Unit of Study BIOL2012 Introductory Histopathology and Cytopathology (2025)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Health
Placement

No

Pre-requisites

BIOL1006 - Introduction to Medical Science AND HBIO2005 - Human Pathophysiology

Enrolment information

Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7, which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time.

Unit description

This unit serves as the foundation for understanding the essential principles and practices in histopathology and cytopathology, within the context of clinical pathology. Designed to provide a comprehensive overview, the unit explores the fundamental concepts of cellular biology, tissue examination, and the diagnosis of disease through the microscopic analysis of cells and tissues.

Unit content

Introduction to histology and cytology and their clinical applications
Sampling and fixation techniques | Integumentary and skeletal systems and their pathologies
Staining principles and techniques | the digestive system and its pathologies
Cytopathology and cytological techniques | the urogenital system and its pathologies
Respiratory and cardiovascular systems and their pathologies
Nervous and endocrine systems and their pathologies

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
Gold Coast	Summer Term Term3	Summer Term Term3

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

effectively communicate and apply the principles of histopathology and cytopathology in disease diagnosis

analyse clinical specimens and contrast normal and pathological cellular structures in histopathological and cytopathological applications

apply and interpret staining and other techniques used to enhance cell and tissue visualisation and diagnostics

demonstrate professionalism, safety, and ethical behaviour in specimen handling and preparation

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Workshop 1 hour (Week 3)

Laboratory 4 hours (Weekly)

Assessment
Quiz	20%
Case study	30%
OSCE	50%

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts

No prescribed texts.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

Protective clothing. The following items must be purchased and students must wear them to each laboratory class: a white lab coat, fully enclosed sturdy shoes, with a sturdy sole and heel (shoes must fully cover toes, heel, sides and top of foot and be made of thick material), safety glasses.

Prescribed Texts

Prescribed text information is not currently available.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

Prescribed resources/equipment information is not currently available.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full-fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees.

Find out more for domestic fees