Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Medical and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Histopathology and Applied Histotechniques

• Unit Code

  MMS3107

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

This unit provides the concepts and skills needed for a biomedical scientist to work within a functioning histopathology laboratory. Students will learn the theory and practice of the key procedures necessary to process tissue. This includes tissue sampling, relevant fixation processes, tissue sectioning, appropriate staining techniques and microscopic diagnosis. Theoretical and practical analysis of tissue samples from commonly occurring diseases will also be examined.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Apply the correct stains to enhance particular cellular and tissue structures for examination.
2. Critically analyse the process of tissue fixation and apply the correct procedures for the appropriate tissue.
3. Determine the features of common diseases under the microscope using the systems described above.
4. Explain the underlying principles of microtomy and be able to apply them.
5. Explain the underlying principles of tissue processing, embedding and apply these appropriately.
6. Justify when to use cryopreservation to preserve tissue and how a cryostat functions.

Unit Content

1. Cryopreservation and introductory cryostat techniques.
2. General histopathological examination of the nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, integumentary and reproductive systems.
3. General staining methods for histopathological analysis.
4. General tissue processing and embedding procedures for histopathological examination.
5. Microtome techniques for general histopathology.
6. Principles and application of tissue fixation for general microscopy.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit comprises lectures, interactive tutorials, research seminars and laboratory sessions. Laboratory work requires that students work as a team to contribute to safe laboratory practices. An understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the discipline will be developed through a review of relevant scientific literature. Students will undertake a literature Blackboard will be utilised to convey appropriate information to students.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• ^ Orchard, G., & Nation, B. (2011). Histopathology. Fundamentals of biomedical science (1st ed.) Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
• Burkitt, H.G., Stevens, A., Lowe, J.S., Young, B. (2009). Wheater's basic histopathology: a colour atlas and text (5th ed.). New York, USA: Churchill Livingstone.
• Gartner, L.P., & Hiatt, J.L. (2009). Color atlas of histology (5th ed.). Philadelphia, USA: Lippincott William & Wilkins.
• Mescher, A. (2009). Junqueira's basic histology (12th ed.). New York, USA: McGraw-Hill Medical.
• Young, B., Lowe, J.S., Stevens, A., Heath, J.W., Deakin, P.J., Woodford, P., & O'Dowd, G. (2006). Wheater's functional histology: A text and colour atlas (5th ed.). Oxford, UK: Churchill Livingstone.
• Ross, M.H., & Pawlina, W. (2010). Histology: A text and atlas (6th ed.). Philadelphia, USA: Lippincott William & Wilkins.

^ Mandatory reference

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