250-309 Diseases of Body Systems 1

Students completing this subject should: be able to recognise clinical signs that may indicate a disturbance of structure and function of the body systems or their component organs; be able to recognise, describe and interpret morphological abnormalities of these systems at both the macroscopic and microscopic level; possess essential information on the causes, pathogenesis and manifestations of disease of these systems, and be able to recognise if the disease is expressed locally or as disturbances of whole body function or other organ function; understand the principles of patient management for disorders of these systems in terms of prognosis and indications for therapy, and; be aware of the uses and limitations of ancillary investigations such as ultrasonography, radiography, clinical pathology, bacteriology, virology, parasitology, serology and pathology of biopsy specimens in diagnosis and management.

Diseases of the alimentary, respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and nervous systems and of the peritoneum and liver.

Diseases are considered from a variety of aspects, including causes, general clinical manifestations, pathology and pathophysiology (at the macroscopic and microscopic level). Broad principles of patient management in terms of prognosis and indications for medical and/or surgical therapy are provided. Appropriate ancillary investigations and techniques, such as electrocardiography, radiography, ultrasonography, bacteriology, biopsy, clinical pathology, parasitology, serology and virology are also discussed.

At the end of the sequence Body Systems 1 and Body Systems 2 students completing these subjects should:

• have developed skills in independent and self-directed learning and in collaborative learning;

• be able to apply technology to analyse biological problems;

• be capable of solving problems in applied situations, with ability to organise and evaluate data and integrate information from multiple disciplines;

• have improved observational skills; and

• be competent at using multimedia to acquire information.

One 3-hour written paper (70%) and a 90-minute practical examination in pathology (20%) at the end of semester. Two computer-based assessments convened during scheduled pathology practical classes in semester, each of 30-minute duration and each contributing (5%) to the total subject mark and indicated in the teaching timetable available at the commencement of the semester.