Developing a comprehensive graduate‐level knowledge base through a functional histology course experience (721.17)

Abstract

At Iowa, a comprehensive graduate‐level course in General Histology is offered for basic science graduate students in the face of diminishing time allocations for Histology in the medical curriculum. It consists of 24 hours of general lecture and 37 hours of supervised virtual and optical microscope laboratory experiences, offered in tandem with the required histology component of our medical Structure and Function of Human Organ Systems course. In addition, graduate students are mentored weekly in student and faculty‐led discussion sessions emphasizing advanced topics, the current research literature, microscopic technique, and histopathologic relevance to each student’s research area. Course requirements are rigorous, and include active, creative participation in the advanced topics sessions and achieving at least 80% on all lecture and lab examinations. Didactic exams include both essay questions and image/non‐image linked multiple choice questions that are designed to assess an integrated knowledge of structure and function relationships. Mastery of laboratory objectives is assessed each unit using virtual image‐based practicals which emphasize cell and tissue detail; an oral lab exercise at the microscope with an instructor, emphasizing structure/functional relationships; and a comprehensive final glass slide exam emphasizing organ identification. Collectively, these assessments ensure students have achieved competency in microscope skills and a functional understanding of cells, tissues, and organs. Student feedback confirms that their learning experience prepares them well to fulfill with distinction their teaching assistant requirement for graduation, and to assume full responsibility in their future faculty teaching roles.