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Course profile

Integrative Physiology & Pathophysiology (BIOM3015)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Biomedical Sciences School

Students will examine how physiological systems maintain health throughout life & how these systems change with ageing & disease. Pathophysiology will be introduced as a basis for understanding the consequences of disease.

BIOM3015 is designed to build on the knowledge base and skills developed in second and third-level physiology. This course focuses on integrating and understanding the multiple pathways that contribute to the pathophysiology of diseases by exploring the mechanisms underlying the epidemic of chronic diseases that are emerging in our society. The lecture content is based on the themes of cardiovascular, renal, metabolism, endocrine, cancer and neurology.

We will explore how life events contribute to the onset of heart disease, type II diabetes, renal disease, and dementia as well as studying the wide-ranging pathological mechanisms of disease such as cancer, oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, hormone imbalances, and the role of the renin-angiotensin system in health and disease including cancer biology.

The theme of Physiology and Pathophysiology is continued in five modules that form the scientific reporting component of BIOM3015. "Cardiovascular Pathophysiology", "Renal Pathophysiology", "Cancer Pathophysiology", "Metabolic and Endocrine Pathophysiology" or "Neuro Pathophysiology". Guest lecturers will present current clinic developments.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Students are expected to have completed BIOM2012.ᅠCompletion of second level biochemistry and pharmacology coursesᅠwould also be advantageous.

Prerequisites

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

BIOM2012

Course contact

School enquiries

Student and Academic Administration Team

The SBMS Student and Academic Administration Team is located on Level 1 of the Sir William Macgregor Building (64-130).

Course staff

Lecturer

Guest lecturer

Timetable

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

Aims and outcomes

To gain an appreciation of how health is maintained throughout life by physiological systems (e.g., cardiovascular, renal, brain and endocrine systems) working in an integrated manner to regulate essential aspects of our internal environment (e.g., blood pressure, body weight). Embryonic development, normal ageing and disease processes will be examined and the student will be introduced to pathophysiology as a basis for understanding the consequences of disease on cells and tissues.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Analyse and evaluate the integration of physiological systems in the regulation of essential functions

LO2.

Analyse and evaluate the role of dysfunction as a cause of disease and the consequences of disease on multiple systems

LO3.

Apply skills in recognition of pathological changes in the structure of cells and tissues

LO4.

Apply skills in written and oral scientific communication, including comprehension and critical review of research articles.

LO5.

Evaluate and apply practical skills in the analysis, interpretation and presentation of scientific data

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Presentation Pathophysiology of Disease Series: Presentation slides
  • In-person
5% Required for oral assessment

16/08/2024 5:00 pm

Presentation Pathophysiology of Disease Series: Oral Presentation
  • In-person
20%

19/08/2024 - 19/09/2024

In class - during scheduled workshop

Paper/ Report/ Annotation Integreated Pathology Learning Centre Assessment 10%

25/10/2024 5:00 pm

Examination In-Semester Exam
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
25%

In-semester Saturday

31/08/2024 - 14/09/2024

Examination End of Semester Exam
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
40%

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Assessment details

Pathophysiology of Disease Series: Presentation slides

  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Presentation
Weight
5% Required for oral assessment
Due date

16/08/2024 5:00 pm

Task description

Pathophysiology of Disease.

Students will research and present on the pathophysiology of a disease of their choice (not covered by the lectures). Each presentation should include the known cause(s), pathophysiology, influences from other systems studied in the course (if relevant), current treatments, and an example of current cutting edge research in the disease or treatment. Students will be exposed to a diverse range of pathophysiological changes, their causes and treatment strategies.

Students are required to submit their presentation slides for the Oral presentation to Turnitin. Upon submission of the Presentation Slides, you should check in the Turnitin Assignment Inbox page that your report was submitted successfully.

This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools.

Submission guidelines

You must submit your Assessment task, with the electronic coversheet available on the School's website, 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 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

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. 

Pathophysiology of Disease Series: Oral Presentation

  • In-person
Mode
Activity/ Performance
Category
Presentation
Weight
20%
Due date

19/08/2024 - 19/09/2024

In class - during scheduled workshop

Task description

Pathophysiology of Disease.

Students will research and present on the pathophysiology of a disease of their choice (not covered by the lectures). Each presentation should include the known cause(s), pathophysiology, influences from other systems studied in the course (if relevant), current treatments, and an example of current cutting edge research in the disease or treatment. Students will be exposed to a diverse range of pathophysiological changes, their causes and treatment strategies. Further details of the assessment format and marking criteria will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.

The oral presentation will test the student's ability to present scientific data orally. Students must prepare and present a 20 minute oral presentation on their research project to the rest of the group. All students must attend the presentations by other students in their group.

Note these presentations will be recorded.

 

This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct .

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Integreated Pathology Learning Centre Assessment

Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation
Weight
10%
Due date

25/10/2024 5:00 pm

Task description

Students write a ~500 word diagnosis based on a clinical case study/patient profile given based on the learning activities of this lecture block. 

Upon submission of the Case Study task, you should check in the Turnitin Assignment Inbox page that your report was submitted successfully. Further details of the assessment format and marking criteria will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.

This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct .To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools.

Submission guidelines

You must submit your Assessment task, with the electronic coversheet available on the School's website , 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.

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. 

In-Semester Exam

  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
25%
Due date

In-semester Saturday

31/08/2024 - 14/09/2024

Task description

MCQ, Short Answer questions, and various question types. Questions will be related lectures from weeks 1 to 5. Details of the examination format will be provided in class and on the course Blackboard site during the semester.

The exam will be a closed book invigilated exam held on campus, undertaken via the Inspera eAssessment platform. Students will be required to bring a laptop to the exam that meets the device requirements for Inspera. It is important that you check before the exam that your laptop meets the device requirements for using the Inspera Assessment platform. If you do not own a suitable laptop, you can borrow one from the Library. The Library website Get familiar with Inspera provides the latest information for students about using Inspera. Further information about the exam will be provided on Blackboard.

This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 60 minutes
Calculator options

No calculators permitted

Open/closed book Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted
Exam platform Other
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

End of Semester Exam

  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
40%
Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Task description

MCQ, Short Answer questions, and various question types. Questions will be related lectures from weeks 6 to 13. Details of the examination format will be provided in class and on the course Blackboard site during the semester.

The exam will be a closed book on-campus exam. 

The exam will be a closed book invigilated exam held on campus, undertaken via the Inspera eAssessment platform. Students will be required to bring a laptop to the exam that meets the device requirements for Inspera. It is important that you check before the exam that your laptop meets the device requirements for using the Inspera Assessment platform. If you do not own a suitable laptop, you can borrow one from the Library. The Library website Get familiar with Inspera provides the latest information for students about using Inspera. Further information about the exam will be provided on Blackboard.

This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 120 minutes
Calculator options

No calculators permitted

Open/closed book Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted
Exam platform Other
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

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.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 0 - 29

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 0% - 29%.

2 (Fail) 30 - 44

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 30% - 44%.

3 (Marginal Fail) 45 - 49

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 45% - 49%

4 (Pass) 50 - 64

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 50% - 64%.

5 (Credit) 65 - 74

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 65% - 74%.

6 (Distinction) 75 - 84

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 75% - 84%.

7 (High Distinction) 85 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 85% - 100%.

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.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

School of Biomedical Sciences Assessment Guidelines

  • Assessment due dates and times listed areᅠBrisbane local (AEST) time.ᅠ
  • If you require further feedback on your performance in examinations, you can attend an advertised examination viewing session or email the course coordinator. During exam review, students have the right to peruse (but not copy by any means, any part of) an unmarked copy of the examination paper.

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

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

There is no appropriate textbook which could be recommended. Lecturers are experts in their field and will recommend specific articles. It is therefore essential students attend lectures and make use of internet based information sources (MEDLINE, PubMed; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/). The use of web based information sources will be necessary for the oral assignment. 

Learning activities

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

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Multiple weeks
Workshop

Oral Reports

Pathophysiology of Disease.
Submission of presentation will be in Week 4 (18th Aug), with presentations occurring in weeks 5-8.
Students will research and present on the pathophysiology of a disease of their choice (not covered by the lectures, based on a provided list). Each presentation should include the known cause (if known), pathophysiology, influences from other systems studied in the course (if relevant), current treatments, and an example of current cutting edge research regarding the disease or treatment.
Students will be exposed to a diverse range of pathophysiological changes, their causes and treatment strategies.
Readings/Ref: literature searches

Lecture

Introduction to Course [M Reichelt/K Walton]

Overview of the course including lecture content, and assessment items (case study /patient diagnosis and oral presentation)

Lecture

Cardiovascular [W Thomas]

Epidemiological, preclinical and clinical aspects of cardiovascular disease

Lecture

Cardiovascular [M Reichelt]

ECGs and arrhythmias

Lecture

Cardiovascular [W Thomas]

Hypertension: causes, sequelae and treatment

Lecture

Cardiovascular [W Thomas]

Heart Failure: types, management and therapies

Lecture

Cardiovascular [W Thomas]

Cardiac regeneration: can you mend a broken heart?

Lecture

Cardiovascular [M Reichelt]

Ischaemic heart disease and the aging cardiovascular system

Lecture

Cardiovascular [M Reichelt]

Females and cardiovascular disease, diabetic cardiomyopathy and diastolic dysfunction

Lecture

Multidisciplinary [M Reichelt/K Walton]

Tissue crosstalk in exercise: Cardiovascular, metabolic and musculoskeletal crosstalk in exercise

Lecture

Cardiovascular [P Jansen]

Clinical Hypertension

Lecture

Renal [N Rajapakse]

Nitric oxide, hypertension and kidney disease

Lecture

Renal [N Rajapakse]

Nitric oxide and cardiorenal syndrome

Lecture

Renal [N Rajapakse]

Oxidative stress and cardiorenal syndrome

Lecture

Clinical renal pathologies [R Francis]

Lecture

Metabolism [K Walton]

Metabolism, obesity and diabetes 1

Lecture

Metabolism [K Walton]

Metabolism, obesity and diabetes 2

Lecture

Metabolism [K Walton]

Lipid metabolism and liver pathologies

Lecture

Metabolism [S Furness]

Appetite and satiety 1

Lecture

Metabolism [S Furness]

Appetite and satiety 2

Lecture

Metabolism [C Foldi]

Central control of feeding and eating disorders - guest lecturer from Monash University

Lecture

Endocrine [K Walton]

Pathophysiology associated with disrupted endocrine systems (thyroid, hypothalamus, parathyroid, adrenals)

Lecture

Metabolism [J Lockett]

Diabetes and Obesity

Lecture

Endocrine [K Walton]

Reproductive endocrine disorders

Lecture

Cancer [F Simpson]

Cancer therapy resistance

Lecture

Cancer [F Simpson]

Therapy regimes and mechanisms

Lecture

Cancer [F Simpson]

Immunotherapy in cancer

Lecture

Cancer [S Wu]

Using nano-approaches to treat cancer

Lecture

Cancer [S Wu]

Fast tracking clincal translation of cancer therapeutics

Lecture

Cancer [A Hagg]

Cancer cachexia - cellular mechanisms driving weakness and frailty in cancer

Lecture

Cancer [K Radford]

Guest Lecture: Cancer Therapy and disease vaccination strategies

Lecture

Neurology [E Coulson]

What is Alzheimer's disease

Lecture

Neurology [E Coulson]

Alzheimer's disease - risk factors

Lecture

Neurology [E Coulson]

Other neurodegenerative diseases - differences and mechanisms

Lecture

Neurology [J Kesby]

Schizophrenia

Lecture

Neurology [J Kesby]

Addiction

Lecture

Neurology [J Kesby]

Vitamin D and the brain

Case-based learning

Patient Diagnoses Assignment

Students to select one of 5 clinical case studies for this assignment. Case studies will be released at the beginning of Week 2 and are to be completed at a convenient time prior to end of semester.

Students will answer specific questions regarding a patient diagnosis based on a clinical case report and any provided data or on a hypothetical case study.
Students will need to justify their diagnosis, suggest additional testing that could be used to provide further clarification of the diagnosis, suggest practical outcomes, and/or analyse clinical-style data.
Students should draw on the information provided in the lectures, although independent research may also assist. The students are not expected to have any previous medical training.
The assignments are considered a learning tool to practice integrating the content of the lectures, rather than a typical assignment requiring significant independent research. Each student must submit their own answer sheet.

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:

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: