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PATH30070

Academic Year 2025/2026

Mechanisms of Disease (PATH30070)

Subject:
Pathology
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Medicine
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Luana Schito
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Mechanisms of Disease forms part of the core curriculum for students of the B.Sc. in Radiography and Diagnostic Radiography (Graduate Entry). The module begins with the fundamental mechanisms of cellular adaptation to stress and injury, and the pathways leading to cell death, before introducing the principles of innate and adaptive immunity. Students then examine the development of acute and chronic inflammation, followed by tissue healing and repair. The course next addresses genetic diseases and progresses to transplantation biology and graft-versus-host disease. This is followed by tumour classification and growth, mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and the genetic drivers of tumour development. Core aspects of metabolism are also explored, particularly those relevant to metabolic imaging. The module continues with the pathological processes of thrombosis, embolism and infarction, and concludes with environmental and nutritional pathology. Focused tutorials support and reinforce learning throughout. The overall sequence of content is aimed at developing a coherent understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying disease, providing essential context for radiographic practice by helping students to understand how disease alters tissues and informs clinical decision-making.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:

1. Discuss the mechanisms, pathological features, and complications associated with cellular adaptation, injury, and death.
2. Describe the aetiology, pathophysiology, and complications of acute and chronic inflammatory responses.
3. Outline the basis of autoimmunity and immunodeficiency, and explain the role of the immune system in transplantation.
4. Outline the main mechanisms by which genetic abnormalities lead to disease.
5. Discuss the pathogenesis and pathological features of benign and malignant neoplastic disease.
6. Outline key pathways of cellular metabolism and their relevance to metabolic imaging.
7. Describe the influence of environmental factors on the development and progression of disease.
8. Provide an integrated overview of underlying pathological processes using case-based examples, highlighting their relevance to diagnostic imaging.


Indicative Module Content:

Cellular adaptation, injury and death; innate and adaptive immunity; acute and chronic inflammation; healing and repair; genetic diseases; transplantation and graft-versus-host disease; tumour biology and carcinogenesis; cell metabolism; thrombosis, embolism and infarction; environmental and nutritional pathology; case-based tutorials integrating pathological mechanisms with radiographic practice.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Tutorial

3
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Total

105

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Blended learning

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students are required to have a knowledge of human anatomy,biochemistry and physiology. The academic suitability of such knowledge for this module, in the case of students who are not registered diagnostic imaging students, will be decided by the module coordinator and potential students interested in taking this module as a general elective should discuss this with the module co-ordinator.
Students who are not registered diagnostic imaging students will be required to sign a written commitment to confidentiality relating to patient histories and respective pathological findings.

Learning Exclusions:

This is an incompatible module for registered UCD Medical Students and Biomedical Health and Life Science students.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Mechanisms of Disease (Rad) (RDGY30150)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Examination: MCQ component of End of Trimester Examination End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
45
 No
Exam (In-person): Examination: SAQ component of End of Trimester Examination End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Exam (In-person): MCQ-based, mid-term exam Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Submitted coursework will be annotated by the examiners. Feedback on the examination will be provided on request.

Textbook: "Pathologic Basis of Disease", Robbins & Cotran

By (author) Vinay Kumar , By (author) Abul K. Abbas , By (author) Jon C. Aster

Elsevier

Name Role
Professor Catherine Blake Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Luana Schito Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Bill Watson Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Exam Offering 1 Week(s) - 26 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 25, 32 Tues 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 29, 30, 31 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 29 Wed 09:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 22 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 25 Wed 10:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 21 Wed 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 25, 32 Tues 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 32 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 26 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 26, 33 Tues 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 32 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 26 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 26, 33 Tues 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 26 Thurs 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 33 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
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