General Pathology

The student must have acquired knowledge of anatomy, physiology, histology, cytology, biochemistry and English.

Theoretical content is taught through a lecture method, using slide presentations interspersed with questions, in an interactive teaching/learning dynamic.

Practical content is taught through laboratory autopsy procedures and the study, recording, and discussion of macroscopic and microscopic lesions that embody theoretical learning.

The learning objective of this course includes an introduction to veterinary pathology, including the main aspects related to the specific nomenclature used and knowledge of general pathological processes that will provide a deeper understanding of all aspects of animal health. This will include a basic general understanding of how knowledge of pathology can be used to identify disease conditions in animals and aid in their treatment.

Theoretical Class Schedule:

1) Introduction to Veterinary Pathology: subject matter, organization of medical field studies, basic medical terminology.

2) Etiology – the study of the causes of disease and their interaction with the organism.

3) Degenerative, metabolic, and necrotic changes and intracellular and extracellular accumulations. Coagulation and liquefaction necrosis and special necroses.

4) Circulatory changes: edema, congestion, hemorrhage, thrombi, emboli, infarctions.

5) Acute and chronic immunological and inflammatory changes and their consequences and progression.

6) Changes in cell growth and differentiation.

7) Study of lesions in common pathologies in veterinary practice involving the urinary, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and accessory glands, integumentary, endocrine, locomotor, and nervous systems.

Practical Class Schedule

Study of cadaveric phenomena. Descriptive macroscopy. Necropsy techniques and written and photographic records of lesions and non-pathological changes. Study and interpretation of the most relevant microscopic lesions in veterinary practice. Case studies in different animal species.

Continuous Assessment

The continuous assessment modality requires a minimum attendance according to the current regulations.

Continuous Assessment Instruments: Theoretical Assessment (50%) + Practical Assessment (50%)

Theoretical Assessment (50%) - two partial written assessment tests (T1, T2), with equal weighting. The student must obtain a grade equal to or higher than 7.5 points in each partial theoretical assessment test. The final grade for this assessment instrument is calculated by averaging the two partial theoretical assessment tests.

Theoretical Grade = (T1 + T2) / 2

Practical Assessment (50%) - two partial laboratory practical assessment tests (P1, P2) with equal weighting. The student must obtain a grade equal to or higher than 7.5 points in each partial practical assessment test. The final grade for this assessment instrument is calculated by averaging the two partial practical assessment tests.

Practical Grade = (P1 + P2) / 2

Formula for calculating the Final Grade (NF) in continuous assessment:

NF = (T + P) / 2 = 0.5[(T1 + T2) / 2 + (P1 + P2) / 2]

The student passes the General Pathology course unit when they obtain a final grade equal to or greater than 9.5, obtained by weighting the continuous assessment instruments.

Final Examination Assessment

The final assessment is done through a written exam with a theoretical component (T) (50%) and a practical component (P) (50%). The student is exempt from exam parts if they have obtained a minimum grade of 7.5 in continuous assessment. The student passes the General Pathology course unit when they obtain a final grade equal to or greater than 9.5, obtained by weighting the assessment instruments in the final exam.

Formula for calculating the Final Grade (FG) for final exam assessment:

FG = 0.5T + 0.5P

When continuous assessment is not obtained, the student has access to a final exam. The conditions for assessment by exam, regular period, resit and special period, are described in the regulations for evaluating student performance at the Higher School of Agriculture of Coimbra, ref: RG_RAAE, of 26-07-2013 and other applicable legislation.

NAO