HLTH SC 2104 - Essential Understanding of Disease and Treatment

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2021

The course provides a general introduction to pathology and basic pharmacological concepts and principles needed to understand mechanisms of disease and treatment. Topics covered include the classification, causes and mechanisms of basic tissue processes which underlie disease and how drugs interact with cellular target molecules, as well as for the cellular and physiological responses resulting from such interactions. These concepts will be illustrated by examining major drug classes and their use in the treatment of major human diseases.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code HLTH SC 2104
    Course Essential Understanding of Disease and Treatment
    Coordinating Unit Medical Studies
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 5 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites ANAT SC 1102 or BIOLOGY 1101
    Incompatible PHARM 2100 , PATHOL 2200
    Assumed Knowledge ANAT SC 1103 or BIOLOGY 1201
    Course Description The course provides a general introduction to pathology and basic pharmacological concepts and principles needed to understand mechanisms of disease and treatment. Topics covered include the classification, causes and mechanisms of basic tissue processes which underlie disease and how drugs interact with cellular target molecules, as well as for the cellular and physiological responses resulting from such interactions. These concepts will be illustrated by examining major drug classes and their use in the treatment of major human diseases.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Janet Coller

    Course coordinators: Dr Janet Coller and Dr Abdallah Salem
    Course Timetable

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

    A full course timetable can be accessed on MyUni
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Demonstrate basic understanding of, and be able to use in context, the terminology used in pathology and pharmacology.
    2. Describe and recognise, at a rudimentary level, the cell and tissue changes and the main predisposing factors in common diseases.
    3. Demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts in modern pharmacology, including familiarity with drug and receptor interactions, basic pharmacokinetic concepts.
    4. Explain how drug actions can be exploited in the treatment of common diseases from learning outcome 2.
    5. Demonstrate an understanding of unique pathology and pharmacology factors impacting on different population groups and disease outcomes.
    6. Demonstrate an understanding of advances in pharmacological treatment of common diseases.
    7. Acquire, read, interpret and synthesise information from a variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.
    8. Develop a critical and enquiring approach to the study of pathology and pharmacology.
    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-8
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    3-8
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    4-8
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1-8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Lecture handouts and recordings will be available through Canvas.
    Recommended Resources
    “Rang and Dale's pharmacology” by Rang, Dale, Ritter, Flower and Henderson (Elsevier, 2015, 8th Edition). This book is an excellent introduction to all aspects of pharmacology and lecturers will assign relevant chapters for each lecture.

    "Robbins Basic Pathology" by Kumar et al (WB Saunders, 7th or 8th Edition). If you think you may wish to later study General Pathology IIIHS, you may wish to consider Rubin's Pathology, Clinicopathologic Foundations of Medicine, 5th Edition, 2008 edited by Rubin, Strayer, and Rubin (Lippincott Williams and Wilkins) as an alternative.

    Australian Medicines Handbook (online via Barr Smith Library).
    Online Learning
    Canvas released over the semester.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures will be supported by problem case based learning workshops and tutorials to reinforce and further expand or develop material covered in lectures.
    Workload

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

    Structured Learning:
    24 Lectures 1 hr duration
    7 Tutorials 1 hr duration
    4 CBLs 1 hr duration
    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

    Specific Course Requirements
    N/A
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    N/A
  • 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 Task Type Weighting Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Online Quizzes Formative 0% 1 - 8
    CBL tutorial assignments Summative 45% 1 - 8
    Mid-Semester test Summative 15% 1 - 8
    Assignment Summative 15% 1-8
    Examination Summative 25% 1 - 8
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Not applicable
    Assessment Detail
    Online quizzes: Students will complete three online quizzes over the course duration. These will be multiple choice, true /false, matching questions and provide feedback to students on how they are progressing.

    Mid-Semester test: This will be a 60 min online test consisting of multiple choice questions.

    Large group tutorials case based (CBL) assignments: 4 assignments based on sessions of CBL. Students will complete a worksheet for assessment based on CBL content.

    Assignment:  This online exercise requires you to conduct library-based research examining major drug classes including their use in the treatment of major human diseases and complete an online assignment.

    Exam
    : Online exam timed assessment (time allowed 120 minutes).


    Submission
    Online assignments will be delivered via MyUni.
    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.

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  • Policies & Guidelines
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