Clinical pathology examines disease through laboratory analysis of body fluids and tissues and plays a key role in diagnosis and treatment monitoring. This course emphasizes understanding pathophysiologic mechanisms and interpreting hematologic, biochemical, and cytologic data across species to assess health and support clinical decision-making.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Graduate students will be required to submit 3-5 additional clinical case interpretations over the course of the semester.
Athena Title
Comparative Clinical Pathology
Prerequisite
VPHY 3100 or VPHY 3100E or VPHY 3107-3107D or CBIO 2210-2210L or CBIO 3710 or EHSC 2100 or POUL 4175 or POUL 4200/6200-4200L/6200L or WILD 4400/6400
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will explain the normal physiology of hematopoiesis, hemostasis, renal function, electrolyte balance, acid–base regulation, and organ system function (liver, pancreas, endocrine), including relevant species differences.
Students will identify and classify normal and abnormal hematologic, biochemical, urinalysis, and coagulation parameters generated by common clinical pathology laboratory tests.
Students will interpret complete blood counts, chemistry panels, urinalyses, coagulation profiles, and blood gas analyses to recognize common laboratory patterns associated with disease.
Students will differentiate among major disease mechanisms (e.g., regenerative vs. non-regenerative anemia; pre-renal, renal, and post-renal azotemia; inflammatory vs. stress leukograms) using laboratory data and clinical context.
Students will analyze laboratory abnormalities and correlate with underlying pathophysiologic processes affecting hematologic, renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems.
Students will evaluate the clinical significance and limitations of laboratory findings, including the impact of species differences, sample collection, and testing methodologies on data interpretation.
Topical Outline
Hematopoiesis and hematology basics
Erythrocytes, erythrocytosis, and anemia
Leukocytes and leukocyte responses
Hemostasis
Urinary
Electrolytes
Acid base
Minerals
Proteins and lipids
Musculoskeletal
Hepatobiliary
Exocrine pancreas and GI
Endocrine
Cytology
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
