NURSING 2008 - Biology of Human Disease II

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

Biology of Human Disease II identifies the most significant pathological illness states facing the Australian population. The use of clinical cases encourages students to relate scientific principles to the medical and nursing interventions. The course provides a systematic approach to the description of pathological changes of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, nervous and reproductive systems. The base knowledge provided by this course will encourage students to adopt an attitude to incorporating scientific concepts throughout their nursing career.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code NURSING 2008
    Course Biology of Human Disease II
    Coordinating Unit Medical Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites NURSING 1005
    Restrictions Bachelor of Nursing
    Assessment Online assessments, MCQ, examination
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Bonnie Williams

    Course Coordinator: Dr Kent Algate, PhD 
    Phone: +61 8 8313 36322
    Location: Helen Mayo North Building, 241

    Course Coordinator: Dr Kencana (Anak) Dharmapatni
    Phone: +61 8 8313 5986
    Location: Helen Mayo North Building, 612a

    Course Coordinator email: bhd@adelaide.edu.au

    School Office
    Email: medical.sciences@adelaide.edu.au; nursing@adelaide.edu.au


    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Apply the principles of normal anatomy and physiology of human body systems to the pathophysiological processes of common health problems.
    2 Analyse some of the ways in which human adaptive and compensatory physiological mechanisms are affected by specific pathological conditions.
    3 Explain the physiological processes, interactions and controls to maintain homeostasis in the specific areas of; neurological, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and reproductive pathologies.
    4 Discuss the clinical manifestations and nursing management of selected disease processes and health problems.
    5 Work in teams to apply theur knowledge to investigate clinical scenarios and discuss pathophysiology concepts.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-4

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1-4

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1-5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1-5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    4-5

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    3

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1-5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Bullock, S Hales, M, Second Edition. (2018). Principles of Pathophysiology. Frenchs Forest, NSW. Pearson. 

    Recommended Resources
    Norris, T. Tenth Edition (2018). Porth’s “Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States," South Holland, Netherlands, LWW.
    Online Learning
    The online delivery of lectures in this course offers flexibility and enables students to study at their own pace. However, due to the asynchronous nature of the course, it is highly recommended that students are actively participating in course material on a weekly basis so as not to fall behind in course work.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    NURSING 2008 topics are covered through weekly online lectures. Concepts will be reinforced and expanded upon during weekly tutorials throughout the semester. Online revision quizzes spaced throughout the semester are designed to promote regular revision of the material covered in the lectures.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Students are reminded that the overall predicted workload for a full-time student (taking 4 x 3-unit courses per semester) is an average of 48-hours per week. This includes contact and non-contact hours and includes general study and time to complete assignments. As NURSING 2008 is a 3-unit course then it is expected that you spend approximately 12 hours per week studying this course. This includes 48 hours of online and face-to-face teaching contact across the semester (lectures, tutorials), along with additional preparation for assessment tasks, tutorials and examinations.

    Learning Activities Summary
    Module/Lecture Series:

    Module 1: Bone and Joint
    - Fracture Healing
    - Rheumatoid Arthritis 
    - Osteoporosis/Osteoarthritis

    Module 2: Respiratory/Lung Disease
    - Asthma
    - Emphysema/Bronchitis
    - Pneumonia/Tuberculosis 

    Module 3: Neurological disorders I
    - Meningitis
    - Alzheimer's Disease
    - Stroke/Traumatic Head Injury

    Module 4: Neurological disorders II
    - Multiple Sclerosis
    - Parkinson's Disease
    - Motor Neuron Disease/Spinal Cord Injury 

    Module 5: Sexual and Reproductive Pathology
    - Bacterial sexually transmitted infection
    - Viral sexually transmitted infection
    - Female/Male Reproductive pathology 

    Module 6: Liver and GIT disease
    - Cirrhosis/Hepatitis
    - Appendicitis/Peritonitis
    - Colorectal Cancer & Bowel disease


    Specific Course Requirements
    The student needs to have passed Biology of Nursing Practice (Nursing 1005) or equivalent courses on normal anatomy and physiology
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Assessment Type Weighting
    Online Formative Quiz Formative 0%
    Online Concept Check Quiz (x2) Summative 15% (7.5% each)
    SGDE Group Project Summative 20%
    Mid-Semester Exam Summative 20%
    Active Tutorial Participation Summative 10%
    End of Semester Exam Summative 35%

    Assessment Related Requirements
    Details of assessment items will be found on the MyUni course pages and will be further discussed in class.

    Assessment Detail
    ASSESSMENT 1: ONLINE CONCEPT CHECK QUIZZES
    Weighting: 15% (7.5% each for Quiz #1 and #2)
    Description: 20 MCQs per quiz to assess concepts from the previous weeks.

    ASSESSMENT 2: SGDE GROUP PROJECT
    Weighting: 20%
    Description: This assignment will examine the ability of students to work in a team to conduct high quality research on a topic related to the pathophysiology of human disease. This assignment provides an assessment of student’s ability to present health information to scientific audiences in a clear, concise and scientific way.

    ASSESSMENT 3: MID-SEMESTER EXAM
    Weighting: 20%
    Description: This test will examine lecture material through MCQs and SAQs from the first half of the semester. Note that a range of questions will be used, which will require students to provide information, apply information in defined settings, and/or integrate knowledge derived from a variety of sources in the formulation of an answer.

    ASSESSMENT 4: ACTIVE TUTORIAL PARTICIPATION
    Weighting:10%
    Description: Students will be awarded 10% for participating in tutorial sessions throughout the semester and being involved in the completion of tutorial exercises and activities.

    ASSESSMENT 5: END OF SEMESTER EXAM
    Weighting: 35%
    Description: The end of semester examination is aimed at ascertaining each student’s grasp of the principles and core course content presented during this course and will be held in the University’s official examination period. It will contain multiple choice and short answer questions that require students to provide information, apply information in defined settings, and/or integrate knowledge derived from a variety of sources in the formulation of an answer. The time allocated will be 120 minutes (including reading time), but many students should be able to complete it in less than this; the additional time is provided to enable planning and review of answers.
    Submission
    Unless otherwise indicated all assignments are to be submitted through MyUni. TurnItin will be used to check student assignments. Students MUST keep an electronic copy of all assignments submitted.

    Extensions are generally awarded for no more than 10 working days unless there are exceptional circumstances.
    To apply for an Assessment Extension, a student must submit an application for extension form prior to the assessment deadline. You will find this on the School of Nursing Website or use the link provided here.

    See the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/3303/ 
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.


    Feedback from students indicated in 2018 course eSELT has demonstrated some good aspects of the course such as: sufficient but not overwhelming information, online quizzes, combine face to face and online lectures and flipped classroom style. Some concerns indicated by students were: a short semester, need more routine and simplified tutorials and need to ascertain that quiz questions are covered in the lecture handouts. Some changes will be made this year to accommodate student's feedback. From 2019 the course is delivered for 7 weeks. Tutorial questions will be modified to fit into each session. Quiz questions will be more closely associated with lecture handouts.
  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.