Advanced Investigation of Human Disease

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

531-304 Advanced Investigation of Human Disease extends the practical training objectives encompassed by 531-302 Techniques for Investigation of Disease in the context of research projects of approximately 8 weeks duration. The emphasis of this course is to introduce students to the importance of research in the investigation of disease by undertaking a supervised group-based experimental or library-based research project in a specific area of pathology. Major research areas covered in this course include autoimmunity, immunopathology, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, cancer diagnosis and immunotherapy, infectious diseases including Swine/Bird Flu and HIV AIDS and the molecular, cellular and genetic bases of disease and disease therapies.

• to extend and complement the lecture material.
• to provide experience in experimental techniques.
• to provide experience in the experimental approach to problem solving through scientific research in pathology.

• Assessment will include the following modalities: (i) continuous assessment of laboratory performance throughout the semester (10%), (ii) a written research project report to be submitted at the end of the semester (60%) and (iii) a group research seminar delivered towards the end of semester (30%).
• Experimental and Library-based Research Reports (60%) must be of the order of 6000 – 8000 words in length excluding figures, diagrams, tables and the bibliography.
• Completion and submission of Experimental and Library-based Research Reports by the submission date indicated in the subject practical manual is a compulsory requirement of the course.
• Attendance at all pre-practical talks, all practical sessions, tutorials, research discussions and seminar practice sessions, as indicated in the subject practical manual or by course coordinator and/or the research project supervisor, is compulsory and a prescribed hurdle requirement of the course.
  

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• enhance practical skills by undertaking scientific techniques used for the investigation of disease.
• develop a variety of skills in the experimental design, analysis and interpretation of scientific data which may be applied across the various scientific disciplines.
• develop their critical thinking and problem solving techniques by the analysis and interpretation of scientific data.
• develop an understanding of the importance of accurate recording, storage and retrieval of scientific information based on the Code of Conduct for Research at the University of Melbourne.
• understand the ethical considerations of reliably performing, recording, storing and reporting scientific information.
• improve written and oral communication skills by the preparation of a detailed written scientific report and the presentation of a seminar based on the research project.
• develop inter-personal skills by working as a member of a team.
• develop the capacity to work independently.
• develop information management skills necessary for undertaking an informed research project.

• This subject is open to both B. Science and B. Biomedicine students.
• B. Science students should be familiar with content of 531-201 Exploring Human Disease and 531-301 Mechanisms of Human Disease; B. Biomedicine students should be familiar with the Pathology component of their 200-level core subject Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine.
• B. Science and B. Biomedicine students intending to take a major in Pathology are required to enrol in both 531-301 Mechanisms of Human Disease and 531-302 Techniques for Investigation of Disease in Semester 1 and 531-303 Consequences of Human Disease in Semester 2.
• B. Biomedicine students doing a Defence & Disease major MUST consult the Majors Information Booklet for additional prerequisite and corequisite requirements and choices.
• Laboratory coat and safety glasses are required.
• Students should be familiar with the University policy on Plagiarism and must sign and attach an Anti-Plagiarism declaration to each Assessment Activity.
• Completion and submission of Experimental and Library-based Research Reports by the submission date indicated in the subject practical manual is a compulsory requirement of the course.
• Attendance at all pre-practical talks, all practical sessions, tutorials, research discussions and seminar practice sessions as indicated in the subject practical manual or by course coordinator and/or the research project supervisor is compulsory and a prescribed hurdle requirement of the course.