster presentation uploaded to MyLO

Task Length:

One digital poster and one 3-minute recorded video presentation

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe a complementary medicine, including its role within the evolving field of complementary and alternative medicine in Australia.	LO1
2	Analyse the merits and limitations of different types of evidence used to support the selected complementary medicine or therapy.	LO2
3	Identify appropriate evidence to support the use of the complementary medicine.	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Oral Presentation

Task Description:

This task assesses your ability to critically analyse the legal, regulatory, and ethical issues associated with the use of complementary medicine products in Australia.
You are required to deliver a 7-minute oral presentation that examines relevant legislation, regulatory frameworks, and key ethical considerations. Your presentation should demonstrate evidence-informed reasoning and an understanding of how regulatory structures influence clinical practice and consumer protection.
Following the presentation, you must respond to one verbal question to demonstrate your understanding and ability to articulate evidence-informed reasoning.

Task Length:

7-minute recorded oral presentation (No fixed slide requirement)

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain, with evidence, how complementary medicines may influence patient outcomes	LO1
2	Evaluate ethical issues and communicate your analysis clearly, logically, and professionally.	LO2
3	Demonstrate critical understanding of relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks governing complementary medicines in Australia.	LO2

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.