Course Title: Biomedical and Physical Science 3

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Biomedical and Physical Science 3

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BIOL2063

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008

BIOL2066

Sale Campus

Undergraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008

BIOL2067

Hamilton Campus

Undergraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008

Course Coordinator: Dr Richard Guy

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7595

Course Coordinator Email: richard.guy@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 201.2.41


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

The course aims to encourage the study of human pathology, pathophysiology and microbiology. The course expands on the introductory concepts of the previous biomedical sciences courses by a more in depth study of microbiology, and advanced knowledge of some of the process underlying pathology and pathophysiology.

This course offers the advanced knowledge for the continuing professional study of human structure and function and is the third of 3 courses that form a continuum in the study of biosciences 1, 2 and 3. The relevance of this course and its study to you can be seen by its direct links to a number of nursing courses which develop knowledge and practical skills in nursing and can therefore be considered as providing an integral part in underpinning much of the study of nursing practice.

Key areas to be studied are:

  1. microbiology
  2. pathophysiology
  3. pathology
  4. pharmacology



Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course is designed to provide you with an opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the fundamental biomedical and physical concepts that are pertinent to the discipline of nursing.


On completion of this course, you shall be expected to be able to:

  1. identify the normal functioning of selected organ systems studied with the abnormal function of these organ systems;
  2. describe the main properties that are exhibited by such abnormal organ systems;
  3. integrate the relevant pathological and microbiological concepts pertinent to the abnormal function of such organ system;
  4. apply relevant pathological, microbiological and pathophysiolocial processes pertinent to nursing practice for selected case studies.

    This means that you will learn to
    • provide assessments using a structured approach.
    • collect and record data regarding the health and functional status of individuals and groups.
    • analyse and interpret data accurately.
    • identify and meet educational needs of individuals or groups to promote health.
    • maintain documentary records that are accurate and in accordance with the principles of confidentiality.
    • take appropriate nursing action with regard to legislation and common law affecting the care of individuals.
    • practice to ensure a safe outcome.
    • contribute to the maintenance of a safe, secure environment.
    • assess the learning needs of patients / groups.
    • provide relevant and current health care information to individuals and groups in a form which facilitates their understanding.
    • address environmental sustainability in critical decision making.
    • assess and manage risk of harm.
    • contribute to a culture of organisational responsibility.
    • discuss pharmacological approaches in controlling micro-organisms including the use of antibacterial drugs and antiseptics.
    • review how medications affect body defences.


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities that will be employed will promote and consolidate the areas to be studied outlined below. Learning activities will include the presentation of lectures and tutorials. In these the lecturer will summarise and interpret the course content. You’ll be able to ask questions and engage in individual or group discussion during these times with problems you may encounter during your study of this course and engage in open discussion to promote your problem solving abilities.

You’ll also be exposed to a number of presentations and demonstrations during laboratory sessions aimed at group discussion and open discussion or tutorial style learning aimed at exploring the relevance of these activities to the learning objectives. You’ll be expected to obtain obtain relevant course notes and engage in some on-line learning using the DLS or post messages on the discussion board relating to the course topic. The combination of these learning activities are aimed at encouraging you to develop practical and knowledge based skills will allow you to analyse and engage in problem based learning.


Overview of Learning Resources

To assist you in the achievement of the above objectives, the following resources are provided:

Lecture and on-line material
The lectures and reading material are intended to support and accompany the prescribed text. They do not substitute for wider reading but provide an opportunity to focus on specific details, complex areas and life examples. The on-line resource will contain lecture and laboratory notes. In addition case studies and practice questions will also be available.

This resource will offer more detail than required for this course, but will be used in more advanced components. Advice will be provided on which sections are relevant.
These resources are designed to support your learning, however, you will need to actively participate in the learning activities in order to maximise your learning efforts.

Practical classes
In microbiology, to integrate hands-on, practical learning.

Discussion Board
The Discussion Board is provided for you to discuss issues, concerns and to share your learning experiences as you progress through the course. This facility can be used for student to student interactions at any time, and will be used by staff to offer answers to general questions.

Tutorials
Allow for discussion of areas that are more complex, and for directing the course to meet the needs of specific programs.

We will use a number of prescribed texts and web resources all  available from the RMIT library.


Overview of Assessment

The assessment of this course includes an end of semester examination. A theory paper will test for the learning outcomes of the stated objectives of this course. The exam will test the stated learning outcomes with well designed questions geared toward testing whether you can apply the theory to nursing scenarios and whether you can integrate the basic concepts into nursing practice.

The exam will test all topics covered in the course and to pass you are required to obtain a combined pass in all components of the assessment, which consist of pathology, pathophysiology and microbiology.