Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

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6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit



Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine


Dr Anna Vlahandonis



  • Second semester 2016 (Day)


This unit provides an introduction to the course of disease for common health conditions, and their impact on individuals and populations.

The unit outlines different types of disease, and explores common diseases from pathophysiological, psychosocial, and epidemiological perspectives. The course of disease, and contributing and risk factors at the individual and social levels are explored, as well as the consequences for individuals, health systems, and society.

Particular conditions considered will vary but will include diseases across the communicable, non-communicable, acute, chronic and degenerative conditions.



  1. Explain the biological basis of selected human health and disease.
  2. Describe the pathophysiology and course of disease for selected human diseases.
  3. Identify the social and individual factors contributing to selected human disease.
  4. Explain the consequences of selected human diseases for health systems, society and epidemiology.
  5. Critically appraise a current topic in human health and disease using relevant, high quality sources.
  6. Develop organisational and communication skills in a small team environment.


Group presentation (15 minutes) (10%)
Online quizzes (30 minutes) (10%)
Research portfolio (15 minutes oral presentation & 1 page topic summary & 2,500 words report) (35%)
2 x Exams (Mid-semester: 1 hour (10%) & End of year: 2 hours (35%)) (45%)

Hurdle requirement:
80% attendance at tutorials and participation in online tasks.

Workload requirements

6 hours per week contact hours plus 6 hours per week private study.

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Health science


Must be enrolled in one of the following courses: M20021, M20022, M20023, M20024, 3445.