Course Title: Anatomical Pathology 1

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Anatomical Pathology 1

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

MEDS2106

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015

MEDS2106

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 2 2024,
Sem 2 2025

MEDS2111

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015

MEDS2111

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2017

Course Coordinator: Frank Musso

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 4730

Course Coordinator Email: frank.musso@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 201.10.007B


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study

You should have satisfactorily completed following course/s before you commence this course.

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.


Course Description

In this course, you will explore Histopathology and Cytopathology, two essential disciplines within Anatomical Pathology. You’ll gain a solid foundation in both areas as medical science disciplines and understand the critical role diagnostic laboratories play in the diagnosis of various disease states and inpatient care and management. You will develop a deep understanding of the microscopic structure, organization, and function of human cells and tissues in both health and disease. The course will also help you build hands-on expertise in the techniques used for their microscopic study, preparing you for further systematic study in the fields of histopathology and cytopathology.

As you progress, you'll focus on acquiring both theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory skills needed for histological techniques and cytological interpretation and diagnosis in a variety of specimens.

The key topics covered in this course are:

  • Histopathology: The principles and aims of histological preparation including technical faults, fixation of cells and tissues, processing of specimens, microtomy, staining via various routine and specialised methods for light microscopy, and the rationale and application of immunohistochemical staining.
  • Cytopathology: Accurate observation and detailed descriptions of cells in normal, benign/reactive and malignant conditions, and the principles of routine cytological preparation and staining techniques.

By the end of the course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and technical skills to pursue further study and professional development in the field of anatomical pathology.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for BH129 Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine (Honours):

  • PLO 1 Apply coherent and advanced of laboratory medicine theories, concepts and evidence in various real-world settings using a scientific approach.
  • PLO 2 Apply systematic thinking and a range of high-level analytical skills using a blend of digital and traditional tools and technologies to solve complex scientific and medical problems
  • PLO 3 Apply research principles and methodology to design and implement a laboratory medicine research project to address complex real-world scientific challenges and make original contribution to disciplinary knowledge.
  • PLO 4 Demonstrate the ability to generate and evaluate solutions to all aspects of interdisciplinary professional practice while complying with ethical, legal and regulatory standards that underpins the field of laboratory medicine.
  • PLO 5 Communicate and collaborate to diverse audiences utilising contemporary and traditional formats related to laboratory medicine employing integrity, inclusivity and culturally safe practices.
  • PLO 6 Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional practice as part of a multidisciplinary team.




Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

  1. Explain the quality measures and safety procedures for specimen reception, identification, and handling in anatomical pathology.
  2. Apply histopathology and cytopathology techniques, including fixation, microtomy, cytopreparation, and various staining methods, to examine anatomical pathology specimens.
  3. Examine the morphological features of cells and tissues in anatomical pathology specimens in different disease states, using a comprehensive and systematic approach.
  4. Assess the suitability of molecular and immunohistochemical tests for different pathological diagnoses.
  5. Collaborate in a professional group setting to develop and present solutions to complex problems.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both.

The theory and practical components of this foundation course are highly integrated throughout the four learning blocks. The first block is an introduction to the routine aspects of anatomical pathology. This is followed by the second learning block where a few commonly used routine special stains are introduced. The third learning block is to introduce the cytopathology component, and the fourth learning block introduces the ancillary techniques that enable both histopathology and cytopathology to make accurate diagnosis.

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

This course contains hurdle requirements. All hurdle requirements for this course are indicated clearly in the assessment regime that follows, against the relevant assessment task(s) and all have been approved by the College Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching).

HURDLE Requirement: To pass this course, you must obtain at least 50% in the final practical components and an overall grade greater than or equal to 50%

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Integrated Coursework Assessment
Weighting 40%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3,4 & 5

Assessment Task 2: Mid-semesterTest
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3

Assessment Task 3: Final Practical Assessment (Hurdle)
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3

Assessment Task 4: Final Case Study Assessment
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.