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Rutgers SHP Requirements for Graduation and Course Descriptions

Department of CLS&MIS

Diagnostic Cytopathology - Entry Level

DCYT5110 - Principles of Pathophysiology and Histopathology

Course Description

This course provides a basic understanding of the normal physiologic and pathologic mechanisms of disease including alterations in physiology, anatomy, biochemistry and functions of organ systems. Pathogenesis will be discussed on the molecular, cellular, histologic( tissue) and systematic levels. Correlation with clinical history and laboratory data will be emphasized. Students will have an understanding of disease processes and associated histologic changes which are foundational and thus the rationale for diagnostic procedures and interpretations and subsequent treatment modalities as relates to cytopathology practice.

Credits/Modes of Instruction

Credits: 3

3 credit hours/Hybrid
Students should anticipate spending approximately 138-200 hours on the course over a 15-week period. The amount of coursework ranges between online lectures and discussion, journal article critiques, presentations, course readings, online histology virtual slide library, case study assignments, and exams. Students will engage in occasional, required, on-campus glass slide review and assessments. Remote access to these on campus activities may be offered as needed.

Prerequisites

None

Course Goals and Outcomes:

Goals

The general goal of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of various disease processes with emphasis on pre-neoplastic and neoplastic changes, diagnostic tests and common treatment modalities. The course is also designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of normal physiology of the body and the consequences of diseases on the normal physiology. This in-depth study of the pathophysiological condition will equip the cytopathology students to help assess multi-organ system dysfunctions and correlative changes in tissue (histology). These basic understandings combined with critical thinking will enable the students to progress through the curriculum with a knowledge and analytical base necessary to excel during their clinical experiences and in cytopathology practice. Ultimately, the factual material and critical clinical thinking ability acquired in the multi-organ dysfunction case studies will provide the basics and rationale for selective diagnostic methods and accurate interpretations of diseases and associated treatment modalities.

Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Discuss the pathophysiologic changes that occur as result of cellular injury , the resulting disease processes and changes in tissue
2. Analyze the role of the immune system and associated defense and protective mechanisms and associated histopathologic features
3. Describe the role of fluid/electrolyte and acid/base balance in maintaining physiologic homeostasis and responses to pathophysiologic changes that results in selected disease processes and associated histopathologic features
4. Discuss the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic tests and treatment modalities of major disorders of the body and the associated tissue response
5. Describe the normal physiological changes related to pre-neoplastic and neoplastic conditions and the role of genetics and environmental factors in neoplasia.
6. Discuss diseases that relate to biologic factors associated with childhood, adolescence, pregnancy and aging and their effect on disease processes
7. Discuss the effects of various environmental factors and stressors on the various body systems and potential complications and associated histopathologic changes
8. Critically analyze and synthesize the literature associated with pathophysiologic process and associated histopathologic changes related to cytopathology practice.