Lecturer
Dr Sowmya Shetty
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- Herston
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 4
- Administrative campus
- Herston
- Coordinating unit
- Dentistry School
This course will introduce students to the study of clinically focussed sciences using a case-based learning approach that will be supported by a combination of competency building activities such as lectures, seminars, case-based discussions and workshops. Students will apply their knowledge of basic and clinical sciences to gain an appreciation of the scientific processes underpinning dental practice and the maintenance of oral health. Students will be introduced to common dental and oral diseases.
This course introduces students to the underpinning science of dentistry and provides a foundation for understanding the normal structure and function of the oral cavity, the development and eruption of the dentition and what constitutes a healthy oral cavity. By working through a series of learning activities, students will develop a knowledge base that integrates a number of scientific disciplines, and an ability to apply this knowledge to the field of dentistry and evidence-based patient care.
Course contact
Course coordinator
Dr Sowmya Shetty
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Jaya Seneviratne
Dr Marisca Pereira
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
The course contact hours include a weekly 2-hour lecture and a 3-hour workshop in addition to the online learning materials and activities. Lectures will be in-person with lecture recordings for the lectures provided that the technology functions (as it usually does), but we strongly recommend that you attend ALL live lectures and that you use the recordings only to help in your review of the material from the lectures that you have attended.
Note that the workshops will also be face-to-face, so you must attend these sessions to benefit from working through activities to apply the lecture material for a deeper understanding.
Aims and outcomes
This course provides detailed knowledge and understanding of the basic sciences including anatomy, biology, physics, chemistry, microbiology, and biochemistry in areas relevant to the practice of dentistry. This course helps students develop analytical and communication skills required for professional practice, including problem identification and their solutions, information literacy, academic writing and oral communication.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Describe in detail the anatomy and histology of structures within and around the oral cavity, including their clinical appearance using appropriate terms.
LO2.
Demonstrate an understanding of the basic biologic sciences relevant to dentistry, including embryology at a fundamental level as well as normal tooth development and eruption.
LO3.
Understand the role of both microbes and saliva in the oral environment, in both health and common dental diseases and conditions.
LO4.
Demonstrate an understanding of the basic physical and chemical sciences relevant to dentistry, including physical forces and acid-base and solubility equilibria.
LO5.
Use contemporary information technologies to critically identify and evaluate scientific evidence while contributing effectively to collaborative teamwork.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
In-Semester Exam
|
30% |
In-semester Saturday 28/03/2026 - 3/05/2026 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique |
Written Commentary
|
10% |
13/04/2026 5:00 pm |
| Creative Production/ Exhibition, Performance, Presentation, Poster |
Health Infographic Presentation (Group)
|
20% |
7/05/2026 - 14/05/2026
Specific presentation rosters will be provided by Week 6 on Blackboard. Infographics should be submitted one week before the presentation date allocated to the group. |
| Examination |
End of Semester Exam
|
40% MUST PASS |
End of Semester Exam Period 6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
In-Semester Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
In-semester Saturday
28/03/2026 - 3/05/2026
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
This 60 min in-semester exam will cover material delivered in specific weeks, and may include multiple-choice, multiple-answer, match the following, hotspot selection, and short-answer type questions. Inspera Assessment will be used in DENT1020.
The in-semester exam is centrally organised and invigilated. The exam date will be communicated via UQ Examinations directly to the students, and can be one of three Saturdays within the semester in week 5, 7 or 9.
- Further details will be provided on the Blackboard site for this course at start of semester.
- This is a digital exam conducted on Inspera platform and students in this course will need to complete and submit this using their own devices on site at a UQ location specified by UQ Central Examinations.
- If you do not have a laptop, you may be able to borrow a laptop from the Library (https://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/laptop-loans)
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 | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Written Commentary
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
13/04/2026 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
In this assessment, you will find literature relevant to a chosen dental science myth, and then systematically analyse this literature to evaluate the strength of the claims made and develop your own written argument that supports or debunks the myth.
The purpose of this assessment task is three-fold:
- To demonstrate your ability to produce an accurate written report in the form of a 750‑word commentary that explains the science underpinning a popular science myth relevant to dentistry.
- To assess your ability to evaluate arguments and integrate evidence from selected peer-reviewed literature, as well as any other sources of evidence you choose to support your own argument.
- To provide feedback on your skills in formal academic writing, including overall structure, logical progression, flow, paragraph structures, and use of an appropriate citation style.
The written report should be pitched to individuals with high health and science literacy, and includes professional peers in Dentistry.
Criteria and marking information will be available on the UQ.Learn site for this course.
You should choose a common topic within a wider team of 5 - 6 students. Each of you will critically examine the same 'popular science' myth. However, you must complete this assessment task individually.
Submission guidelines
The written commentary will be submitted online via the Turnitin link on the course Blackboard site.
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.
The written commentary is submitted individually, and forms part of a second task that is completed 2 weeks after this one, hence the maximum extension is 7 days.
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.
Health Infographic Presentation (Group)
- Identity Verified
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Creative Production/ Exhibition, Performance, Presentation, Poster
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
7/05/2026 - 14/05/2026
Specific presentation rosters will be provided by Week 6 on Blackboard. Infographics should be submitted one week before the presentation date allocated to the group.
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Peer assessed, Peer assessment factor.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
For this assessment, you will investigate and analyse scientific literature related to a selected dental science myth.
Working in a team of 5-6 students, you will create an accurate and engaging infographic that either supports or debunks your chosen myth for the group work.
You will present your infographic in person and explain the scientific reasoning behind your conclusions using language that is accessible for individuals with low health and science literacy.
The purpose of this assessment task is three-fold:
- To evaluate your ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- To demonstrate your capacity to communicate scientific concepts accurately and engagingly to a lay audience by creating an oral health infographic that explains the science behind a common dental-related myth that you may encounter in your future clinical practice, and presenting to an audience in person.
- To assess your ability to critically evaluate arguments and integrate evidence from selected peer‑reviewed literature, along with any other credible sources you choose, to support your own position on the myth.
All team members must present in the allocated in-person session.
You will have the opportunity to select your team members in one of the small group learning sessions. The teams will comprise 4 or 5 individuals from your tutorial group. All team members will receive the same mark for the content of the infographic and the presentation.
You will be required to rate the contribution of each team member against specific teamwork skills criteria and provide a short professional defence of your ratings. This will result in a peer assessment factor being applied to the overall mark for each student.
Criteria and marking information will be available on the UQ.Learn site for this course.
Submission guidelines
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.
The extension is limited to 7 calendar days to allow the group to present before end of semester.
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.
End of Semester Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40% MUST PASS
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This is a 90 min written exam consisting of multiple-choice and short answer questions covering content from Week 1 to Week 13 (inclusive). This is a MUST PASS assessment item. This is an on-site invigilated exam, that will require a computer for completion on the allocated day and time.
The in-semester exam is centrally organised and invigilated. The exam date will be communicated via UQ Examinations directly to the students.
- This is an invigilated digital exam conducted on Inspera platform.
- Students in this course will need to complete and submit this using their own devices on site at a UQ location specified by UQ Central Examinations.
- Further details, including an introduction to Inspera functionality, practice opportunities, and where to go for support, will be provided on the Blackboard site for this course in Week 1 of the semester.
- If you do not have a laptop, you may be able to borrow a laptop from the Library (https://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/laptop-loans).
Feedback on exams may be requested through the processes as defined by the School of Dentistry student services.
Hurdle requirements
Must passExam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| 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 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of less than 20% |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 20% but less than 45% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 45% but less than 50% OR Attains the overall pass mark BUT has failed the hurdle requirement |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 50% but less than 65% AND has passed the hurdle requirement |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 65% but less than 75% AND has passed the hurdle requirement |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of 75% but less than 85% AND has passed the hurdle requirement |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 85% and has passed the hurdle requirement |
Additional course grading information
Students must reasonably attempt all assessment tasks.
The end-of-semester examination is a hurdle requirement that must be passed in order to pass the course overall.
Percentage marks will be rounded to the nearest whole number e.g., 84.4% rounds down to 84%, and 84.5% rounds up to 85%. This applies to all grade cutoffs except for a grade of 4. The minimum pass mark is 50%, and a pass cannot be achieved with 49.5%.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Students must reasonably attempt all assessment tasks.
The end-of-semester examination is a hurdle requirement that must be passed in order to pass the course overall.
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.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Lectures Two hour lectures covering a range of topics related to the learning outcomes for this course. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Workshop |
Workshops Workshops will expand on the learning material from lectures. Small group interactive learning will be facilitated to get a deeper understanding of the clinical application of the lecture content. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Not Timetabled |
Self Directed Learning Students will be expected to complete 1-2 hours of self directed learning each week to prepare for face to face learning in lectures and workshops. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
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 for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
- Recording of Teaching Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:
- Occupational Health and Safety in the Laboratory Guideline
- Fitness to Practise Policy
- Vaccinations and Immunisation Procedure
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: