Future Students

Pathology

The discipline focusses much of its attention on mammalian disorders and, more particularly, the various human diseases. In addition, it attempts to elucidate the various mechanisms which an organism may employ in defending itself against the environmental insults it must endure throughout its life.

The full investigation of many of these processes often requires a great deal of sophisticated technology and a ready grasp of many of the related biological and physical sciences. In a nutshell, pathology seeks the causes of and reasons for whatever interferes with biological well-being.

Pathology can be studied as a major in the Bachelor of Science. This includes combined courses which include this degree. Pathology units can also be studied in the Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science), or the Bachelor of Health Science. This includes combined courses which include the Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Health Science.

Level 1
Pathology studies commence in Level 3. In Level 1 you will study introductory biological life sciences including chemistry and biology. You will also study introductory molecular biology.

Level 2
In Level 2 you will develop your knowledge with units in anatomy and human biology, microbiology, biochemistry and molecular genetics.

Level 3
The Level 3 pathology units include basic concepts of disease processes as well as topics of clinical immunology and immunopathology and further studies in medical genetics.

The Pathology units concentrate on the basic mechanisms of disease processes and the various defence reactions that such conditions elicit. You will explore the nature of cellular injury, inflammation, infection, repair, regeneration, abnormal vascular reactions and disturbances of growth and differentiation.

You will also discover the basis of the immune reactions that accompany disease as well as the nature of cancer, the mechanism of its evolution and the means by which it spreads. There is also an emphasis on molecular genetics, especially in the areas of diagnosis, prognosis, prevention of disease and their application to clinical medicine.

Career opportunities

Employment opportunities exist in hospitals, public health services, private pathology laboratory services, veterinary and pharmacological laboratories as well as teaching and research institutions. Recent employers of UWA graduates have been Western Diagnostic Pathology, Cutaneous Pathology, Royal Perth Hospital, Pharmacia and Upjohn.