med3msa medical sciences a

ADVANCED TOPICS IN MEDICAL SCIENCE A

MED3MSA

2016

Credit points: 30

Subject outline

Advanced Topics in Medical Science A (MED3MSA) is a third year subject that consists of topics in infection and immunity, and cancer biology and will include foundation skills in exploring and interpreting the medical science literature. We will examine human immunology in health and disease, infectious diseases and continue the exploration of the hallmarks of cancer begun in MED2BMS including cell cycle control and cell death, metastasis and angiogenesis, tumour immunology, molecular pharmacology and therapeutics. Students will be introduced to the Cochrane library and develop an understanding of trial design, the issues to consider in interpretation of clinical data and meta-analyses and ethical issues related to medical science.

SchoolSchool of Molecular Sciences/LIMS

Credit points30

Subject Co-ordinatorFiona Carroll

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites MED2BMS and must be enrolled in one of: SBMS, SBMSSI, SBSSI and must have completed 75 credit points at second year.

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjectsN/A

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Discuss key principles and give examples describing our current understanding of human infection and immunity, aging, and cancer biology.

Activities:
Quizzes are given in lectures as formative assessment of content knowledge. Case Studies (see ILO 6) Written Examination questions Practical exercises and assessments
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
Writing(Writing)
Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)

02. Apply these principles to understand and explain new examples or clinical/research cases.

Activities:
Practical exercises will require the application of discipline specific knowledge as will the discussion of cases for the case study assesments (see ILO6). Written examination questions require some application of knowledge in some instances.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Writing(Writing)
Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)

03. Recognise the importance of the scientific method and robust experimental design to critically evaluate published material and analyse data generated in practical classes.

Activities:
The "skills" series of classes will discuss these principles in regard to interpreting reliability of published data with particular emphasis on clinical trial data and issues to consider when interpreting meta-analyses when experimental design & protocol varies between studies. These principles will also be discussed with relation to the experimental exercises - in some instances students will be asked to chose appropriate controls for their experiments.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Writing(Writing)

04. Conduct laboratory experiments in a safe and professional manner following written protocols and record data obtained accurately.

Activities:
Experimental exercise during practical sessions, working co-operatively in small groups in a laboratory setting.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)
Writing(Writing)
Teamwork(Teamwork)

05. Analyse, interpret and report on both published experimental data and data generated during experimental classes.

Activities:
Exercises designed to develop these skills, asking questions about published material. Written reports on experimental exercises.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Writing(Writing)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)

06. Summarise knowledge of disease-related topics with application to a specific 'case' supported by evidence obtained from primary information sources.

Activities:
Case Study sessions are used for guided study and group discussion of the case in light of current knowledge. Students then research the topic further and write a fully referenced report on the assigned case topic.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Writing(Writing)
Speaking(Speaking)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)

07. Discuss ethical issue in biomedical science by evaluating their complex nature and the difference between objective and subjective reasoning.

Activities:
Current topics in the biomedical ethical literature are discussed in class as is an awareness of individual bias and subjective versus objective arguments. Students are then assigned a topic and a team to prepare a 'staged' debate where they examine both sides of the argument and present this to the class.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Teamwork(Teamwork)
Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Speaking(Speaking)

Subject options

Select to view your study options…

Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2016, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment size96

Enrolment information Prac lab availability. This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Biomedical Science.

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorFiona Carroll

Class requirements

PracticalWeek: 10 - 22
One 5.0 hours practical per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

LectureWeek: 10 - 22
Four 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Case study reports - 2 x 750 words1006
End of semester exam 1 (2h)2001, 02
End of semester exam 2 (2h)2001, 02
Ethics debate1007
Practical component - 2 x written reports @ 1000 words; worksheets ~1000 words3002, 03, 04, 05
Skills test1003, 05

Singapore, 2016, Summer, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorFiona Carroll

Class requirements

PracticalWeek: 45
One 60.0 hours practical per study period on weekdays during the day in week 45 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Consisting of wet/dry/simulation activities."

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Case study reports - 2 x 750 words1006
End of semester exam 1 (2h)2001, 02
End of semester exam 2 (2h)2001, 02
Ethics debate1007
Practical component - 2 x written reports @ 1000 words; worksheets ~1000 words3002, 03, 04, 05
Skills test1003, 05

Singapore, 2016, Summer, Night

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorFiona Carroll

Class requirements

PracticalWeek: 45
One 60.0 hours practical per study period on weekdays at night in week 45 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Consisting of wet/dry/simulation activities."

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Case study reports - 2 x 750 words1006
End of semester exam 1 (2h)2001, 02
End of semester exam 2 (2h)2001, 02
Ethics debate1007
Practical component - 2 x written reports @ 1000 words; worksheets ~1000 words3002, 03, 04, 05
Skills test1003, 05