Course Title: Biology of Tissue Growth and Repair

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Biology of Tissue Growth and Repair

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BIOL2299

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016

BIOL2299

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 2 2024

BIOL2321

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010

Course Coordinator: Prof Steven Bozinovski

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: steven.bozinovski@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study

You should have satisfactorily completed following course/s before you commence this course.

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.


Course Description

This course, through a series of lectures, tutorials and workshops highlights the current understanding of cellular mechanisms involved in processes such as cell growth and differentiation, cell proliferation and death and their importance in health and disease processes. Emphasis in the lecture component of the course will be on understanding the processes involved and how these relate to diseases such as inflammation and cancer. Analysis of research material will develop the students’ critical thinking in current aspects of tissue dynamics and interactions. The skills developed will be of importance in future study as postgraduate students or employment in research laboratories or industry. 

You will gain knowledge in the processes of tissue repair and pathological processes such as inflammation and wound repair, immune system function, cancer development, tumour immunology, skin biology, and stem cells.  


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the program learning outcomes in the following disciplines:

Biomedical Science (BP231):

  • Scientific knowledge (PLO 2)
  • Inquiry and problem solving (PLO 3)
  • Communication skills (PLO 4)

Biotechnology/Biomedical Science (BP293):

  • Exhibit depth and breadth of scientific knowledge (PLO 2)
  • Critically analyse and solve scientific problems (PLO 3)


Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Explain the processes involved in normal cell growth, adult tissue and stem cells to analyse the effect of disease on these processes.
  2. Differentiate the roles played by oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in tumorigenesis;
  3. Discuss the effect altered signalling pathways play in tumour cells;
  4. Evaluate the role played by stromal cells in cancer cell biology;
  5. Identify the protective roles epidermal cells play in skin biology;
  6. Distinguish between immune system function in both normal and diseased patients;
  7. Evaluate the mechanisms involved in boosting immune system function in cancer patients;
  8. Retrieve and present relevant literature in regards to tumorigenesis, tumour immunology, wound repair and immune system dysfunction.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, workshop, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both. 

Recorded lectures will introduce you to the latest understanding of tissue growth, repair and the factors controlling cell differentiation, proliferation and death. The basis of the techniques used to study these processes will be examined in lectures and tutorials.  

Tutorials are used to discuss the current literature in the areas of immune cell function, cell growth and differentiation and important concepts in the area of repair such as fibrosis, angiogenesis, stem cells as well as cancer development, metastasis and current treatment therapies. Tutorials are designed to assist students in their understanding of material delivered in lectures. 

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Workshop Reports (2)
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 & 8

Assessment Task 2: Quizzes (6)
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 3: Mid semester test   
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7

Assessment Task 4: End of Semester Test
Weighting 40%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.