90316 - General Pathology Lab-based Course (AKa)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will:

• be familiar with the general principles of histopathology and be able to recognize the microscopic morphological alterations of cells and tissues caused by disease processes and the fundamental defensive responses to pathogenic agents;
• be able to describe and interpret the pathological features of a histological specimen, relating them to the underlying etiopathogenetic mechanism;
• understand the diagnostic strengths and limitations of histopathological examination.

Course contents

1. Cellular and extracellular pathology: reversible cell injury and fatty change, amyloidosis, necrosis and infarction.

2. Neoplastic transformation: benign tumors, malignant tumors, metastases.

3. Inflammatory and reparative response: acute inflammation, chronic nonspecific and granulomatous inflammation, granulation tissue, sclerosis, cirrhosis.

4. Vascular disease: medial calcific artheriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, thrombosis.

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching materials

https://virtuale.unibo.it

Virtual Microscopy

https://unibo.smartzoom.com/

Reference text

V. Kumar, A.K. Abbas, J.C. Aster. “Robbins & Cotran - Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10^th edition, 2020, Elsevier Ed.

Teaching methods

The course consists of 11 theoretical and practical lessons, which will provide students with the necessary elements for the independent examination of microscopic histopathological preparations. The course uses the Virtual Microscopy platform (https://unibo.smartzoom.com/). To allow individual access to the terminals for viewing the digital slides, students will be divided into four groups. A teacher will be constantly present to guide the analysis of the microscopical preparations and provide the necessary explanations.

Assessment methods

Students' learning will be assessed at the end of the course. The examination is common to all the subjects included in the Integrated Course and consists of two questions. One of the two questions includes a practical microscopy test designed to assess the learning outcomes of the General Pathology Laboratory. Registration for the examination through the AlmaEsami online system is mandatory.

The examination is intended to assess the knowledge and competences acquired by the student in relation to the course learning outcomes. Students are expected to demonstrate their understanding of the topics in General Pathology and Pathophysiology by framing the subject appropriately and discussing it through logical and deductive reasoning. The coherence of the discussion, the ability to establish appropriate connections between concepts, and the correct use of scientific terminology are all taken into account in the evaluation.

The examination also includes the observation and oral description of a histopathological specimen under the microscope, leading to the recognition and interpretation of the specific histopathological features. Students must be able to discuss the morphological alterations observed in the specimen and relate them to the underlying pathological mechanisms, drawing on the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired during the course.

Grading criteria

18–20 (Pass): Adequate knowledge of the fundamental concepts, with no major gaps. Acceptable organization of the discussion and appropriate use of scientific terminology.

21–25: Sound knowledge of the fundamental concepts without significant gaps. Ability to analyse topics and establish connections with partial autonomy. Clear exposition and generally appropriate scientific language.

26–29: Good to very good preparation, or excellent knowledge with minor inaccuracies that prevent the award of the highest mark. Ability to analyse topics and establish connections independently. Well-organized exposition and confident use of scientific terminology.

30–30 cum laude: Excellent and comprehensive knowledge of all the topics covered in the course, with no significant inaccuracies. Ability to identify and frame the topic promptly, analyse it critically, and establish connections independently. Excellent organization of the discussion and full command of the appropriate scientific language.

The final grade is determined through the joint evaluation of the examining board, composed of the instructors responsible for the Integrated Course.

Teaching tools

The histopathology laboratory has 56 microscopes. The VIRTUALE platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/) and the Virtual Microscopy website (https://unibo.smartzoom.com/) provides support for e-learning. The Virtual Microscopy platform allows for the viewing of the specimens remotely with the possibility of moving through the virtual slide at different magnification levels, selecting histological markers and having explanatory windows. In the e-learning part (General Pathology Laboratory AKc) there are slides of the lessons, slides with images selected by the teacher of histopathological preparations, lessons with animations, self-evaluation tests with multiple choice quizzes.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Bolognesi