Single-unit study
You can study individual units for personal or professional development without having to apply for a full QUT course.
If you successfully complete a unit, you may be eligible for credit if you decide to apply for a degree course in the future.
Units anyone can study
These units don’t have any requirements for previous study or background knowledge.
But if your previous studies were not in English, or were completed in a country where English is not the first language, you will need to demonstrate that you meet our English proficiency requirements when you apply.
Health
Biomedical sciences
LQB180 Foundations of Biochemistry
As part of your foundational level studies and training in disciplines related to biomedical and health sciences, you need to develop knowledge and comprehension of biochemistry in order to describe and explain the biomolecular composition of cells that constitute living systems, such as the human body, the structural nature of biomolecules, and the functions of biomolecules in essential life processes.
LQB182 Cell and Molecular Biology
Cell and molecular biology is an exciting, rapidly evolving, and major field in biomedical disciplines and this unit will expose you to modern examples of applications of cell and molecular biology in medical and research settings. There will be an emphasis on the development of practical skills and knowledge that will support your learning of fundamental concepts. A basic understanding of cell and molecular biology is required for further study in many areas, including the study of clinical sciences, biochemistry, and human physiology. Importantly, this unit will provide you with a strong foundation of knowledge regarding cells, their structures and functions that is applicable to many professional disciplines, including pharmacy, podiatry, optometry, nutrition and dietetics, business, law, humanities, and creative industries.
LQB184 Introduction to Biomedical Science
This introductory unit will provide the foundational knowledge and skills required to equip students for further studies in biomedical sciences. The unit aims to develop an understanding of the importance of biomedical science and an appreciation of career opportunities for biomedical scientists. You will also obtain insight into the importance of academic integrity and ethics (as these relate to biomedical science) and commence your development of key academic competencies such as learning skills, scientitific literacy and scientific communication. This unit will also provide you with an overview of cultural diversity as well as an introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, experiences and perspectives.
LQB186 Human Cell & Molecular Biology
Human cell and molecular biology is a rapidly evolving field in biomedical research and this unit will introduce you to the basic principles underpinning cell biology, molecular biology and genetics. There will be an emphasis on the development of skills that are required by all biomedical scientists. A basic understanding of cell and molecular biology is required for further study in many areas, including the study of biochemistry, microbiology, anatomical sciences and physiology and this unit with provide you with a strong foundation for further study in cell biology, molecular biology and genetics.
LQB187 Human Anatomy
Anatomy, derived from the Greek language and translated literally to mean ‘to cut up’, is the science of morphology or structure of an organism and its various parts. Study of human systematic anatomy requires the identification and description of biological structures of the human body through an investigation of functional organ systems, such as the cardiovascular, nervous, digestive and skeletal systems. This unit will introduce anatomy as a language enabling health professionals, scientists and engineers to effectively communicate with each other through the application of appropriate anatomical terminology to a range of audiences. This introductory unit provides appropriate foundational knowledge and practical skills in anatomy for students enrolled in health, science or engineering courses through the investigation of organ structure using macroscopic and microscopic anatomy. It is an essential prerequisite for further study in anatomical sciences and health.
LQB301 Medical Microbiology and Infection Control
Infectious agents continue to be an important cause of human morbidity and mortality in the healthcare system, while also posing an occupational risk for healthcare professionals. In your clinical practice as a healthcare professional, a broad knowledge and understanding of infectious diseases is fundamental to developing strategies to reduce the risk of transmission and infection-associated sequelae in the community and in healthcare facilities through prevention, control and treatment of infectious diseases. This introductory unit provides you with foundational knowledge on the range of infectious agents affecting human health and disease, alongside the methods used to limit the growth and transmission of microbial pathogens. This foundational knowledge underpins the practical experience you will gain in dealing with infectious agents in your subsequent clinical practice units of your degree.
LQN101 Disease Pathogenesis
Genomic scientists and clinicians working in genomics need to understand aberrations at a chromosomal and molecular level, in addition to the consequences of such aberrations, particularly as they pertain to disorders commonly seen in genetic clinics and laboratories. Clinicians and scientists need to be knowledgeable about genomic disease mechanisms in order to work in the field.
LQN103 Genetic Technologies
Genomic scientists need to understand key molecular technologies which can be applied for clinical or research purposes. Scientists also need to be knowledgeable about how to interpret these results in order to communicate them to colleagues and referring physicians. Clinicians requesting and/or interpreting genetic test results for their patients need to be familiar with these concepts.
LQN203 Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Genetics and Genomics
This unique interdisciplinary unit is specifically designed for students to gain in-depth perspectives of the ethical implications of genetics and genomics. In this unit, you will explore the ethical, legal, and social implications surrounding the practice of clinical genetics, medical testing, and scientific research. By examining these crucial issues, you will gain valuable insights into the complexities that govern the field and understand how you can contribute to shaping responsible and equitable practices in genetics.
LSB111 Understanding Disease Concepts
This unit reinforces fundamental assumed knowledge of anatomy and physiology and introduces the study of human disease processes or pathophysiology. General concepts underlying human diseases as well as disorders relating to organ systems will be studied and the major diseases affecting Australians, in particular those identified as contributing significantly to disability and death in Australia by the National Health Priority Areas, will be addressed. The ability to understand and interpret the pathophysiology underpinning clinical contexts and to communicate this information using appropriate medical terminology are essential requirements for all students undertaking allied health courses and prepares them for professional practice.
LSB142 Human Anatomy and Physiology
A strong background in human body structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) is essential for students in professional health courses. In this introductory unit you will be provided with opportunities to investigate both theoretical and practical aspects of gross, systematic and microscopic anatomy. You will also review general physiological principles such as homeostasis and investigate how all the organ systems of the body contribute to it. Knowledge and practical skills acquired in this foundational unit will allow you to engage with more advanced studies in regional anatomy, pathophysiology and imaging diagnostics.
LSB231 Physiology
A strong foundation in physiology is essential for all allied health professionals and biomedical and exercise scientists. Human physiology is the study of the function of the human body and how it adapts to changes in the internal and external environment and exercise. In this first year foundational unit you will be introduced to the principles of physiology, the major physiological systems and how they relate to each other. This requires an understanding of the endocrine and neurological control systems. You will gain skills in physiological measurement, data analysis and interpretation and an introduction to clinical physiology skills.
Exercise and nutrition sciences
XNB151 Food and Nutrition
Nutrition forms the focus of many health initiatives. Reducing the burden of poor nutrition has the potential to produce major change in the health status of Australians. This introductory unit provides you with foundation skills and knowledge of food and nutrition systems, food constituents, energy balance, changing nutritional requirements throughout the life course, and the application of dietary assessment methodologies and food selection guides to maintain and improve health at the individual and population level. In this unit you will develop your skills to critique common food fads and myths in nutrition, as well as introductory skills in reflection and foundations for inter-professional practice. The skills in searching and appraising scientific literature, which are introduced in this unit, are critical to establishing your academic writing and research literacy skills to the expected tertiary level.
XNB173 Foundational Practice in Exercise Science
This introductory unit explores the scope of practice of an exercise scientist, sports scientist and clinical exercise physiologist and how these relate to other professions. It also introduces the professional skill competencies essential to practice. You will envision potential career pathways, develop the skills and competencies required for practice and begin to develop essential communication skills for both academic and professional context. This unit also explores how research informs evidence based practice. The foundation understanding and basic skill development will provide the basis for learning more advanced knowledge and competencies as the course progresses.
XNB174 Principles of Coaching and Instructional Practice
This introductory unit provides foundation skills and knowledge in coaching, instructing, and skill acquisition that can be used when designing and delivering learning environments for individuals and groups. The capability to design and implement learning opportunities using appropriate verbal information and activity design concepts is a key competency in the sport and exercise science domains. Discipline studies in subsequent units aim to expand further your knowledge and understanding of skill acquisition principles and how those principles can be applied in real-world settings.
XNB175 Exercise and Sport Psychology
As you move towards being an exercise and health professional it is essential to appreciate the impact people's psychology can have on their well-being and ability to regularly engage in physical activity, exercise, or sport. This unit introduces you to a range of theories and models of exercise and sport behaviour, and psychological factors that influence participation in physical activity, exercise and sport. It also examines the relationship between physical activity, exercise and sport and psychological wellbeing, and provides you with basic knowledge and skills for helping increase people's physical activity, exercise and sport levels. This unit prepares you for and complements study to be undertaken in XNB375 Applied Exercise and Sport Psychology.
XNB177 Sport and Exercise Across the Lifespan
This introductory unit which focuses on the impact of development and aging on exercise and sport participation across the lifespan, beginning with childhood and continuing with each major life stage through to old age. You will explore the factors influencing growth, development of fundamental motor development, influence of growth and development on exercise participation, the contribution of exercise to health, bone health, body composition and the importance of exercise for healthy aging.
XNB390 Teaching Primary Health and Physical Education
This unit introduces the primary Health and Physical Education key learning area in the Australian Curriculum. This unit explores connections between physical activity and health and how physical activity contributes to the the developmental needs of primary-aged children. Additionally, the unit will provide opportunities to build the skills and knowledge required to plan and deliver safe learning in an open environment.
Health
HLN004 Chronic Conditions Prevention and Management
The prevalence of chronic conditions and the range of factors contributing to their development are increasing and placing demands on communities and health care systems worldwide. Major chronic conditions will be considered within a continuum of care with a particular emphasis on primary health care and the prevention, rehabilitation and management of chronic conditions in the Australian and International contexts. You will examine and critique a range of current policies, frameworks, strategies and approaches to the prevention and management of chronic conditions and then contextualise and apply these findings to your particular area of practice or interest.
Nursing
NSB102 Professional Practice and Cultural Safety
As healthcare providers, nurses need knowledge, skills, and attributes to implement culturally safe, person-centred, inclusive care for people from all backgrounds across the lifespan. To meet regulatory requirements, ethical, professional, and quality standards, this foundational unit introduces cultural safety as a model underpinning professional nursing practice. Knowledge of the impact of our own cultures and those of professions and systems is essential to provide inclusive nursing care that is respectful and compassionate, free of racism, stigma, and other forms of discrimination across all practice settings. This unit introduces social determinants of health that underpin cultural safety, societal responses to diversity and the impacts of these responses on health. The significance of nurses providing culturally safe care that improves peoples' health outcomes is emphasized throughout the unit.
NSB202 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' Well-being
An understanding of the social determinants of health and the impact of historical and contemporary policy and practice influencing the health and well-being of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders is essential to providing optimal health care. This unit privileges cultural safety as the preferred model to contemporary health care delivery in Australia. It promotes the position of the contemporary health practitioner as a fundamental member of the partnership with the health care recipient, and thus is necessary to enhancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and well-being. Cultural safety also makes conspicuous manifestations of racism which impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and well-being. Importantly, a culturally safe approach values the pivotal role of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples' self-determination in leading health care advances associated with their own care.
Psychology and counselling
PYB007 Communication for Health Professionals
Effective communication is widely considered to be a key component of health care practice in the real world. In this multidisciplinary and highly practical unit, you will work with other learners from different health disciplines to have the opportunity to develop the core communication skills identified by the industry as essential for ethical, culturally safe and intentional practice. A major focus of PYB007 will be the development of interpersonal communication skills which you will practice in a safe and supportive environment. In addition to face-to-face practice, you will develop and practice skills specifically for online communication in recognition of the changing face of healthcare. These skills will support you to build effective relationships with clients and colleagues, facilitate important conversations and meetings, resolve conflict and provide feedback, all in a culturally safe manner.
PYB100 Foundation Psychology
Psychology is a broad-ranging and multifaceted discipline which encompasses the scientific study of human behaviour, and the systematic application of knowledge gained from psychological research to a broad range of applied issues. The goal of this foundational unit is to introduce you to major subfields and perspectives in psychology, to develop your understanding of the research methods used in psychological research and to develop your critical thinking skills. This unit provides a strong basis for future learning in the discipline. Topics covered in PYB100 will include child and adult development, social psychology, and an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems. We will consider Indigenous and diverse cultural perspectives, ethical issues in psychological research, and how psychological perspectives can help us understand and address real world issues. This unit will help you develop your database searching and written communication skills.
PYB110 Psychological Research Methods
Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and cognition. This unit is designed to introduce students to the scientific method of research in psychology, research design, and data analysis. The unit covers elementary research design, operationalisation of variables, descriptive statistics, correlation, hypothesis testing using statistical tests such as t-tests, and qualitative research methods. By learning these research methods, students are expected to start developing a data-driven, evidence-based perspective on psychological issues.
Units you need background knowledge to study
These units have requirements for previous study or background knowledge. Check the unit’s previous study requirements for details. If you have any questions, contact the unit coordinator for the semester you want to study.
If your previous studies were not in English, or were completed in a country where English is not the first language, you will also need to demonstrate that you meet our English proficiency requirements when you apply.
Health
Biomedical sciences
LQB181 Introduction to Medical Laboratory Science
Medical laboratory scientists work in clinical diagnostic pathology, performing laboratory based tests on tissue(s) or bodily fluids e.g. tissue biopsies, blood or urine. These assist medical practitioners and allied healthcare workers in the diagnosis of disease, management of patient care and ongoing research into disease. Up to 70% of medical treatments are based on a pathology diagnosis. This first year unit introduces you to the profession of medical laboratory science, the clinical practice of diagnostic pathology and your LS47 course. In a case-study scenario, you will learn and apply laboratory skills required to practice in clinical pathology. You will also be introduced to personal and academic support resources to support transition into first year and the rest of your course at QUT, and academic skills including information literacy and digital technologies.
LQB185 Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals
This introductory unit explores the structure (anatomy) and functions (physiology) of the human body, by providing students with opportunities to investigate the major organ systems necessary for life. A focus on medical language development will underpin the learning in this unit, where students will develop the ability to effectively communicate anatomy and physiology concepts in health care environments. This first-year unit provides the foundational knowledge of organ function in health to prepare students for more advanced units, such as LQB285 Pathophysiology for Health Professionals, which covers the processes of diseases relevant to the Australian National Health Priority Areas and students' development as health professionals.
LQB280 Genes, Genomes and Genetics
Molecular genetics underpins the diagnostics and treatment of many inherited and acquired diseases. Central to the approaches currently being applied to understand complex life processes is the ability to interrogate and interpret the molecular genetic information stored in DNA, RNA or protein (i.e., bioinformatics and genomics). Such information not only underpins our identification and understanding of the particular disease state but also points to potential options for treatment. Higher-level studies in the life sciences, and specifically the health-related sciences, require an understanding of these basic theoretical and practical concepts and approaches to interrogating the genomes of humans and other organisms.
LQB285 Pathophysiology for Health Professionals
This unit will introduce students to pathophysiology (study of disease processes), and will address the predominant disorders affecting Australians across the lifespan, particularly those identified by the National Health Priority Areas as contributing significantly to disability and death in Australia. This unit will build on foundational knowledge of the normal structure and function of the human body developed in Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals (LQB185). An understanding of diseases gained within this unit will prepare students for subsequent health assessment and nursing practice within the Integrated Nursing Practice units.
LQB286 Quantitative Skills for Health Scientists
Quantitative Skills for Health Scientists develops key numerical literacy, practical and quantitative skills which are required for practicing biomedical and/or medical laboratory scientists. The unit provides opportunities to apply these skills through collaborative work, development of teamwork skills, effective interpersonal skills and scientific communication. This unit is designed to expand students' knowledge of important skills and competencies, including studies in quantitative data analysis and biostatistics that provide a strong foundation for continuing studies in the broad range of biomedical disciplines and related health areas.
LQB362 Fundamentals of Microbiology
Medical microbiology involves research into human infectious diseases from multiple viewpoints including: spectrum of disease, diagnosis, aetiology, treatment, prevention, control and epidemiology. An integral part of the practice of medical microbiology is the laboratory processing of specimens derived from patients with infectious diseases, with a focus in this unit on bacterial, fungal and parasitic species. Ultimately, you will need to have both a comprehensive and in-depth knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts in infectious disease microbiology and be able to apply that knowledge and understanding safely, competently and skilfully in a PC2 diagnostic laboratory context.
LQB381 Biochemistry
The study of biochemistry provides knowledge to fully appreciate the structure and function of biological macromolecules and their roles within living cells. You will learn how the activity of macromolecules impact the function and metabolism of the cells and tissues of the human body and how these may impact health and disease. This unit builds on the chemistry and biology elements of first year units and prepares you with a broad foundational knowledge for the study of biochemistry and allied disciplines of biomedical and health sciences.
LQB382 Developmental Anatomy and Tissue Adaptation
The human body is very responsive to its environment, both in terms of genetic cues during embryological development and hormonal and mechanical signals during post-natal ageing. This unit will explore a number of key embryological processes where tissue patterning results in the formation of the nervous, muscular, skeletal and cardiovascular organ systems, and provides the foundational understanding of the mechanisms responsible for anatomical variation in the human body. Furthermore the ability of tissues to adapt to their environment will be discussed by building understanding of tissue biomechanics and the effects of trauma and ageing on the human body; where you will have the opportunity to design, implement and analyse experimental data in a bone strength research project. This developmental unit builds on foundational knowledge gained in first year anatomy and provides keystone knowledge and skills to advance into further units in Anatomical Sciences.
LQB385 Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics
The human genome shapes who we are. In this unit, we will learn how, why, when and where genes are expressed. We will also learn about the importance of regions in our genome that do not encode genes and what the consequences are of genetic variation and mutations, which may cause genetic diseases. An important part of the unit is the hands-on development of molecular biology skills in the laboratory and bioinformatics skills on the computer. We will extract, amplify, sequence and clone DNA. We will also use the Nobel prize-winning technology CRISPR, a gene-editing tool that has shown early successes in the treatment of patients by correcting genetic defects. Finally, we will use bioinformatics approaches to analyse DNA, RNA and amino acid sequences, including in the context of disease, and learn data analytics approaches, which are invaluable in the current era of big data and precision medicine.
LQB387 Clinical Immunology
Many aspects of human health and illness rely on the interaction of the components of the immune system. The principles of some of these interactions are also used in the laboratory for the diagnosis of disease or physiological states, including for infectious and non-infectious presentations. In order for you to work effectively and with confidence as a medical laboratory scientist it is essential you have knowledge relating to the immune system and application of fundamental and investigative immunological procedures. This unit is positioned in the introductory to developmental phase of LS47 and assumes knowledge from LQB292. This unit also provides you with inter-related critical foundation knowledge and practical skills for subsequent clinical units in LS47 including clinical microbiology, biochemistry, haematology, transfusion and transplantation science, and Work Integrated Learning Internship.
LQB388 Medical Physiology 1
An appreciation of how the human body works is an important prerequisite to understanding the basis of health, disease, diagnostic technologies and treatment strategies. This unit deals specifically with the physiological systems that are responsible for the maintenance of health in humans. It therefore provides a useful frame of reference for students enrolled in biomedical science, nutrition science, nutrition and dietetics, exercise science, medical engineering or any of the biological sciences. In the course of the semester you will investigate half the systems that constitute the human body with the remainder dealt with in the second semester unit Medical Physiology 2 (LQB488).
LQB389 Regional and Sectional Anatomy for Radiation Therapy
A detailed knowledge and understanding of regional and cross-sectional anatomy is a basic requirement for radiation therapists working in clinical and diagnostic settings to excel in their performance in radiotherapeutic procedures. This unit provides theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the identification and description of biological structures in the anatomical regions of the human body. These regions include the head, neck, back, thorax, abdomen, pelvis and perineum, with a focus on the lymphatic system.
LQB390 Regional and Sectional Anatomy for Medical Imaging
A detailed knowledge and understanding of regional and cross-sectional anatomy is a basic requirement for diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers to excel in their performance in imaging procedures. This unit provides theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the identification and description of biological structures in the anatomical regions of the human body. These regions include the head, neck, back, thorax, abdomen, pelvis and perineum, and the upper and lower limbs.
LQB404 Clinical Physiology Professional skills
Clinical physiologists work in private practice and hospitals to perform a range of clinical tests to inform the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of patients. Clinical physiologists work as members of multidisciplinary teams to gain competencies in cardiac, sleep, neurosciences and respiratory science. To work in the profession, students must gain a number of employment competencies, which are now recognised and required by professional bodies. Clinical physiologists work in teams, communicate with patients and staff, must understand cultural issues and sensitivities, privacy and confidentiality and infection control. Practical competencies developed include how to work with patients to apply techniques commonly used in cardiac sciences, neuroscience, respiratory science and sleep science. Students also require a basic understanding of imaging, including echocardiography, and the pharmacology of commonly used drugs.
LQB450 Foundations of Pharmacology
An understanding of how medicines work forms the basis of recognising clinical effects and adverse reactions. All members of the community have a responsibility in understanding drug action as consumers and health professionals. The work of health professionals is variable but may include communicating with consumers about their medicines, monitoring subjects, accurately reading and interpreting medical charts, checking doses, administering medicines, and monitoring for effects such as adverse drug reactions. They need confidence in these areas in order to have discussions with their patients and other health professionals, especially prescribers. This unit provides the principles of pharmacology which will prepare you for your role as a health care professional, medical scientist and/or consumer in administering and monitoring medicine use to improve health outcomes for Australians in accord with quality use of medicines.
LQB462 Microbial Diagnostics
Medical microbiologists investigate microorganisms, those found within a human host as normal regional flora and those that cause human infectious diseases. This unit will introduce you to the diversity of microorganisms, the spectrum of infectious disease states, methods for the detection and identification of aetiological agents, and directed and supportive therapies for treating infections. In this unit you will develop expertise in the laboratory techniques applied in the diagnostic microbiology laboratory, the ability to interpret the significance of diagnostic testing results, and to communicate these results and your recommendations to medical professionals. This unit is positioned in the developmental phase of your course and assumes proficiency in the laboratory skills and theoretical learning from first and second year in LQB181, LQB292 and LQB362. Combined with LQB562 in third year, LQB462 will prepare you for employment in a diagnostic microbiology laboratory.
LQB481 Biochemical Pathways and Metabolism
The study of biochemistry, along with cell and molecular biology, provides you with the knowledge required for an effective understanding of the structure and function of living organisms at the molecular level. This unit advances the studies begun in LQB381 Biochemistry and further develops your knowledge and understanding of biochemical and molecular studies into metabolic pathways and processes occurring in living cells with a focus on human metabolism in health and disease. This unit provides you with a knowledge base and skills for advanced studies in biochemistry, as well as support for higher level units in life science and allied health courses.
LQB482 Anatomical Imaging
In order to recognise human pathology in a clinical setting, an understanding of the anatomical presentation of organs in health is essential. This unit focuses on the acquisition and application of knowledge of the organ systems of the thorax, abdomen, head and select regions of the limbs to a medical imaging context. Imaging modalities in plain and contrast radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging will be explored to understand the context of their application in the clinical setting. Furthermore an understanding of phenotypic patterns of anatomical variation will be examined through case studies and exploration of human donor material, where you will further develop effective teamwork and self-management skills, essential attributes of clinicians and biomedical scientists. This unit will build on your knowledge gained in first level anatomy and provide relevant knowledge and skills for more advanced studies in Anatomical Sciences.
LQB485 Cell Biology
Understanding the role of cells and how their cellular components are fundamental to a healthy life is crucial for your understanding of how they become disregulated in disease and how individual components might be targeted to treat diseases. This unit builds on your knowledge of cellular components to examine how these come together structurally and functionally to build cells and tissues that function as part of a whole organism capable of surviving and protecting itself from disease and trauma. It will provide a platform for students undertaking the final year cell and molecular biotechnology units. This unit will provide hands on laboratory experience working with cells and will enhance skills in assessing, summarising and placing biomedical research in the context of health and disease.
LQB488 Medical Physiology 2
An appreciation of how the human body works is an important prerequisite to understanding the basis of health, disease, diagnostic technologies and treatment strategies. This unit deals specifically with the physiological systems that are responsible for the maintenance of health in humans. It therefore provides a useful frame of reference for students enrolled in biomedical science, nutrition and dietetics, exercise science, medical engineering or any of the biological sciences. In the course of the semester you will investigate half the systems that constitute the human body with the remainder dealt with in the first semester unit Medical Physiology 1 (LQB388).
LQB490 Cytogenetic and Molecular Pathology
Skills in cytogenetics and molecular biology are now widely used across all of the pathology disciplines. These two specialties represent one of the fastest growing test request areas in diagnostic laboratory medicine, with demand increasing nearly 200% over the last five years. Through alignment of theoretical concepts and practical skills, this lab-based unit expands on the themes introduced in your earlier cellular, molecular, genetic and bioinformatic studies to introduce the knowledge and practical skills used routinely in modern pathology genetic testing. You will apply your learning and skills from this unit in your third year clinical units.
LQB494 Viruses and Viral Pathogenesis
This unit is designed for students in biomedical sciences, to provide a strong grounding in the field of virology and to expand on the fundamental mechanisms and processes that underpin the pathogenic potential of select viruses. This unit is a core unit in the infection and immunity strand, building on concepts introduced in Principles of Infection and Immunity (LQB292). LQB494 continues the study of the virus-host interactions with a focus on microbe-specific factors that underlie infectious disease progression, knowledge necessary for further studies of more advanced molecular virology analyses. You will develop a strong, fundamental knowledge of virology and industry-relevant skills, using cutting-edge technology in laboratory classes, to prepare you for a career in biomedical research, medical biotechnology and postgraduate studies in biomedical science.
LQB508 Pathophysiology
LQB508 Pathophysiology is an advanced unit that will build upon your existing knowledge of disease processes and practical skills gained in LSB258, LQB388 and LQB488. This unit will give you an in-depth understanding of the pathophysiology of a wide range of diseases/disorders with particular emphasis conditions identified as areas of national health priority by the Australian National Medical Health and Research Council (NHMRC) such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and metabolic syndromes. The lecture content is complemented by case study workshops. The practical component will assist you in developing the technical and analytical skills required to investigate the pathophysiology of disease processes crucial in both research and industry settings. Critical evaluation and communication, both written and oral, of complex pathophysiological research data is also a key component of this unit.
LQB562 Advanced Microbial Diagnostics
An integral part of the practice of diagnostic microbiology is the laboratory processing of clinical specimens derived from patients with infectious diseases. Ultimately you will need to have a comprehensive and in-depth knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts in infectious disease microbiology and be able to apply that knowledge and understanding safely, competently and skillfully in a PC2 diagnostic laboratory context.LQB562 is part of a structured progression from your earlier LS47 units, including: LQB181 Introduction to Medical Laboratory Science, LQB292 Principles of Infection & Immunity, LQB362 Fundamentals of Microbiology and LQB462 Microbial Diagnostics. The LS47 medical microbiology stream as outlined above was specifically developed to ensure a stepwise and coherent learning pathway in your training to become a professionally-accredited medical laboratory scientist with expertise in diagnostic microbiology.
LQB570 Forensic Anatomy
A strong foundation in human anatomy, particularly human osteology, is essential for the identification and interpretation of human remains as required by the Coronial system. This unit focuses on building advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in the interpretation of a biological profile of unknown human skeletal remains. A biological profile includes the estimation of sex, ancestry, age and stature of unknown remains that assists towards potential matches in the missing persons database. This unit will also investigate crime scene examination techniques, human skeletal variability and taphonomy; and current research and applications within forensic anthropology. The unit culminates in the presentation of evidence in a moot court based on a semester long missing person case.
LQB571 Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the study of the structure and function of the nervous system and has the ultimate aim of understanding the neural basis of normal behaviour as well as the changes that are responsible for the debilitating consequences of nervous system disorders. In this unit you will explore a number of contemporary neuroscience topics including functional brain imaging, neural repair and regeneration, neuronal stem cells, memory and neurological disorders. This unit will utilise human cadaveric prosections and tissue obtained from euthanased animals. This unit is positioned in the advanced phase of the course and builds on knowledge of the physiology of the nervous system in Medical Physiology 1 (LQB388) and regional and imaging anatomy of the nervous system gained in Anatomical Imaging (LQB482).This unit will provide a strong foundation for entry into neurobiology research or clinical fields.
LQB581 Biomolecular Control Systems
This unit extends the principles of enzyme structure and function, and metabolic regulation, using several model systems. It develops an advanced understanding of basic theoretical and practical aspects of metabolic systems and biomolecular signalling pathways, and the integration and regulation of cellular responses to external stimuli. Through coverage of these principles you will further develop your knowledge, practical expertise and research skills in preparation for pursuing career opportunities relating to biochemistry or allied professions in biomedical science.
LQB582 Biomedical Research Technologies
This unit further develops the theoretical technological background and practical training you will need to work in a research and development-based career in biochemistry and biotechnology environment. It is designed to provide you with an understanding of the methodologies and applications of protein- and enzyme-based analytical technologies with emphases on biomedical research, and the diagnosis and treatment of disease. This unit is an advanced level final year component of your course and complements the study of nucleic acid-based research and diagnostic technologies studied elsewhere in the course. Earlier studies in biochemistry and metabolism in your course form the foundation conceptual knowledge bases for the study of this unit.
LQB583 Molecular Systems Biology
Over the past decade, technological advances have transformed research capabilities to the point where multiple biomolecular targets, such as genes, proteins or metabolites, within a single system can be investigated simultaneously. Systems biology involves the study of a complex system through multiple biomolecular perspectives to determine molecular relationships and functions across a biological system of interest. Resulting data is often interrogated using advanced bioinformatics to determine how networks of molecules relate to specific phenotypes. Importantly, such approaches are becoming increasingly prevalent in the laboratories of most leading research institutions globally. Thus, the skills necessary to extract meaningful biological information using omics approaches are highly sought after. This unit will provide you with a strong overview of various omics approaches and expose you to advanced bioinformatics tools for solving complex biological problems.
LQB594 Microbial Genomics and Immunity
In the post-genomics era, the emphasis in molecular microbiology is shifting from the acquisition of new genome sequence information to how to use this information to understand the biology and pathogenesis of microorganisms. As a part of your biomedical science training, exploration of the essential pathways and mechanisms for microbial growth, survival and pathogenesis will equip you with skills that can be utilised in clinical microbiology, allied health courses, clinical practice and/or research later on in your career or postgraduate studies and to take advantage of the opportunities that will exist in this post-genomics age.
LQB595 Regenerative Medicine
This advanced unit provides you with the necessary skills to understand and apply theories of regenerative medicine and cellular engineering to investigate complex cellular behaviour; and investigate how these behaviours can be manipulated to promote human health. You will have the opportunity to develop critical technical skills in this unit relevant to future work in research laboratories. This unit builds on the knowledge and skills developed in LQB485 Cell Biology and provides the necessary platform to advance to more advanced studies in Cell and Molecular Biotechnology.
LQB596 Immunology and Immune Dysfunction
Our immune system has evolved to discriminate between self and non-self in order to protect against microbial infection and disease. While this discrimination is highly regulated, immune dysfunction can disrupt the balance between protection and uncontrolled inflammation leading to long-term and sometimes devastating chronic immune disease. This unit will develop a deeper understanding of immune regulation theory which is further applied to clinical immune dysfunction case studies. Further knowledge of immune pathway dysregulation in clinical disease is essential not only for understanding disease pathogenesis but also for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
LQB600 Pharmacology
An appreciation of pharmacology and how drugs interact with physiological systems is important for biomedical scientists. This unit will extend your understanding of systems physiology/pathophysiology gained in Medical Physiology 1 (LQB388) and Medical Physiology 2 (LQB488) and help you understand the principles behind the use of medicines as well as the rationale for the development of new drugs. There will be an emphasis on learning about the major mechanisms of drug action. This unit will focus on common diseases and a number of body systems, including the peripheral and central nervous systems, cardiovascular system, respiratory system and endocrine system. This unit will prepare you for working in the field of clinical physiology, or for further studies in allied health, or medicine, and provide an understanding of the physiological basis of pharmacology for students interested in undertaking research in this exciting field.
LQB601 Cancer Biology
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and research into its treatment and prevention has significantly improved cancer mortality rates. This unit will build upon knowledge and skills acquired from Cell and Molecular Biology (LQB182); Human Health and Disease Concepts (LQB281), Cell Biology (LQB485), and other Biomedical Science units to specifically inform the study of cancer biology and the implementation of technologies employed to investigate this complex group of diseases. This unit has a substantial practical focus and will prepare students for further study in medical or biomedical fields, or for biomedical research. Cancer is a major research priority at QUT and this unit will provide a strong foundation for undertaking Higher Degree Research in this field. The unit will also deliver a hands-on experience in cancer research laboratory techniques that will ably equip cell and molecular biology students intending to enter the workforce following graduation.
LQB608 Extreme Physiology
This unit is designed for students undertaking the human physiology major in the Bachelor of Biomedical Science. You will integrate and apply knowledge obtained from Medical Physiology 1 (LQB388) and Medical Physiology 2 (LQB488) to study a number of advanced topics in physiology. In addition you will develop your ability to discuss, interpret and critically analyse important scientific issues. By successfully completing this unit you will be able to demonstrate a range of important skills including critical thinking, team work, planning, scientific writing, time-management, problem-solving and organisation skills. This unit has a very strong practical focus and you will investigate physiological problems independently and as a member of a team. These skills will prepare you for postgraduate study (such as the Bachelor of Biomedical Science - Honours), to work in biomedical research or for a career in clinical physiology.
LQB670 Anatomical Dissection
The ability to navigate the human body and its composite tissues is strengthened through the dissection of human donor bodies. This unit focuses on developing anatomical dissection skills at the Medical Engineering Research Facility at Prince Charles Hospital campus on whole human donor bodies. In teams, through the synthesis of an anatomical prosection for teaching purposes your skills in communication, self-management, judgement and interpersonal relationships will be tested. The semester will conclude with an Anatomical Showcase, where peers and academics are invited to view your designs and critically evaluate your technical and communicative skills. This advanced unit forms the capstone for Study Area A Anatomical Sciences in the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences and provides ideal skills for those considering research careers utilising animal models and graduate destinations in Medicine and Allied Health.
LQB671 Histological Research Techniques
Biomedical research utilising animal and tissue models requires histological analysis as a key methodological process. The practical application and theoretical underpinnings of tissue histology is therefore an essential skill for all biomedical scientists. The purpose of this unit is to provide you with the knowledge and understanding of the application of histological techniques routinely used in research laboratories. This unit also provides an opportunity to develop practical skills in a range of histological techniques including tissue sectioning (microtomy), common histochemical stains and immunohistochemistry. The unit is positioned in the advanced phase of the course and builds upon the introductory tissue concepts covered in Human Systematic Anatomy (LQB183) and concepts of tissue adaptation in Developmental Anatomy & Tissue Adaptation (LQB382).
LQB681 Biomolecular Research Skills
While technical expertise is important for a successful career in biomedical science, high level interpersonal skills, such as effective communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and working effectively in a team are also valued highly by potential employers and research project leaders. This unit offers opportunities for you to independently design and work on a research project throughout the semester, which will assist you in developing both biomolecular research and interpersonal skills. This unit is a capstone biochemistry unit designed to prepare you as a prospective graduate for independent and team-based research.
LQB682 Biomolecular Design
This unit is designed to give you the essential concepts and techniques driving research and industrial biotechnology so that you will be equipped for multiple careers in the biological sciences. The skills you develop will allow you to enter a practical laboratory environment or to apply your knowledge in related areas of evaluations of technologies and intellectual property.
LQB683 Diagnostic Cytopathology
The goal of cytopathology is to predict the underlying histology of lesions using small samples obtained by minimally invasive methods. The results are used to direct patient management and often involve the integration of diagnostic tests you have developed and applied in earlier units, such as histology, immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology. This unit builds on the knowledge and practical skills you have gained in LSB466 and LSB566 to expand your practical/technical and diagnostic skills. This unit prepares you for employment in a diagnostic cytopathology laboratory and introduces the types of specimens reported, methods of processing applied and the cytological features used to diagnose tumours and benign conditions.
LQB684 Advances in Medical Biotechnology
This unit has a focus on learning by doing. Students design their own experimental methods, conduct research, collect data and analyze their results. Students focus their research project on one of the below research questions in personalized medicine; Bio-Organoids: A cellular based research project utilizing 2D and 3D tissue culture, Bio-organoid’s and cellular based assays including immunofluorescence. Genomic medicine: A dry-lab research project using GWAS to gain biological insight and tailor patient clinical management. This practical work is complemented by development of diagnostics and therapeutics for safe and effective clinical use. This advanced level unit will enable you to understand emerging treatments for health problems especially in remote Australia and Indigenous communities. You will further develop your scientific research and analytical skills and design innovative solutions for improving modern healthcare.
LQB693 Immunological Approaches for Research
Our immune system has evolved to discriminate between self and non-self in order to protect us against disease and to avoid autoimmune responses and disease. Understanding how our immune system works will allow an appreciation of the analyses, and their performance, required to monitor its function in health and disease. As one of the final units in the infection and immunity learning progression, this unit will collate the fundamental and advanced knowledge of immunology covered in the Biomedical Sciences' Infection and Immunity study area and illustrate the application of this knowledge and understanding by immunologists to recent real-world research focus areas. This approach will assist with your transition from university study into research career paths that understand and employ immunological research methods to investigate immunological study areas.
LQB694 Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Infectious diseases continue to be a major public health concern in Australia and globally. The emergence of drug-resistant bacteria and viruses that cause disease outbreaks and epidemics is a significant global health burden. Microbiologists play an essential role in the detection and management of infectious diseases; research into the pathogenesis and epidemiology of the microbial pathogens; and the development of new diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic technologies to prepare for disease outbreaks. You will apply your knowledge and understanding of infectious diseases to recent, real-world disease outbreak cases. This unit will also expose you to researchers and infectious disease experts from universities, hospitals, and government organisations that deal with infectious diseases on a daily basis and will provide you with insights into career opportunities in this field.
LQB785 Transition to Professional Practice in Medical Laboratory Science
This is one of the four units that constitute the work integrated learning component of your program. Recognising that your level of expertise is at the beginner practitioner level, this unit is designed to develop professional skills in critical reflection that help define you as a medical laboratory scientist and health care professional and set you on a pathway of continuing professional development. In conjunction with your work integrated learning internship, you will develop evidence based knowledge and implement reflective processes to improve the quality of your practice. These strategies and processes are necessary for your transition into the workplace.
LSB235 Anatomy of the Lower Limb
This is a foundational anatomy unit for clinical practice in Podiatry which requires a detailed understanding and knowledge of the systematic and regional anatomy of the lower limb. This unit introduces you to the theoretical and practical concepts of these two areas of anatomy. It builds on LQB187 human Anatomy and prepares you for your clinical studies.
LSB258 Principles of Human Physiology
Human physiology is the study of the normal function of the human body and a strong understanding of this discipline is important for all biomedical scientists. This first year foundation unit will introduce you to the principles underlying normal physiology as well as the major organ systems of the human body. This knowledge base will help provide an understanding of how the body maintains internal conditions within normal physiological limits and an understanding of how physiology can change during aging and disease processes. You will gain laboratory skills in physiological measurement and be able to interpret the data collected. This unit will provide you with a strong foundation for further studies in physiology, pharmacology, pathology and pathophysiology and will complement studies in anatomy, cell and molecular biology and biochemistry.
LSB365 Pathology
It is essential that students studying medical science have a substantive knowledge and skill set pertaining to pathology. Pathology is the study of disease processes from the cellular level to that of the whole organism. This is a third Semester unit planned for the developmental phase of your learning which builds on the introductory phase units LQB281, LSB250 and LSB255, which were designed to provide you with the core knowledge needed for your discipline specific studies such as cellular adaptation, inflammation, carcinogenesis, immune disorders and infectious disease. Understanding general and systematic pathology is essential for the application of knowledge to clinically relevant states and major diseases that you will study in later clinical units of this course.
LSB425 Quality and Analysis in Clinical Pathology
Quality and Analysis in Clinical Pathology develops previous work undertaken in MAB141 and LQB381, and builds towards work which will be undertaken in LSB525 Chemical Pathology. With an emphasis on the discipline of clinical biochemistry, this second year unit explores a range of analytical techniques and the quality assurance standards and practices in place in real world pathology laboratories. Assays must be performed with accuracy and precision, and data and results validated according to quality standards, and troubleshooting skills also developed. With emphasis on the knowledge, skills and values required for good laboratory practice, and a commitment to high quality results, this unit prepares you for the more complex procedures and automated technologies in the third year units and the clinical pathology workplace.
LSB466 Histological Techniques
Histological techniques are often essential for diagnosis and management of disease, and therefore constitute an important skill set for medical laboratory scientists. The purpose of this unit is to provide you with the opportunity to learn the theory underpinning basic histological techniques routinely used in clinical as well as research laboratories, and how they are applied and interpreted. From a whole of course perspective, the unit LSB466 Histological Techniques incorporates and builds upon your learning in LSB255 Foundations of Anatomy and Histology, and LSB365 Pathology, and prepares you for LSB566 Histopathology in the third year of your course.
LSB492 Microbiology
Optometrists require a strong knowledge base in microbiology for their professional practice and on which to base future studies within their discipline.A detailed knowledge of infectious agents, their structure, prevalence and pathogenicity will enable you to apply these concepts to infection control to prevent the transmission of disease and to understand the mode of action of antimicrobials. You will also study infectious agents that are aetiological agents of disease states of the eyes or of public health significance, and appropriate methods for the management and treatment of these disease states. Basic knowledge of biology and chemistry is assumed for this unit.
LSB525 Chemical Pathology
This unit is in the course to provide you with essential knowledge and practical skills to prepare you to work as a medical laboratory scientist. The unit is positioned in the developmental phase of the course and is preceded by LSB425, the study of quality and analysis in clinical pathology and is followed by LSB625 Diagnostic Endocrinology. The sequencing and content of these units will prepare you for work in both smaller multi-disciplinary laboratories performing a limited number of biochemical tests, as well as larger specialised laboratory performing in-depth studies in all aspects of chemical pathology.
LSB555 Principles and Practice of Clinical Haematology
Haematology is the study of blood. It investigates the causes and pathologies associated with blood cell dyscrasias and haemostatic abnormalities that lead to an increased risk of bleeding or thrombosis. For you to work with confidence in diagnostic haematology and meet future employer expectations. You will require knowledge of the most common conditions and scenarios encountered in haematology, along with the ability to recognise and interpret associated results and confirmatory tests. This unit is positioned in the developmental phase of LS47 and assumes knowledge and proficiency in the laboratory-based skills you have acquired and developed in your second-year units. Combined with LSB655 next semester, LSB555 will prepare you for future employment in a haematology and/or multidisciplinary pathology laboratory.
LSB566 Histopathology
Histopathology is an essential component of pathology and one of the major disciplines in clinical diagnostic pathology. This unit is positioned in the developmental phase of the course and builds upon your learning in LSB466. This unit is designed to provide you with theoretical knowledge and practical skills of advanced histological techniques used primarily in the clinical setting, but which may also have relevance to research applications. In contrast to preceding units, a greater emphasis will be placed on the theory and application of techniques required for disease diagnosis. This unit combined with your preceding unit LSB466 (Histological Techniques) prepares you for work in a diagnostic histopathology laboratory as a medical laboratory scientist.
LSB625 Diagnostic Endocrinology
Endocrinology is a specialised area of study in clinical biochemistry and investigates pathologies associated with the hormonal control mechanisms that regulate metabolism and growth within the body. This unit is in the course to provide you with essential scientific and technical skills to prepare you to work as a medical laboratory scientist. The unit is positioned in the developmental phase of the course and is preceded by LSB525, the study of chemical pathology. Combined, these units prepare you for employment in both smaller multi-disciplinary laboratories performing a limited number of biochemical tests, as well as larger specialised laboratories performing in-depth studies of all aspects of chemical pathology and endocrinology.
LSB655 Applied Clinical Haematology
Haematology is the study of blood and investigates non-malignant and malignant blood cell disorders, and abnormalities of the haemostatic system leading to an increased risk of bleeding or thrombosis. In order for you to work effectively and with confidence in a diagnostic haematology laboratory. It is essential you are able to identify and investigate the less frequently encountered disorders and complex malignancy cases. This unit is positioned in the developmental phase of the course and assumes knowledge and practical skills from LSB555.
LSB658 Clinical Physiology
Clinical Physiology (LSB658) is an advanced unit that will build upon your existing knowledge of disease processes gained in previous units. You will also utilise your accrued background knowledge gained throughout your course in anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and clinical practice to solve, and suggest treatment for, complex clinical cases.This unit will give you an in-depth understanding of the pathophysiology of a wide range of diseases/disorders with particular emphasis on disorders that are currently identified as areas of national health priority by the Australian National Medical Health and Research Council (NHMRC). The unit will further your skills in managing emergency situations by exposing you to new clinical scenarios with complex background pathophysiology, and assist you in developing new practical skills in clinical physiology instrumentation and data analysis.
LSB665 Transfusion and Transplantation Science
Medical scientists must be knowledgeable of transfusion and blood compatibility environment and competent in the laboratory procedures and practices required to provide a safe and reliable blood transfusion service. This involves immunohaematological knowledge, testing of blood samples for donors and patients, mainly in transfusion and pregnancy scenarios, and vigilance for quality outcomes. Transplantation science similarly involves compatibility assessment of donors and recipients, but for tissues other than blood. This unit is positioned in the late developmental phase of the course and requires that you have foundational knowledge in human immunology and haematology. This unit prepares you for employment in laboratories that participate in transfusion services, such as pathology/hospital bloodbanks.
Clinical sciences
CSB541 Professional Placement 1
This unit is a work integrated learning (WIL) unit in which you will complete clinical placements at external placement sites. Through exposure to podiatry practice in diverse community settings within the broader health care system, you must demonstrate the ability to effectively collaborate and communicate in a culturally appropriate, safe, and empathetic manner with other health care professionals and diverse patient groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Professional competency embodies the ability to apply critical thinking and reflective practice to manage issues and challenges and develop professional resilience. Through a process of continually reflecting on your professional experience, you will critically analyse and identify ongoing professional learning needs and opportunities, equipping you with the capacity for life-long learning. This is the first of two professional placement units, within the final year of the podiatry degree.
CSB542 Professional Placement 2
This unit is a work integrated learning (WIL) unit in which you will complete clinical placements at external placement sites. Professional Placement 2 will build upon and broaden your clinical experience through exposure to a variety of WIL environments, while consolidating knowledge and skills acquired across the course. An appreciation of social determinants of health, foot health needs in the community, and the professional role and responsibilities of podiatrists in the community will be explored. You will experience team work and collaboration with a range of health professionals in an interdisciplinary environment. This unit will develop your capacity for reflection and form the basis for lifelong learning in professional practice, while consolidating knowledge and skills acquired across the course. This final semester unit is designed to prepare you for entry into the workplace upon graduation as a registered health professional.
CSB549 Podiatric Medicine 6
This unit is a work integrated learning (WIL) unit in which you will complete clinical placements in the QUT Podiatry Clinic. In this final semester, you should demonstrate proficiency in integrating knowledge and skills obtained throughout the course, applying them in a supervised clinical setting. Your clinical decisions should be person centered, culturally responsive, and informed by ethical and legal frameworks and evidence-based medicine. National and international medical, orthopaedic, pharmacological and podiatric perspectives guide the design, implementation and evaluation of complex patient management plans. At this point in the course (capstone unit), you should demonstrate clinical competencies at a level commensurate with professional capabilities for podiatrists, professional guidelines and codes of conduct. Please note that mandatory elements may start in Orientation week.
CSH545 Podiatric Medicine 5
In this final year unit, you will be required to integrate knowledge, practical, clinical and problem-solving skills acquired across the course. Clinical decisions are informed by relevant physical and clinically appropriate diagnostic examinations conducted within the framework of technological, ethical, financial and legal considerations and an evidence-based context. National and international medical, orthopaedic, pharmacological and podiatric perspectives guide the design, implementation and evaluation of complex patient management plans. You will gain experience in the management of the high risk foot as well as paediatric, musculoskeletal, surgical and general conditions of the lower limb as part of your placement rotations during semester. This is a work integrated learning (WIL) unit in which you will complete placement in the QUT Podiatry Clinic.
CSN025 Principles of Medical Ultrasound
The field of medical ultrasound is scientifically based in an environment that is rapidly changing and undergoing considerable technological advancement. Understanding the physical processes of ultrasound, the equipment design features and the interactions of sound in human tissue are essential for professionals working in this field. This unit is offered as a foundation unit early in the program to ensure you have a fundamental understanding of the physical principles of ultrasound; the knowledge gained can then be applied directly to practice and to other units offered in the ultrasound courses.
CSN036 Foundations of Ultrasound Imaging
This foundational unit will introduce the sonographic profession, regulatory bodies and professional standards, and equips practitioners with basic skills to perform high-quality, patient-centred ultrasound examinations. A particular emphasis of this unit is to provide a foundation for practical knowledge and skills. You will also obtain insights into the importance of scan ergonomics, sonographic anatomy and scientific literacy as they apply to the sonography profession. It is offered in the first semester to ensure you understand these primary skills before progressing to more advanced techniques.
CSN500 Clinical Therapeutics for Health
The Clinical Therapeutics for Health unit provides you with specialised knowledge of biomedical science, pharmacology and clinical therapeutics in the context of professional clinical practice. More specifically, the unit focuses on advanced knowledge and skills for the safe and effective use of therapeutics and medicines using a Quality Use Medicines (QUM) framework relevant to your scope of practice as a health practitioner. The unit provides essential foundational knowledge in clinical therapeutics for health and QUM principles as per Australia's National Medicines Policy. It utilises contemporary resources such as NPS MedicineWise as well as relevant clinical, legal and professional guidelines.
CSN501 Podiatric Therapeutics 2
This is the second unit in the Podiatric Therapeutics course and is a work integrated learning (WIL) unit. This unit builds on the theoretical concepts introduced in Podiatric Therapeutics 1 (CSN500) and requires a sound understanding of physiology, disease processes, medicine, pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics. The unit provides you with a practical understanding of the use of scheduled medicines in the therapeutic management of foot and related lower limb disorders. Podiatrists make therapeutic decisions that require consideration of legal, ethical, financial, pharmacological, medical and patient factors before delivering the most efficacious, safe and appropriate treatment, including no treatment. This unit will equip you with the skills necessary to utilise scheduled medicines in clinical practice, including how and when collaboration with members of the health care team is required and how to access appropriate information resources to guide therapy.
Exercise and nutrition sciences
XNB251 Nutrition Science
Nutrition Science investigates the biochemistry and physiology of the major macro and micronutrients that areimportant to human health. This unit also discusses the impacts on human health, food sources, dietary intakerequirements and status assessment methods for these nutrients. You will estimate dietary intake of thesenutrients in human subjects, and you will review the scientific literature related to these nutrients, which youwill review and discuss in a literature review. This unit integrates nutrition knowledge with the science ofbiochemistry and physiology, and knowledge of statistics developed in XNB255. It provides the foundation onwhich further studies of nutrition and dietetics can be built, and develops life-long learning skills required fornutrition and dietetics professionals.
XNB252 Food and Nutrition Across the Lifecycle
This unit fits within the suite of units designed to give an overall coverage of basic and complex nutrition principles for all age groups and introduces nutrition related chronic disease. It focuses on food intake and promotion of diet-related health across the lifecycle in more depth than previously covered in first year and underpins primary and secondary prevention of chronic disease for individuals, groups and populations. The unit focuses on nutrition requirements and practical food based advice for each lifecycle stage beginning with pre-conception and continuing with each major life stage through to old age. It takes into consideration universal nutrition recommendations as well as selected and indicated social and cultural populations and settings, such as schools; and food patterns such as vegetarianism. It introduces population health approaches which will be further explored in XNH350 Community and Public Health Nutrition.
XNB271 Motor Control
This unit is designed to develop a basic understanding of the ways in which humans control movement and aquire skill. A focus of the unit will be on the neurological and sensory systems as they relate to the control of movement.
XNB272 Biomechanics
This unit is designed to develop a basic understanding of the ways in which human movement is analysed from a biomechanical perspective, and to develop the skills necessary to complete simple analyses of human motion. Knowledge of basic biomechanical concepts is essential for all health related professionals. The aim of this unit is to understand the biomechanical principles of human movement, measure and analysis human movement and apply the biomechanical principles to optimising human movement.
XNB273 Exercise Physiology
This unit provides the knowledge and skills required of an exercise professional to understand and assess the metabolic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and neuromuscular responses to acute and chronic exercise. Over the course of this unit, you will develop an understanding of the physiological mechanisms for exercise performance that inform concepts of exercise prescription and programming delivered later in the course. The content and techniques covered in this unit are equally applicable for those students considering careers as exercise science, sports science, and clinical exercise physiology professionals.
XNB274 Functional Anatomy
This unit builds upon basic structural knowledge provided in LSB131 Anatomy to develop an understanding of the functional significance of these structures. The underlying theme is to explore the relationship between structure and function with particular reference to human movement.
XNB277 Exercise and Sports Nutrition
The successful application of exercise and sports nutrition knowledge in a professional and ethical manner requires a thorough understanding of the principles of, and the interaction between, nutrition and physical activity. This unit introduces you to basic and advanced sports nutrition principles and to their application within the sport, exercise and physical activity environment. It also provides a basic introduction to exercise physiology, building on previous introductory physiology. This unit provides you with opportunities to build, practice and provide evidence of your analysis and problem-solving skills for nutrition and exercise sciences.
XNB278 Skill Acquisition
This unit has a focus on skill acquisition for the sport and exercise domains. It is important for movement practitioners to fully grasp the ramifications of their learning designs in physical activity settings. To do this, a comprehensive understanding of contemporary skill acquisition theory and practice is crucial. The disciplinary content that underpins this unit is central in the design of quality practice activities in the clinical, teaching, and sporting domains associated with human movement. The aim of the unit is to provide you with fundamental knowledge required to design practice tasks to improve skilled performance.
XNB282 Resistance Training
This unit will develop theoretical understanding and practical skills in strength and conditioning for general fitness. A combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills is required to enable the safe and effective prescription of appropriate exercise. This unit is designed to introduce you to theoretical concepts, apply them to practical situations and develop basic skills and competencies for implementation and prescription of strength and conditioning for general fitness. You will build on prior knowledge of functional anatomy and physiology to develop understanding of the acute physiological stresses and chronic adaptations to resistance training.
XNB370 Performance Analysis
This unit is designed to integrate knowledge from the core areas of exercise science (exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control and functional anatomy) and apply them to analysing sports performance. An ever-increasing range of quantitative information about human performance is available, including training and workload data, individual motion and kinematics, competition results. Extracting key information from this data to support decision-making is an increasingly important process, whether in optimising training, talent identification, or tracking performance in sport; informing clinical and rehabilitation decisions following injury, or in more specialised settings in exercise and movement science research. A key component will be utilising available technology to collect the data, analyse the data and make sense of the data to the athletes and coaches.
XNB375 Sport Psychology
A key aspect of exercise and sport science is the role psychology plays in optimising performance levels. This unit explores the application of psychological principles underpinning sports performance and the common tasks and decision-making processes involved in the work of an exercise and sport psychologist. This unit builds upon the foundational first-year unit, XNB175 Exercise and Sport Psychology.
XNB380 Cardiorespiratory, Metabolic and Renal Disorders
This unit is a clinical unit that develops key clinical knowledge required for exercise physiology practice. This unit specifically focuses on the cardiorespiratory, metabolic and renal disorders, including their epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnostic and assessment procedures, and treatments. By identifying the causes of each disorder, along with their epidemiological characteristics, the underlying mechanisms that affect movement capacity, and approaches taken to diagnose, assess and treat these disorders, the unit aims to develop your knowledge of these disorders so that you can recognise how they affect and respond to movement, exercise and activity. This unit links to XNH386 Clinical Skills for Exercise Physiologists, where practical assessment skills relevant to the disease states covered in this unit, are taught.
XNB381 Musculoskeletal, Neurological and Occupational Disorders
This unit is a clinical unit that develops key clinical knowledge required for exercise physiology practice. This unit specifically focuses on the neurological, occupational and musculoskeletal disorders, including their epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnostic and assessment procedures, and treatments. By identifying the causes of each disorder, along with their epidemiological characteristics, the underlying mechanisms that affect movement capacity, and approaches taken to diagnose, assess and treat these disorders, the unit aims to develop your knowledge of these disorders so that you can recognise how they affect and respond to movement, exercise and activity. This unit links to XNH386 Clinical Skills for Exercise Physiologists, where practical assessment skills relevant to the disease states covered in this unit, are taught.
XNH350 Community and Public Health Nutrition
This unit is in the intermediate stage of your course and builds on the work you have undertaken in introductory food and nutrition, food citizenship, nutrition epidemiology, nutrition across the life cycle and nutrition science. This unit provides you with opportunities to develop your competencies in the area of community and public health nutrition, in particular around program planning and evaluation and the application of nutrition for communities and populations. Completion of this unit is essential in preparation for work integrated learning in the area of community and public health nutrition. The unit builds and provides practice in research, synthesis, and problem solving. In addition, you continue your development as a professional.
XNH481 Clinical Exercise for Cardiorespiratory, Renal and Metabolic Disorders
The role of exercise for both treatment and secondary prevention in individuals with cardiorespiratory, renal and metabolic disorders is well accepted. Well designed programs of treatment require assessment, prescription and education based on clinical practical skills and clinical reasoning. This advanced unit converges and builds on your previous knowledge of exercise prescription and cardiorespiratory, renal and metabolic pathophysiology by systematically considering a range of disease-specific concepts and case studies as seen in professional practice, and applying to the clinical practice setting.
XNH482 Clinical Exercise for Musculoskeletal and Neurological Disorders
The role of exercise for both treatment and secondary prevention in individuals with neurological and musculoskeletal disorders is well accepted. Well designed programs of treatment require assessment, prescription and education based on clinical practical skills and clinical reasoning. This advanced unit converges and builds on your previous knowledge of exercise prescription and neurological and musculoskeletal pathophysiology by systematically considering a range of disease-specific concepts and case studies as seen in professional practice, and applying to the clinical practice setting.
Nursing
HLN405 Qualitative Research
The unit offers the opportunity to study, explore and understand a range of qualitative research methodologies and methods. In so doing, the unit exposes students to a knowledge base that may inform post graduate qualitative research. It encourages students to question and contest knowledge and to constructively defend points of view. Key principals, concepts and skills will be developed to inform qualitative research across a range of disciplines and contexts. The dominance of the positivist or natural science approach in health research has come into question because of its singular emphasis on producing 'objective' truths. In response, it is argued that culture, power and ideology must be understood as integral components of any research. Qualitative inquiry, in all its forms, is underpinned by the assumption that the social world can only be interpreted.
NSB132 Integrated Nursing Practice 1 On campus
This beginning-level unit aims to establish cognitive skills in clinical reasoning which inform provision of safe, person-centred, and evidence-based nursing practice. This unit directly links to subsequent Integrated Nursing Practice units. Unit learning activities develop your understanding of the nurse role and skills in clinical reasoning relevant to fundamental care provision. Practice reflecting the Aged and Quality Standards is a particular focus, and this is then further explored and consolidated in subsequent integrated nursing practice units.
NSB203 Inquiry in Clinical Practice
This unit at a developmental level of your course, explores inquiry in clinical practice by examining the role of evidence-based practice and application of research processes in nursing practice further synthesised in your final year. Skills in interpretation of evidence will be developed and an overview of various approaches to research are examined to enable students to be effective consumers of research. The relationship between research, evidence, and safety and quality in health care is explored. This knowledge is foundational to all remaining units in the course. Contemporary nursing work requires the ability to seek, interpret, analyse, synthesise, and integrate evidence into practice. The facilitation of ongoing improvement in nursing practice requires critical thinking, broader perspectives, and decision making informed by evidence.
NSB204 Mental Health: Self and others
This unit focuses on the National Health Priority of mental health and explores the social determinants, legislation and policies that inform nursing care provision. Mental health issues are a universal human experience across the lifespan and affect one in 4 Australians. In this unit, learning activities embed the concepts of recovery and cultural safety as well as trauma informed care in promoting positive messages that challenge stigma and discrimination. Emphasis is given to the development of the professional self and attributes of trust, rapport building, and a non-judgemental approach to practice. Focus is also given to developing skills in assessing and responding to people who experience symptoms of mental illness. This includes history-taking, mental state, and risk assessment, while utilising the recovery framework.
NSB232 Integrated Nursing Practice 2 Off campus
This unit is a work integrated learning unit in which you complete a period (2 weeks /80 hours) of immersive learning in clinical practice in an off-campus health care context. A series of mandatory clinical practice sessions (CPS) develops your skills in safe practice. Failure to attend all mandatory CPS means you are unable to progress to clinical placement. The unit is at the developing stage of the course and builds on all preceding units. You will draw on knowledge and skills gained in previous units to incorporate into practice and further develop knowledge and skills. This unit has a concurrent requisite of NSB231 Integrated Nursing Practice 2 – On Campus. Your knowledge of and ability to apply the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice, National Health Priority Areas, Aged Care Standards, and National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards are essential to nursing practice. Mandatory elements will start in Orientation week.
NSB233 Integrated Nursing Practice 3 Off Campus
This unit is a work integrated learning unit in which you learn predominantly in off-campus health care contexts (4 weeks/160 hours). The unit is at the developing stage of your course and builds on all preceding units. You are expected to draw on knowledge and skills gained in previous units to develop your practice and will be actively encouraged to apply learning and skills from earlier units. The unit is a concurrent requisite of NSB236 Integrated Nursing Practice 3 – On campus to facilitate application of theory to practice. You will require knowledge of and ability to apply the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice, National Health Priority Areas, Aged Care Quality Standards, and National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards essential to nursing practice.
NSB236 Integrated Nursing Practice 3 On Campus
This unit consolidates cognitive skills in clinical reasoning by integrating prior knowledge and skills and further develop your understanding of decisions that informs nursing practice at a developing level. Peoples’ experiences of the continuum of care in different contexts of health care are emphasised to highlight chronic and acute dimensions of illness using unfolding clinical cases. The critical thinking and analyses of nursing practice elements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Registered Nurse Standards for Practice are particularly emphasised. This unit links to subsequent integrated nursing practice units.
NSB412 Clinical Elective
This unit offers the opportunity to undertake further clinical practicum experiences to enhance students' ability to practice competently in a range of clinical situations. Also the focus is on integrating knowledge, skills and attributes required to successfully integrate theory with clinical practice. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Registered Nurse Standards for Practice emphasised in this unit are: thinks critically and analyses nursing practice (ST1); comprehensively conducts assessments (ST4); develops a plan for nursing practice (ST5); provides safe, appropriate, and responsive quality nursing practice (ST6); and evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice (ST7). This unit complements other second year units and links to Integrated Nursing Practice units.
NSB609 Pain Management and Nursing Practice
Making decisions about pain and its management is a key component of nursing practice across a wide variety of patient groups and health service contexts. This unit examines the experience of peoples’ pain and explores the nurse role in relation to pain assessment and management, to facilitate effective pain relief. The unit builds on foundational knowledge developed earlier in the course through more detailed exploration of key concepts and relevant evidence.
NSN123 Contemporary Issues in Gastroenterology Nursing
Gastroenterology nursing has undergone many changes, not only within innovative technologies and therapies but also expanding practice roles. Worldwide the prevalence, screening, and treatment of gastrointestinal disease continues to place increased demands on communities and the healthcare system. This unit will prepare you to be an emerging leader in the specialty of gastroenterology nursing.
NSN124 Specialist Gastroenterology Nursing
This unit builds on your knowledge and skills in the specialist area of gastroenterology to enhance the delivery of evidence-based nursing care for patients in a variety of settings. There is an emphasis on developing your problem solving and analytical skills to make effective clinical decisions related to the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, liver, and pancreas. Common diagnostic investigations and, contemporary issues that impact specialist nursing practice for the diverse patient populations with gastrointestinal disease, will also be explored.
NSN430 Clinical Therapeutics
This unit focusses on clinical therapeutics which is integral to the Nurse Practitioner advanced scope of practice. This unit will enable you to develop and establish a framework of appropriate selection of medicines for individual consumers using pharmacology and clinical therapeutics knowledge, with a key focus on Quality Use of Medicine (QUM) for improved consumer health outcomes. Your clinical skills will be developed to enable you to prescribe, administer and evaluate the effects of medicines based on consumer health assessment and diagnosis in the role of Nurse Practitioner. Completion of this unit will provide a foundation consistent with the clinical, organisational, professional and legislative requirements, knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics and the principles of QUM, that must inform the nurse practitioner's decision making about clinical therapeutics. This unit will be consolidated in the second unit NSN432: QUM and Safe Prescribing.
NSN434 Evidence-based Practice and Research Design
This unit examines the relationship between research evidence and practice. It creates an opportunity to identify, understand, and critique the contribution that evidence provides to best health care practice. Drawing on knowledge and skills of research methods and processes, you will learn to critique research, and develop a research study description.
NSN508 Dissertation Preparation
This unit builds on existing knowledge, skills and professional experience and provides the opportunity to develop, extend, and apply these skills to the preparation of a feasible and defensible research proposal for a research dissertation. The opportunity to develop skills in advanced information retrieval and synthesis, academic writing, and critical analysis are supported as you review a body of literature relevant to your dissertation and methodology. NSN508 is a preparatory unit for HLN700 or HLN750.
NSN719 Principles of Education for Health Professionals
Dynamic health care environments require agile health professionals who are responsive to changing needs, adaptive to innovation and engaged with best practice to ensure optimal person centred care. This unit provides the emerging educator with the specialist knowledge and skills required to fulfil this role in the health care environment.
NSN720 Education Design for Health Professionals
Health professionals engage in the facilitation of learning in various contexts, including, professional staff development programs, work integrated learning support and ongoing targeted educational endeavours. The focus is on educational design and development, facilitation of learning and teaching, assessment and evaluation. To create supportive learning environments and facilitate innovation in contemporary healthcare contexts requires specialist knowledge and skills including innovative, creative and reflective teaching practices. This unit provides health professionals with learning and assessment experiences to plan, design, implement and evaluate effective programs of learning. NSN719 and NSN720 are the two specialist units required for the Health Professional Education Major.
Psychology and counselling
PYB102 The Mind and the Brain
Psychology is a broad-ranging and multifaceted discipline which encompasses the scientific study of human behaviour and the systematic application of knowledge gained from psychological research to a broad range of real-world issues. The goal of this foundational unit is to introduce you to the areas of biological (physiological) and cognitive psychology and to develop your understanding of the methods used to critically evaluate, ethically conduct, and effectively communicate psychological research.
PYB159 Alcohol and Other Drug Studies
Drug and alcohol use and abuse is of growing concern in the community. This unit introduces you to theories of prevention and treatment of alcohol and other drug problems from a range of diverse perspectives. You will be exposed to multidisciplinary learning where you can identify career pathways while considering the field in relation to ethics, values and a range of population targets. This unit provides a useful foundation for PYB360, Interventions for Addictive Behaviours. You will participate in discussions and assessment pieces designed in conjunction with industry professionals, to embed learning with current real world issues.
PYB202 Social Psychology
Humans are social beings whose thoughts, feelings and actions are influenced by the real, imagined, or implied presence of others. This unit will allow you to develop greater insight into people's behaviour through the scientific investigation of the relationship between individuals and the social settings in which they live. We will study the effects of these social settings on people, and the psychological processes people use to influence others in social settings. We will consider cultural variation in social psychological phenomena, ethical issues in social psychological research, and how social psychological perspectives can help us understand and address real world issues. This unit will help you develop your database searching and written communication skills.
PYB203 Developmental Psychology
This unit is designed to introduce the major theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of developmental psychology, and to encourage you to consider the major life issues, events, and transitions that shape the course of development throughout the lifespan. This unit aims to develop awareness of general patterns of human development and of the ways in which the development of particular individuals and diverse groups may vary from these general patterns. We will also critically examine the importance of the physical, family, socio-cultural and historical contexts within which development occurs, and a gain a sense of the interdependency of all aspects of development.
PYB204 Perception and Cognition
Cognitive psychology is a major empirical and theoretical area of psychology which explores the processes and structures involved at each stage of information processing within the brain. The structures and processes involved in perception provide the brain with basic information about both the external world and many of the current states of the individual. Higher level cognitive processes and structures provide the foundation upon which more complex aspects of behaviour are based. This unit is to build on the concepts and issues in perception and cognitive psychology, and to develop an appreciation of the major contemporary theories of how we process and perceive information. The unit is placed in second semester of second year so that students following the normal course structure have an adequate background in research design and data analysis. With this background, students will carry out experiments in tutorial classes and analyse real data.
PYB208 Counselling Theory and Practice 1
Counselling processes, skills and knowledge have broad applicability in the modern world of work. In this unit you will have the opportunity to engage with the most prominent counselling models and approaches. Through an experiential learning process, you will learn about the theories and philosophies that underpin different approaches and develop skills and techniques required to apply these models in your future work. Self-awareness is widely recognised in the health and community sector as key to effective and ethical practice. By participating in counselling exercises, group discussions and individual reflections, you will be supported to deconstruct and examine your existing beliefs and values and consider the role they will play in your work with individuals, families and groups. You will then have the opportunity to develop your practice framework that you will take forward to guide your work in the real world.
PYB210 Research Design and Data Analysis
PYB210 extends on the analytical methods you learnt in PYB110 and prepares you for the more complex research designs you will engage with in PYB350. Research design, data analysis and associated digital capabilities are core skills in the discipline of psychology and integral to the scientist-practitioner model and are skills highly valued by employers of psychology graduates. A sound understanding of research design and data analysis will build your ability to work with and interpret data from a variety of sources, enabling you to critique research, and to apply an evidence-based approach to problem solving, invaluable skills in a wide variety of careers. PYB210 will develop your knowledge of research design, data collection methods and analysis, providing you with a theoretical grounding in analysis of variance techniques, regression, and qualitative methods, the practical ability to employ analytic software to conduct analyses and to interpret and report these analyses.
PYB215 Forensic Psychology and the Law
Forensic Psychology will introduce you to the overlap between psychology and the law; assist you to understand the influence and impact of this branch of psychology within the criminal justice system; and to provide you with an overview of the practice of forensic psychology, across diverse populations, including First Nations People. The study of psychology and law draws from a multi-disciplinary base for the application of specialised knowledge. As a student of this discipline area, you will acquire an appreciation of (and a critical perspective on) psychology and the law across the three criminal justice domains of the police, the courts, and corrections.
PYB260 Psychopharmacology of Addictive Behaviour
This unit aims to develop and extend your understanding of issues relating to behavioural pharmacology with a focus on substances commonly associated with addiction. It introduces the principles of behavioural pharmacology, and critically examines prevailing theories and models of addiction, and related research methods, and how they apply to diverse perspectives. Computerised programs specifically designed for psychology experiments are examined and underlie the authentic assignment of a psychopharmacological experiment journal manuscript, as do other digital technologies (e.g., learning management system, psychology journal database searches, and data presentation and word processing software). Tutorial group activities promote collaboration and the development of knowledge and skills relevant to a research career in psychology. This unit complements and could be combined with other units of addiction (e.g. PYB159, PYB360) to constitute a minor sequence.
PYB301 Psychology in the Community: Placement
This unit enables you to develop your work-literacy and work-readiness, by providing opportunities to apply psychological knowledge in authentic workplace contexts, supported by activities that promote critical reflection on your learning and workplace practices. You will arrange a 50 hour work placement at relevant organisation. You will be supported by the teaching team, on-campus workshops and activities designed to promote critical reflection on your workplace experience. All students considering this unit are strongly encouraged to apply for a Blue Card (suitability for working with children and young people clearance) before the commencement of semester as this clearance is required by most of our host organisations.
PYB302 Applied Social and Organisational Psychology
Psychology plays a critical role in enhancing people's lives, and in the functioning of groups, communities and organisations. In this unit students are exposed to a range of social and workplace issues which can be understood and addressed using concepts and theories aligned with social and organisational psychology. PYB302 focuses strongly on the application of theoretical perspectives to formulate innovative, feasible solutions to real-world issues. Social/organisational concepts and challenges are explored from varying viewpoints (including cultural perspectives) and students gain awareness of how their knowledge of social and organisational psychology can contribute to facilitating and supporting change. Students develop important graduate attributes, including innovative thinking, teamwork skills, digital practices (using technology to collaborate and present information) and writing for broad audiences. The unit expands students' awareness of potential career options.
PYB304 Behavioural Neuroscience
Psychology is a broad-ranging and multifaceted discipline which encompasses the scientific study of human behaviours and causes and the systematic application of knowledge gained from psychological research to a broad range of real-world issues. The goal of this advanced unit is to build on your knowledge gained in introductory and developing units in the scientific study of the biology of behaviour by providing the opportunity to demonstrate mastery in the areas of neurological psychology. You will develop your understanding of the methods used to critically evaluate, ethically conduct, and effectively communicate psychological research, by employing written communication and digital capabilities to conduct your research.
PYB306 Psychopathology
This unit covers the principles of diagnosis and treatment for psychopathology. Disorder aetiology, treatment approaches, and the standard of evidence that underpins our knowledge of psychopathology are discussed. You will learn about the formal systems that are used to define a clinical disorder, and how to apply classification systems for the identification of psychopathology. An integrative approach to the understanding of psychopathology is emphasised, highlighting the reciprocal influence of biological, psychological, cultural and social factors on pathological functioning. This unit will provide you with a strong understanding of the evidence and scientific methods underpinning contemporary approaches for the identification, classification, and treatment of major classes of mental illness.
PYB307 Health Psychology
This unit examines the psychological dimension of physical illness, health, and health care. There is a strong focus on health psychology in an Australian context with a focus on cross-cultural and Indigenous health-related issues. The unit examines definitions of health and health psychology; the role of health psychology; the determinants of health behaviours (e.g., cognitive, attitudinal, motivational, personality, social, developmental); community health; medical settings and patient behaviour; patient and practitioner communication; stress, illness, and coping; and chronic illness.
PYB309 Individual Differences and Assessment
This unit will introduce you to key theories underpinning personality, and it will explore the extent to which key theories account for variation in personality and human behaviour. It will also cover key principles of psychological assessment, assessment methods, the relationship of assessment methods to key theories, and the ethical use of assessment tools. The unit will apply theoretical frameworks to contemporary challenges, such as depression and anxiety, work engagement, relationship distress, school achievement, and effective parenting. This unit includes a strong focus on building capability to use a mix of theory and research to inform real-world mental health problems. The unit will strengthen professional skills for those considering a future in psychology and related fields which rely on individual differences and assessment (e.g., clinical or counselling settings, educational, organisational, developmental, forensic and research settings).
PYB321 Introduction to the Psychology of Trauma
More than half the population experiences trauma across the lifetime. Trauma is acknowledged as playing a key role in the development of mental and physical health issues. There is an increased understanding and interest in society around the prevalence and impact of trauma including domestic violence, child abuse, sudden bereavement and war. Despite this, most professionals across disciplines including psychology, social work, education and law, receive no systematic training in trauma. This introductory unit provides you with foundational knowledge about the psychology of trauma and vicarious trauma as it applies to people who experience trauma firsthand or those in professions likely to assist people who have experienced trauma. This elective complements learning across disciplines including social work, psychology, law, education and nursing. The unit is linked to core psychology units PYB100 and PYB102 and is linked to PYB304 regarding neurobiological aspects of trauma.
PYB350 Advanced Statistical Analysis
PYB350 extends on the analytical methods you learnt in PYB210 to more complex research designs. Research design, data analysis and associated digital capabilities are core skills in the discipline of psychology and integral to the scientist-practitioner model of professional psychological practice and research. The skills are highly valued by employers of psychology graduates. A sound understanding of research design and data analysis enables you to become critical consumers of research and to apply a strong evidence based approach to problem solving. This unit will provide you with a thorough grounding in analysis of variance techniques, multiple regression, and qualitative analysis methods, data analytic tools used in a broad range of research across the social sciences. The unit is both theoretical and practical, providing you with the ability to employ analytic software to analyse quantitative and qualitative data and to appropriately interpret and report these analyses.
PYB356 Counselling Theory and Practice 2
Counselling students need to be cognizant of theory, skills, and process in order to work effectively and ethically in the modern world. At the core of the meaning of process is an assumption that counselling is about change: change that is facilitated by the therapeutic relationship between client and counsellor. This unit builds on the theoretical and skills focus of Counselling Theory & Practice 1. It seeks to develop students' capacity to monitor and reflect on how, in the role of counsellor, will manage therapeutic process when working with clients. Students will be invited to adopt a decolonising stance by actively engaging in critical thinking to consider how knowledge is created and to ensure that their counselling practice remains relevant in an increasingly diverse world.
PYB359 Working with Families and Groups
In the current health setting, counsellors and psychologists are regularly required to work with families, couples and groups. The complexity of working therapeutically with more than one person, requires specialist knowledge and skillsets. In PYB359, you will build on your existing understanding of different counselling paradigms to consider how these will be generalised to work with groups of people. The history and philosophy that underpins Systemic Family Therapy and Indigenous practice will also be explored providing students with alternate perspectives on how to support change for individuals and groups. Experiential tutorials will support you to develop practical skills and techniques to build competence and confidence in hosting family members, negotiating multiple concerns and requests and evoking change for all involved in a culturally safe manner.
PYB360 Interventions for Addictive Behaviours
Addictive behaviours (e.g., arising from alcohol use, tobacco use, gambling) are recognised as major problems nationally and internationally. This unit focuses predominantly on psychological aspects of addictive behaviours. The unit has a focus on the interdisciplinary nature of work within the field, including complementary treament approaches and interdisciplinary communication. To evaluate core scientific perspectives on addiction theory, classes initially review issues relating to psychological models of addiction and methods of studying addictive behaviours. Symptomatology, aetiology and assessment of addictive behaviours, as well as the theoretical underpinnings of a range of therapeutic interventions are also discussed. Following on from PYB159, this unit aims to prepare graduates for a potential career in Alcohol and Drug services.