Program Overview

Introduction to the BMSC209 Unit

The BMSC209 unit, also known as Pathophysiology, is designed to introduce biomedical scientists, nutrition scientists, and healthcare professionals to the most prevalent diseases affecting Australians. This unit builds upon the understanding of the structure and function of the healthy human body, delving into the changes that underlie, accompany, and result from various disease processes.

Unit Details

• Year: 2022
• Credit Points: 10
• Campus Offering: No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.
• Prerequisites: BIOL126 Human Biology 2 or BIOL204 Human Body in Health and Disease 2
• Incompatible: BIOL122 Human Biological Science 2

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

This unit begins by introducing the molecular, cellular, and histological changes underlying the human body's responses to pathologic stimuli, including inflammation, healing, haemodynamic and immunological derangements, and neoplasia. Students will then focus on understanding how specific organ systems respond to disease processes, with emphasis on National Health Priority areas such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, osteoporosis, and dementia.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Explain how cells and tissues respond to pathologic stimuli at molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ levels.
2. Discuss the aetiology, pathogenesis, pathology, and pathophysiology of diseases identified by the National Health Priority Areas and describe ways to prevent, treat, or manage them.
3. Analyse and interpret diagnostic data of selected diseases.
4. Apply fundamental pathophysiological concepts to diverse and challenging scenarios mimicking real-life situations, and effectively communicate their observations and conclusions.

Graduate Attributes

• GA4: Think critically and reflectively
• GA5: Demonstrate values, knowledge, skills, and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession
• GA8: Locate, organise, analyse, synthesise, and evaluate information
• GA9: Demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual media

Content

Topics will include:

• Principles of pathology and pathophysiology
  • Cell adaptation, injury, and death
  • Inflammation and healing
  • Haemodynamic derangements
  • Immunological derangements
• Musculoskeletal conditions
  • Osteoporosis, rheumatoid- and osteoarthritis
• Respiratory conditions
  • Asthma, COPD
• Cardiovascular conditions
  • Atherosclerosis, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and stroke and their consequences
  • Cardiac failure
• Endocrine disorders
  • Diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome
• Renal disorders
  • Glomerulonephritis
• Principles of carcinogenesis; selected benign, pseudomalignant, and malignant tumours
• Nervous system conditions
  • Dementia and spinal injury
• GI tract disorders
  • Gastric and duodenal ulcers and cirrhosis of the liver
• Reproductive conditions
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis
• Immune and haemopoietic disorders
  • Selected autoimmune diseases and anaemias

Learning and Teaching Strategy and Rationale

This unit uses active learning to encourage students to understand the cause, progress, and consequences of the most important pathologies. Lectures and workshops are designed to help students acquire the fundamentals of pathology and pathophysiology and to understand specific disease conditions affecting the human body.

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

A range of assessment activities is used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. The assessment tasks include:

• Quiz (Parts A and B): Assesses students' understanding of the learning material and encourages the use of critical thinking skills.
• Oral Presentation: Requires students to reflect on the learning material, utilize their advanced critical thinking skills, and showcase their oral communication skills.
• Worksheet assessment (case study): Requires students to demonstrate advanced critical thinking and written communication skills.

Representative Texts and References

• Banasik, J.L.; Copstead, L.E. (2019). Pathophysiology, 6th edition, Elsevier.
• Bullock, S.; Hales, M. (2019) Principles of Pathophysiology, 2nd edition, Frenchs Forest, Australia, Pearson.
• Craft, J.; Gordon, C.J.; Huether, S.E.; McCance, K.L.; Brashers, V.L.; Rote, N.S. (2019) Understanding Pathophysiology, 3rd Australian and New Zealand edition, Elsevier.
• Hammer, GD; McPhee, SJ (2018). Pathophysiology of Disease: An Introduction to Clinical Medicine, 8th edition, McGraw-Hill Education.
• Kumar, V; Abbas, A; Aster, J. (2018) Robbins Basic Pathology, 10th edition, Saunders.
• Herlihy, B. (2013) The Human Body in Health and Illness, 5th edition, Elsevier.
• McCance, K.L.; Huether, S.E.; Brashers, V.L.; Rote, N.S.(2019) Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children, 8th edition, Elsevier.
• Sherwood, L. (2010) Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems, 7th edition, Cengage Learning.