Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

The fundamental concepts introduced previously in 'Biological Bases of Health and Disease 1' will be developed further with a particular focus on health and disease across the life span and communicable disease.
The unit covers the biological and microbial determinants of diseases that are common global causes of death and disability.
Students will be encouraged to integrate knowledge of physiological factors, genetic factors and lifestyle choices to explain health and disease across the life span and to appreciate that knowledge of the biological determinants of disease can be applied to the prevention and control of disease.
Case studies will provide the opportunity for students to develop critical reasoning skills, self-learning and literacy skills necessary for understanding the biological bases of health and disease.

Objectives

1. Demonstrate understanding of the biological factors that determine maternal and child health outcomes;
2. Apply knowledge of the immune system to evaluate national and world immunisation programs;
3. Discuss the changing demographics in world population and the increased global burden of disease caused by mental health problems;
4. Compare the methods of transmission of communicable disease using appropriate examples of infections of global importance;
5. Discuss the role of environmental factors in the spread on communicable disease;
6. Discuss newly emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases and the challenges in controlling communicable disease in remote areas of Australia and in developing countries;
7. Explain the biological bases of selected global health problems and possible approaches towards their prevention and control.

Assessment

Hurdle requirement:
+ Attendance at 80% of tutorials
+ Online quizzes (4) 20%
+ Oral case presentation 10%
+ Written case report (1000-1500 words) 20%
+ Written examination (2 hours) 50%.

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Robert Burton

Contact hours

3 contact hours per week (1 Lecture hour and 2 tutorial/workshop hours) and 9 hours per week of private study.

Prerequisites

HSC1101

Co-requisites

Nil

Prohibitions

Nil