Teaching code

4S012552

Credits

7

Coordinator

Giuseppe Bertini

Language

Italian

Courses Single

Not Authorized

Moodle Seminars 0

The teaching is organized as follows:

Learning objectives

The course is aimed at providing the fundamentals of human cytology (organization of the eukaryotic cell and its parts), general histology (tissues as cell aggregates, cell differentiation and specialization, organization of extracellular matrix), and embryology (prenatal development of the human body).
Teaching goals can be summarized in the acquisition of the following knowledge and skills.
1) Familiarization with the modern instruments and procedures of cell and tissue preparation and study.
2) Ability to describe cells and tissues with respect to their specific functions.
3) Development of the visuo-spatial skills needed to recognize the structures of interest and to understand their topology, orders of magnitude, tridimensional shape, and spatial relations.
4) Fundamentals of quantitative analysis of digital images obtained from the microscopic study of cells and tissues.
5) Linguistic and expressive skills required to appropriately communicate the acquired knowledge, in an inherently precise and rigorous field of investigation.
In-class practice sessions based on the analysis of virtual histological slides will play a central role in attaining these goals.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Knowledge of fundamental cell biology topics is required, including 1) prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; 2) cell cycle, mitosis, and meiosis, 3) human genotype; 4) gene expression, transcription, and translation.

Bibliography

Learning assessment procedures

Oral exam in four parts: 1. Embryology, 2. Cytology, 3. Tissues, 4. Description of a virtual microscopy preparation

Evaluation criteria

Exam evaluation is based on the student's ability to express in simple, scientifically appropriate terms the knowledge acquired during the course. Critical thinking is a significant added value. The student should also demonstrate good "visuo-spatial" skills for the correct interpretation and description of the structures of interest.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The exam is in three parts:
1. Embryology, oral: assesses the ability to explain concepts learned during the course in simple yet scientifically appropriate terms.
2. Cytology and tissues, multiple choice quiz: verifies the knowledge acquired during the course. The questions are designed to stimulate critical thinking and the ability to integrate topics covered in the syllabus
3. Description of a virtual microscopy preparation: evaluates the ability to observe and organize a description of the specimen using appropriate terminology.

The final grade is the average of the partial grades obtained in each of the 3 exam components, weighted as follows: embryology 25%, written exam 50%, practical exam 25%. To pass the exam, a sufficient evaluation is required for all parts.