Course Title: Advanced Histopathology 2

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Advanced Histopathology 2

Credit Points: 24.00

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
MEDS2115	Bundoora Campus	Postgraduate	160H Medical Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2009, Sem 2 2010

Course Coordinator: Dr Ian Darby

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7624

Course Coordinator Email: ian.darby@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Completion of MEDS2106 Histopathology and Cytopathology or MEDS1128 Histopathology 2.
Knowledgeable in the discipline of cell biology; ability to think critically and analyse current concepts in cell biology.

Course Description

Through a series of lectures, seminars and practicals (hands on and demonstrations or laboratory site visits) the current understanding of cellular mechanisms involved in processes such as cell growth and differentiation, cell proliferation and cell death and their importance in health and disease processes will be examined. Emphasis in the lecture component of the course will be on understanding the processes involved and how these relate to disease. In the practical component students will study advanced histopathological methods employed in research and diagnostic laboratories which are used to study these processes and to diagnose related pathologies. Analysis of research material will develop the students’ critical thinking. The skills developed will be of importance in future study as postgraduate students or employment in research laboratories or industry.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Students will gain knowledge in the processes of tissue repair and pathological processes such as inflammation and scarring. The practical component will extend students’ laboratory skills in the area of histopathlogy techniques such as immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and detection of cell death (apoptosis).

Students will understand the mechanisms of action of the factors involved in processes such as cell growth, cell differentiation, cell proliferation and cell death. Factors include: growth factors and cytokines; regulators of apoptosis; cellular interactions between factors and with the surrounding extracellular matrix.

Overview of Learning Activities

The lecture series will introduce students to the latest understanding of tissue growth, repair and the factors controlling cell differentiation, proliferation and death through both theoretical and experimental reports. The basis of the techniques used to study these processes will be examined using lectures and tutorials and students will then be able to have hands-on experience of how these techniques are used by carrying them out in practical sessions.
The practical component will include an introduction to techniques used for studying cell growth and tissue repair, including histology, immunohistochemistry, detection of apoptosis and in vitro models of fibroblast and endothelial cell growth and differentiation.
In addition, tutorials will be given which will bring students up to date with current research, both clinical and scientific, in the areas of cell growth, differentiation and important concepts in the area of repair such as fibrosis and angiogenesis. Tutorials will encourage critical thinking through presentation and critiques of research reports.

Overview of Learning Resources

The course will be based on references to current research articles and articles on research methods. Additional reference materials will be supplied by lecturers.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment will involve:
Theory examination (exam period)

Midsemester examination (MCQ)
Oral Presentations in groups
Written Assignments
Theory exams using multiple choice and short answer questions allow students to demonstrate their learning. The assignments and oral presentations are based around explaining cell growth and tissue repair.