Biomedicine: Molecule to Malady

This subject is not offered in 2014.

120 hours

Prerequisites are both:

None

Completion of 2nd year of Bachelor of Biomedicine

None

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject provides students with an insight into how medical problems are approached in the 21st century. Students spend 5-6 hours addressing each of six “maladies”, selected to demonstrate the holistic nature of medical practice and the integration of biomedical research into the development of novel diagnostics and evidence-based therapies.

Each module includes elements of normal anatomy and physiology, the epidemiology of disease and the pathology, including any genetic, microbiological, immunological, and inflammatory processes that underpin the pathology. Finally, the public health implications of the malady are considered wherever possible.

Upon completion of this unit, students should:

• understand that the treatment of complex diseases requires a multidisciplinary and holistic approach;
• appreciate that for many diseases, an understanding of the biological bases of the disease leads to precise diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities;
• understand the molecular, cellular and physiological bases of selected diseases;
• acquire a theoretical framework for the systematic study of complex diseases.

• 2x 45min intra-semester tests (20% each) at around weeks 6 and 10;
• 3 hr written examination in the final examination period (60%).

None. It is anticipated that students will access standard reference texts on anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry & molecular biology, microbiology & immunology, pharmacology and clinical medicine. Key references and review articles will be provided via the LMS.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:

• the ability to interpret scientific literature and interpret data from electronic databases;
• the capacity to integrate knowledge across disciplines;
• the ability to comprehend a question, evaluate the relevant information and communicate an answer;
• an appreciation of the ability to communicate scientific knowledge to an informed lay audience.

This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Biomedicine.