Course Title: Advanced Anatomical Pathology

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Advanced Anatomical Pathology

Credit Points: 24.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

MEDS2185

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

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

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

Enforced Pre-Requisite Courses

Successful completion of:

Note: it is a condition of enrolment at RMIT that you accept responsibility for ensuring that you have completed the prerequisite/s and agree to concurrently enrol in co-requisite courses before enrolling in a course.

For information go to RMIT Course Requisites webpage.


Course Description

This course is intended to provide you with the essential knowledge and skills to competently undertake a range of routine anatomical pathology laboratory investigations. Anatomical Pathology comprises histopathology and cytopathology. Lecture topics will be closely aligned with practical sessions to strengthen concepts learned and to build valuable practical skills in the areas of both histopathology and the screening of gynaecological and non-gynaecological cytopathology.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for MC158 Master of Laboratory Medicine:

  • PLO 1.  Knowledge capability Have a comprehensive understanding of key scientific principles underpinning laboratory medicine and have developed a systemic knowledge of core cellular and molecular processes underlying health and disease.  Have advanced knowledge of two core clinical speciality disciplines of laboratory medicine and advanced management skills.
  • PLO 2. Technical capability Ability to develop and perform a range of diagnostic techniques relevant to the field of laboratory medicine.  To use logical and systemic thinking and high level critical analysis skills to solve problems by utilising diagnostic techniques and methodologies in the chosen areas of clinical laboratory specialisation.
  • PLO 3. Professional work practices Have a critical awareness of principles relating to scientific integrity, ethical issues and legal framework that underpins the field of laboratory medicine.  Contribute to professional work settings through effective interpersonal and teamwork skills to support constructive interactions.
  • PLO 4. Communication skills Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups within the diagnostic laboratory environment.  Acquire, organise, critically analyse, interpret and present information to media in professional settings on current issues in laboratory medicine.
  • PLO 5. Reflective capability Ability to reflect and integrate based upon experiences in relation to theory and work practices to demonstrate creativity in the identification of problems and their solutions.  Identify personal skill deficiencies that require further professional development.


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

  1. Plan and conduct routine histopathological techniques from specimen receipt to staining and slide evaluation.
  2. Apply and justify specialised sectioning and special staining procedures. 
  3. Interpret and qualify the morphological features in the microscopic examination of specimens from gynaecological and non-gynaecological systems. 
  4. Critically implement practical and diagnostic elements of immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology. 
  5. Communicate clearly, concisely and logically in both verbal and written format.
  6. Research, critically analyse and report current literature in anatomical pathology.
  7. Articulate and adhere to safe working practices, ethical conduct and quality measures, both as an individual or as part of a team.      


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.

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: PowerPoint Oral Presentation 
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 5 & 7 

Assessment Task 2: Cytopathology Screening Project
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 3, 4, 5 & 6 

Assessment Task 3: Practical Competency Assessment (Hurdle)
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 4 & 7 

Assessment Task 4:Cytopathology Screening Assessment (Hurdle)
Weighting 10%
This assessment task supports CLOs 3, 4 & 5 

Assessment Task 5: Final Invigilated Theory Exam
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 

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.