Pathology is a major course of the second year, bridging the basic sciences and clinical medicine.  Pathology literally means the study (logos) of suffering (pathos).  Students of pathology explore the structural, physiologic and biochemical alterations of cells, tissues and organs associated with diseases.  The fundamental aspects of each disease include:

·        Etiology, or cause

·        Pathogenesis, or the mechanism by which an etiologic agent results in a disease

·        Morphology, the study of the structure and form of cells, tissues and organs

·        Laboratory medicine, the study of bodily fluids and related substances

·        Clinicopathologic correlation, the correlation of morphology and laboratory data with clinical features of disease

The course is not focused only on gross and microscopic pathology.  A great deal of emphasis is placed on understanding mechanisms of disease and how these relate to gross and microscopic abnormalities along with alterations of laboratory tests.  The course relies upon case studies to help correlate the pathologic changes with the clinical manifestations of diseases.

The Pathology Course is divided into a series of blocks.  The initial block is the general pathology block during the first half of the autumn quarter.  An infectious disease block follows during the second half of the autumn quarter.  During winter quarter, a virology block is followed by a series of organ system blocks.  The infectious disease and organ system blocks are coordinated and integrated with the Introduction to Clinical Practice II, Microbiology and Pharmacology courses. 

Course Director

Greg Retzinger, MD, PhD

Pathology Block Schedule

General Pathology (first half of autumn quarter)

·        Cell injury & death

·        Circulation disorders

·        Coagulation disorders

·        Genetic & deficiency disorders

·        Inflammation

·        Immune injury

·        Neoplasia

·        Environmental pathology

·        Radiation injury

·        Aging

Infectious Disease (second half of autumn quarter)

·        Bacterial diseases

·        Fungal diseases

·        Parasitic diseases

·        Viral diseases (winter quarter)

Systemic Pathology (winter and spring quarters)

·        Cardiovascular pathology

·        Pulmonary pathology

·        Hematopathology

·        Urinary tract pathology

·        Endocrine pathology

·        Bone, joint and soft tissue pathology

·        Female reproductive tract pathology

·        Male reproductive tract pathology

·        Dermatopathology

·        Perinatal and pediatric pathology

·        Gastrointestinal pathology

·        Forensic pathology

The Pathology Course consists of both lectures and small group sessions.  The small group sessions are case based.  Groups of 3-4 students receive a case protocol with clinical information, laboratory data, images and a list of general learning objectives.  The students are responsible for using this information to give an electronic media presentation and discussion of the case at a subsequent small group session.  The cases are designed to promote active learning techniques, reinforcement of important information, teamwork, and presentation skills.  Approximately 100 cases are studied during the course. Small group sessions are held in rooms in which each student has use of a computer with internet connection.  All course material including lecture notes, lecture presentations, case protocols, and student presentations are posted electronically using the Blackboard system.  Examinations are given via computers, in part to help students become more comfortable with computer-based testing.

Students have the opportunity to earn extra credit by participating in an essay competition or an independent study project.