This 20-lesson unit explores what disease is, how it spreads, and how the body fights back. You will investigate pathogens, the immune system, vaccination, antibiotics, and the science behind public health decisions that affect millions of lives.
Students distinguish between infectious and non-infectious diseases, identify how disease spreads, and describe how the body responds to pathogens and how science is used to prevent and control disease.
Working Scientifically skills are integrated throughout: analysing data, communicating scientific arguments, planning investigations, and making evidence-based decisions.
Defining health, disease, and disorder; infectious vs non-infectious
2Pathogens and Disease CausesBacteria, viruses, fungi, protists, prions; how pathogens cause harm
3How Disease SpreadsTransmission routes: direct, indirect, airborne, vector-borne, waterborne
4Disease in AustraliaAustralian infectious diseases; epidemiology basics; outbreak investigation
5First Line of DefencePhysical and chemical barriers; skin, mucous membranes, stomach acid
Cumulative assessment for Lessons 1-5
Inflammation, phagocytes, fever, complement proteins
7The Third Line — LymphocytesB cells, T cells, antibodies, antigen recognition
8Vaccination and ImmunityActive vs passive immunity; herd immunity; how vaccines work
9Australia's Immunisation StoryNational Immunisation Program; historical outbreaks; Aboriginal health
10When Immunity FailsAllergies, autoimmune disease, immunodeficiency; HIV/AIDS
Cumulative assessment for Lessons 6-10
How antibiotics work; antivirals; proper use and misuse
12Antimicrobial ResistanceSuperbugs; MRSA; causes of resistance; global threat; One Health
13Non-Infectious DiseaseLifestyle diseases (CVD, diabetes, obesity); genetic disease; environmental
14Cancer — When Cells Go WrongWhat is cancer; causes; detection; treatment; Australian statistics
15Technology Against DiseaseDiagnostics (PCR, rapid tests, imaging); telehealth; AI in medicine
Cumulative assessment for Lessons 11-15
Traditional medicine; historical health impacts; Closing the Gap
17Global Disease and PandemicsPandemic vs epidemic; COVID-19; influenza; malaria; global response
18Investigating DiseaseDesigning fair tests; case-control studies; data analysis; ethics
19Public Health and PreventionSanitation, quarantine, screening, health promotion; Australian systems
20Unit Synthesis and Depth Study PrepConnecting concepts; preparing investigable questions; planning studies
Cumulative assessment for Lessons 16-20
🏆 Unit QuizFull unit assessment covering all 20 lessons