Year 1
- Spring Semester (January – May)
- PATH 6290 Applied Human Anatomy (4 credits)
- PATH 6110 Human Microscopic Anatomy (4 Credits)
- PATH 6210 Surgical Pathology Techniques (4 credits)
- PATH 6240 Pathologists' Assistant Seminar (1 credit)
- CELL 6210 Physiology (3 credits)
- Summer (May – August)
- PATH 6200 Autopsy Pathology (3 credits)
- PATH 6280 Autopsy Pathology Practicum (1 credit)
- PATH 6220 Advanced Surgical Pathology Techniques I (4 credits)
- PATH 6221 Advanced Surgical Pathology Techniques I Lab (2 credits)
- PATH 6270 Surgical Pathology Practicum (1 credit)
- PATH 6300 Mechanisms of Disease I - General Pathology (5 credits)
- Fall Semester (August – December)
- PATH 6310 Mechanisms of Disease II - Systemic Pathology (5 credits)
- PATH 6230 Advanced Surgical Pathology Techniques II (4 credits)
- PATH 6231 Advanced Surgical Pathology Techniques II Lab (2 credits)
- PATH 6240 Pathologists' Assistant Seminar (1 Credit)
Year 2
- Spring Semester (January – May)
- PATH 7200 Anatomic Pathology Clerkship (12 credits)
- Summer (May – August)
- PATH 7200 Anatomic Pathology Clerkship (12 credits)
- Fall (August – December)
- PATH 7200 Anatomic Pathology Clerkship (12 credits)
Course Descriptions
PATH 6110 - Human Microscopic Anatomy (4 credits): This course offers a comprehensive study of human histology with an emphasis on physiological and pathological significance. Through integrated lectures and laboratory sessions, students develop skills in tissue identification and microscopic analysis essential for medical professionals. A term paper is required to promote critical thinking and application of histological principles in clinical practice.
PATH 6210 - Surgical Pathology Techniques (4 credits): This is the first of three sequential courses designed for Pathologists' Assistant students. This course provides a connection between the didactic coursework of the first-year curriculum and its application to the practice of surgical pathology by Pathologists' Assistants in the clinical setting. This class is taken in conjunction with the corresponding Surgical Pathology Techniques Laboratory course.
PATH 6220 - Advanced Surgical Path Tech I (4 credits): This is the second of three sequential courses designed for Pathologists' Assistant students. This course provides a connection between the didactic coursework of the first-year curriculum and its application to the practice of surgical pathology by Pathologists' Assistants in the clinical setting. This class is taken in conjunction with the corresponding Advanced Surgical Pathology Techniques Laboratory course.
PATH 6230 - Advanced Surgical Path Tech II (4 credits): This is the third of three sequential courses designed for Pathologists' Assistant students. This course provides a connection between the didactic coursework of the first-year curriculum and its application to the practice of surgical pathology by Pathologists' Assistants in the clinical setting. This class is taken in conjunction with the corresponding Advanced Surgical Pathology Techniques Laboratory course.
PATH 6200 - Autopsy Pathology (3 credits): This course provides a foundation in autopsy pathology and includes instruction in medical and forensic autopsy pathology, as well as perinatal and pediatric autopsy pathology. This course is designed to prepare pathologists' assistant students for their autopsy practicum.
PATH 6280 – Autopsy Pathology Practicum (1 credit): This is a practical course in autopsy pathology that prepares students for their clinical rotations in autopsy pathology during the second-year curriculum. Students will rotate at Tulane Medical Center pathology lab under the guidance of Tulane pathologists' assistants, pathology residents, and pathologists. Students will watch and perform (under guidance) the duties of a Pathologists' Assistant. Emphasis will be placed on developing the student's skills of autopsy technique including evisceration and block dissection.
PATH 6290 - Applied Human Anatomy (4 credits): This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of human gross anatomy, with a focus on clinically relevant structures and their spatial relationships. Cadaver dissection serves as a foundational component, reinforcing anatomical knowledge through hands-on exploration and the development of dissection techniques.
PATH 6240 - Pathologists’ Assistant Seminar (1 credit): This course is designed to provide pathologists’ assistant students with a foundation in working within an interprofessional healthcare team. This course focuses on medical ethics, interdisciplinary communication, and practices of professional conduct through team activities and group discussions.
PATH 6270 - Surgical Pathology Practicum (1 credit): This is a practical course in surgical pathology that prepares students for their clinical rotations in surgical pathology during the second-year curriculum. Students will rotate at Tulane Medical Center pathology lab under the guidance of Tulane pathologists' assistants, pathology residents, and pathologists. Students will watch and perform (under guidance) the duties of a Pathologists' Assistant. Emphasis will be placed on developing the student's skills of gross tissue description, dissection, and frozen section preparation.
PATH 6231 - Advanced Surgical Pathology Techniques II Lab (2 credits): This is the third of three sequential courses designed for Pathologists' Assistant students. This course provides a connection between the didactic coursework of the first-year curriculum and its application to the practice of surgical pathology by Pathologists' Assistants in the clinical setting. This class is taken in conjunction with the corresponding Advanced Surgical Pathology Techniques lecture course.
PATH 6300 - Mechanisms of Disease 1 (5 credits): The course integrates the study of the nature of disease with the structural and functional changes that accompany those disease processes.
PATH 6310 - Mechanisms of Disease 2 (5 credits): The course integrates the study of the nature of disease with the structural and functional changes that accompany those disease processes. This course follows Mechanisms of Disease 1. This course is for graduate students and not intended for medical students.
PATH 7200 - Anatomic Pathology Clerkship (12 credits): This is a twelve-month practical course sequence that forms the curriculum of the second year of the Pathologists' Assistant program. Students rotate through various clinical sites and perform the duties of a Pathologists' Assistant under the guidance of a preceptor. Emphasis is placed on developing the student's skills of gross tissue description, dissection, and frozen section preparation in surgical pathology. Emphasis is placed on autopsy techniques including evisceration and block dissection in autopsy pathology.
CELL 6210 - Physiology (3 credits): This course is a survey of the organ systems of the human body. The cellular and molecular mechanisms of organ function are discussed. Emphasis is placed on clinical implications. Oral presentations are required.
