Course Title: Introduction to Pathology

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Introduction to Pathology

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

MEDS2118

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

MEDS2118

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024

MEDS2133

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013

Course Coordinator: Dr Roula Kyriacou

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7484

Course Coordinator Email: roula.kyriacou@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 201.10.006


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course will introduce the concepts of injury and departures from normal structure and function in the human body, as occurs in disease. The various pathological processes and their importance in the basis of human disease will be studied. Correlation with clinical presentation will also be made, with particular reference to cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for BP321 Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiations) (aligned to the Accreditation Standards of the Medical Radiations Practice Board of Australia):

Standard 1

  • Apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology to practice (1.a)
  • Understand and apply the different methods of imaging and treatment (1.c)

This course contributes to the following program learning outcome for the BP278 Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Applied Science (Chinese Medicine) and BP280 Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Applied Science (Chiropractic) programs:

  • Provide specialised health care within a patient-centred, evidence-based framework (PLO 1)
  • Gather clinical information to make accurate differential diagnoses, assessment and management plans and carry out effective treatment (PLO 2)
  • Practice as a competent health care professional in a safe, ethical and legally responsible manner (PLO 3)
  • Demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity in the provision of specialized health care (PLO 4)
  • Communicate effectively in a range of forms (written, online, oral) and with diverse audiences (patients, community/public, agencies and health professionals) (PLO 5) 

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) for BP279 Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Applied Science (Osteopathy):

  • Provide patient-centred care as a competent, safe primary healthcare professional (PLO 1)
  • Gather and interpret health information, and employ clinical reasoning to develop differential diagnoses, to inform assessment and management (PLO 3)
  • Manage all aspects of clinical practice to comply with ethical, legal, and regulatory standards in an evolving healthcare industry (PLO 5)


On successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Relate the general principles, terminology, and modes of spread of disease to the study of Pathology.
  2. Apply a basic understanding of morbid anatomy to examination of pictorial material and gross specimens displaying pathological processes.
  3. Apply the diagnostic procedure in pathology, through introduction of the differential diagnostic methods at the clinical level.
  4. Correlate basic disease states studied at a cellular and gross anatomical level with the overt clinical signs and symptoms seen in those disorders.
  5. Relate ways in which pathology contributes to the understanding of patient presentation in a clinical setting.


Overview of Learning Activities

This course will use a range of learning activities including recorded lecture and flexible learning resources organised into learning modules and provide the theoretical basis required for the successful completion of lectorial classes and other assessments. Throughout the course you will be able to work both independently and in groups to aid development of your theoretical knowledge of pathology and its application to patient presentation, diagnosis and treatment.

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

Assessment will be conducted in the form of progressive assessment tasks during semester that will test your understanding of the theoretical basis of human disease. Case studies, workshops, lectorial activities and a final exam will test your ability to apply that knowledge to given pathological presentations and to correlate theory with clinical presentation.

Assessment Tasks 

Assessment Task 1: Case Study-based Quizzes
Weighting 15%
This assessment task provides formative feedback and supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 

Assessment Task 2: Mid-Semester Test
Weighting 15%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4 

Assessment Task 3: Workshop Learning Activities
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 

Assessment Task 4: Final Theory Exam
Weighting 40%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 

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.