Key facts

UNE unit code: PSIO230

*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Trimester 1 - Online
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • No
Supervised exam
  • Yes
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

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As our populations age and diseases become increasingly complex, an understanding of pathophysiology – the processes governing disease and injury development – adds value in many biomedical and clinical science fields.

This unit introduces you to the processes underlying cellular adaptation and injury, and inflammation and healing to build your understanding of the role these processes play in the pathophysiology of disease.

Examining a range of pathophysiological processes, and the impact of factors such as stress, you will focus on diseases/disorders of the blood and the nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, reproductive, immune, gastrointestinal and renal systems.

Extending your critical thinking abilities, you will also explore the contribution of genetics to the conditions discussed, gaining insight into the processes driving carcinogenesis and abnormal tissue growth (neoplasia).

Offerings

For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.

Teaching period
Mode/location
Trimester 1Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites
((BIOL110 or PSIO110) and PSIO120) or (BIOL110 and BIOL120 completed prior to 2015) or PSIO210 or ANSC201 or for BPharm or BPharm(Hons): (PSIO110 and PSIO120) or (BIOL110 completed prior to 2015) or candidature in a postgraduate award

Notes

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

profile photo of Vandana Gulati
Vandana GulatiSenior Lecturer, Biomedical Sciences and Medicine (Joint Medical Program of UNE with University of Newcastle) - Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law; School of Science and Technology

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. apply their knowledge and describe the steps in the pathophysiological processes that underlie disease susceptibility;
  2. describe the role of oxidative stress in acute and chronic disease;
  3. understand and describe the inflammatory processes associated with pathology;
  4. understand the pathophysiology of cancinogenesis and neoplasia; and
  5. interpret scientific literature and connect the literature with key concepts in pathophysiology.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
Case Study 1Yes15%All offerings

Case Study.  It is mandatory to attempt this assessment.

 

Case Study 2Yes15%All offerings

Case Study.  It is mandatory to attempt this assessment.

Final Examination - Assurance TaskYes50%All offerings

The final examination is mandatory. Note: To complete the unit, i.e. to achieve a passing grade, the student must attempt and submit all assessment tasks, obtain a minimum of 50% in the final examination, and perform at a level of 50% or above in the unit.

Group AssessmentYes20%All offerings

Group Assessment. It is mandatory to attempt this assessment.

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Fundamentals of Applied Pathophysiology

ISBN: 9781119869733

Ian Peate, Sufyan Akram, Michele Dowlman, Ellie Kirov, Bonnie Williams. John Wiley and Sons Australia Ltd., John Wiley and Sons Australia Ltd. First Asia-Pacific Edition 2023

Note: First Asia-Pacific edition of this textbook by a team of passionate, local authors.

Text refers to: Trimester 1 (Online)

Note: Recommended material may be held in the University Library — purchase is optional.

Principles of Pathophysiology

ISBN: 9780655708377

Bullock, S. and Hales, M., Pearson 3rd ed. 2023

Text refers to: All offerings

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