Animal Cytology and Histology

Knowledge of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, English and Biochemistry.

In order to confer the proposed skills, the teaching/learning process is based on:

– Theoretical classes and practical classes with microscopic observations of subjects related to Cytology and Histology

– Use of audiovisual media to demonstrate certain physiological processes and mechanisms

– Visits to Cytology and Histology laboratories.

The objectives of this curricular unit are to prepare students with the essential skills of animal cytology and animal histology, so that the knowledge acquired can be applied in different areas of veterinary sciences. Students will know how to distinguish normal cells from those altered by pathological and non-pathological processes in different types of tissues. Students acquire basic skills on how to obtain tissue samples under clinical or field practice conditions, how to send these samples to different laboratories and their histological preparation for histopathology and research studies. This curricular unit will help the student to integrate cytohistological knowledge with the information already acquired in Animal Anatomy and Physiology and will serve as a basis, in the future, for the study of Pathology.

Module 1: Introduction to Cytology and Histology

Introduction to Cytology and Histology (General aspect): Structure of mammalian cells and functions of cellular components; Classification of cells according to their specialized shapes and functions

Introduction to Microscopy

Tissue classification: Normal histological structures of different types of tissues and organs

• Techniques for collecting tissues and sending them to the histology laboratory: obtaining them and means of conservation, packaging biological samples to send to different laboratories, documentation to accompany samples.

• Tissue processing in the histology laboratory, equipment used in histological preparations.

Module 2: Histology

• Interpretation and description of histological preparations of different organs and tissues: urinary, digestive and attached glands, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, integumentary, hematolymphatic and nervous systems.

• Interpretation and description of results.

Periodic evaluation

For evaluation purposes, the syllabus is organized into two components as follows:

Component 1 (weight 50%)

– Theoretical Assessment (50%): Written theoretical test;

– Practical Assessment (50%): Practical written test;

Final grade for Component 1 (N Cp1) = (0.5 x Theoretical + 0.5 x Practical)

Component 2 (weight 50%)

– Theoretical Assessment (50%): Written theoretical test;

– Practical Assessment (50%): Practical written test;

Final grade for Component 1 (N Cp2) = (0.5 x Theoretical + 0.5 x Practical)

Final Grade (Periodic Assessment) = (0.50xN Cp1 + 0.50xN Cp2)

To pass the UC in periodic assessment, it is necessary, simultaneously:

a) Attendance at least in 75% of the total number of classes actually taught;

b) Minimum rating of 7.5 values in each of the assessment elements;

c) Final classification, rounded to the nearest unit, equal to or greater than 10 (ten) values.

Those responsible for the UC may use records of periodic assessment elements from the previous academic year, in which students obtained a classification equal to or greater than 10 points, rounded to the nearest number.

Assessment in Final Exam

For each component, 1 and 2, there will be a written theoretical part [50%] and a written practical part [50%].

Final mark  (Final Assessmente) = [0,50x(Theoretical1+Practical1)/2] + [0,50x(Theoretical2+Practical2)/2] 

When approval is not obtained through periodic assessment, the student has access to a final exam. The conditions for evaluation in exams, normal, appeal and special exams, are described in the regulations for evaluating the performance of students at the Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, ref: RG_RAAE, dated 14-03-2018 and other applicable legislation.

NAO