Learning outcomes

This course aims to integrate into pharmacist training the essential and up-to-date knowledge of cellular and tissue structures necessary for understanding the functions of organs and tissues.

The course is subdivided into two parts:

  • The cytology part of the course explores the dynamics of cellular structures and their relationships with the functions carried out within tissues and organs.
  • The histology part of the course focuses on human microscopic anatomy. Histology covers the main tissues of the human body, followed by the major systems involved in the absorption, circulation, metabolism, and elimination of pharmaceutical substances.

Prerequisites are the first-year (BAC1) courses in biology, chemistry, and physics.

Goals

To know and understand the organization and functioning of a cell, its organelles, and the main cellular processes that allow it to interact with its environment.

To know and understand the organization and structure of the main tissues of the human body.

To know and understand the roles of tissues — and therefore of the cells that compose them — in building and maintaining the organs involved in five key systems particularly relevant to the absorption, metabolism, and elimination of pharmaceutical substances: the circulatory, integumentary (skin), digestive, respiratory, and urinary systems. The same goes for the ovary, which is relevant through the use of oral contraceptive medications by the general population.

Content

This course, both theoretical and practical, focuses on the workings of the cell, and the description and organisation of human cells and tissues. It includes notions of anatomy, cellular physiology and histophysiology. Special attention will be paid to the study of tissues and organs involved in the absorption and elimination of drugs. The practical work (15 hours) is complementary to the histology part of the course; in this way, the course diagrams are directly linked to the preparations that the student can examine during the practical work or on the website www.histology.be

Teaching methods

The course is produced using diagrams to help visualise the structures studied. It is further illustrated by images available on webcampus and annotated on a slide show.

Assessment method

Assessment Method:


If the number of students and health conditions allow:


The theoretical exam is oral and covers both cytology and histology, which are assessed together. However, each part is graded separately. The theoretical exam is based on a broad question in cytology and histology related to a system (or part of a system). Ideally, answers should include complete, annotated, and properly explained diagrams, without excessive written content. Understanding and knowledge will be evaluated through a discussion based on the student's answers, which may extend to the entire course content.


The practical exam (histology component) is conducted using a double-headed microscope or via a computer screen (responsible: Mr. Nicolas Halloin).

The exact assessment procedures are subject to change during the scheduling of exams, depending on practical constraints faced by the faculty administration, or in the event of illness/force majeure/conflict with an internship preventing the student from taking the exam on the originally scheduled date.


Grade Calculation:

The final grade for the course unit (UE) is based on the weighted arithmetic average of the grades obtained in cytology (A) and histology (B) evaluations:

A - Cytology:

  • Graded out of 20
  • Represents 20% of the final grade

B - Histology:

  • Graded out of 20
  • Represents 80% of the final grade
  • The histology grade is weighted as follows:
  • Practical sessions (TPs):
  • Graded out of 20
  • Represents 20% of the histology grade (B)
  • Theory:
  • Graded out of 20
  • Represents 80% of the histology grade (B)
If either the TP or theory grade is less than or equal to 7/20, the average is not calculated, and that grade alone becomes the final histology grade (B) (absorbing grade rule).
If either the cytology (A) or histology (B) grade is less than or equal to 7/20, the average is not calculated, and that grade alone becomes the final grade of the course unit (UE) (absorbing grade rule).


Attendance and Absences:

  • Non-attendance or missing a required evaluation results in a grade of 0/20 for the corresponding component.
  • If the course unit (UE) is not passed, the grades for any evaluation scored at least 10/20 are carried over to the next exam session within the same academic year, but not to the following academic year.


Special Cases and Exemptions/Deferrals:

In the event that a student is unable to take the exam for a justified reason (force majeure, medical certificate), they must inform the course coordinator and faculty administration, who will reschedule the exam at a later date, within the timeframe defined by the R.E.E., and subject to approval by the Dean or Vice-Dean.

Sources, references and any support material

Molecular Biology of the Cell, 6th edition (Alberts et al, 2015), Garland Human Histology, 4th edition (Stevens & Lowe, 2015), Elsevier

Language of instruction

French
Training Study programme Block Credits Mandatory
Bachelor in Pharmacy Standard 0 5
Bachelor in Pharmacy Standard 2 5