Units / EPM5030
EPM5030 · Human health and disease processes
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 5School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
In this unit you will explore common diseases from pathophysiological, psychosocial, and epidemiological perspectives. You will learn about the course of a disease, and contributing and risk factors at the individual and social levels, as well as the consequences for individuals, health systems, and society. Particular conditions considered will vary but will include communicable, non-communicable, acute, chronic and degenerative disease types.
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Alfred Hospital | First semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
Assessment
The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Case study analysis and reflection (2,400 words) | Written | 40% | Competency |
| 2 | Multiple choice quiz (30 MCQs in 30 mins) | Quiz / Test | 10% | — |
| 3 | Infographic (2 pages - text and graphics) | Artefact | 20% | — |
| 4 | Disease portfolio (1,800 words) | Portfolio | 30% | — |
Assessment in this unit includes hurdle assessment tasks. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit.
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.
Learning outcomes
- Distinguish and contextualise the concepts of the biological basis of human health and disease.
- Examine the structure and function of selected human organ systems.
- Discuss the pathogeneses and natural course of selected diseases arising from different human organ systems.
- Explain the body's innate and adaptive defences, and how these determine the nature of interactions with microbes.
- Evaluate how genetic, environmental and behavioural factors contribute to selected diseases and health conditions.
- Interpret the consequences of selected human diseases on individuals, society and health systems.
- Apply knowledge of human disease mechanism in the planning and development of evidence-based strategies in the detection, management, prevention and control of human disease.
- Communicate scientific information via a variety of media to specific audiences.
Workload
2 hours of teacher directed study per week (2 hours of workshop). 10 hours per week of self-directed study. Total per week = 12 hours
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Workshops | 24 hours |
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