510-310 Defence Mechanisms and Their Failure

Objectives are to develop an understanding of immune mechanisms, the major groups of pathogens in human disease, community implications of infectious disease, oncogenesis and tumour biology and the principles of clinical and laboratory diagnosis and pharmacological intervention in infectious, inflammatory and immune disease. Content includes mechanisms of inflammation, organisation and function of the immune system, disturbances of immune function, biology of pathogenic organisms in human disease, principles of antimicrobial therapy, laboratory diagnosis of infectious and immune disease, epidemiology and public health aspects of infectious diseases, mechanisms of oncogenesis, biology of tumour progression, scientific basis of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancer and haematological malignancies.

Upon completion of this subject students will have an enhanced ability to:

- seek information from textbooks, scientific literature and computer-based sources;

- identify relevant issues and think critically about information so that broad principles and relevant evidence can be applied to problem solving;

- appreciate the relevance and impact of particular medical conditions in a social and cultural context;

- comprehend a question, evaluate the relevant information and communicate an answer, either orally or in writing; and

- effectively manage time to ensure attendance at lectures, tutorials and examinations.

Mid-semester test(s) (15%); PBL tutor assessment (10%); two end-of-semester (written) examinations (total of five hours) (75%). Hurdle requirement: 75% attendance at lectures, tutorials and practical classes and 100% attendance at clinical placements and field visits.