Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The unit builds upon and complements the material covered in human cell and molecular biology, anatomy and physiology in the first year of your studies. An important aspect of clinical practice and/or research is a broad knowledge and understanding of human disease states regardless of their cause. As part of your early biomedical science training, you need to appreciate general disease processes to help you prepare for your more advanced units in immunology, microbiology and pathology in second year. Whether your aim is to be a clinical or research scientist, appreciation of pathological processes will enable you to better understand how we measure, manage and manipulate diseases clinically and in a research context.

Aims

Specific aims are to provide you with an understanding of the causes and pathogenesis of human diseases including those of a genetic, microbial, immunologic and traumatic aetiology. You will be introduced to the language and terminology used within the discipline and become adept at using it in written and oral forms of communication. You will be introduced and provided opportunities to understand and apply the way in which pathology is measured, diagnosed and treated.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to demonstrate evidence of:
1. Broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge of introductory pathology, immunology and microbiology.
2. The ability to locate, interpret and communicate knowledge in written and oral tasks individually and in a collaborative context.
3. Ethical knowledge and behaviours appropriate for working at QUT including adherence to appropriate occupational health and safety practices.

Content

Homeostasis of health and definitions of disease
Genetic and developmental disorders
Cellular adaptation and aberration
How the body responds to insult: Inflammation and immunity
Immune abnormalities
Diagnostics: Detecting and measuring pathology
Therapies: Prevention and treatment of pathology
Research: Critical evaluation of current approaches

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

You will be involved in a variety of constructive, interactive and self-directed learning activities in three one hour lectures/lectorials and a two hour practical class each week. The Blackboard site provides you with opportunities to undertake self-directed exercises and evaluate your progress. A team teaching approach will be adopted in this unit.

Assessment

General Assessment Information
Participation in the practical classes is an integral part of your learning experience in Human Health and Disease Concepts. If you are unable to attend a practical session, you should inform the unit coordinator by email and provide supporting documentation for your absence the following week at the start of practical class, e.g. medical certificate. In the case of unapproved absence from practicals, no marks will be given for related assessment.

Late Submission and Requests for Extensions
Assessment tasks will not be accepted if they are more than one working week late (five days) or the material has been subsequently reviewed in class. For assessment tasks submitted late where an extension has not been sought and approved, 20% from the total mark available will be subtracted for each day or part day of lateness until five working days have passed. A mark of zero and did not complete will then be recorded as your final result. If you need an extension it must be requested before the due date by emailing the unit coordinator, with supporting documentation attached, outlining why you need an extension and how long you are seeking. Requests for extensions received after the due date without appropriate supporting evidence will not be approved.Feedback from formative and progressive assessment will be prompt throughout the semester. Feedback for both practical and case study progressive assessments will be delivered verbally where appropriate and in the form of annotated criteria marking. Alternatively, you are welcome to contact any academic member of the teaching team for individual feedback on your learning progress.

Assessment name: Patient Case Study
Description: At regular intervals, you will apply the knowledge that you progressively gain to the construction of a pathological profile of a case study/patient scenario.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 2.
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Progressive

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: Participation at the laboratory sessions is compulsory and your continued performance will form the basis of your practical assessment. Performance is assessed on successful completion of practical activities and submission of practical reports/ worksheets.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 and 3.
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Progressive

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: Progress and final written exam comprised of MCQ and short answer questions assessing your knowledge and understanding of learning concepts addressed in lectures and laboratory sessions.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 and 3.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Central Exam Period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Texts:

No textbook required. Materials will be uploaded to the Course Materials Database.

Reference texts:
¿Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease¿ Kumar V, Abbas A & Fausto N, Elsevier Saunders, Philadelphia, USA.
¿Microbiology: A Clinical Approach¿; Strelkauskas, A. Garland Science
¿Microbiology and Infection Control for Health Professionals¿; Lee G & Bishop P Prentice Hall

Risk assessment statement

This unit includes a laboratory component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. All students are required to complete an online health and safety quiz prior to entry to the laboratory. A passing score of 9/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory. You may resit the quiz until this score is achieved. You are referred to the university's health and safety web site: http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/index.jsp for further information.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 08-Oct-2012