NURSING 104 : Applied Science for Nurses

Medical and Health Sciences

2020 Semester One (1203) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Provides an opportunity for the application of specific and selected topics from the biological and physical sciences to be related to beginning nursing practice.

Course Overview

Nursing 104 covers foundational science concepts which are essential for nursing knowledge and practice.  This semester one course provides an opportunity for both the study of concepts from the physical sciences relevant to nursing and the application of specific and selected topics from the biological sciences to be related to beginning nurse practice.  

Nursing 104 introduces students to basic concepts from the physical sciences that are essential as a foundation for the study of physiology, pharmacology and pathophysiology and relevant to the functioning of the healthy human body.  This includes basic concepts from chemistry, physics, and calculations relating to fluid and drug administration.  Aspects of body function related to biochemistry and physiology will be covered in relation to nursing for health and in some disease states. For some topics, a case study approach will be utilised.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Nursing

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe basic chemical concepts with particular reference to chemical processes found within the healthy human body. (Capability 1.1, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  2. Describe basic physics and mathematical concepts with particular reference to processes involving the human body, and equipment used in nursing. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.3 and 3.1)
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of biochemical and homeostatic processes, which provide an essential knowledge base for clinical nursing practice. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.3, 3.1 and 4.2)
  4. Relate knowledge from the biological sciences to clinical nursing knowledge. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 4.2 and 6.1)
  5. Demonstrate factors that affect human physiological processes and physical function. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 4.2 and 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Weekly online quizzes 10% Individual Test
Poster Project 10% Group Coursework
Test: mid-semester 30% Individual Test
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Weekly online quizzes
Poster Project
Test: mid-semester
Final Exam

Learning Resources

Foss, M. A., & Farine, T. (2007). Science in nursing and health care (2nd ed.). Harlow, England: Pearson Education 2007.

Course Contacts

NURSING 104 COURSE DIRECTOR:
Dr. Kim Ward RGN, PhD 
E: k.ward@auckland.ac.nz
T: 09 923 - 3119
*Hours of work: 8:30am – 5pm, Mon, Tue, Thurs only

COURSE ADMINISTRATION:
Sarah Dayal
E: s.dayal@auckland.ac.nz
T: 09 923 – 4763
*Hours of work: 7am – 3pm, Mon – Fri

Natalie Mason
E: n.mason@auckland.ac.nz
T: 09 923 – 2146
*Hours of work: 9am – 5pm, Tue, Wed, Thurs only

ADDITIONAL CONTACT:
Associate Head of School (Undergraduate): Dr Lisa Stewart PhD
 E: lisa.stewart@auckland.ac.nz
T: 09 923 - 5346

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course that runs over 12 weeks in semester one.  Students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

Overall, you can expect 36 hours of lectures,  22 hours of tutorials, 30 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 32 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.  The course  and consists of 1 x one hour lecture and 1 x two-hour lecture per week.  These sessions are supported by one two hour tutorial each week. The tutorials offer an opportunity for students to clarify lecture content.  Students are required to complete the associated weekly online quiz questions based on the lectures and tutorial discussions.

Other Information

Fitness to practice:
In order to complete the requirements for this course and the BNurs degree, a student must meet the applicable fitness to practise requirements for this programme, as outlined in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences’ Fitness to Practise Policy.  Information about fitness to practise, the Fitness to Practise policy and procedures can be found at
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/the-university/how-university-works/policy-and-administration/teaching-and-learning/fmhs-code-of-fitness-to-practise/fmhs-fitness-to-practise-policy.html#94a7265f6104770808586a29c54a9f4f


Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

2019 SET evaluation indicated that the course content was well organised (95% agreed) and that the aims of this course were clear (all agreed).  95.1% of respondents  were satisfied with the quality of this course and the overall course SET student satisfaction score was 4.36 / 5, which compared favourably against the university, the faculty and within nursing. 

Students liked:

• The interactiveness of tutorials helped a lot as we were able to ask and answer questions.  This helped reinforce information from lectures and helped to understand the course content.

• Lectures that involved physical activity such as demonstrating the centre of gravity in person, giving an imagery of fluid balance through the whole class acting as different components within a blood vessel gave an clear understanding of the content and was enjoyable. 

Students wanted:

• Individualised mid-semester test feedback. 

Individual feedback will be addressed for 2020 in collaboration with the SoN admin team and the use of an IT platform to facilitate feedback. 

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 18/12/2019 07:01 a.m.