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 of 75% in both theoretical and practical classes.

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

Theoretical Assessment (50%) - two written partial exams (T1, T2). Students must obtain a score of 7.5 or higher on each partial theoretical exam. The final grade for this assessment instrument (Theoretical) is calculated by averaging the two partial theoretical exams.

Practical Assessment (50%) - two partial practical laboratory exams (P1, P2). Students must obtain a score of 7.5 or higher on each partial practical exam. The final grade for this assessment instrument (Practical) is calculated by averaging the two partial practical exams.

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

FN=0.5*[(T1+T2)/2 + [(P1+P2)/2]

Students pass the General Pathology course when they obtain a final grade equal to or higher than 9.5, calculated by weighting the continuous assessment instruments.

Final Exam Assessment

The final assessment is conducted through a written exam with a theoretical component (T) (50%) and a practical component (P) (50%). Students pass the General Pathology course when they obtain a final grade equal to or higher than 9.5, calculated by weighting the assessment instruments in the final exam.

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

FG=0.5T+0.5P

If students fail to pass the continuous assessment, they are given access to the final exam. The assessment conditions for exams, normal, appeal and special periods, are described in the regulations for assessing the performance of students at the Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, ref: RG_RAAE, dated 26-07-2013 and other applicable legislation.

NAO