Program Overview

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Introduction to the Master's Program

The Master's Degree in Pathologist Assistant: Autopsy, Histological and Molecular Techniques in Pathological Anatomy and Forensic Medicine is a comprehensive program designed to provide graduates in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques with the cultural foundations and advanced technical skills necessary to support diagnostic and clinical activities in Pathological Anatomy.

Educational Content

The program offers a training curriculum aimed at providing in-depth knowledge of the organization of the pathological anatomy laboratory and the dissection room, with particular attention to modern technologies applied in these fields. The skills acquired enable professionals to fill an operational role between a three-year graduate in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques and a medical specialist.

Course Target and Career Opportunities

The First-level Short Specialisation Degree as Assistant to Pathologist: Autoptic, Histological and Molecular Techniques of Pathological Anatomy and Forensic Medicine is addressed to graduates in technical healthcare professions. Hands-on experience in the technical pathological anatomy and/or forensic medicine field represents a preferential access requirement. The Master trains professional figures who support the anatomo-pathologists and forensic doctor activities on corpses.

Course Program

The Master's Degree provides training in:

• LABORATORY ORGANISATION AND MONITORING OF THE DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS, CERTIFICATION AND QUALITY CONTROL. PRINCIPLES OF STATISTICS AND CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
  • Principles of clinical laboratory organisation
  • Workflow indicators and certification process
  • Quality control in the laboratory
  • Basic concepts of statistics and clinical epidemiology; data processing (Excel)
• ETHICAL PRINCIPLES, PRIVACY REGULATIONS, INTERDISCIPLINARY COMMUNICATION
  • Legal, deontological and ethical responsibility
  • Processing and protection of personal data in clinical practice. Interdisciplinary communication
• PRINCIPLES OF MICROBIOLOGY AND VIROLOGY
  • Principles of microbiology and microbiological/virological techniques
  • The diagnostic flow in the microbiology laboratory: sampling, transport and microbiological investigations on autopsy material
• HEALTH SURVEILLANCE IN THE LABORATORY
  • Chemical and biological safety in the pathological anatomy laboratory and autopsy room: theory and practice
• BIOBANKING
  • Purpose and operational organisation of biobanking (tissue samples and genetic material)
• TOPOGRAPHICAL AND ORGAN ANATOMY
  • Principles of topographical and organ anatomy (macroscopic, microscopic)
• PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY
  • Pathological anatomy methodologies
• TISSUE SAMPLING AND HANDLING PROTOCOLS
  • Clinical rationale for post-surgical sampling
  • Handling of biopsy samples
• AUTOMATION IN PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY
  • Automation and traceability systems in pathological anatomy. Information and archiving systems in pathological anatomy
• DIGITAL PATHOLOGY: IMAGE ACQUISITION AND TELEPATHOLOGY
  • Telepathology and image acquisition techniques in pathological anatomy
• CLINICAL AUTOPSY
  • Principles of autopsies for clinical purposes; integration of autopsy findings and clinical history: theory and practice
  • Cadaveric evisceration and sampling techniques
  • General principles of perinatal and foetal pathology
• MOLECULAR BIOLOGY IN PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY
  • Principles and techniques of extractive/in situ molecular pathology in Pathological Anatomy
  • Principles and techniques of predictive genomics
• MEDICO-LEGAL AUTOPSY: PRINCIPLES AND TECHNIQUES
  • Notions of forensic pathology, autopsy legislation, mortuary police regulations
  • Forensic autopsy diagnostic protocols: exercises
• NEW FRONTIERS IN PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY: VIRTUAL AUTOPSY
  • A bridge between Radiodiagnostics and Forensic Medicine: description and fields of application of virtual autopsy
  • Multislice CT, NMR spectroscopy, post-mortem angiography
• APPLICATIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
  • Clinical applications: principles and practice

Seminars

The program includes seminars held by university professors or external experts, both in-person and online, covering topics such as:

• The emerging role of the pathologist's assistant and current legislation
• Criminology and autopsy activities
• Pathological Anatomy 2.0: the pros and cons of predictive molecular pathology

Emerging Opportunities

The training program takes into account the degree courses specific to this profession already in place in Anglo-Saxon and US countries, where the pathologist's assistant is historically recognised as a specialist professional. The modules are divided into four thematic areas, which include: Laboratory and Autopsy Room Organisation, Pathological Anatomy, Forensic Medicine, and Statistics and Data Processing.

General Ranking of Merit

The general ranking of merit will be published according to the timing provided in the Call.

Information

• Thematic area: Health, environment and territory
• End of classes: 31/10/2026
• Mandatory attendance: 75%
• Minimum available spots: 5
• Maximum available spots: 10
• First instalment: € 1,612.50
• Second instalment: € 1,060.00

Frequently Asked Questions

Will previous CFU credits be recognized?

Similarly to the other Post-Graduate Courses, any credit matching the various educational activities offered is subject to periodical verifications of the competencies acquired. The Master's Diploma is subject to passing one or more final exams that evaluate the overall competencies acquired, also taking into account the hands-on practice.

How will the Master's course be organized?

The educational course includes lessons and traineeship or clinical-care/diagnostic-instrumental practice. Lessons will be held both in-person and in synchronous online mode. For each module, there will be an oral or written evaluation test.

Will there be any forms of facilitation/study prizes?

The Organizing Committee did not include any forms of facilitation for deserving students or for employees of the University Hospital University of Padua.

Program Details

• Duration: One-year
• Venue: Padua
• Language: Italian
• ECTS: 60
• Teaching method: In-person
• Total enrolment fee: € 2,672.50
• Pre-enrolment deadline: 07/10/2025
• Classes start: 14/11/2025