Undergraduate

At STM, we offer a range of engaging undergraduate units that explore how the human body and brain work, what happens when things go wrong, and how scientific discoveries are improving health and medicine. Available to second- and third-year students in the Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BMS), our units in Immunology and Human Pathology combine cutting-edge science with practical learning. We also offer the innovative summer intensive elective Upgrade Your Brain, open to all second-year Monash students, which explores the incredible capabilities of the brain and provides practical, evidence-based strategies to support memory, learning and lifelong brain health.

Brain function - Upgrade Your Brain (TRM2001) is designed for students from any discipline who are curious about how the brain works and how to keep it healthy. This highly interactive unit explores topics including memory, learning, emotions and healthy ageing, while examining conditions such as dementia, addiction and depression. Students also investigate how technologies such as social media, smartphones and artificial intelligence influence attention, memory and decision-making. Through engaging activities and practical, science-backed strategies, students gain valuable tools to improve their own mental performance and maintain a healthy brain in an ever-changing world.
Immunology investigates the body's natural defence system and how it protects us from infections, why allergies and autoimmune diseases develop, and how new treatments are transforming the fight against cancer. Through a combination of theory and hands-on learning across second year (IMM2011, IMM2022) and third year (IMM3031, IMM3051, IMM3042, IMM3062), students gain insight into one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving areas of biomedical science.
Human Pathology focuses on the causes and consequences of disease. Students explore how conditions such as inflammation, cancer and disorders affecting major organs develop and progress, and learn how diseases are diagnosed and treated. Through our second year (HUP2032) and third year (HUP3011, HUP3022) units, students will develop an appreciation of the biological changes that underlie many of the world's most common and significant diseases.

Whether your interests lie in understanding disease, improving human health, or discovering what makes us think, learn and feel, STM's undergraduate units provide an exciting opportunity to explore the science behind life and prepare for a wide range of future careers.

Brain function View

Immunology View

Immunology is the study of the immune system, which protects us from harmful pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. The immune system is crucial for our survival - it is the reason why we recover from a cold, but also why we suffer from allergies, have autoimmune diseases such as diabetes and why we reject tissue transplants. Antibody-based immunotherapies are also an exciting frontier in cancer treatment.

With a mix of theoretical and practical based units, we provide a comprehensive coverage of immunology; equipping students with knowledge as well as analytical and scientific skills for a career in the biomedical sciences or other directions students may wish to take. Choosing to study immunology provides a foundation to understanding many aspects of human disease and a field filled with new and exciting discoveries and applications.

IMM2011: Basic Immunology: The body's defence system
This is our foundation unit and introduces students to the immune system which has evolved to protect us from microbial pathogens. It involves both theory and practical based sessions on topics such as structure and development of the immune system, the generation of immune responses, major effector mechanisms involved in pathogen clearance, basic structure and function of viruses and bacteria and immunological techniques used in assaying immune responses to micro-organisms.
IMM2022: Immunology in health and disease
This unit provides students the opportunity to examine in more detail the role and diversity of immunological based issues. A selection of immune based disease and health states are examined in the contexts of exploring and understanding the role that the immune system has in each situation but also the impact and implications of these on a range of criteria such as social, economic and ethical to name a few. Students have the opportunity to develop key research, writing and oral skills through defined assignments that will broaden their view of immunology but also aid in their general studies.
IMM3031: Molecular and cellular immunology
This theory based unit examines in depth important features of development and function of the immune system in health and disease. Areas covered include development of the innate and adaptive immune system, antigen processing and presentation, maturation of the immune response, self tolerance and regulation. Students will learn the principles of advanced techniques in immunology including the relevance of genetic engineering and will acquire skills in reviewing the literature and assignment preparation.
IMM3051: Principles of applied immunology
This unit aims to develop students' practical skills and knowledge of laboratory immunology. The course is laboratory based with tutorials to ensure a thorough theoretical understanding of techniques. Students will learn about antibody production, purification and research immunology techniques. This unit gives students a firm understanding of techniques relevant to immunology and many other scientific disciplines.
IMM3042: Clinical immunopathology
This theory based unit examines regulation of the immune response and how this knowledge can be applied to improve disease treatment. Host-pathogen interactions are considered together with new strategies for vaccines. In addition, diseases of the immune system are examined including immunodeficiency, autoimmune and allergic diseases. As well students will study the role of the immune system in tissue transplantation and tumor eradication.
IMM3062: Clinical and research laboratory immunology
This unit examines advanced techniques used in clinical and research immunology laboratories. These include assays for lymphocyte proliferation, cytokines, cell-mediated cytotoxicity, detection of antigen/antibody reaction by immunoblotting an. The unit is laboratory based with tutorials to ensure a thorough theoretical understanding of techniques

Human Pathology View

Human pathology is the study of disease processes, particularly cell death, inflammation and disorders of immunity. The Australian Centre for Blood Diseases at STM offers the Human Pathology units.

HUP2032: Exploring human disease and pathology diagnostics
Discover how the human body maintains balance and what happens when that balance is disrupted. In this unit, you will explore the mechanisms that keep our cells and organs functioning normally and examine how disturbances to these processes can lead to disease. You will investigate the genetic and environmental factors that influence health and disease around the world, with particular consideration of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Through the study of changes in cells, tissues and organ systems, you will develop an understanding of how diseases arise and progress. Using engaging case-based scenarios, you will apply your knowledge and problem-solving skills to identify disease states and gain insight into the foundations of human pathology and clinical diagnosis. This unit is ideal for students interested in health, biomedical science and understanding the biological basis of disease.
HUP 3011: Human Pathology 1, Understanding Disease Processes
Studentsare introduced to basic pathology: the biological foundations upon which diseases are characterised, the way their progress is understood, and the consequences of pathological alterations upon normal tissue and organ function. The concepts of tissue injury and cell death, inflammation, haematopathology, disorders of immunity, disorders of cell growth, neoplasia and the pathology of infectious diseases are presented. The mechanisms for pathological processes are reviewed together with how these processes cause disease by overcoming normal regulatory controls. Principles will be illustrated by reference to specific diseases but will be applicable across all systems. This approach will provide students with an understanding of the terminologies applicable to pathology and an appreciation of the causes and natural progress of human diseases.
HUP 3022: Human Pathology 2, Pathology of Human Diseases
Students are introduced to a systemic approach to pathology: the diseases of organ systems. Organ systems will be addressed in turn and will include the important diseases of each. These will include ischaemic heart disease, diabetes, obesity, stroke, leukaemia, carcinomas of the breast, lung and colon, inflammatory diseases of the lung, kidney and liver and diseases of the nervous system. The aetiology, clinical presentation, treatment and course of the diseases will be discussed. Particular emphasis will be placed on molecular and genetic aspects of disease pathogenesis. Laboratory investigations will be presented to provide an integrated approach to the diagnosis of specific diseases.

Research in action (Human pathology / Immunology) View

Medical Education

The STM M-Ed program is run across its many partnered health services including Alfred Health, Peninsula Health, Cabrini Health, Epworth Healthcare, VIFM and community General Practice clinics. Find out more about our Medical Student Education.

Contact

Director of Medical Education, Associate Professor Fiona Bodey | Fiona.Bodey@monash.edu
Director of Education (non-medical), Associate Professor Jessica Borger | E: Jessica.Borger@monash.edu
Senior STM Education Coordinator, Lia Schneider | E: stm.undergrad@monash.edu | P: +61 3 9903 9440

Translational Medicine

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Undergraduate

Brain function View

TRM2001: Upgrade your brain: Enhancing brainpower through science and practice

Immunology View

IMM2011: Basic Immunology: The body's defence system

IMM2022: Immunology in health and disease

IMM3031: Molecular and cellular immunology

IMM3051: Principles of applied immunology

IMM3042: Clinical immunopathology

IMM3062: Clinical and research laboratory immunology

Human Pathology View

HUP2032: Exploring human disease and pathology diagnostics

HUP 3011: Human Pathology 1, Understanding Disease Processes

HUP 3022: Human Pathology 2, Pathology of Human Diseases

Research in action (Human pathology / Immunology) View

HUP3990: Research in action

IMM3990: Research in action

Medical Education

Contact