Integrated Biomedical Sciences for Midwifery (BIOM2071)

Course overview

In this course, Bachelor of midwifery students and dual degree students will gain an integrated understanding of how different physiological systems must adapt to allow initiation, continuation, and completion of a healthy pregnancy. As most pregnancy induced anatomical and physiological adaptations involve the endocrine system, this will feature heavily in this course.

This course also describes in further details, the development of the fetus and newborn and the importance of using the correct pharmaceuticals in pregnancy to minimise harm to the fetus while allowing for appropriate treatment of the mother. This course also highlights the pathological processes which mediate adverse pregnancy outcomes.

This course will equip students with the knowledge and skillsﾠthat are needed for theﾠunderstanding of physiological processes associated with pregnancy and pathological processes that lead to poor maternal and neonatal outcomes.ﾠAs certain physiological systems undergo drastic changesﾠduring pregnancy, maternal changes to theﾠnervous system,ﾠtheﾠgastrointestinal system and the cardiovascular system will be of key focus in this course. Hormones regulate most of these pregnancy adaptations, and so the endocrine system is also taught in detail.ﾠThis course will also build on content taught in first year BIOM courses that relate to fetal development and introduce physiological processes that occur in the newborn baby.ﾠStudents will alsoﾠbecome familiar with the risks associated with usingﾠpharmacological agents during pregnancy and will gain an understanding of treatments that are usedﾠin pregnant or lactating women. The course involves three (3) lectures per week, two (2) practical laboratory sessions and three (3) online workshops throughout the semester. Part of the assessment in this course is to select a disease/disorder of pregnancy that is caused by a disruption of homeostasis and write a Fact Sheet.

Practical classes conducted in the Gross Anatomy Facility (GAF) in the Otto Hirschfeld Building (#81), St Lucia Campus use human cadaveric specimens. Students unable to fully participate for medical, personal or religious reasons, should discuss their situation with the Course Coordinator prior to enrolment.

Of special note:

• The study of real human anatomy depends on altruistic gifts of donors and demands a respectful behaviour and professional attitude of students and staff at all times (see Learning Resources for compulsory training and relevant acts and policy documents). Students should note that it is a requirement under Queensland law to appropriately conduct themselves when examining any material derived from donated human cadavers. The Transplantation and Anatomy Act, 1974 (Qld), s34 (2) states that: "A person who performs an anatomical examination upon a body shall do so in a quiet, orderly and decent manner." A failure to comply with this rule of the Anatomy Act may be regarded as a criminal offence under part s236 (b) of the Criminal Code Act, 1899 (Qld) which states "A person improperly or indecently interferes with, or offers any indignity to, any dead human body or human remains, whether buried or not...is liable to imprisonment...". Any such breaches may be referred to, or prosecuted by, the police.
• As per the SBMS Code of Conduct for Use of Human Tissues (see 3.1 Required Learning Resources), personal electronic devices including mobile phones, cameras, tablets and other recording devices, must not be used anywhere in the anatomy teaching facilities, and they cannot be carried on your person (even in the off position) beyond the bag rack areas. Exemptions may be provided by the GAF manager for certain medical conditions. Use of the cadavers for entertainment, profit, and/or other personal purposes is strictly prohibited. Unauthorised photography, electronic imaging, and/or postings on social media that compromise donor confidentiality or discuss dissecting room protocol are banned. Severe penalties apply for breach of these rules, including expulsion from the University.
• Learning Resources provides further informationﾠ

Course requirements

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

BIOM1060 and BIOM1061

Restrictions

BMid, BN/BMid students only

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Aims and outcomes

BIOM2071 provides students with the fundamental integrated biomedicalﾠknowledge that allows students to understand the processes which mediate healthy changes within the bodyﾠduring pregnancyﾠas well as the pathophysiological processes that lead to complications of pregnancy.ﾠStudents undertaking BIOM2071 should understand and appreciate that:

• Pregnancy involves a large number of physiological adaptations that are required to support the development of the baby and that these changes can lead to pathological outcomes for the mother
• Theﾠendocrine system regulates many physiological changes to the mother including changes to the cardiovascular system,ﾠgastrointestinal, metabolic systems and neurologicalﾠsystems
• Pathophysiological processes may occur in the perinatal or postnatal period or during pregnancy and may affect the mother and foetus
• Diverse factors have to be taken into account in the clinical use of drugs during pregnancy and birth

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

In-semester Examination

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

20%

Due date

24/03/2025 4:00 pm

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L07

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Engagement Assessment

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Oral

Category

Practical/ Demonstration, Quiz

Weight

20%

Due date

These quizzes are completed in class. See the timetable for your scheduled class times.

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L09, L10

Task description

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Late submission

No late submissions possible.

Fact Sheet on one maternal disorder

Mode

Written

Category

Essay/ Critique

Weight

15%

Due date

17/04/2025 1:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L07

Task description

Submission guidelines

You must submit your Assessment task, with the electronic coversheet available on the School's website (under Undergraduate - Assessment), to Turnitin by the submission deadline. You may submit drafts to Turnitin up to the due date, but you will only be able to submit once on or after the due date. You should also keep an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Requests for extension must be made prior to the submission deadline, even if you are awaiting your supporting documentation. Late requests for extension will not be accepted for consideration unless you provide evidence of exceptional circumstances preventing you from submitting a request prior to the deadline, e.g., due to hospitalisation.

If you have been granted an extension, then the assessment specified late submission penalty in the table above will apply to submissions made after the due date of the approved extension.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties uploading your submission, please email a copy of your assessment to sbms@enquire.uq.edu.au so this can be logged on your behalf before the due date. 

End of Semester Exam

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

45%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

No assessment items are compulsory. A mark of zero will be recorded if an assessment item is not submitted. Penalties apply for late submission unless there is an approved extension date.ﾠ

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

The supplementary assessment may be in the form of an exam (written or oral), a written submission or another assessment as determined by the Course Coordinator. It may be made up of multiple components and will allow students to meet any outstanding Learning Outcomes. The final grade awarded will be based on the results of the supplementary assessment only and a passing grade will be awarded only if a student passes the supplementary assessment.

Additional assessment information

Information onﾠapplying for anﾠassessment extensionﾠcan be found on theﾠApplying for an extensionﾠwebsite.

Information onﾠapplying for aﾠdeferred examﾠcan be found on theﾠDeferring an examﾠwebsite.

Information onﾠassessment re-mark requestsﾠcan be found on theﾠQuerying a resultﾠwebsite.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Other course materials

Additional learning resources information

BIOM2071ﾠlecture and practical & workshop notes will be available in downloadable format (pdf) on the courseﾠblackboard siteﾠ(www.elearning.uq.edu.au).ﾠ Students are expected to check the course blackboard site regularly for announcements.

A GAF Policy and Procedures Laboratory Manual will also be available to students when in the GAF. Compulsory face-to-face GAF inductions for students will also be conducted at the start of semester, by the GAF staff, at scheduled times. Students are required to attend one of these face-to-face induction sessions prior to undertaking any classes in the GAF.ﾠAny non-compliance with state legislation or university, school or GAF policy may result in an investigation and disciplinary action.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:

• SBMS Assessment Guidelines

Course guidelines

State Legislation

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students should be familiar with and shall not contravene:

The Transplantation and Anatomy Act, 1979 (Qld) - http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/T/TransplAAnatA79.pdf

The Criminal Code Act, 1899 (Qld) - https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/legisltn/current/c/crimincode.pdf