Human Pathology - PATHC13991
Stream Summary
Faculty: MED - Faculty of Medicine
School: School of Medical Sciences
Contact: http://medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/
Program: 3991 - Medical Science
Award(s):
Bachelor of Medical Science (Major)
View stream information for previous years
Stream Outline
Pathology is a scientific discipline which involves the study of diseases, such as infections and cancers, at the genetic, molecular, cellular, and organ levels. Pathology examines:
- How and why diseases develop;
- The disease process - what happens to our bodies when we are ill; and
- The effects of diseases, including their symptoms and complications.
It has been estimated that pathology plays a critical role in more than 70 percent of clinical diagnoses and many of the decisions around the optimal treatment for patients. For example, the diagnostic skills of pathologists allow patients to know if they are pregnant, anaemic, diabetic, at risk of heart disease, or if their lump is cancerous.
Undergraduate study in Pathology involves examination of various disease processes such as inflammation (including infections), wound healing and cancer. Students become familiar with examining both macroscopic specimens and the microscopic differences between normal and abnormal cells, tissues and organs. In modern teaching facilities, much of the study of microscopic abnormalities is undertaken using computer-based “virtual” microscopy. Courses offered in Pathology allow in-depth study of many fascinating and important disorders such as meningitis, tuberculosis, auto-immune diseases, congenital diseases, a variety of cancers, HIV/AIDS, heart disease, asthma, musculoskeletal diseases and the human version of 'mad cow disease'.
A major in Human Pathology is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Medical Science program.
Undergraduate study in Pathology involves examination of various disease processes such as inflammation (including infections), wound healing and cancer. Students become familiar with examining both macroscopic specimens and the microscopic differences between normal and abnormal cells, tissues and organs. In modern teaching facilities, much of the study of microscopic abnormalities is undertaken using computer-based “virtual” microscopy. Courses offered in Pathology allow in-depth study of many fascinating and important disorders such as meningitis, tuberculosis, auto-immune diseases, congenital diseases, a variety of cancers, HIV/AIDS, heart disease, asthma, musculoskeletal diseases and the human version of 'mad cow disease'.
A major in Human Pathology is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Medical Science program.
Stream Structure
A major in Human Pathology is comprised of 66 units of credit of courses as follows:
Stage 1
Stage 1
- CHEM1011 Chemistry A (6 UOC) or CHEM1031 Higher Chemistry A (6 UOC)
- CHEM1021 Chemistry B (6 UOC) or CHEM1041 Higher Chemistry B (6 UOC)
Notes:
- Students may substitute BABS2204 Genetics or BABS2202 Molecular Cell Biology 1 for this course. Refer to 3991 Bachelor of Medical Science program rules for more information;
Stage 2
- ANAT2241 Histology:Basic and Systematic (6 UOC)
- BIOC2101 Principles of Biochem (Adv) (6 UOC)
- MICR2011 Microbiology 1 (6 UOC)
- PATH2201 Processes in Disease (6 UOC)
Stage 3
A minimum of 18 units of credit selected from:-
6-12 UOC from:-
6-12 UOC from:-
- PATH3207 Musculoskeletal Diseases (6 UOC)
- PATH3208 Cancer Sciences (6 UOC)
- ANAT3212 Research Methods in Microscopy (6 UOC)
Honours
Students seeking to enrol into Honours in Pathology should refer to program 4500 – Science (Honours) and contact the School of Medical Science.
