Techniques for Investigation of Disease

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

An enrolment quota of 90 students applies to this subject. For detailed information on the quota subject application process, refer to the Quota Subject link (under Advice and Support) on the MDHS Student Centre website: http://sc.mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/

120 hours (10 hours per week)

B. Science students:

and

and

B. Biomedicine students:

B. Biomedical Science students:

531-201 Basic Principles of Pathology (pre-2009)

B. Science students:

B. Biomedicine students:

B. Biomedical Science students:

None

None

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/

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. Students will undertake macroscopic and microscopic examination of diseased tissue to consolidate their understanding of disease processes developed in PATH30001. Students will use protein, nucleic acid and morphological analysis methods to aid in their diagnosis of disease. This will be complemented by critical analysis of published research papers and computer assisted learning practicals.
Diseases to be examined include include major conditions affecting society eg. Inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer’s Disease and Cancer.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

Kumar V., et al., Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease, Saunders Elsevier.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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.

• 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 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.