Course coordinator
Dr Sepanta Hosseinpour
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- 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 maintaining 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 staff
Lecturer
Dr Sepanta Hosseinpour
Associate Professor Jaya Seneviratne
Dr Himanshu Arora
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 aﾠ3-hour workshop in addition to the online learning materials and activities. Mostﾠlectures will be in-person and there will be 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.
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.
Demonstrate an ability to locate and evaluate evidence in a critical and scientific manner using contemporary information technology.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Production/ Exhibition, Participation/ Student contribution |
Question Authoring and Answering via RiPPLE
|
10% |
31/03/2025 - 19/05/2025 |
| Examination |
In-Semester Exam
|
30% |
11/04/2025 1:00 pm |
| Creative Production/ Exhibition, Poster |
Written Report Health Infographic
|
20% |
6/05/2025 - 9/05/2025 |
| Examination |
End of Semester Exam
|
40% MUST PASS |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
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
Question Authoring and Answering via RiPPLE
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Creative Production/ Exhibition, Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
31/03/2025 - 19/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
You are required to author and evaluate resources and answer questions that are authored by your instructors and your peers. Two rounds of RiPPLE will be run during the semester, with assessable items due in weeks 6 and 12. A full description of the platform used and the assessment items will be available on Blackboard.
Submission guidelines
Detailed instructions for using RiPPLE will be provided on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
In-Semester Exam
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
11/04/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
The in-semester exam will cover the material from Week 1 to Week 5 (inclusive) and will include multiple-choice and short-answer questions. This exam will be a 60-minute exam including 10 minutes of reading time.
Inspera Assessment will be used in DENT1020. Inspera Assessment provides additional functionality to complement the existing suite of digital learning tools at UQ with a greater range of question types, accessibility provisions, and non-English languages. The in-semester exam and EOS exam would include an invigilated digital exam and students in this course will complete and submit this using their own devices. 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.
Feedback on exams may be requested through the processes as defined by the School of Dentistry student services. 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) or arrange to take your exam in one of the 24/7 Library spaces. More details about this type of exam, including the onboarding process, will be provided in myUQ. The student that fails to provide in-semester exam answers within the time frame described above will receive 0 and the assessment regulations and guidelines from the University of Queensland will be applied.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 50 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 Report Health Infographic
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Creative Production/ Exhibition, Poster
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
6/05/2025 - 9/05/2025
- 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 work in a team of 3-4 students to create an accurate and engaging infographic explaining the underpinning science to support or debunk the myth in language suitable for an audience with low health and science literacy.
The purpose of this assessment task is two-fold:
- To document your ability to explain scientific concepts to a lay audience in an accurate but engaging way, in the form of an oral health infographic, explaining the science underpinning a popular science myth relevant to dentistry and that you may encounter via your patients in your future professional practice.
- To assess your ability to evaluate the arguments and integrate evidence from the chosen peer-reviewed literature and any other sources of evidence you choose to support your own argument.
You will have the opportunity to select your team members in one of the small group learning sessions. The teams will comprise 3 individuals from your tutorial group. You need to present your infographic in a tutorial session in the class. All team members will receive the same mark for the content of the infographic.
You will be required to rate the contribution of each team member against specific teamwork skills criteria and provide a short (100 word max), professional defence of your ratings. (Note: this text will remain confidential). In exceptional circumstances, for example if a student has not contributed to the team assessment at all, this peer rating may be used to adjust the mark of the individual for the team assessment. This will be at the discretion of the course coordinator and discussed with relevant individual students.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
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
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40% MUST PASS
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
A 2-hour 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.
Inspera Assessment will be used in DENT1020. Inspera Assessment provides additional functionality to complement the existing suite of digital learning tools at UQ with a greater range of question types, and accessibility provisions. Inspera Assessment will be used in DENT1020. The EOS exam would include an invigilated digital exam and students in this course will complete and submit this using their own devices. 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.
Feedback on exams may be requested through the processes as defined by the School of Dentistry student services.
If you do not have a laptop with a webcam, speakers, and microphone or access to a PC with a webcam, speakers, and microphone you may be able to borrow a laptop from the Library (https://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/laptop-loans) or arrange to take your exam in one of the 24/7 Library spaces. More details about this type of exam, including the onboarding process, will be provided in myUQ.
Hurdle requirements
Must passExam 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 | 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
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
A lot of practice questions will be provided in lectures, tutorials and formative online quizzes to help you to prepare for the standard of questions that you can expect in the summative mid-semester and end of semester examinations.
All of the materials that you will need for your classes and assessment tasks in the course will be made available via the DENT1020 Blackboard website, either directly or through internet links.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Lecture |
Introduction to the course + Cells and cellular processes Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Lecture |
Embryology of the head,face and oral cavity Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Workshop |
Embryology of the Head, Face and Oral Cavity Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Lecture |
Tooth development, eruption and shedding Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Workshop |
Tooth development Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Workshop |
Library workshop: Essential digital skills Learning outcomes: L05 |
|
Workshop |
Library workshop: Getting started on Assessment Learning outcomes: L05 |
|
Workshop |
Anatomy of the skull and oral histology Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Lecture |
Introduction to oral histology, soft tissue Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Lecture |
Epithelium , connective tissue and lymph Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Lecture |
Introduction to anatomy, Skull and paraoral tissue Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Lecture |
Mid-sem exam information session Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Lecture |
The structure and function of bone Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Lecture |
Dental histology: Periodontium Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Lecture |
Dental histology: Dentine-pulp complex Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Lecture |
Introductory physics in a dental context Learning outcomes: L04 |
|
Lecture |
Dental histology: Enamel Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Workshop |
Myths in dentistry + Oral infographic presentation Learning outcomes: L05 |
|
Workshop |
Dental histology and Saliva and salivary glands Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Lecture |
Saliva composition and salivary glands Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Lecture |
Development of Oral Microflora Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Workshop |
Development of oral microflora Learning outcomes: L03 |
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.
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: