LSB365 Pathology


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:LSB365
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:(LQB281 or LQB292) and (LSB250 or LSB258) and (LSB255 or LQB187)
Coordinator:Beatrix Feigl | b.feigl@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

It is essential that students studying medical science have a substantive knowledge and skill set pertaining to pathology. Pathology is the study of disease processes from the cellular level to that of the whole organism. This is a third Semester unit planned for the developmental phase of your learning which builds on the introductory phase units LQB281, LSB250 and LSB255, which were designed to provide you with the core knowledge needed for your discipline specific studies such as cellular adaptation, inflammation, carcinogenesis, immune disorders and infectious disease. Understanding general and systematic pathology is essential for the application of knowledge to clinically relevant states and major diseases that you will study in later clinical units of this course.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Explain the principles and basic concepts of general pathology and how they apply across the major organ systems of the human body using appropriate terminology and scientific writing.
  2. Critically evaluate the cause and structural and functional changes in major diseases affecting humans and correlate them with the clinical symptoms and diagnostic procedures used to investigate them within the laboratory.
  3. Identify major tissues and organs within the human body using histology and begin to identify signs of histopathology.
  4. Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviours, including when working in teams, appropriate for medical scientists in the workplace and your ongoing studies at QUT.

Content

In this unit, the pathologic basis of diseases is integrated with diagnostic histopathology, cytology and haematology. The content covered is:

  • Cellular responses, inflammation and neoplasia
  • Introduction to histology and histopathology
  • Introduction to haematology
  • Cardiovascular system
  • Nervous and sensory system
  • Respiratory system
  • Alimentary System
  • Renal system
  • Genital tract and reproductive system
  • Musculoskeletal system
  • Endocrine system

Learning Approaches

This unit has a strong emphasis on professional practice, hence you will be able to directly translate your theory knowledge into practical knowledge. This is achieved by the study of human specimens with and without diseases from macroscopic to microscopic levels.
Practical sessions will cover basic pathological processes and histopathology, involve self-assessment modules on Canvas and spot tests designed to assist you in monitoring your own academic progress and level of achievement. You will be encouraged to use the practical laboratory outside of formal practical sessions where possible for further self-directed learning activities in basic histology; both online and physical resources will be provided to help you develop your analytical and problem solving skills. Case studies are provided as laboratory exercises during tutorials to allow for the interpretation of diagnostic tests and methods, additional revision of key concepts and practical problems and to cover basic histopathology and haematology. You will be encouraged to learn both independently and with your classmates by participation.
The unit consists of lectures per week in which the theoretical aspects of pathology and pathological diagnosis are presented; this is complemented by a practical session, and several tutorials.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Throughout the semester you will be provided with feedback on your learning and academic progress via your regular quizzes, by participating and completing in class activities and discussing them with your classmates and/or teaching staff. You can also receive immediate feedback on your own progress by completing the self directed learning activities available to you on the LSB365 Canvas site. You should use these resources to identify areas you might need to focus on or to modify your learning approach. During the semester and at the end of semester you will also be provided with opportunities to give your feedback and thoughts on the teaching and content of this unit. This is for your benefit and future students who will enrol in and complete this unit. Your feedback, comments and suggestions will be used to make improvements and modifications to the unit where possible to improve the learning outcomes for everyone.

Assessment

Overview

The assessment items in this unit will evaluate your understanding of the information presented in lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes. Lectures and online activities will be complemented by weekly assessments at the end of your laboratory classes to allow you to monitor your progress in this unit. Assessment will further take the form of a Practical exam and a Theory exam at the end of semester.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Quiz/Test

Online quizzes will test your knowledge in concepts of general pathology/histology.

Weight: 20
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Progressive
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Practical skills exam

You will be tested on explaining disease processes based on specimens and on histological sections of the human body.

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Late semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Theory exam

You will be tested on your problem based approaches to critically evaluate disease concepts across the human body.

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Central Examination Period
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

Practicals will require personal protective equipment supplied by each student:
1. Laboratory Gown - Rear fastening 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix
2. Safety eye protection glasses - selected and used in accordance with Australian Safety Standards
3. Fully enclosed non-slip shoes

Costs

Cost of obtaining lab gown and safety glasses is the responsibility of the student.

Resources

Texts:
1. Kumar V, Abbas A & Fausto N (2012) Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 9th edition, Elsevier Saunders, Philadelphia, USA

Additional References:
1. Rozenberg G (2010) Microscopic Haematology: A Practical Guide for the Laboratory, 4th edition, Taylor & Francis, London, UK
2. Carr JH & Rodak BF (2013) Clinical Hematology Atlas, 4th edition, Elsevier Saunders, Philadelphia, USA
3. Rubin E (2011) Rubin's Pathology: Clinicopathologic Foundations in Medicine, 6th edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Maryland, USA
4. Reid R (2011) Pathology Illustrated, 7th edition, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, UK
5. Underwood JCE (2009) General and Systematic Pathology, 5th edition, Churchill Livingstone, New York, USA
6. Cooke RA (2004) Colour Atlas of Anatomical Pathology, 3rd edition, Churchill Livingstone, New York, USA
7. Wheater PR et al (2009) Basic Histopathology, 5th edition, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, UK

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit includes a laboratory component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You are required to view a Health & Safety Induction video and complete an online health and safety quiz prior to being permitted into the laboratory, to access please follow this link Health & Safety Induction. A passing score of 10/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory session. You may repeat the quiz until this score is achieved. You are also referred to the Faculty of Health's Health & Safety Web Site for further information.

This unit includes a mandatory laboratory component that involves the observation of potted human donor pathology specimens. As the viewing of human donor material is embedded in the content and assessment of this unit, if you have any personal objections or cultural sensitivities to observing human donor material, you are advised not to enrol in this unit, and choose an appropriate alternative with the advice of your course coordinator.

In order that you become proficient in the necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You will be required to review a series of online induction resources and material specific to this unit including the General Gardens Point Laboratory Practice and Cadaver Preparedness online resources, and successfully complete an online quiz associated with each of these inductions, before being allowed access to the laboratory. You are required to adhere to the safety requirements outlined in this material, and exhibit professional and ethical conduct at all times when accessing human donor material. Check your Canvas site for information on how to access the induction material and quizzes, and complete the student declaration of compliance.

If you have an underlying health condition or have any concerns in viewing human donor material you are encouraged to consult the unit coordinator, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions or be offered alternative learning experiences.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

LS47 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

  1. Discipline Knowledge
    Relates to: Quiz/Test, Practical skills exam, Theory exam
  2. Professional (including OHS and QA) Knowledge
    Relates to: Practical skills exam, Theory exam
  3. Technical proficiency
    Relates to: Theory exam
  4. Analysis and interpretation of data
    Relates to: Quiz/Test, Practical skills exam, Theory exam
  5. Synthesis, judgement, and explanation
    Relates to: Quiz/Test, Practical skills exam, Theory exam