Semester 1, 2023 External | |
Units : | 1 |
School or Department : | School of Health and Medical Sciences |
Grading basis : | Graded |
Course fee schedule : | /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules |
Staffing
Course Coordinator:
Overview
Biomedical sciences comprise the scientific disciplines that investigate human health and disease across the lifespan. It is the study of the human body's normal function and structure and how this function and structure is compromised through injury, disease and the ageing process. This course will introduce students to foundational theory and practical skills in biomedical science as well as the professional and ethical principles that underpin this field. It will prepare students for future studies in genetics, cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology and pharmacology as well as showcase future career options with a face-to-face and online careers panel held during the semester.
This course introduces students to foundational concepts in biomedical science through the study of the human body from the earliest stages of life through to old age. The course includes an introduction to the molecular basis of cells that comprise the human body, human reproduction, basic Mendelian genetics and ageing processes. It also emphasises the importance of ethics and professional practice in biomedical science by exploring some of the human rights controversies associated with past biomedical advances.
In some disciplines, students need to demonstrate competency before they can progress further in their studies. Competency involves the application skills and knowledge to a particular standard performance. Students need to pass all competency assessments in a course and reach a total passing of 50% to be awarded a passing grade. Competency Assessment Items are identified in the course specification.
This course also contains mandatory laboratory sessions, as either fortnightly laboratory/practical sessions or as a residential school.
Semester 1: Mandatory on-campus laboratories or practical classes for on-campus students or a mandatory residential school for external students. (non-attendance will mean the student misses both an element for assessment preparation and an element of assessment).
Semester 2: Both on-campus and external students will attend the mandatory residential school (non-attendance will mean the student misses both an element for assessment preparation and an element of assessment).
Course learning outcomes
On completion of this course students should be able to:
- describe the molecular basis of cells in the human body;
- explain the cellular changes that drive human development from pre-fertilisation through to old age;
- detail the basis of genetic variation and heredity explained by Mendelian inheritance;
- employ scientific methods and quantitative skills in a biomedical science laboratory;
- apply and evaluate ethical and professional conduct in biomedical science;
- demonstrate written communication skills relevant to biomedical sciences.
Topics
Description | Weighting(%) | |
---|---|---|
1. | Molecular basis of cells and cell function | 10.00 |
2. | Human development: mitosis and meiosis, early embryo development, pregnancy, life stages and ageing | 20.00 |
3. | Mendelian genetics: genes, genetic variation and heredity | 20.00 |
4. | Ethics in biomedical science | 20.00 |
5. | Quantitative and laboratory skills | 10.00 |
6. | The scientific method | 20.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
(Pack includes, textbook, A Brief Atlas to the Human Body 2nd edn. and Access to myA&P Website with my eBook for Human Anatomy & Physiology, Eighth Edition.)
Student workload expectations
To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.
Assessment details
Description | Group Assessment |
Weighting (%) | Course learning outcomes |
---|---|---|---|
Quiz A1 of 3 | No | 10 | 1,4,5,6 |
Quiz A2 of 3 | No | 30 | 1,3,4,5,6 |
Report | No | 30 | 1,3,4,6 |
Quiz A3 of 3 | No | 30 | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |