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Biology Teaching and Learning Centre · ANU College of Science and Medicine
This course is offered in online mode only. The course situates health and disease within the context of changing human ecologies, such as those being shaped by globalisation processes. Topics covered include: - An exploration of the biological bases of human diseases and the impact they have on individuals and communities. - Biological, ecological and socioeconomic aspects of infectious, genetic and lifestyle-associated diseases, along with strategies used for their control. - Medicine, public health strategies, and economic development. - The role of scientific enquiry in the improvement of human health Themes include: - Globalisation and environmental impacts on human health - Natural selection - Dynamics of host-pathogen interactions - Lifestyle transitions - The place of health on today's political agenda. Principles are illustrated with case studies which may include: - Parasitic diseases such as malaria - Other infectious diseases including influenza, smallpox, tuberculosis, AIDS and Ebola - Immunological diseases such as asthma and type 1 diabetes - Chronic degenerative disease such as vascular diseases and cancer - Lifestyle associated diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes Note: This course is an online course with no face to face lectures. All the course content will be available online.
Online quizzes
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 6, 7
Research Report on a current topic in health and disease (total to 70%) including: Selecting sources of information (3%); ideas of topic for the report (5%); topic of the report (2%); detailed outline for the report (15%) and final research report (2,000 word argumentation essay) (45%).
Learning outcomes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
This course is fully online course. The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including: - There are no synchronous activities associated with this course. Students are expected to spend up to 100 hours of engaging with the online materials and forums, reading relevant scientific literature, completing quizzes designed to test course content understanding, selecting a literature research subject within the framework of the course, researching up-to-date information on the selected subject and assembling a critical literature research report on the selected topic. - In addition student will need to dedicate up to 30 hours of self directed study which will include preparation for quizzes, literature research or research report and other assessment tasks. Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions in the online forum. Other Information Please email rsb.studentadmin@anu.edu.au to request a permission code to enrol in this course. You will need to provide a summary of the courses you have completed so far (i.e. transcript). Background in human biology, cell biology and microbiology is strongly recommended to undertake this Master course.
Note, the readings for this course are a compilation of journal articles and reviews and book chapters that will be available on the course Wattle site at the beginning of semester