units

BMS1021

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

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This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2016 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

Monash University

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Biomedical Sciences

Coordinator(s)

Dr Chantal Hoppe

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2016 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit introduces the student to the fundamental units of life (the cells) and explores how cells come together to form primary tissues which subsequently combine to form the organ systems and ultimately the living organism. Cellular structure and metabolism is studied including the chemical constituents of living cells and the biological reactions that take place in them. Basic developmental biology concepts associated with the patterning of the body plan and embryological origins of cells and tissues are introduced and animal diversity in an evolutionary context is explored. The unit also introduces students to the microbial world and explores the structure and function of the immune system and how the body develops an immune response.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the properties and function of cells and explain how the primary tissue types combine to form a complete organism;
  2. Describe the effects of cellular mechanisms and environmental impacts on human development, and identify how they are applied in health and biotechnology;
  3. Describe the ways in which organisms regulate their internal systems and environment;
  4. Explain the principles behind the development of an immune response and the role of microorganisms in health and disease;
  5. Demonstrate critical thinking and written communication skills in the synthesis of an essay on an area of contemporary biomedical research;
  6. Perform laboratory techniques integral to the study of biomedical sciences and analyse and interpret results in consultation with research literature.

Assessment

Essay (1,000 words) (15%)
Practical class reports (25%)
Mid-semester summative test (1 hour) (10%)
Final exam (3 hours) (50%)

A pass in the final examination must be obtained to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

3 lectures and a 3-hour practical or equivalent per week.

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in one of the following:
+ Bachelor of Biomedical Science (including double degree programs)
+ Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Scholar Program)
+ Bachelor of Biomedical Science Advanced with Honours

Prohibitions