Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Undergraduate - Unit


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24 points, SCA Band 3, 0.500 EFTSL


FacultyFaculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
OfferedClayton First semester 2013 (Day)
Sunway First semester 2013 (Day)
Coordinator(s)Dr Richard Loiacono/ Professor Shah Yasin


MED1011 will introduce students to the four themes (sub-units) upon which the five-year curriculum is based:
THEME I: Personal and Professional Development: students will participate in a transition program, focusing on transition to university life, personal ethics, healthy lifestyle, group support and communication skills. This will be followed by a Health Enhancement program concentrating on self care (stress management, relaxation training, coping skills), other aspects of healthy lifestyle and group support, and introduction to the science of Mind-Body Medicine. Also included: an introduction to Ethics and Medical Law.
THEME II: Population, Society, Health and Illness: Health, Knowledge and Society Teaching will provide a framework of inquiry allowing analysis of the social aspects of medicine.
THEME III: Foundations of Medicine: The Fabric of Life provides students with foundation knowledge in genomics and cell biology in health and disease. An integral part of this theme will be the weekly problem based learning activity
(PBL). Each PBL integrates material presented to students in this and other themes throughout the week.
THEME IV: Clinical Skills: introduces students to practical clinical skills including: handwashing, sharps disposal; subcutaneous and intramuscular injecting. Students will interact with health care professionals during medical contact visits, and will be introduced to the medical interview, taking a family history, ethical aspects of medical contact visits.


Theme I: On completion of this sub-unit students will be able to:

  1. Identify issues which affect their transition from school to university
  2. Develop strategies for maintaining their mental and physical health status
  3. Examine the similarities/differences between ethical issues in personal and professional life
  4. Be acquainted with the legal framework within which medical practice operates and the legal basis of the doctor-patient relationship

Theme II: On completion of this sub-unit students will be able to:

  1. Discuss different perspectives on health, illness and medical practice
  2. Describe associations between health and illness and social on access to health care
  3. Consider appropriate adaptations of medical practice to suit cultural and social circumstances
  4. Critically examine the influence their own experiences, background and culture have on their attitudes towards medicine
  5. Demonstrate basic skills in accessing research materials from personal, print and electronic sources

Theme III: On completion of this sub-unit, students will have knowledge and understanding of:

  1. normal cell and tissue structure and formation;
  2. genes in health and disease;
  3. the immune system in health and disease;
  4. interaction between microbial organisms and the human host and the role of parasites and fungi in infectious disease;
  5. injury and the host response;
  6. the nature of neoplasia and genetic and environment factors leading its progression and spread.
  7. demonstrate an introductory level of understanding of human psychology and the neurobiological basis of human behaviour
  8. demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of the general principles, concepts and language of neuroscience that will provide a basis for the study of neural control of body systems and neurology in later semesters;

Theme IV: On completion of this sub-unit students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate clear and appropriate communication skills
  2. Understand different forms of communication and the need for active listening
  3. Work cooperatively with health professionals (nurses, GPs) and trainees (nurses) to achieve specified tasks
  4. Understand the framework for taking a comprehensive medical history
  5. Demonstrate an awareness of ethical and legal issues when communicating with patients and their families


Examinations and written assignments to account for 30% of the end of Year 1 result. Assessment of materials presented in the result for MED1011 will be a pass grade only (PGO).
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% at designated small group teaching activities to pass this unit.

Chief examiner(s)


Must be enrolled in the 0040, 1074, 3856