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• Undergraduate study:
• Courses
• Order a prospectus
• How to apply
• Information for applicants
• Why choose Kingston University
• Disability and mental health support
• Accommodation
• Undergraduate fees
• Fees, funding and payments
• Access, participation and inclusion

Pathobiology

• Module code: LS5009
• Year: 2018/9
• Level: 5
• Credits: 30
• Pre-requisites: None
• Co-requisites: None

Summary

This is a core module in the BSc Biomedical Science and BSc Biological Sciences fields. The module discusses cellular mechanisms of disease. In addition it considers the role of cellular pathology in the context of other pathology disciplines such as Clinical Pathology. Particular emphasis is given to laboratory aspects of cellular injury and their application in routine diagnosis. The module delivery is in the format of lectures, tutorials, poster presentation, practicals and demonstrations. Core factual material is provided via Canvas with keynote lectures used to explain concepts. Teaching and practical session are supported by online pathology material.

Aims

• To provide students with a clear understanding of the genetic and cellular basis of human diseases and their relevance to public health.
• To develop an understanding and applications of cellular pathology techniques in the diagnosis of disease.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• discuss the pathogenesis and structural/functional changes which take place in tissues/organs in diseases resulting from cell injury (genetic and acquired factors), inflammation and neoplasia.
• explain the role of epidemiology and medical laboratory science in the investigation of disease.
• demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of genetics in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, including advances in genomic medicine and related ethical issues.
• demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding of essential techniques and their applications in the diagnosis of disease and cellular pathology; for example, microscopy, histochemistry, immunocytochemistry, and image capture, processing and analysis.
• discuss the techniques and applications of cytological methods for population screening and disease diagnosis.

Curriculum content

• Pathogenesis of cell injury:  Morphological features of cell injury, acute cellular oedema, fatty change, storage diseases, necrosis and apoptosis. Genetic and acquired disease, inflammation and cancer.
• Definition of epidemiology, its role in public health, application of basic statistical methods in epidemiology.
• Review of histological and cytological methods, including sources and types of specimen, tissue treatments and processing and staining. Applications of microscopes in disease diagnosis (such as light, fluorecense and electron microscopy).
• Histochemistry and immunocytochemistry and its use in diagnostic pathology.
• Image capture, image processing and image analysis techniques and their use in cellular pathology including quantification and histomorphometry.
• Diagnostic cytopathology - including gynaecological cytology (screening and disease diagnosis), non-gynaecological cytology and fine needle aspirates.
• Medical genetics-including chromosomal and monogenic disorders, complex diseases, genomic medicine, pharmacogenomics and ethical issues.

Teaching and learning strategy

This module focuses on understanding  the cellular mechanisms of disease and  applications of cellular pathology techniques in the diagnosis of disease. The scientific skills elements of this module focuses on interactive, research informed teaching that covers a range of essential skills including laboratory aspects of cellular injury, locating and critically evaluating research papers, and poster presentation. This will allow students to gain competences through 'hands on' laboratory work and make them able to relate the theory with practice. An awareness of employability skills will be developed through the completion of a self-reflection log throughout the year and an investigation in to a relevant industry, including the knowledge and skills based required by employers.

Underlying theory and principles will be delivered through lectures, tutorials, practical laboratory classes and an independent learning-based programme. Formal lectures will provide students with a basic grounding in each syllabus component, from which they will be expected to supplement their knowledge from library materials, directed independent learning and through interaction during tutorials. Laboratory practicals will provide students with experience of histological and cytological techniques applied to investigate diseases.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Assessment strategy

Summative assessments include an exam, which will test knowledge of, and ability to discuss, material covered in the module.

In addition, a in class test consists of a written assessment in the laboratory that evaluates students' knowledge and diagnostic abilities in a pathology lab setting .

The practical exam takes the form of a poster or oral presentation that requires students to research a topic in advance and develop abilities in oral communication skills and critical evaluation of scientific research topics. These also develop independent learning skills through directed reading which will be necessary to achieve the learning outcomes. 

Full guidance for all assessments will be provided in lectures, tutorials, and seminars. Formative assessments include, for example, laboratory practicals, demonstrations and feedback provided in-class and during practicals in preparation for summative assessments.

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Elements of Assessment

Achieving a pass

It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module

Bibliography core texts

The most up-to-date edition of the following:
Underwood, General and Systemic Pathology Churchill Livingstone  ISBN-10: 0443068887

Cook D J. Cellular Pathology. Scion Publishing, Oxfordshire.-  ISBN: 1 904842 30 5

Bibliography recommended reading

Bancroft J D & Gamble M. (2007) Theory and practice of histological techniques. - 6th ed. - London; Edinburgh : Churchill Livingstone,  ISBN:0443102791

Burkitt, H. G. Young B & Heath J W (2006). - Wheater's functional histology: a text and colour atlas (with online access) - 5th ed. - Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2006. ISBN : 044306850X

Carr K E, Toner P G.  Cell structure, an introduction to biomedical electron microscopy.  Churchill Livingston, 1982

Cook D J. (2006) Cellular Pathology. 2^nd Edition Scion Publishing, Oxfordshire.-  ISBN: 1 904842 30 5

Cross (2013) Underwood's Pathology a clinical approach (6^th edition) Churchill Livingstone Elsevier ISBN9780702046728

Klatt (2015) Robbins and Cotran Atlas of Pathology (3^rd Edition) Elsevier Saunders ISBN9781455748761

Kumar, Abbas & Aster (2015), Robbins and Cotran Pathologic basis of disease (9th Ed). Elsevier Saunders. ISBN 9781455726134

Kumar, Abbas & Fausto (2010), Robbin's Pathologic basis of disease (8th Ed). Saunders.

Lakhani SR, Dilly SA & Finlayson CJ (2009). Basic Pathology (4^th  Ed). Arnold. ISBN 0340810017

Mera S.L. (1997).  Understanding Disease: Pathology and Prevention.  Stanley Thornes, ISBN 0848731784

Stevens, A & Lowe J. (2000)  Pathology 2^nd edition,  Mosby. ISBN 0823432008

Stevens, Lowe & Young (2002). Wheater's Basic Histopathology.  5^th Edition Churchill Livingstone.

Strachan and Read (2010) Human Molecular Genetics (4^th edition) Garland Science/Taylor & Francis ISBN-10: 0815341490 

Woolf (2000) Cell, Tissue and Disease. Saunders ISBN 0802024783

Woolf, N, Wootherspoon, A, & Young, M. (2002)  Essentials of Pathology. Saunders ISBN 0802023949