Course Descriptions
MANA 601 Structure and Development (Anatomy, Histology and Embryology)
(9 credits)
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a comprehensive understanding of the human body at both the gross anatomical and microanatomical levels. The basic concepts of structure as related to function are described in lectures and small group laboratory sessions.
Laboratory facilities are provided for cadaver dissection and the examination of histological slides. The course includes instruction in embryology, which is taught in an integrated fashion.
Offered Fall semesters only.
PATH 602 Systemic Pathology
(3 credits)
Detailed in this course, are disease entities and disease processes of the following organ systems: cardiovascular; respiratory; gastrointestinal; liver; pancreas; head and neck; renal; male and female reproductive; breast; endocrine; skin; bone; peripheral nervous system, central nervous system, and eye. Instruction is by lecture, laboratory and computer.
Offered Spring semesters only.
PATH 603 General Pathology
(3 credits)
Lectures and laboratories are used to present the major subdivisions of general pathology: cellular adaptations, tissue injury and renewal, neoplasia, environmental and nutritional pathology, and pediatric disorders.
Offered Fall semesters only.
PATH 608 Autopsy Pathology
(6 credits)
Autopsy rotations during the second year of study allow the student to become proficient in all phases of the human post-mortem examination, including review of consent forms and death certifications, review of medical records, decedent identification, evisceration, organ block dissection, description of findings, and preparation of postmortem reports. Students receive basic instruction in the function of the autopsy service and the hospital morgue. Practical aspects of specimen photography are also presented during the course. Students are exposed to basic concepts of the medicolegal investigation of death in a one month rotation at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Maryland, where the students receive "hands on" instruction in forensic autopsies.
PATH 609 Surgical Pathology
(6 credits)
These rotations during the second year of study provide the student with didactic and practical experience in anatomic pathology dissection with respect to surgically excised specimens, including specimen identification, tissue triaging for ancillary studies, review and interpretation of clinical data, gross specimen description, specimen photography, and cancer staging by gross pathology.
GPLS 645 Cell and Systems Physiology
(3 credits)
This course, taught through the Graduate Program in Life Sciences, covers the fundamentals of cellular and organ physiology, the integrative function of physiological systems, and homeostasis. The first half of the class focuses on cellular/tissue physiology (sample topics include epithelial, muscle, neuron, bone, blood, and endocrine cell physiology), with the second half focusing on organs and systems (nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive, immune, and endocrine systems). Weekly discussion groups focus on important techniques in physiology, integrating class lectures with experimental topics and journal articles. Students are evaluated with two exams and a class presentation on a physiological system of their choice.
MEDT 680 Laboratory Management
(3 credits)
This course, taught through the Department of Medical and Research Technology, focuses on the various aspects of laboratory administration. It provides an overview of laboratory management in multiple areas, including personnel, operations, regulations, and finance. Anatomic Pathology management, computerization and information services, corporate compliance, and safety regulations are included in this course. Additional emphasis is on current trends in laboratory services, laboratory accreditation and licensure, and accreditation procedures. Topics include organizing, planning, controlling, and supervisory functions of the management process; leadership styles, performance evaluation; the interview process; professional liability; teaching techniques; problem-solving; and professional responsibility and ethics.
PATH 751 Clinical Pathology and Microbiology
(3 credits)
This course provides the Pathologists' Assistant student with a working knowledge of clinical pathology, including hemodynamics and shock, genetic diseases, immunology, hematopathology, and medical microbiology.
PATH 789 Special Topics: Pathology
(2 credits)
This special topics course comprises two summer term courses; one at the beginning of the first year and one between the first and second years. In the first year Special Topics course, the students are given an orientation to the campus and program, as well as instructed in medical terminology and given a primer in human anatomy, histology, and embryology. The Special Topics course between the first and second year covers medical photography, medical ethics, histology, an introduction to both molecular diagnostics and immunohistochemistry, additional medical terminology, as well as an introduction to anatomic pathology practice, including lectures on gross specimen dissection, autopsy procedure, laboratory safety and governing/regulating bodies.