This subject provides a comprehensive grounding in the study of pathology and disease states in Western Medicine. The emphasis of the beginning of the subject is on the elucidation of general pathological processes and how they affect the whole body, as well as certain specific body systems. The subject introduces concepts of common responses of the body to internal and external injuries and explores the notion that it is these responses in specific locations that give rise to clinical signs and symptoms. Information is provided about common symptomatology and diagnostic techniques and how they may be utilised to obtain knowledge of disease pathology through the process of differential diagnosis. The emphasis is on the disease states of the systems involved in transport and metabolism. On completion of this subject, students will be able to apply the philosophies, principles and ethics of Western medicine to the study of pathological processes, clinical features and management of disease of the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and urinary systems

1. Define the nature and role of clinical medicine within the disease process and discuss the interaction of clinical medicine with complementary health care.
2. Identify and analyse underlying cellular changes that occur in response to stress (injury) which may lead to homeostatic imbalance and hence disease.
3. Analyse the normal responses of the immune system to different forms of disease/injury.inflammatory processes and the roles of inflammation in disease processes
4. Compare and contrast the normal responses of the immune system to disease/injury with different types of abnormal immune responses: hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, immunodeficiency and their effects on the body
5. Infection – explain the causes, processes, types and treatment of infection.
6. Interpret the role of the environment, nutrition and age in health.
7. Illustrate and analyse the role that symptomatology plays in the process of differential diagnosis.
8. Identify and show the application of diagnostic testing (examination and investigation) to the differential diagnosis of the disease and describe appropriate resources for diagnosis.
9. Describe and classify different pathological processes involved in developing diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and urinary systems.
10. Conceptualise how mechanisms of disease pathology contribute to clinical findings and dictate patient management.
11. Develop a coherent argument for the validity of disease diagnosis with reference to clinical findings and evaluate management options for the patient suffering from a specific disease.

1. Online quiz: Week 4. 15%.
2. Online interactive learning activities (12 hour online project): Week 9. 20%.
3. Report. Week 11. 15%.
4. Final Examination. Closed book, invigilation required: Exam period. 50%.

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