e-learning @ Divine Word University: Courses

The students will learn that Demography is the study of human population dynamics and that it encompasses changes in Population Size (Growth & Decline); Composition of the Population (Age & Sex) and the Distribution of the Population (Density and Distribution).

The students will understand how the populations change over time due to births, deaths, migration and ageing. They would learn how to calculate the Crude Death Rate (CDR) , Crude Birth Rate (CBR),  General Fertility Rate (GFR), Age-Specific Fertility Rate and the Demographic equations such as Net Migration and Natural increase of the population as well as how they are inter-related and impact on one another.

They would have an understanding of population growth, contributing factors to high birth rate and the implications of a fast growing population, for the country and the world at large.  The students will learn the four stages of Demographic Transition and the dangers of getting trapped in the Expanding Phase (Second phase) of Demographic Transition, and thus caught up in a Demographic Trap.

They will apply these demographic concepts to PNG situation, calculate the Standard of living, Dependency ration and work out what stage PNG currently is, in the Demographic Transition. The importance of Effective Family Planning services in getting through the Expanding Stage to Low Stationary Stage (Fourth phase) and avoiding the Demographic Trap will be taught. They will acquire the  skills to develop Population Pyramids for different populations and use it as a measure of the demographic changes.

Year 1 Semester 1 2010

In this unit, students gain knowledge of human biology. Students will examine:

* the cell structure and functions as the basis of life, the cell membrane and its function as the basis of cell integrity; how cells form into organized and specialized tissues and/or organ; cell division involving meiosis and mitosis and the mechanisms controlling cell divisions,

*body cavities and their importance; body fluids including water and different cellular compartments;

* body metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats that provide energy to cell functions while noting the basis of disorders such as diabetes mellitus; and homeostasis and knowledge of vital signs of what is normal and what is abnormal.

Microbiology is the study of the biology of microorganisms and their impacts on the humans. This unit will cover pathogenic bacteria, virues, fungi and protozoa. Students will be able to gain indept knowlegde of the different diseasing causing microorganism and the diseases they caused.

This Unit covers principles of human biochemistry. Biochemistry is to look at how body works as a chemical system. Biochemistry not only describes how the system works, but also provides a foundation for understanding how to improve its operations (e.g. by appropriate nutrition and exercise), how to diagnose problems, and where possible, how to remedy them. Knowing biochemistry helps to understand current therapies (treatments), helps to understand mechanism of action of drugs, helps to understand mechanism of disease processes, and helps to understand the functional interactions between metabolic pathways, organs, and tissues; thus biochemistry is the "bolts and nuts" of a living organism.

This unit will provide the students with the necessary professional attributes and the foundation for sound and acceptable clinical practice. The contents contained in the comprehensive " HEOs Code of Ethics" will also provide the policy frame work that will guide the future Professionals on how they should conduct themselves in actual practice. Issues that are ethical and professional will be discussed along with legal implications when there is a breach in the conduct.

The Communications part will enhance the students knowledge on the proper means and channels of communications. Divine Word University is already showing the way in Informations Technology and the HEO students must master basic computing literacy in order for them to embrace the changes the Telecomminications sector could provide in the future.