Undergraduate

Human pathology is the study of disease processes, particularly cell death, inflammation and disorders of immunity. The Australian Centre for Blood Diseases at STM offers the Human Pathology units.

Third-year units

HUP 3011: Human Pathology 1, Understanding Disease Processes

Studentsare introduced to basic pathology: the biological foundations upon which diseases are characterised, the way their progress is understood, and the consequences of pathological alterations upon normal tissue and organ function. The concepts of tissue injury and cell death, inflammation, haematopathology, disorders of immunity, disorders of cell growth, neoplasia and the pathology of infectious diseases are presented. The mechanisms for pathological processes are reviewed together with how these processes cause disease by overcoming normal regulatory controls. Principles will be illustrated by reference to specific diseases but will be applicable across all systems. This approach will provide students with an understanding of the terminologies applicable to pathology and an appreciation of the causes and natural progress of human diseases.

HUP 3022: Human Pathology 2, Pathology of Human Diseases

Students are introduced to a systemic approach to pathology: the diseases of organ systems. Organ systems will be addressed in turn and will include the important diseases of each. These will include ischaemic heart disease, diabetes, obesity, stroke, leukaemia, carcinomas of the breast, lung and colon, inflammatory diseases of the lung, kidney and liver and diseases of the nervous system. The aetiology, clinical presentation, treatment and course of the diseases will be discussed. Particular emphasis will be placed on molecular and genetic aspects of disease pathogenesis. Laboratory investigations will be presented to provide an integrated approach to the diagnosis of specific diseases.