SLE346 - Molecular Basis of Disease

Unit details

Note: You are seeing the 2022 view of this unit information. These details may no longer be current.
Year:

2022 unit information

Important Update:

Unit delivery will be in line with the most current COVIDSafe health guidelines. We continue to tailor learning experiences for each unit to achieve the best possible mix of online and on-campus activities that successfully blend our approaches to learning, working and research. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates.

Last updated: 4 March 2022

Enrolment modes:Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: Matthew McKenzie
Prerequisite:

SLE212 and one of SLE206, SLE211, SLE222 or SLE214

Corequisite:

SLE010

Incompatible with:

Nil

Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

Scheduled learning activities - campus:

1 x 1 hour online class per week, 4 x 3 hour practicals per trimester, 1 x 3 hour online seminar per trimester.

Content

Molecular Basis of Disease is the study of the pathology of human disease at a molecular and cellular level. Building on previous knowledge of biology and chemistry, students will learn general principles of cell pathology and examine the molecular and cellular changes that lead to diverse clinical features seen in inherited syndromes and multisystem diseases. Fundamental concepts including toxic damage to cells, repair process within cells, cell ageing and mechanisms of cell death will be addressed in this unit. Students will apply knowledge of these fundamental concepts to study common disorders including cancer, diabetes and brain disease as well as explore how the environment can influence disease and the role of trace elements in human biology. During classes students will be exposed to current theories of the molecular basis of disease through articles from the primary scientific literature. In practical sessions, students will learn essential laboratory skills that will enable them to investigate some key concepts in cell biology and their relevance to diagnostic medicine. There will also be a component on medicine and ethical decision-making.  There will also be a component on medicine and ethical decision-making.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Identify the current scientific understanding of important cellular and molecular processes associated with disease.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO2

Analyse the cellular and molecular basis of disease.

GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO3

Identify the challenges in relation to determining the etiology of disease.

GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO4

Demonstrate knowledge of treatments for diseases and the basis on which new treatments are developed.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO5

Access valid scientific information and communicate the information in an informal setting.

GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Ethical Scenario and Oral presentation Written analysis and group presentation 10% To be scheduled in week 1
Online test 60-minute online multiple-choice test 10% Week 7 (during class time)
Practical reports Five written reports 40% 10 days after each practical session
Examination 2-hour online written examination 40% Examination period

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SLE346 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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