Pathology

The Postgraduate Diploma program in the Department of Pathology provides an introduction to the challenging area of investigation of disease at the cellular and molecular level. This program involves candidates undertaking a full-time research project based in a laboratory within the Department of Pathology or at one of our affiliated institutions. A student undertaking a Postgraduate Diploma Research Project will have an interest in understanding the mechanisms of disease.

The objectives of the course include the development of the individual student's skills in the areas of acquisition, interpretation and critical analysis of laboratory data, planning and design of experiments and reporting of experimental data in a concise and scientific manner consistent with that published in scientific journals.

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Areas of Specialisation: A wide range of research projects are offered through the department in the areas including -regulation of inflammatory processes, immunology, transplantation, neurosciences, genetic epidemiology, and cellular and genetic strategies for control and detection of neoplasia.

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Assessment:

Pathology Research Project

• An introductory seminar outlining the projects hypothesis, aims and proposed methodology is presented to the Department.
• A critical review of literature relevant to the research project is submitted as a hurdle assessment at mid-year and an updated version submitted with the final research project report.
• The research project report is based on research work undertaken in the laboratory and is prepared as a thesis report and submitted at the end of the year.
• A defence-of-thesis seminar is presented to the Department after submission of the research thesis.

Advanced Coursework

• Critical analysis of Pathology Research subject is assessed by students completing a four-hour data assessment examination and presenting a journal club paper.
• The Introduction to Biomedical Research subject is assessed by students submitting four written reports (each not exceeding 2000 words) submitted during the semester.

The Postgraduate Diploma of Science (Pathology) consists of:

• Pathology Research Project (75 points);
• Advanced Coursework (25 points)

Coursework

An advanced lecture series and tutorials designed to help students develop critical analysis skills that can be used in their research project and advanced coursework assessment tasks. These critical analysis skills will also be invaluable to students as they pursue their research careers.

Students must complete:

Research

The Research Project subject includes the completion of a novel laboratory based research project under the direct supervision of academic or research staff within, or affiliated with, the Department of Pathology.

Students must complete:

This program does not have a mid-year intake.