PATHOL 3101 - Essentials of Pathology

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

Essentials of Pathology is designed to present students with essential concepts of pathological processes and altered health states. The course looks in depth at a wide variety of common pathological conditions. General topics covered include the nature and causes of cell injury and death; adaptive cellular changes; inflammation, healing and repair, thrombosis, infarction and neoplasia. More detailed attention is given to cardio and cerebrovascular pathology, gastrointestinal diseases, bone and joint diseases and common cancers. Clinical scenarios within each module correlate the anatomical pathology with major clinical symptoms and signs. In addition to lectures, small group tutorials provide an opportunity for students to examine macroscopic and microscopic specimens illustrating the pathology covered in lectures.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PATHOL 3101
    Course Essentials of Pathology
    Coordinating Unit Medical Sciences
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites HLTH SC 2104 or PHYSIOL 2510 or PATHOL 2200
    Incompatible PATHOL 3003
    Course Description Essentials of Pathology is designed to present students with essential concepts of pathological processes and altered health states. The course looks in depth at a wide variety of common pathological conditions. General topics covered include the nature and causes of cell injury and death; adaptive cellular changes; inflammation, healing and repair, thrombosis, infarction and neoplasia. More detailed attention is given to cardio and cerebrovascular pathology, gastrointestinal diseases, bone and joint diseases and common cancers. Clinical scenarios within each module correlate the anatomical pathology with major clinical symptoms and signs. In addition to lectures, small group tutorials provide an opportunity for students to examine macroscopic and microscopic specimens illustrating the pathology covered in lectures.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Nicola Eastaff-Leung

    Co-coordinator:  A/Prof Frances Corrigan

    Email: eop@adelaide.edu.au

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    The full timetable can be accessed on the canvas page for the course.
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Demonstrate an understanding of essential basic pathological processes including cell death and injury, inflammation, thrombosis and neoplasia
    2 Acquire the ability to relate these essential basic pathological processes to the pathogenesis of common and important diseases.
    3 Demonstrate an understanding of the predisposing factors, causes, pathogenesis, morphology and potential complications of such diseases.
    4 Correlate clinical features with the causes and mechanisms of disease.
    5 Demonstrate an understanding of how knowledge of pathological processes can be utilised in the investigation, management and prevention of disease.
    6 Use the terminology for the field of pathology correctly and contextually.
    7 Acquire, read, interpret and synthesis information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.
    8 Acknowledge and reference sources of information appropriately.
    9 Work in groups and individually in the pursuit of scientific knowledge.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-6

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1-7, 9

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    9

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    7, 8, 9

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1-6

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    .

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    .

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    9
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    The recommended textbook is anyone of the following:

    Robbins Basic Pathology (10th edition). Kumar Abbas and Aster. Elsevier

    Rubin's Pathology, Clinicopathologic Foundations of Medicine, 6th edition 2011 edited by Rubin, Strayer, and Rubin (Lippincott Williams and Wilkins).

    Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 9th edition, Kumar, Abbas and Aster (eds), Elsevier Saunders

    Other pathology textbooks may be suitable. Please check with the course coordinator.


    For review of histopathology, Wheater's Basic Pathology: 5th edition by Young, ODowd and Stewart (Elsevier) is an excellent book.
    Recommended Resources


    The recommended textbook is anyone of the following:

    Robbins Basic Pathology (10th edition). Kumar Abbas and Aster. Elsevier

    Rubin's Pathology, Clinicopathologic Foundations of Medicine,  6th edition 2011 edited by Rubin, Strayer, and Rubin (Lippincott Williams and Wilkins).

    Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 9th edition, Kumar, Abbas and Aster (eds), Elsevier Saunders

    Other pathology textbooks may be suitable. Please check with the course coordinator.


    For review of histopathology, Wheater's Basic Pathology:  5th edition by Young, ODowd and Stewart (Elsevier) is an excellent book. 
    Online Learning
    This course will use canvas as a major component. All lecture notes, tutorial activities and lecture recordings will be posted on MyUni Canvas. Announcements and weekly student update emails will be sent via the site. The literature review assignment will be submitted and marked through Turnitin.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Blended learning will take place in this course. Large group lecture sessions will vary. Some sessions will be lectures, others will be question and answer sessions and clinical scenarios. Students will be divided into small groups to undertake problem-solving tasks in these sessions and within the tutorial groups. Some lectures will be pre-recorded and utlilise the flipped classroom approach.
    Interactive small group tutorials will focus on the pathological specimens relating to the lecture material.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Students are reminded that the overall workload for a full time student as stated in the University of Adelaide Calendar is an average of 48 hours per week per teaching period (i.e. semester). This includes contact and non-contact hours and includes general study and research time for assignments. Essentials of Pathology is a 3 unit course and thus represents quarter of a full time load. You should thus be putting in an average of 12 hours of study each week (including contact hours) for this course.

    Each week you are expected to:
    • Attend teaching sessions (lecture/large group sessions and tutorials)
    • Read lecture notes and relevant sections of textbooks that relate to lecture material, ensuring that you understand the information, and taking additional notes as necessary
    • Revise relevant normal structure and function and other relevant basic health science to aid your understanding of the pathology
    • Prepare for tests
    • Utilise the Anatomy / Pathology Museum (Helen Mayo South sg25) by looking at specimens and reading the specimen catalogue
    • Utilise other available learning resources e.g. Pathology websites and Histopathology videos on MyUni
    • Work on literature review assignment


    Learning Activities Summary
    Lecture / Large group sessions
    There will be 3 lecture / large group sessions each week. Presentations will commence at 10 minutes past the hour and will last for approximately 50 minutes. The timetable can be found as a separate document on MyUni. Lecture notes can be downloaded from MyUni prior to the lecture.

    If you do not understand any part of a lecture, do not hesitate to ask for clarification from the lecturer either during the lecture, afterwards or by email.


    Tutorials
    Small group tutorials to examine macroscopic specimens and to clarify topics covered in the lectures will be held each fortnight (week allocation will be available in the timetable on MyUni). Please see the tutorial roster for times and locations of your selected tutorial group. Tutorials will begin in week 2 and are compulsory. Participation by each student within the tutorial group is expected.
    Specific Course Requirements
    In order to pass Essentials of Pathology, students are required to have completed all components of the assessment (i.e. literature review assignment, the mid-semester examination, 2 MCQ tests and the end of semester written theory examinations).

    Students must achieve a grade of at least 40% in the end of semester theory examination, and achieve an overall grade of at least 50% for the course.

    Students must have also attended at least 4 of the 5 tutorials. Absence at more than 1 of 5 tutorials will require the provision of appropriate paperwork documenting medical and/or compassionate reasons for non-attendance at the relevant session. Students failing to meet these requirements may either fail outright or be required to sit additional assessment examinations.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    Assessment Task Assessment Type
    Weighting Learning Outcome(s) being addressed
    MCQ tests (3 x 7.5% each) Summative 22.5% 1 - 7
    Mid semester examination Summative 12.5% 1 - 7
    Literature review based on research topic Summative 25% 8, 9
    Final examination Summative 40% 1 - 7
    Tutorial attendance & worksheets Formative 0% 1 - 7
    Post-tutorial videos with interactives Formative 0% 1 - 7
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Please refer assessment details below.
    Assessment Detail
    Literature review assignment
    Students will be required to complete a literature review assignment during the course. Topics will be made available at the beginning of semester. Students are to select one topic. Only a limited number of students will be allowed to do each topic. To choose a group, select Groups from the list on the left handside of the Essentials of Pathology MyUni site then select "view sign up sheet to join a group" then read the list of literature review topics and once you have made your selection you click the "sign up" button under the topic. Once you have done this it is final and cannot be changed. You are unable to remove yourself from the selection.

    Further information regarding the literature review task, including the referencing style to be used, submission protocol is provided in a separate document that can be downloaded from MyUni. 


    Mid semester examination
    A 50 min written examination will be held during the semester at a time to be confirmed at the start of the year usually in week 6 or 7. This exam will take place during a scheduled lecture time within the lecture theatre.
    Questions will cover material covered in lectures and tutorials to date. The format will be similar to the final examination and will use a combination of short, medium and longer answer questions with histopathological and macroscopic images.  If students are unable to attend this examination for significant compassionate or medical reasons, appropriate forms should be obtained from the University web site, completed and submitted in the appropriate time frame to the course coordinators. 

    MCQ tests
    Throughout the semester there will be a total of 2 online MCQ tests. These tests will assess lecture, practical and relevant basic health science material. They are designed to promote continuous learning of course content and preparation for the practical classes and to provide feedback on your level of knowledge and understanding as you progress in the course.
    The MCQ tests are each worth 7.5% of your final mark for the course. 

    End of semester examination
    The end of semester examination will comprise a 3 hour written theory paper.  The examination aims to examine the depth of a student’s understanding of the topics that have been covered during the semester.
    Past written final examinations can be found on MyUni. Note that the course changed in 2010 so some questions in examinations prior to that time may be on topics no longer covered.

    In addition to the summative assessments above there will be clinical scenario worksheets and tutorial worksheets available on MyUni for students to complete throughtout the year and receive feedback on. 

    PENALTIES AND SUBMISSION

    1 Staff will clearly indicate the deadline (date and time) for coursework submission in the course information contained within MyUni. In addition, assessment deadlines will be announced via MyUni at least 7 days prior to the submission deadline.
    2 Unless otherwise indicated, coursework should be submitted electronically via MyUni. Any students experiencing technical difficulties should contact the course coordinator at the earliest opportunity.
    3 Coursework received after the deadline will be penalised as follows: 10% of total available points will be penalised per day (24 hour period or fraction thereof). An automatic zero mark will be applied after 7 days.
    4 The deadline time will be strictly enforced according to the digital time displayed Weekends and public holidays ARE included as penalty days.
    5 Coursework submitted to any location other than those specified will not be accepted. This includes submissions to personal staff email addresses. Submission dates may be extended under exceptional circumstances. Please refer to the Modified arrangements for coursework assessment policy. You need to see the course coordinator at the earliest opportunity if you feel that you require an extension. Upon receipt of an application for extension, staff may: Refuse permission for extension, specifying the appropriate reason(s); or Grant permission for extension without penalty; or Grant permission for extension with a penalty as guided by this policy.
    Submission
    Submission of literature review is done via Turnitin in MyUni.  All MCQ tests are also completed online via MyUni
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

    Past students generally comment on being highly satisfied with the quality of this course. This is a very popular course which consistently receives high feedback
    .
    Below are a few examples of student comments.

    "I haven't enjoyed a uni course as much as this in a long time. The tutes were interesting and interactive, they really helped me to understand the topics throughly. The assessments and timeline of them was also really good, things were spread out nicely."

    "The tutorials are comprehensive, interesting and well–structured, providing an excellent integrative compendium component to the course. Teaching staff in general are approachable and provide a great way to engage with the content."

    "Really enjoyed this course, interesting content. Course coordinators were engaging and clear in their content delivery."

    "This is really a good course because of the lecture content are clearly presented and up–to–date. I enjoyed watching the histopathology video I enjoyed the tutorial in the pathology lab These help me to understand the concept better."

    "I appreciated viewing specimens firsthand rather than an image on a piece of paper alone. I loved all the topics that were presented, excellent knowledge as to what greatly affects us and how it works. Really enjoyed this course, interesting content. Course coordinators were engaging and clear in their content delivery."
  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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