Course Coordinator:Robert Harvey (rharvey2@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Biomedicine
UniSC Sunshine CoastUniSC Moreton Bay |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
This course builds on your advanced knowledge of systemic physiology to gain a deep understanding of the complex changes in function that occur with disease. The major disorders associated with each of the organ systems will be explored. This course focuses on the pathogenesis of disease, enabling identification of areas for investigation, research, intervention and management, and advances communication skills of biomedical and medical information. The curriculum complements studies in a range of programs including Biomedical Science, Medical Science and Dietetics.
Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
Blended learning | |||
Learning materials – Pre-recorded e-Modules, H5P-embedded MCQ questions to check progress against learning outcomes, H5P-embedded drag-and-drop exercises to support practical classes | 1.5hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Interactive synchronous multi-campus e-Lectorial (TELT only via Zoom) Weeks 1-13 | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – Interactive synchronous multi-campus Workshop (in person, on campus) Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11. Week 13 (exam preparation) online only. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 7 times |
Laboratory 1 – Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 - in person, on campus practicals | 2hrs | Week 2 | 6 times |
300 Level (Graduate)
12 units
Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | |
1 | Describe, explain and clearly communicate knowledge of disease and dysfunction from cellular to organ system levels. |
Knowledgeable Empowered |
2 | Understand the use of common diagnostic tests in assessing health and disease. |
Knowledgeable Engaged |
3 | Display knowledge of pathological processes involved in disease and dysfunction |
Knowledgeable Empowered |
4 | Critically analyse and solve pathophysiological problems by collecting, accurately recording, interpreting and drawing conclusions. |
Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker |
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
(LFS201 and LFS202) or LFS203 or
LFS201 or LFS203 and enrolled in Program SC357
LFS302 or NUR221 or PAR221 or HLT221
Students will be able to demonstrate understanding in human physiology as evidenced through the successful completion of pre-requisite courses or equivalent credit courses
Standard Grading (GRD)
High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Early feedback will be provided through weekly formative online H5P Quizzes and pre-laboratory 'Drag and Drop' exercises available in Canvas. Additional formative assessment activities (exemplar multiple choice and short answer questions) will be also completed in weekly e-Lectorials or Workshops.
Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
All | 1 | Quiz/zes | Individual | 25% | 6 subtasks covering content from weeks 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12; 20 minutes each. |
Refer to Format | Online Test (Quiz) |
All | 2 | Examination - not Centrally Scheduled | Individual | 25% | 75 minutes |
Week 7 | Online Submission |
All | 3 | Examination - Centrally Scheduled | Individual | 50% | 2 hours |
Exam Period | Exam Venue |
All - Assessment Task 1:Practical and theory portfolio - online component | |
Goal: | This portfolio has been designed to enable you to demonstrate your knowledge of cellular physiology, pathophysiological processes and diagnostic tests, and to understand key pathophysiology terminology. |
Product: | Quiz/zes |
Format: | Individual, 20 minute quizzes with 15 multiple choice questions per subtask; completed online during weeks 2-13. The quizzes are open book. |
Criteria: |
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All - Assessment Task 2:Mid-semester Exam | |
Goal: | This examination is a check-point where you can demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of pathophysiological processes, diagnostic tests and key pathophysiology terminology acquired to date. |
Product: | Examination - not Centrally Scheduled |
Format: | A 75-minute examination based on case studies relating to content from weeks 1-6. This will incorporate data analysis, multiple choice, drag and drop, fill-in-the-blanks and short answer questions. The examination is open book. |
Criteria: |
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All - Assessment Task 3:End-of-Semester Exam | |
Goal: | This examination is an end-of-semester exam, where you can demonstrate the theoretical and practical applications of pathophysiology you have mastered to date. |
Product: | Examination - Centrally Scheduled |
Format: | A comprehensive, two hour final examination, consisting of short answer questions based on weeks 1-13 content. Short answer questions will include elements of data analysis or will require analysis of patient-based case studies. |
Criteria: |
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A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
Period and Topic | Activities |
Week 1: Introduction to pathophysiology and cellular adaptation |
e-Module, e-Lectorial, Workshop |
Week 2: Cellular injury and Neoplasia |
e-Module, e-Lectorial, Practical |
Week 3: Endocrine disorders |
e-Module, e-Lectorial, Workshop |
Week 4: Renal and electrolyte disorders |
e-Module, e-Lectorial, Practical |
Week 5: Inflammation and immunological disorders |
e-Module, e-Lectorial, Workshop |
Week 6: Haematological disorders |
e-Module, e-Lectorial, Practical |
Week 7: Disorders of the special senses and reproductive disorders |
e-Module, e-Lectorial, Workshop |
Week 8: Digestive and hepatic disorders |
e-Module, e-Lectorial, Practical |
Week 9: Vascular disease and hypertension |
e-Module, e-Lectorial, Workshop |
Week 10: Cardiac disease |
e-Module, e-Lectorial, Practical |
Week 11: Pain and neurological disorders |
e-Module, e-Lectorial, Workshop |
Week 12: Respiratory disorders |
e-Module, e-Lectorial, Practical |
Week 13: Shock and Course Review |
e-Module, e-Lectorial, e-Workshop (online only) |
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.
Required? | Author | Year | Title | Edition | Publisher |
Required | Judy Craft, Christopher Gordon, et al | 2022 | Understanding Pathophysiology Australia and New Zealand Edition | 4th Edition | Elsevier |
Required | LFS303 Teaching Staff | 2024 | Pathophysiology (LFS303): Course Manual | n/a | University of the Sunshine Coast Publication, Sippy Downs |
To complete this course, students will need personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used within the lab classes. This includes: a clean laboratory coat, fully-enclosed footwear and safety glasses. Students must present with this PPE to gain entry to laboratory classes and assessments. Students are required to complete the online Laboratory Induction prior to gaining entry to the laboratory.
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a. The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b. The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c. You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate (the rates are cumulative): - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
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For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.
If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.
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To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.
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