Techniques for Investigation of Disease

Subject PATH30002 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

An enrolment quota of 70 students applies to this subject.

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 72 hours (6 contact hours per week)
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours (10 hours per week)
Prerequisites:

B. Science students:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
and
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
and
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
B. Biomedicine students:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
B. Biomedical Science students:
531-201 Basic Principles of Pathology (pre-2009)
Corequisites: B. Science students:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
B. Biomedicine students:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
NOTE: B. Biomedicine students doing a Defence & Disease major MUST consult the Majors Information Booklet for additional corequisite requirements and choices. B. Biomedical Science students:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Recommended Background Knowledge:

None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s programs.
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit:

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

Coordinator

Dr Margaret Ayers

Contact

mmayers@unimelb.edu.au

Administrative Coordinator:

BiomedSci-AcademicServices@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: Techniques for Investigation of Disease aims to develop a sound practical and theoretical understanding of the scientific investigation of disease by the examination of key experimental techniques in the context of particular diseases. The techniques examined include: histology, immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, quantitative ELISA, Southern blotting, immunoblotting, polymerase chain reaction. These techniques will be employed, in conjunction with critical analysis of published research papers, to understand the cellular, molecular and genetic processes involved in certain diseases and disease diagnosis. Diseases examined in this course include autoimmune diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Crohn’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Prostate, Breast and Colon cancer. The subject also includes a practical session involving the techniques employed for forensic analysis. This course will introduce students to basic principles of laboratory based analytical methods that are currently used in Pathology Research, Diagnostic Pathology and Forensic Pathology.
Objectives: The general aims of the practical course are:

  • to extend and complement the PATH30001 Mechanism of Human Disease lecture material.
  • to provide experience in a variety of experimental techniques related to pathology.
  • to provide experience in experimental design, data analysis and the experimental approach to problem solving.
Assessment:
  • Practical work submitted weekly in accordance with the subject handbook (65%).
  • Continuous assessment of laboratory performance (10%).
  • A 1-hour end-of-semester multiple choice examination (25%).


All experiment-based practical reports, paper exercises and museum assignments are of equal assessment weight (6.5%) and must be of the order of 2000 – 2500 words in length excluding figures, diagrams, tables and the bibliography.

Completion and submission of all assessment activities including experiment-based practical reports, paper exercises and museum assignments by the submission dates indicated in the subject practical manual is a compulsory requirement of the subject.

Attendance at all pre-practical talks and all practical sessions as indicated in the subject practical manual is compulsory and a prescribed hurdle requirement of the subject.
Prescribed Texts: Kumar V., et al., Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease, Saunders Elsevier.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: The emphasis of this subject is to introduce students to the importance of research in the investigation of disease by undertaking experimental practicals and paper exercises. This will enable students to:
  • enhance practical skills by undertaking scientific techniques used for the investigation of disease.
  • develop skills in the experimental design, analysis and interpretation of scientific data which may be applied across the various scientific disciplines.
  • develop 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 reports.
  • develop the capacity to work as part of a team or independently.
  • develop information management skills necessary for undertaking an informed research project.
Notes:
  • Laboratory coat and safety glasses are required.
  • Students should be familiar with content of PATH20001 Exploring Human Disease.
  • B. Science students should be enrolled in PATH30001 Mechanisms of Human Disease.
  • B. Biomedicine students doing a Defence & Disease major MUST consult the Major Information Booklet for additional corequisite choices.
  • 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 all assessment activities including experiment-based practical reports, paper exercises and museum assignments by the submission dates indicated in the subject practical manual is a compulsory requirement of the subject.
  • Attendance at all pre-practical talks and all practical sessions as indicated in the subject practical manual is compulsory and a prescribed hurdle requirement of the subject.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Science
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Defence and Disease
Human Structure and Function
Pathology
Science credit subjects* for pre-2008 BSc, BASc and combined degree science courses

Download PDF version.