BMS3052 - Biomedical basis and epidemiology of human disease - 2019

This unit will have a combined approach and examine the biomedical and epidemiological impacts of human disease on society. It will concentrate on the pathobiological and biomedical basis of prevalent human disease processes. Relevant areas examined in this unit may change from year to year but will generally include immune and inflammatory diseases, (e.g. inflammatory renal and joint disease); cancer biology (focussing on mechanisms of tumour spread); cardiovascular biology, (coronary heart disease/cerebrovascular disease); diabetes, obesity and neurological diseases. Disease pathogenesis, including lessons gained from cell/molecular biology and disease models will be the major focus. Concurrently, the epidemiological/clinical features of each disease, current treatments, challenges and future treatment prospects, including clinical trials will be covered highlighting the importance of an evidence-based approach to health care. This will discuss the complexities behind treatment based decision making by reviewing the evidence- base and understanding the criteria for deciding on what is best evidence. This unit will consider the biomedical basis and epidemiology in the context of the Australian health care system, including the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), health policy and service delivery systems, putting illness and health in the context of social, cultural and behavioural systems.

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

1. Integrate and apply their knowledge from previous core units in the study of specific human diseases;
2. Describe and distinguish between the pathobiological processes related to disease;
3. Recognise and cite evidence for how biomedical research, including cell biology, animal models of disease and human studies are important in defining the pathogenesis of disease and the optimal treatment of disease in a public health context;
4. Demonstrate sophisticated interpretation and application of epidemiological methods and principles and discuss critically and cite evidence for the impact of disease on the individual and society;
5. Identify and evaluate the contribution of the epidemiological studies involved in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases and justify your reasoning;
6. Critically assess the epidemiological quality of research in a range of studies outlining the basis of your methodological approach and criteria for determining the quality of the research;
7. Synthesise and critically analyse medical literature to discover future challenges in disease pathogenesis and treatment;
8. Further develop research skills including collaborative team work, clear communication and interpersonal skills as well as critical thinking and writing skills.

NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 3 hours and 10 minutes.

• Written exam (3 hours) (45%) (Hurdle)
• In-semester activities (Online quiz) (10%)
• Small group activities (Tutorial based activities) (15%)
• Systematic review (Oral and written presentation) (4,000 words) (30%)

4 hours per week (lectures) plus 4 hours per week for small group work. There is a total of 8 hours per week in contact time and 16 hours of private study.

See also Unit timetable information

Biomedical science