Course Catalogue

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This course is designed to facilitate the acquisition of practical knowledge and skills in the application of molecular data to the pathology diagnosis by pathologists, pathology trainees who are undertaking histopathology training under the Royal College of Pathologists Curriculum for Specialty Training in Histopathology, and those who are in the relevant health professions. We will discuss the multidisciplinary processes that encompass appropriate selection of molecular tests according to clinicopathological circumstances, data analysis and interpretation, and generation of an effective report. The most essential and clinically relevant examples, primarily in cancer, will be discussed disease-by-disease and/or test-by-test bases.

Online delivery of core taught materials (lectures, videos/quizzes etc) supported by weekly tutorials.

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Portfolio of case based work based on weekly tutorials (50%)

Defended poster presentation discussing selected case(s) in detail (50%)

The course aims to provide students with a critical knowledge of the most essential and clinically relevant diagnosis in molecular pathology, in disease by disease and/or test by test bases, using multidisciplinary approach.

The course also aims to develop the students' proficiency in the core skill areas, including selection of appropriate molecular tests according to clinicopathological circumstances, undertaking of molecular tests and data interpretation, incorporation of molecular results with histopathological observations to generate molecular pathology reports, and finally, the effective communication within the multidisciplinary team of clinicians and scientists.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Critically discuss the clinicopathological circumstances and choice of appropriate molecular tests in the clinically most relevant disease types.

2. Apply knowledge of the spectrum of molecular tests to select the most appropriate test for the diagnosis of disease where molecular testing is currently the most relevant in diagnostic services.

3. Critically discuss the data analysis and interpretation of molecular tests in the clinically most relevant diseases.

4. Generate effective reports that incorporate pathological observation with molecular test results.

5. Communicate effectively with clinicians and scientists under the multidisciplinary team approach to molecular pathology.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.