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CHIR13010 - Systems and Pathology 1

General Information

Unit Synopsis

This unit will build upon your conceptual understanding of the causes, mechanisms and consequences of disease and dysfunction of the non-musculoskeletal systems. You will critically evaluate the multifactorial symptoms of dysfunction in order to infer the likely causative pathophysiological condition. Importance will be placed on understanding that different pathologies frequently causing a suite of similar symptoms but can nevertheless be differentiated on the basis of the combination, intensity and development of those symptoms. This knowledge will be used in conjunction with the physical examination protocols and procedures, as well as understanding further medical testing, for example blood tests and urinalysis, in order to formulate a differential diagnosis.

Details

Level Undergraduate
Unit Level 3
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 2
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisites:

BMSC11002 Human Body Systems 2 or BMSC11011 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2

and

MBIO12013 Microbiology for Health Care

and

BIOH12008 Human Pathophysiology or MPAT12001 Medical Pathophysiology

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).

Class Timetable View Unit Timetable
Residential School No Residential School

Unit Availabilities from Term 1 - 2026

Term 1 - 2026 Profile
Brisbane

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).

Assessment Overview

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.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. On-campus Activity 0%
2. Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) 60%
3. In-class Test(s) 40%

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

Past Exams

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Previous Feedback

Term 1 - 2025 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 35.71% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 28.57% response rate.

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.

Source: In person and SUTE
Feedback
The students thoroughly enjoyed the weekly in class quiz and felt that it was a fun way to keep up to date with content and allow better recall of the material.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the unit coordinator continue to provide weekly in class quizzes.
Action Taken
The unit coordinator continued to provide weekly quizzes.
Source: In person and SUTE
Feedback
The students felt that the written assignment was interesting and added to their learning.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the unit coordinator continue to offer the written assignment case as a learning assessment.
Action Taken
Students completed a written assignment involving a research-based investigation into potential causes of low back pain and lower limb symptoms.
Source: In person and SUTE
Feedback
The students felt that the end of term assessment weightage is too high for the unit (60%) .
Recommendation
It is recommended that the unit coordinator review the weightage of the assessments.
Action Taken
After careful review, the current assessment weightings were found to align well with the unit’s learning outcomes and requirements.
Source: SUTE
Feedback
The content in this unit supports skill development in differential diagnosis. Some students suggested that tutorials could be divided into smaller groups and include more interactive activities to support their learning.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Unit Coordinator incorporates case-based discussions and peer-to-peer activities while also reviewing scheduling options for upcoming cohorts.
Action Taken
In Progress
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Compare the aetiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of common diseases
  2. Explain the pathophysiological basis of symptoms and signs of common diseases, using your knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology and pathology and the relevant diagnostic testing required.
  3. Analyse the combination, intensity and chronological development of a patient's symptoms, alongside a physical examination to infer the most likely pathological cause of the patient's presentation.
  4. Analyse the multifactorial nature of relevant disease processes and evaluate their implications for clinical chiropractic practice.

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - On-campus Activity • • •
2 - Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) • •
3 - In-class Test(s) • • •
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Communication • • •
2 - Problem Solving • •
3 - Critical Thinking • •
4 - Information Literacy • • • •
7 - Cross Cultural Competence • • •
8 - Ethical practice •
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10