成人大片

NURSING 1005 - Biology for Nursing Practice

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025

Biology for Nursing Practice provides a significant depth and detail to the anatomical and physiological knowledge base for beginning level nursing students. The course provides a systematic approach to cell; tissue and organ function and provides working examples of how nurses use biology to inform practice. The use of `real life' examples will encourage students to reflect on their own clinical placement experiences to ensure that biological concepts become integrated knowledge. The base of knowledge provided by this course will encourage students to adopt an attitude to incorporating scientific concepts throughout their nursing career and especially in relation to the nursing assessment.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code NURSING 1005
    Course Biology for Nursing Practice
    Coordinating Unit Medical Sciences
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 5 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Restrictions Bachelor of Nursing
    Assessment Online assessments, MCQ, MCQ examination, small group essay
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Nicola Eastaff-Leung

    Course Co-coordinator: 
    Dr Bianca Guglietti
    bianca.guglietti@adelaide.edu.au

    To contact the Biology for Nursing Practice Team please email: 
    bfnp@adelaide.edu.au 






    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

    Full information is located in MyUni.
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1 Demonstrate a basic level of knowledge of the structure of the human body at both the microscopic and macroscopic levels of organisation.
    2 Relate the structures of cells, tissues and organs to their functions and the functions of systems of the human body.
    3 Identify mechanisms that regulate bodily activities and maintain homeostasis within an individual.
    4 Recognise how alternations in cells, tissues and organs to their functions may lead to common health-related scenarios.
    5 Gain an understanding of how anatomy and physiology influence all aspects of nursing practice.
    6 Relate nursing assessment practices to structural anatomy and physiology.
    7 Begin to organise a systems approach to describing anatomy and physiology in the clinical setting.
    8 Construct a working glossary of physiological terms and principles.
    9 Identify and critically evaluate, organise, synthesise and communicate scientific information in written and oral form.
    10 Work and communicate cooperatively and effectively with staff and peers to gain a deeper understanding.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-10

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2-7, 9

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    9, 10

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    9, 10

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    9, 10

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    9

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    8

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    9, 10
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There are no required resources for this course. Please see the recommended resources for recommendations




    Recommended Resources
    Recommended textbook: 

    Van Putte, Regan and Russo (2022).  Seeleys Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology. Eleventh edition. McGraw Hill. NY

    The above textbook is available as an Ebook via The 成人大片 Library. Previous editions are suitable resources for this course.

    Free online textbooks are also available online 

    https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/1-introduction
    Online Learning
    All lecture notes, resource manuals, and papers related to lectures, practicals, tutorial sessions, and assessment tasks are accessible on MyUni. Additionally, you will find curated lists of recommended readings, online quizzes, and links to external websites to further support your learning experience.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    TEACHING & LEARNING MODES

    Lectures: This course will utilise a blend of online and face-to-face lectures to deliver comprehensive information and cater to diverse learning preferences. 

    Tutorial sessions:  
    Weekly tutorials will reinforce the content discussed in the lectures for that week through various engaging activities. These interactive learning sessions aim to empower students to enhance and apply their understanding of anatomy and physiology, while also fostering the development of strong group dynamics.

    Discussion board –
     Discussion boards will serve as an interactive platform where students can post questions of common interest to the group. This allows both teachers and students to actively participate in the course by responding to queries in an open forum.



    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The workload for this course involves:

    • 2-3 online lectures per week
    • 1 x face-to-face lecture per week 
    • 1 x 2 hour tutorial per week (10% for tutorial participation)
    • 4 x online quizzes (20%, 4x5% each)
    • 1 x group project (30%)
    • 1 x mid-semester exam (20%)
    • 1 x end-of-semester exam (20%)
    It is expected that students will spend an additional 6 hours per week for assessment and tutorial preparation.




    Learning Activities Summary

    An up-to-date timetable of course activities will be available to you in MyUni. You will be notified of any changes to the timetable in your announcements. 

    This course is organised so we cover one organ system per week. A timetable for specific systems and topics covered will be posted in MyUni

    Body systems covered include but are not restricted to skin, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and reproductive.

    Your tutorials will support the lecture material and support your assessments. 

    Specific Course Requirements
    There are no specific course requirements however we strongly encourage enrolment in the Human Biology Explained EdX course for students who have not done year 12 Biology or similar or for whom they feel revision is needed.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Item No.
    Assessment Task Weighting Learning Outcome(s)
    1 Online Concept Check Quizzes (4 x 5% and 1 x formative) 20%
    2 Group project check point (2 x 5%) 10%
    3 Final group project 20%
    4 Active tutorial participation 10%
    5 Mid-semester test 20%
    6 End of semester exam 20%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Details of assessment items will be found on the MyUni course pages and will be further discussed in class.
    Assessment Detail
     Please see Assessment details in your MyUNi course page
    Submission
    Unless otherwise indicated all assignments are to be submitted through MyUni.

    Extensions are generally awarded for no more than 10 working days unless there are exceptional circumstances.
    To apply for an Assessment Extension, a student must submit an application for extension form prior to the assessment deadline.
    See the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/3303/
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through .

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.



  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

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