Module: Biological Basis of Disease

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Biological Basis of Disease
Module Code	NS344 (ITS) / GCB1016 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
Module Co-ordinator	Paul Buchanan
Module Teachers	Patricia Johnson
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only

Description

This module explores the biological basis of diseases that have significant global health burden (in developed and developing countries). The epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of these diseases will be examined and factors implicated in the aetiology such as lifestyle and genetic predispositions will be considered. Specifically a large proportion of the learning will focus understanding the mechanisms driving the pathophysiology of each disease.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain current theories of the pathophysiology for cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and mental health disorders.
2. Discuss in detail the etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and mental health disorders
3. Understand and establish links between society and health and explore how this can impact on disease outcome.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	32	No Description
Independent Study	45	Independent Reading
Independent Study	45	Independent Learning through quizzes and practice exams
Total Workload: 122

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Disease
Prevalence and difference in distribution of disease types across developed and developing countries · Basic contributions of environmental factor diet fauna climate human factors across all diseases

Cancer
Principles of Neoplasia · The molecular basis of cancer · Tumour viruses and human cancer · Cancer: Invasion and Metastasis · Screeningprogrammes

Diabetes
Types of diabetes · Associated co-morbidities · Therapeutic options· Disease epidemiology

Mental Health Disorders
Biological basis of mental health disorders, prevalence, societal impact and etiology

Circulatory Disease
Origin and prevalence of circulatory disease· Origin and prevalence of circulatory disease, pathophysiology of common circulatory disease, preventative measures and treatments

Respiratory Disease
Pathology of major respiratory disease types i.e. infectious, chronic non-communicable and genetic. Prevention and treatment options Disease statistics

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Essay	Two essays are to completed on two diseases covered in themodule.	80%	n/a
Loop Quiz	MCQ's covering the whole module	20%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Vinay Kumar,Abul K. Abbas,Jon C. Aster: 2020, Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease E-Book, 5th, Elsevier Health Sciences, 9780323609937
Sue E. Huether,Kathryn L. McCance: 2019, Understanding Pathophysiology - E-Book, Elsevier Health Sciences, 9780323672818

Other Resources

None