Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

This introductory unit provides you with the theoretical basis to the understanding of the processes of disease. A sound understanding of the nature of disease processes is needed in order to

- design appropriate and efficient health information and services,
- communicate effectively with other health professionals involved in the care of patients,
- make informed decisions related to health care, and
- assist in research and quality assurance programs in the health services.

The unit prepares you the student for further studies in health-related professions and later units in your course.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to enable you to acquire a sound understanding and knowledge of general and specific disease processes.

Objectives

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

1. Deduce the meaning of health-related words based on your knowledge of word roots, suffixes and prefixes.
2. List and briefly explain major diseases of each of the organ systems, stating relationships between systems where warranted.
3. Describe aspects of diseased organs, relating to healthy organs and structures, and explain the pathogenesis of the main diseases in general terms.
4. Briefly describe and recognize from their descriptions, disorders encountered in lectures and practicals.
5. Relate newspaper articles on health to the normal function and structure of systems and organs and selected diseases.

Content

-Introduction to structure and function of the body; review of body ; cells and tissues.

-Mechanisms of disease.

-Systems in detail: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, blood, heart and circulation, lymphatic, immunity, respiratory, digestive, nutrition and metabolism, urinary, reproductive, concepts of growth and development, genetics. Examples of diseases: heart disease, cancers (lung, breast, skin, prostate, cervical), diabetes, hypertension, psychopathology (and genetic factors) of common mental disorders such as depression and schizophrenia.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit consists of a 2.5-3 hour lecture and a 1.5 hour practical/tutorial session per week. Lectures are augmented by multimedia and the practicals are used to study in more detail aspects discussed in lectures. Practicals are designed to give you the student an appreciation of anatomical and pathological structures, aided by the observation of models, charts, dissections and pathological specimens. Mini tutorials during the practicals enable you to discuss relevant health problems and how they relate to normal structure. The Blackboard site provides you with opportunities to undertake self-directed exercises and evaluate your progress.

Assessment

There are a great number of new words in this unit, and it is important that you remember as many as possible during the course of the semester. Participation at the laboratory sessions is compulsory and assessed. To enable you to gauge your progress and whether your learning strategies are appropriate there is a quiz/test in the middle of the semester as well as on line quizzes with each lecture topic (located on Blackboard under weekly lecture material). You should aim to test your understanding by working through those on line quizzes. Progressive assessment is also in the form of weekly compulsory quizzes on Blackboard, available for about five days only and posted under assessment, which you should attempt individually and with the aid of your notes and books.Feedback is provided on the 'in class' exercises at the next laboratory session. For the Blackboard exercises you are provided with feedback at the time you complete the exercise. You will have the opportunity to be given personalised feedback on the progress quiz during your practical time or at another time. You are welcome to contact any member of the LSB111 team for feedback.

Assessment name: Quiz/Test
Description: Progressive test: 1 hour to 1.5 hours duration, on topics from first few weeks (generally 1-6). Multiple choice questions, or a combination of multiple-choice and short essay questions. (Formative and Summative).
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 5.
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: See Blackboard Site

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: End-semester examination. During central examination period, divided approximately as 90% on material not examined in mid semester exam + 10% on material from mid semester exam. Multiple choice or a combination of two or more of multiple-choice, matching, labelling and short essay questions. (Summative).
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: Participation/exercise during practical sessions. Answers to group work submitted at the end of the session, and answers to questions on Blackboard (usually due by the end of the following week). Please note that the material covered in practicals is also examined in the written tests. (Formative and Summative). Group work in the lab; individual work for Blackboard tests.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Ongoing

Assessment name: Discussion Forum
Description: Blackboard exercises and discussions. All lectures have practice questions on Blackboard. Exercises may be posted on Blackboard for students to complete on line; there will be a discussion forum with topics on the diseases of Public Health importance. Essentially formative. Frequently asked questions section will have both administrative and content related answers to your queries.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Available all sem.

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:

1. Cohan BJ, Memmler's Human Body in Health and Disease, current edition, Lipincott, Williams & Wilkins.

References:

2. Cohen BJ & Hull KL, Study Guide for Memmler's the Human Body in Health and Disease
The study guide is also offred as a package with the textbook.

3. Thibodeau GA & Patton KT, Anatomy and Physiology, current edition, Elsevier
(Note: the 6th edition of this text allows you to download the text onto your computer. More detailed than the recommended text, can be used as an alternative text for this unit.)

4. Herlihy B & Maebius N, The Human Body in Health and Illness, current edition, Saunders

5. Govan ADT, Macfarlane PS & Callander R, Pathology Illustrated, current edition, Churchill Livingstone

6. Rubin E, Essential Pathology, current edition Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins

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. You will be provided with the latest edition of a comprehensive safety booklet pertinent to life sciences laboratories and specifically to this unit, and you will be required to adhere to the safety procedures detailed in it. You are referred to the university's health and safety web site http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/index.jsp for further information. If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the lecturer in charge of the unit, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.

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