Overview
In this unit, you will advance your knowledge of the structure of cells and how they integrate into specific tissues or organs within our body systems. You will learn how cells utilise key signalling and molecular processes to proliferate and differentiate into tissues with physiological and functional properties. You will also learn how cells communicate with neighbouring cells and the extracellular environment, and the importance of this in maintaining homeostasis. You will gain knowledge in cellular pathophysiology and understand key cellular processes that are disrupted during the development of particular diseases. Finally you will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained in a practical environment during laboratory practical sessions.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisiteBMSC12012 Molecular Cell Biology
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student Unit Evaluation
Some students would like more detail in the laboratory manual instructions.
Consider revising the Laboratory Manual.
Feedback from Student Unit Evaluation
Some students found the volume of content overwhelming in the residential school.
Revise the timing and layout of residential schools without altering learning outcomes or content covered.
- Evaluate the cellular and molecular processes that lead to coordinated and regulated activity in tissues of the body
- Describe how specific cell structures achieve their respective cellular functions
- Explain how changes at the cellular level can influence host tissue physiology
- Explain the basic role of the fundamental signalling pathways as effectors in maintaining homeostasis
- Demonstrate sound scientific reasoning and application in experimental design and research.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Case Study - 20% | |||||
| 2 - Laboratory/Practical - 0% | |||||
| 3 - Practical Assessment - 30% | |||||
| 4 - Examination - 50% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
Molecular Pathology: The Molecular Basis of Human Disease
Edition: 2nd (2017)
Authors: Coleman, W. & Tsongalis, G.
ISBN: 9780128027615
Binding: Hardcover
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Zoom
- Microsoft Powerpoint (or similar)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.balzer@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Molecular pathology: apoptosis and inflammation
Chapter
1 - 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Epithelial tissue: structure, function and types
Chapter
No chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Epigenetics and the molecular diagnosis of human disease
Chapter
6 - 13, 30, 31, and 32
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Cellular function of skin including molecular basis of disease
Chapter
27
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Cellular function of blood including molecular basis of disease
Chapter
15, 16, and 17
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Cellular function of the liver and kidneys including molecular basis of disease
Chapter
20 and 24
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Cellular function of the exocrine and endocrine system including molecular basis of disease
Chapter
21 and 22
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Cellular function of the prostate and breast including molecular basis of disease
Chapter
25 and 26
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Cellular function of the cardiovascular system including molecular basis of disease
Chapter
14
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Cellular function of the musculoskeletal system including molecular basis of disease
Chapter
28
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Cellular function of the nervous system including molecular basis of disease
Chapter
29
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Revision week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students are required to contribute 12.5 hours per week to this subject.
- 1 x 2 hour lecture
- 1 x 1 hour tutorial
- Students are also required to engage in self-directed study and preparation of assessments.
Attendance at Residential School is required and you must meet the competencies to pass.
Any queries can be directed to the Unit Coordinator. Any subject related questions should be posted to Moodle and a response can be expected within 1 working day.
1 Case Study
You will be presented with a clinical case study. This assessment will require a detailed discussion of the cellular and molecular processes that are occurring in the presented case study. The case any accompanying detail will be outlined in the assessment task sheet on the unit Moodle page.
You will need to discuss how specific cellular and molecular processes are disrupted in the specific condition(s), how these affect cell & tissue form & function, and critically evaluate the scientific literature to validate your arguments.
Level of GenAI use allowed: Level 3 You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any Al-generated content you use.
Week 5 Friday (15 Aug 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 6 Friday (29 Aug 2025)
Marks will be allocated based on:
- appropriate title,
- accurate summary of the key case study findings,
- comparison between normal and pathologic cellular / tissue presentation,
- analysis of the molecular and cellular processes that are occurring in the presented case study,
- presentation of evidence that supports the proposed mechanisms,
- demonstration of understanding of concepts related to cellular and tissue function relating to the case study including:
- signaling pathways involved in cell and tissue regulation,
- disruption of normal signaling pathways and,
- how these affect host tissue physiology,
- cohesive presentation of ideas,
- reference list of resources must be included as well as in-text citations,
- professional presentation, adherence to formatting, academic style requirements, scientific writing conventions and word count.
Please refer to the Assessment tab on the unit Moodle page for a full marking rubric.
- Evaluate the cellular and molecular processes that lead to coordinated and regulated activity in tissues of the body
- Describe how specific cell structures achieve their respective cellular functions
- Explain how changes at the cellular level can influence host tissue physiology
- Explain the basic role of the fundamental signalling pathways as effectors in maintaining homeostasis
2 Laboratory/Practical
During the Residential School, you will be assessed on your ability to: work safely and professionally in a laboratory environment; complete experimental protocols; and complete written and/or verbal tasks to demonstrate sound scientific reasoning and application in experimental design and research. The laboratory manual will be provided on the unit Moodle page.
Level of GenAI use allowed: Level 2 AI PLANNING, Al may be used for pre-task activities such as brainstorming, outlining and initial research. This level focuses on the effective use of Al for planning, synthesis, and ideation, but assessments should emphasise the ability to develop and refine these ideas independently.
The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment item.
Please see MyCQU for residential school dates. Students will be assessed at residential school.
Feedback and grading will be completed throughout the residential school.
The Residential School is compulsory, and your attendance is required to pass the unit.
During the residential school you will be assessed on:
- safe and professional conduct in the laboratory,
- demonstration of appropriate experimental design and research,
- completion of experimental work / experimental outcomes.
The laboratory manual will contain a list of all the competencies and will be available on Moodle.
The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment item.
- Demonstrate sound scientific reasoning and application in experimental design and research.
3 Practical Assessment
During the Residential School you will be required to perform experimental protocols.
You will be expected to complete a presentation on one of the experiments that you performed which encompasses;
- an introduction to the experiment performed (introduction),
- aims and hypotheses,
- an explanation of the experiment performed (methodology),
- experimental calculations (analysis),
- report experimental results (results),
- analyse outcomes (discussion)
- identify any sources of error.
The presentation must be recorded and uploaded the Moodle for marking, as well as a copy of supporting slides. Alternatively, students can upload the recording to YouTube as an 'unlisted' video and submit the link in a Word document to be marked.
The presentation should use both PowerPoint slides (or similar) as well as a verbal explanation. A number of programs can be used to record including Zoom, Camtasia, etc.
A detailed task sheet will be available on the Moodle page.
Level of GenAI use allowed: Level 3 You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any Al-generated content you use.
Due on Friday 2 weeks after the completion of your respective residential school (please see MyCQU for dates).
Grades will be returned 2 weeks after due date.
Marks will be allocated based on demonstration of the following criteria:
- suitable introduction to the experiment,
- presentation of appropriate aims and hypotheses,
- ability to describe experimental methods and protocols,
- explanation and understanding of experimental methodologies,
- accurate presentation, explanation, analysis and interpretation of results,
- discussion of the results within the context of other scientific knowledge / literature,
- ability to critique experimental protocols and sources of error,
- suitable presentation including visuals, supporting text and spoken information,
- professional presentation, adherence to academic style requirements and time limit (verbal and power points),
- references.
Please refer to the Assessment tab on the unit Moodle page for a full marking rubric.
- Evaluate the cellular and molecular processes that lead to coordinated and regulated activity in tissues of the body
- Demonstrate sound scientific reasoning and application in experimental design and research.
Examination
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
