Students
MEDI7007 – Unlocking the Mechanisms of Human Disease
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Helen Rizos
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
In this unit you will explore the aetiology, pathogenesis and risk factors involved in common human diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative conditions. Disease processes will be studied with a focus on cell biology, genetics, and immunology. You will gain an in depth understanding of fundamental biological mechanisms governing human disease pathogenesis. Current treatments and clinical trials will be reviewed and the impact of disease on the individual and on society will be discussed. The latest research into treatment response and resistance, liquid biopsies, and biomarker discovery will be incorporated throughout the unit, and the reality and promise of personalised therapy will be considered. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Identify the mechanisms and risk factors that contribute to disease.
- ULO2: Critically review contemporary research in human disease processes.
- ULO3: Evaluate current treatment strategies and the role of personalised therapy.
- ULO4: Interpret and communicate research concepts and results.
General Assessment Information
Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in Schedule 1 of the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, which is available at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment.
Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.
All final grades in the Masters of Research are determined by a grading committee and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.
Students will be awarded a final grade plus a Standardised Numerical Grade (SNG). The SNG is not necessarily a summation of the individual assessment components. The final grade and SNG that are awarded reflect the corresponding grade descriptor in the Grading Policy.
To pass this unit, students must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, attempt all assessment tasks, meet any ungraded requirements including professionalism and achieve an SNG of 50 or better.
Student Professionalism
In the Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses. As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including tutorials, as well as complete online sessions.
Furthermore, lectures and seminars are key learning activities that you are expected to attend throughout the Master of Research program. While audio recordings and lecture slides may be made available following these large group sessions, it is important to recognise that such resources are a study aid - and should not be considered an alternative to lecture or seminar attendance.
Students who do not maintain adequate attendance (greater than or equal to 80% of scheduled classes) may be deemed unable to meet expectations regarding professionalism and may be referred for disciplinary action (which may include exclusion from assessments and unit failure).
Similarly, as part of developing professionalism, students are expected to submit all work by the due date. Applications for assessment task extensions must be supported by appropriate evidence and submitted via ask.mq.edu.au. For further details please refer to the Special Consideration Policy available at https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration.
Submission of assignments
Marking rubrics will be provided in iLearn and all written assignments are to be submitted in Turnitin. Instructions on submitting assignments and how to access marks and feedback through Turnitin are available through this link: https://help.ilearn.mq.edu.au/index.php?action=artikel&cat=30&id=118&artlang=en
Late Submission
All assignments that are officially received after the due date, and where no extension or special consideration has been granted, will incur a deduction of 5% per day, including weekends and public holidays and the actual day received. This will continue up until 10 days after due date, after which the assignment will not be accepted. For example:
|
Due date |
Received |
Days late |
Deduction |
Raw mark |
Final mark |
|
Friday 14th |
Monday 17th |
3 |
15% |
75% |
60% |
Technology Used
Completion of online training and learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 30% | No | Week 5 |
| Written Assessment | 25% | No | Week 10 |
| Final exam | 45% | No | Week13 |
Oral Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Debate
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 30%
Debate conducted online about a current research topic.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the mechanisms and risk factors that contribute to disease.
- Critically review contemporary research in human disease processes.
- Evaluate current treatment strategies and the role of personalised therapy.
- Interpret and communicate research concepts and results.
Written Assessment
Assessment Type 1: Summary
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 25%
Prepare a structured research abstract
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the mechanisms and risk factors that contribute to disease.
- Critically review contemporary research in human disease processes.
- Evaluate current treatment strategies and the role of personalised therapy.
- Interpret and communicate research concepts and results.
Final exam
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 22 hours
Due: Week13
Weighting: 45%
Assessment of unit knowledge.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the mechanisms and risk factors that contribute to disease.
- Critically review contemporary research in human disease processes.
- Evaluate current treatment strategies and the role of personalised therapy.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
This unit will rely on the latest research literature and all relevant references will be provided via iLearn.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.