Course syllabus for Introduction to translational pathology

Introduktion till translationell patologi

Specific entry requirements

A Bachelor´s degree or a professional degree worth at least 180 credits in biomedicine, biotechnology, cellular and molecular biology, medicine, or the equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary school course English 6/English B.

Outcomes

The aim of the course is that the student should learn mouse histology and compare it to human histology. In order to understand human disease-like manifestations in mouse models, such as in genetically modified mice, normal mouse histology and its similarities and differences to human histology must be understood. Additionally, the course provides knowledge of procedures for the collection and processing of samples for histological analyses, which is essential for the evaluation of sample quality and identification of possible artefacts.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

- explain in theory how to dissect male and female mice and collect samples from these for biomedical research,
- explain how to process histological samples,
- demonstrate knowledge of mouse histology
- discuss spontaneous pathological alterations in different mouse strains,
- describe the most important differences between mouse and human histology.

Content

This course covers the following topics:

1. Theory of mouse dissection
2. Theory of histological sample preparation
3. Mouse histology, demonstrated online, in common mouse strains
4. Mouse versus human comparative anatomy and histology

Teaching methods

The course is at Master's level, where students are assumed to be familiar with the most common study methods in higher education. The fundamental pedagogical view is based on learning as an active research process.

Structured learning activities include on-line videos, individual web microscopy and on-line exercises. During the course an individual learning diary is built by the student. Also, included learning activity is peer-reviewing a student friends learning diary.

Examination

A completed learning diary and performed peer-review of student friends learning diary. Graded Pass or Fail.

Compulsory participation
This is an online course run from the Institute of Biomedicine, the University of Turku, Finland. To complete the course the student must participate in and perform all teaching and learning activities.

The examiner assesses if and, in that case, how absence from compulsory components can be compensated. The student must participate in all compulsory parts or compensate for absence in accordance with the examiner's instructions, in order to pass the course. Absence from a compulsory activity may result in the student not being able to compensate the absence until the next time the course is given.

Limitations of the number of examinations or practical training sessions
A student who does not pass an examination at their first attempt is entitled to participate in five additional examination sessions. If the student does not pass after four examinations, he/she is recommended to retake the course at the next regular course occasion, and may, after that, participate in two more examination sessions. If the student has failed six examinations, no additional examination sessions are provided.

Physically attending or otherwise commencing an examination is regarded as an examination session. Handing in a blank exam is considered taking part in an examination session. An examination, for which the student registered but did not participate, is not counted as an examination session.

Adaption of examination
If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities may not be changed, removed or reduced.

Other directives

This course is run by Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Finland in an online mode.

The course language is English and examination is performed in English.

Course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the committee for Higher Education.

This course replaces the course Introduction to translational pathology, 4.5 credits (4BI113) and cannot be included in a degree together with the latter course.

Literature and other teaching aids

Online material in the learning platform at the University of Turku. The obligatory study book of the course is Comparative Anatomy and Histology, edited by Piper Treuting and Suzanne Dintzis.