BIOS 1036 Human Development and Disease across the lifespan

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Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 401394

Coordinator Katherine Kent Opens in new window

Description This unit builds on fundamental assumed knowledge of anatomy and physiology and introduces the study of human disease processes or pathophysiology through the framework of human development as a way of examining growth, health and disease at different stages of the lifespan. General concepts underlying human diseases as well as disorders relating to the lifespan will be studied. Developmental changes in physical, cognitive, social, intellectual, perceptual, personality and emotional growth are discussed. Common communicable and non-communicable, acute, chronic and degenerative health conditions are discussed from a pathophysiological, psychosocial and epidemiological perspective, and their impact on the day to day function of individuals and populations is explored. Risk factors for conditions and disease trajectory are explored at individual and society level, as well as the impact of these conditions on individuals, the health system and wider society.

School Health Sciences

Discipline Human Biology

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Assumed Knowledge

A knowledge of fundamental anatomy and physiology

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

Describe physical, cognitive, and psychosocial milestones of human development throughout the lifespan, applying contemporary theories of development;
Describe the biological, epidemiology, pathophysiology and course of communicable and non-communicable disease for common acute and chronic health conditions that occur across the lifespan;
Demonstrate broad theoretical knowledge of introductory pathophysiology of diseases;
Demonstrate ability to interpret and communicate information in different health contexts using appropriate medical terminology;
Explain the consequences of selected human condition and diseases for health systems and society;
Describe theoretical perspectives on death, dying, grieving and loss;
Describe the interplay and relationship between biology, environment and relationships during various stages of the lifecycle;
Describe the influences of healthy development across the lifespan

Subject Content

1. Theories and developmental milestones associated with the stages of human development from conception, prenatal development and birth, to infancy, toddlerhood, childhood, adolescence, early, middle, late adulthood and aging
2. The sequence and processes of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of human development throughout the lifecycle (from conception and prenatal development though death, dying and bereavement)
3. The interplay and relationship between biology, environment and relationships during the various stages of the human lifecycle
4. The influences on healthy development including nutrition, exercise and social and family relationships
5. The impact of unhealthy behaviours such as substance abuse or disease and disability upon development and functioning throughout the life span
6. Theoretical knowledge of disease pathophysiology
7. Explores common diseases from psychosocial, and epidemiological perspectives
8. Particular conditions considered will vary but will include diseases across the communicable, non-communicable, acute, chronic and degenerative conditions
9. Epigenetics
10. Interpret and communicate information in different health contexts using appropriate medical terminology

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item	Length	Percent	Threshold	Individual/Group Task
Quiz x 5	30 minutes for each quiz	30	N	Individual
Case Study	1,500 words	40	N	Individual
Report - A structured analytical account of a project, investigation or process	1,000 words	20	N	Individual
Participation	10 weeks	10	N	Individual

Prescribed Texts

Hoffnung, M., Hoffnung, RJ., Seifert, KL., Hine, A., & colleagues (2018). Lifespan development (4th Australasian ed.). Milton, QLD: John Wiley and Sons
Hammer, G.D., & McPhee, S.J. (2018). Pathophysiology of disease (8th ed.). US: McGraw Hill Education.

Teaching Periods