Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Area of Study

Human pathology units are offered in both semesters at level three. Students will gain an understanding of basic pathologic processes with particular reference to cell death, inflammation, disorders of immunity and neoplasia. Particular diseases will also be discussed including: ischaemic heart disease; cancer of the breast, lung, colon and skin; diabetes; renal failure and anaemia. Skills in microscopy, histology-staining techniques, and diagnosis and problem-solving will provide students with valuable assets for future careers in applied or research pathology and biomedical sciences.

The human pathology units are offered jointly by the Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Department of Immunology and the Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Objectives

Upon completion of the sequence in human pathology students will have:

• a broad understanding of the nature and organisation of normal mammalian cells, tissues and organs
• a broad understanding of major disease processes, including the aetiology of major diseases, disease progression and consequences of pathological alterations in cell, tissue and organ function
• the ability to identify, interpret and integrate pathological changes in tissues as evidenced by macroscopic specimens, histopathology, medical imaging, case studies and epidemiology
• an understanding of the practical aspects of microscopy and applications in cell, tissue and organ research
• a broad understanding of key aspects of medical laboratory analysis in the evaluation of a pathological specimen
• familiarity with, and developed skills in, seeking scientific information from appropriately reputable scientific sources in electronic or hard copy media.

Level three

• HUP3011 Human pathology 1: Understanding disease processes
• HUP3022 Human pathology 2: Pathology of human diseases

Minor sequence in human pathology (24 points)

• BIO1022
• MOL2011 and DEV2022*
• HUP3011 or HUP3022

Major sequence in human pathology (48 points)

• BIO1011 and BIO1022
• MOL2011 and DEV2022*
• HUP3011 and HUP3022
• two of DEV3022, BCH3021, BCH3042, IMM3042, MIC3022, MIC3032, MIC3041

Details of the BCH, DEV, IMM and MIC units, are provided in the biochemistry, developmental biology, immunology and microbiology entries in this section of the Handbook.

* Note: DEV2011 is a prerequisite for DEV2022.

Honours

The level-three units provide the basis for higher-level studies of pathology and disease mechanisms at honours level within either the Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Department of Immunology or the Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology.

Full details regarding entrance requirements and course structure for honours is described in the course entry in this Handbook for the course 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science.