Advanced Investigation of Human Disease

Subject PATH30004 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

An enrolment quota of 50 students applies to this subject.

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 72 hours (6 hours per week)
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: B. Science students:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
and
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
B. Biomedicine students:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
and
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
NOTE: B.Biomedicine students doing a Defence & Disease major MUST consult the Majors Information Booklet for additional prerequisite requirements and choices.
Corequisites: B. Science students:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
B. Biomedicine students:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
NOTE: B. Biomedicine students doing a Defence & Disease major MUST consult the Majors Information Booklet for additional corequisite requirements and choices.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s programs.
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit:

http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Theo Mantamadiotis, Dr Vicki Lawson

Contact

Dr Vicki Lawson:
v.lawson@unimelb.edu.au

Administrative Coordinator:
BiomedSci-AcademicServices@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: PATH30004 Advanced Investigation of Human Disease extends the practical training objectives encompassed by PATH30002 Techniques for Investigation of Disease in the context of research projects of approximately 5-6 weeks duration. The emphasis of this course is to introduce students to the importance of research in the investigation of disease by undertaking a supervised small group-based experimental or library-based research project in a specific area of pathology. Major research areas covered in this subject include autoimmunity, immunopathology, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, cancer diagnosis, infectious diseases and the molecular, cellular and genetic bases of disease and disease therapies. This course introduces students to basic laboratory research and provides an insight and preparation for continuing a career in biomedical research.
Objectives: The aims of the course are:
  • to extend and complement the lecture material.
  • to provide experience in experimental techniques.
  • to provide experience in the experimental approach to problem solving through scientific research in pathology.
Assessment:

Assessment will include the following modalities:

(i) continuous assessment of laboratory performance throughout the semester (10%), (ii) a written research project report to be submitted at the end of the semester (60%) and (iii) a research seminar delivered towards the end of semester (30%).

Experimental and Library-based Research Reports (60%) must be of the order of 6000 – 8000 words in length excluding figures, diagrams, tables and the bibliography. Completion and submission of Experimental and Library-based Research Reports by the submission date indicated in the subject practical manual is a compulsory requirement of the course. Attendance at all practical talks, laboratory sessions, tutorials, research discussions and seminar rehearsals, as indicated in the subject practical manual or by course coordinator and/or the research project supervisor, is compulsory and a prescribed hurdle requirement of the subject.
Prescribed Texts: Research journal articles and selected texts as outlined in the research project descriptions within the subject handbook and indicated by research and teaching staff.
Recommended Texts:

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

The emphasis of this subject is to introduce students to the importance of research in the investigation of disease by undertaking short experimental or library-based research projects.

This will enable students to:

  • enhance practical skills by undertaking scientific techniques used for the investigation of disease.
  • develop a variety of skills in the experimental design, analysis and interpretation of scientific data which may be applied across the various scientific disciplines.
  • develop their critical thinking and problem solving techniques by the analysis and interpretation of scientific data.
  • develop an understanding of the importance of accurate recording, storage and retrieval of scientific information .
  • understand the ethical considerations of reliably performing, recording, storing and reporting scientific information.
  • improve written and oral communication skills by the preparation of a detailed written scientific report and the presentation of a seminar based on the research project.
  • develop inter-personal skills by working as a member of a team.
  • develop the capacity to work independently.
  • develop information management skills necessary for undertaking an informed research project.
Notes:
  • This subject is open to both B. Science and B. Biomedicine students.
  • B. Science students should be familiar with content of PATH20001 Exploring Human Disease
    and PATH30001 Mechanisms of Human Disease; B. Biomedicine students should be familiar
    with the Pathology component of their 200-level core subject BIOM20001 Molecular and Cellular
    Biomedicine.
  • B. Science and B. Biomedicine students intending to take a major in Pathology are required
    to enrol in both PATH30001 Mechanisms of Human Disease and PATH30002 Techniques for
    Investigation of Disease in Semester 1 and PATH30003 Consequences of Human Disease in
    Semester 2.
  • B. Biomedicine students doing a Defence & Disease major MUST consult the Majors
    Information Booklet for additional prerequisite and corequisite requirements and choices.
  • Laboratory coat and safety glasses are required.
  • Students should be familiar with the University policy on Plagiarism and must sign and
    attach an Anti-Plagiarism declaration to each Assessment Activity.
  • Completion and submission of Experimental and Library-based Research Reports by the
    submission date indicated in the subject practical manual is a compulsory requirement of
    the subject.
  • Attendance at all pre-practical talks, all practical sessions, tutorials, research discussions
    and seminar practice sessions as indicated in the subject practical manual or by subject
    coordinator and/or the research project supervisor is compulsory and a prescribed hurdle
    requirement of the subject.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Science
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Defence and Disease
Pathology
Science credit subjects* for pre-2008 BSc, BASc and combined degree science courses

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