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BMSC12001 - Histological and Cytological Techniques

General Information

Unit Synopsis

This unit will provide you with foundation skills for work in histological (anatomical pathology) and cytological pathology departments. On completion of this unit, you will be able to discuss and perform diagnostic histological techniques including tissue preparation, fixation, routine and special staining, sectioning and mounting. Cytological specimen preparation will also be taught. Development of a high level of skill in efficient use of microscope optics for examination of prepared slides will be facilitated through practical sessions.

Details

Level Undergraduate
Unit Level 2
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 2
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisites:

BMSC11001 Human Body Systems 1 and BMSC11002 Human Body Systems 2

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

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Residential School Compulsory Residential School
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Unit Availabilities from Term 1 - 2018

Term 2 - 2018 Profile
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2019 Profile
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2020 Profile
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2021 Profile
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2022 Profile
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2023 Profile
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2024 Profile
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2025 Profile
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Practical Assessment 50%
2. Examination 50%

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%).

Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades

Past Exams

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Previous Feedback

No previous feedback available

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Source: Informal verbal student feedback
Feedback
While all assessment is stressful, the oral presentations were an engaging manner of demonstrating what we have learned in a supportive environment.
Recommendation
Maintain the format of the oral presentation. Having no minimum grade alleviated the stress to the students, while still encouraging students to complete the task. Holding this activity following the residential school helped nurture a supportive environment.
Action Taken
Maintained the same format as in 2023, immediately following the residential school.
Source: SUTE feedback
Feedback
"Loved the lecture format".
Recommendation
Maintain the Moodle Lessons Format.
Action Taken
Moodle Lesson format maintained in 2024.
Source: Self-reflection and SUTE feedback
Feedback
Some students prefer traditional two hour and live lectures.
Recommendation
Continue to offer live tutorials for those who prefer a lectorial style format. Also offer hand-outs and links to traditional two-hour presentations in the extra resources.
Action Taken
Original full-lecture format offered to those students wishing to read the material in the 'extra resources' page, and live weekly tutorials also offered.
Source: SUTE
Feedback
Straight forward and fantastic material structure to help with learning.
Recommendation
Maintain the structure while making minor updates.
Action Taken
In Progress
Source: SUTE and self reflection
Feedback
Increase exam preparation to break down style of questions for students and marking distribution.
Recommendation
Prepare the tutorials with marking allocations in each question.
Action Taken
In Progress
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Describe and perform common procedures and techniques relevant to histological specimen receipt, fixation, processing and staining used in pathology laboratories
  2. Discuss and demonstrate the safe handling of fixation chemicals
  3. Assess staining errors and describe quality control procedures for staining and remedial actions
  4. Demonstrate cytological techniques including centrifugation, cell block preparation and smear techniques
  5. Demonstrate optimal use of microscope optics

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Practical Assessment • • • • •
2 - Examination • • •
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication • •
2 - Problem Solving • • • • •
3 - Critical Thinking • • •
4 - Information Literacy • • • •
8 - Ethical practice •
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Practical Assessment • • • • •
2 - Examination • • •