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Unit of study_
BIOS1167: Foundations of Biomedical Science
2025 unit information
This is an entry level unit of study designed to give students an overview of the biological and biochemical processes that are fundamental to life. Topics are not covered in the detail that is applicable to general chemistry or biochemistry units of study. Knowledge gained in this unit will enable students to understand the key principles of health and disease and the scientific basis for many of the professional practices they will undertake in their careers. Students who achieve a pass will have a basic working knowledge of the following topics: key concepts of body chemistry, important biological molecules, the structure and function of cells, the genetics of health and disease, growth and development, communication, metabolic processes, homeostasis, and the impacts of ageing. Students who achieve higher grades are better able to integrate various aspects of the unit and to apply their knowledge to the relevance of these fundamental principles to health care practices.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | Department of Medical Sciences |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Understand the basic concepts of body chemistry.
- LO2. Understand the basic structure and function of the important biological molecules of the human body: water, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids (DNA, RNA).
- LO3. Be familiar with the general features of the cell and understand that it is the basic structural unit of all living organisms.
- LO4. Understand the role of the cell membrane in regulating the composition of intra- and extracellular fluids and describe the mechanisms by which molecules, ions and water cross the plasma membrane.
- LO5. Describe the basic principles of cell division and inheritance, including the relationship between phenotype and genotype, and the concept of transmission genetics.
- LO6. Have a basic knowledge of the process of human development from embryo to childhood.
- LO7. Understand the basic features of the metabolic process for extracting energy from our cells cellular respiration.
- LO8. Have a basic knowledge and understanding of the components and organisation of the body’s communication systems: the nervous system and the endocrine system.
- LO9. Understand the principles of body homeostasis and how feedback systems in cells, tissues and organs actively maintain a steady state in the body.
- LO10. Understand the basic changes to cells as we age.
- LO11. Be able to engage in small groups and work collaboratively.
- LO12. Appreciate some important clinical applications relevant to different aspects of cell biology.
- LO13. Engage with online learning activities to enhance understanding.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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