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) |
MEDS2183 |
Bundoora Campus |
Postgraduate |
173H School of Health and Biomed |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2018, Sem 2 2019, Sem 2 2020, Sem 2 2021, Sem 2 2022, Sem 2 2023, Sem 2 2024, Sem 2 2025 |
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
None
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 MC158 Master of Laboratory Medicine:
PLO1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of key scientific principles in two core clinical speciality disciplines of laboratory medicine.
PLO2. Apply systematic knowledge of core cellular and molecular processes underlying health and disease in a global context including First Nations people.
PLO3. Perform a range of diagnostic techniques relevant to the field of laboratory medicine.
PLO4. Adapt critical analysis skills in problem solving methodologies and artefacts.
On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Apply the regulatory and safety procedures for specimen reception, identification, and handling in anatomical pathology.
- Analyse the morphological features of cells and tissues in anatomical pathology specimens in different disease states, using a comprehensive and systematic approach.
- Evaluate anatomical pathology specimens by applying histopathology and cytopathology techniques, including fixation, microtomy, cytopreparation, and various staining methods.
- Appraise the suitability of molecular and immunohistochemical tests for different pathological diagnoses.
- 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-semester Test
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.