COMPMED 155Q: Microscopy in animal disease

Course Description

The main goal of the course is to raise the interest of frosh students in microscopy-related topics, including research in various areas of biology and medicine, clinical diagnosis and the 'one health' scientific approach. As an introductory component, students will learn about the basics of using a microscope, learning the names of the parts of a microscope, adjusting a microscope according to the type of sample being evaluated, good practice in maintaining microscopes, what makes a microscope good versus bad, tips on purchasing a new microscope. The bulk of the remainder of classes will be devoted to demonstrating interesting slides, pictures and cases of disease that can be assertively diagnosed through microscopy. Students will have the opportunity to explore the different types of morphological findings in microscopy, including inclusions of diverse nature, unique infectious agents, distinct malignancy criteria, and different inflammatory infiltrates in animal disease that are common, rare, of public health importance, of zoonotic importance, of particular geographic importance and of serious prognosis, in which an early accurate diagnosis can save lives, optimize public health policies and promote overall animal and human welfare.