UnitLevel 3Undergraduate

BMS3031 Molecular mechanisms of disease

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

BMS3031 Molecular mechanisms of disease is a level 3, 12-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2021 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It needs BMS1011, BMS1042, BMS2021, BMS1052, BMS2031, BMS1021, BMS1062, BMS1031, BMS2011, BMS2052, BMS2062 and BMS2042 and unlocks 2 units.

Credit points
12
Offered in 2021
Semester 1
Clayton
Assessment
Exam 30%
and 3 other tasks

This is the 2021 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Overview

This unit will provide insights into the molecular mechanisms that mediate human diseases and the specific biotechnologies used to facilitate diagnosis and treatment.

Relevant areas studied in this unit may change from year to year but will generally include a number of topics related to pharmacology, cancer, cardiovascular disease, development and stem cells, infection and immunity, metabolic disease and obesity, and neuroscience.

The small group work in the unit is designed to build employability skills for graduates.

Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, research skills and on communication skills in the context of biomedical research.

Offerings in 2021

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonOn campus

Assessment

  • Workshop assessments
    41%
  • Professional development
    2%
  • In-semester tests
    27%
  • End of semester exam (2 hours and 10 minutes)Threshold hurdle
    30%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Integrate, apply and build upon knowledge from previous core units in the study of the molecular mechanisms and defects that cause human disease, including how developmental errors and gene abnormalities may lead to abnormalities in protein structure and function.

  2. 2

    Discuss and evaluate the role of molecular techniques in the diagnosis of human diseases and the design of targeted therapies or specific treatments.

  3. 3

    Explain and predict the principles of pharmacokinetics and how these can influence the therapeutic use of drugs.

  4. 4

    Explore and analyse how patient factors (including genetics) can lead to interindividual variation in responses to drugs.

  5. 5

    Describe and apply skills required to undertake biomedical research activities and apply this to develop a career plan.

  6. 6

    Synthesise, integrate and summarise information from fundamental principles and techniques in biomedical sciences, then apply it to broader contexts.

  7. 7

    Work effectively and collaboratively in small teams and evaluate peer and self-performance.

  8. 8

    Present data and scientific ideas, in oral, written and visual forms using scientific language or plain English as appropriate.

Workload and teaching

  • Lectures48 hours
  • Workshops48 hours
  • Teaching approachPeer assisted learning

12 hours per week of directed learning including lectures (5hr), workshops (1hr), small group learning (3hr) and group and online activities (3hr), plus 12 hours of self-directed learning including private study and independent research

For full details of the teaching approach to this unit, please refer to Moodle.

Learning resources

Required resources

See Moodle for details about required resources.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Dr Daniel Czech
Associate Professor Elizabeth Davis
Chief Examiners
Associate Professor Elizabeth Davis

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for BMS3031?

You need BMS1011, BMS1042, BMS2021, BMS1052, BMS2031, BMS1021, BMS1062, BMS1031, BMS2011, BMS2052, BMS2062 and BMS2042 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.

What can I take after BMS3031?

BMS3031 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 2 units, including PHA3032 and PHA3042.

When is BMS3031 offered?

In 2021, BMS3031 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.

Does BMS3031 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 30% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.

More details

Credit points
12
Level
3
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational unit
School of Biomedical Sciences
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.250
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Not available