BIOL304 to BIOL512

BIOL304 Ecotoxicology                                                                                                                        10 cp

Prerequisites CHEM201 Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, BIOL102 Principles of Ecology

Teaching Organisation 6 contact hours per week for 12 weeks.

Ecotoxicology is the study of toxicants and their impact on the environment. This unit aims to provide students with a practical knowledge of how biological systems respond to and is affected by contaminants. Different levels of response will be investigated from subcellular through to ecosystems, both aquatic and terrestrial, to a range of contaminants. Students will become familiar with common methods and approaches for the detection and assessment of impacts, and have a broad understanding of sampling and analytical procedures. The broader scale management of toxicity issues will also be investigated.

BIOL323 Science for Nurses 5                                                                                                              10 cp

Prerequisite BIOL226 Science for Nurses 4 or equivalent

Teaching Organisation 120 hours of focussed learning - teaching methods will include lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and computer-assisted learning.

The focus of study in this unit is severe organ dysfunction and failure, and the consequences of this on other systems and the body as a whole. Students will be given the opportunity to consolidate and integrate major concepts of pathophysiology, microbiology and pharmacology. Complications of reproduction will also be explored, especially as these produce life-long health consequences. Immunological topics will provide an integrating perspective, and a continuation of life-span themes. In all areas of study, basic concepts from the sciences will be explored and applied to nursing.

BIOL324 Animal Ecology                                                                                                                      10 cp

Prerequisite BIOL102 Principles of Ecology

Teaching Organisation 6 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

Animal ecology involves the scientific study of the factors influencing the distribution and abundance of animals at three levels of complexity: the individual organism and its interaction with its environment; the population (of individuals of the same species); and the community (consisting of numbers of populations). This unit will introduce students to ecological theory pertaining to animal communities and demonstrate its relevance in an Australian context. Students will gain specific knowledge of animal taxonomy, biotic (animal-animal and animal-plant) and abiotic interactions in a natural setting, and animal responses to human-induced disturbances (fire, pollution and mining). Temporal as well as spatial changes in animal communities will be emphasised.

BIOL325 Marine and Coastal Ecology                                                                                                  10 cp

Prerequisites

Teaching Organisation

This unit covers ecological principles and concepts, particularly as they apply to the marine environment. It provides students with an appreciation of the range and diversity of marine habitats and the interaction of organisms within them with a particular emphasis on temperate systems. The practical aspects of sampling and undertaking research in both temperate and tropical waters will be covered during field camps. Management and topical issues relating to the protection of these systems will be discussed.

BIOL326 Applied Science for Practice 5                                                                                              10 cp

Prerequisites BIOL228 Applied Science for Practice 3 or equivalent

BIOL229 Applied Science for Practice 4 or equivalent.

Teaching Organisation Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and computer-assisted learning. The teaching methods reflect respect for the student as an independent learner. Students will be encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and to actively participate within the group.

This final applied science for practice unit integrates and consolidates the knowledge of the content gained in the preceding units within the context of multiple organ dysfunction from ageing, illness, or trauma. The role of the immune system in health and illness will be a unifying focus. Knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacology, microbiology and physical sciences will be further extended in the relevant content areas. Evaluation of current scientific research, including population health trends, will also be incorporated throughout this unit.

BIOL510 Bioscience in Acute Care (Foundation Studies)                                                                     10 cp

This unit expands the students’ knowledge in relation to advanced biological and physical sciences. It draws on and integrates the areas of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, physics, microbiology and pharmacology. Synthesised knowledge will enable nurses to assess, plan and implement effectively and evaluate continually nursing care. Alterations in homeostasis are explored in order to investigate pathophysiology as it affects patients from initial presentation through progression of illness. A body-systems approach is utilised to facilitate this exploration and reach an advanced level of understanding

BIOL511 Bioscience in Palliative Care (Foundation Studies)                                                                10cp

This unit provides an important component of the required knowledge for effective care of people requiring palliative care, by expanding the students’ knowledge of the pathophysiological basis of alterations in body function. The bioscience principles underlying the therapies used in the control of patients’ symptoms are applied within a clinical context.

BIOL512 Biology of Ageing (Foundation Studies)                                                                                10 cp

This unit aims to expand students’ knowledge of the biological changes that occur with normal ageing, the pathophysiology of common aged-related diseases and associated preventative and therapeutic measures. The bioscience principles involved will be applied in clinical contexts.