90316 - General Pathology Lab-based Course

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student: - knows the general elements of histopathology and is able to recognize microscopic morphological changes in cells and tissues, caused by morbid processes and basic defense reactions to pathogens; - can describe and interpret the pathological picture of the preparation by tracing it back to the specific etiopathogenetic mechanism; - understands the limitations and diagnostic potential of histopathological investigation.

Course contents

1. Cellular and extracellular pathology: vacuolar degeneration, steatosis, necrosis, infarction, amyloidosis.

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

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

4. Vascular pathology: medial artery calcification, atherosclerosis, thrombosis.

Readings/Bibliography

Website (available with university credentials): https://unibo.smartzoom.com/

Book: V. Kumar, A.K. Abbas, J.C. Aster. “Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease”, 10th edition, Elsevier.

Teaching methods

The course is part of the University's teaching innovation project.
The teaching is divided into short lectures preparatory to guided observation exercises of histological specimens available on the course website (22 hours) and remote virtual microscopy lectures in which students practice individually reading the preparations (12 hours).
The individual exercise topics are presented in the lecture room by the Professor and related to the corresponding topics covered in the General Pathology and Pathophysiology course. The individual preparations are also illustrated, to highlight both the morphological aspects and the pathogenetic pathway leading to the specific pathological picture.
The preparations can be viewed 'on-line' from one's own PC thanks to the University of Bologna's Digital Microscopy platform, https://unibo.smartzoom.com/.
In view of the type of activity and teaching methods adopted, the attendance of this training activity requires the prior participation of all students in Modules 1 and 2 of training on safety in the workplace, in e-learning mode.

Assessment methods

The level of learning is checked at the end of class. Registration for the roll call is compulsorily done through Alma Exams.

The verification of learning is done through a single examination for the entire Integrated Course in General Pathology and Physiology. The 'oral consists of three questions asked by two different members of the examination committee. One of the questions includes the virtual microscopy test.

The purpose of the exam is to evaluate the knowledge acquired by the student on the topics of the teaching to achieve the educational objectives. In the exam, the student’s ability to frame the topic of pathology and general pathophysiology on which he/she is questioned and to expound it, making the necessary logical-deductive connections, including in relation to specific morphological alterations, is assessed. Consistency of conceptual succession and appropriateness of scientific language are further elements of assessment. The examination of the General Pathology and Pathophysiology Course includes the observation and oral description of a microscopic preparation up to the recognition of the specific histopathological picture. The student must be able to discuss the morphological changes in relation to the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired on the subject during the course

Grading of final grade

18-20: Knowledge of basic concepts without major gaps. Exposition of concepts and language overall acceptable.

21-25: knowledge of basic concepts without gaps. Ability to analyze and connect in partial independence. Exposition of concepts and language fair.

26-29: Good or very good level of preparation or even very good preparation but with inaccuracies in exposition that compromise the achievement of the full grade. Ability to analyze and link independently. Exposition of concepts in the right sequence and mastery of language.

30-30L: Full, well-established preparation without inaccuracies on the topics covered in the course. Ability to frame the topic readily. Ability to analyze and link independently. Concepts in proper sequence and full command of specific language.

The final grade is derived from the collegial evaluation carried out by the teachers who examined the student and is calculated as a weighted average between theory and laboratory.

Teaching tools

The teaching material used by the lecturer for classroom presentations and online sessions will be available on the "Virtual" teaching support platform. The digitized slides are visible "online" thanks to the https://unibo.smartzoom.com/ platform. The system allows you to "explore" the preparations online from your PC.

In addition, the General Pathology Laboratory has 25 microscopes with which the students, divided into groups, can practice observing some of the samples shown in the lecture.

Office hours

See the website of Giorgia Gri