Pathology

Pathology is the medical science that supplies patients and physicians with diagnostic information. It has an influence on practically every element of patient care, from cancer diagnosis to chronic illness management via precise laboratory testing. The duration of pathology courses ranges from 3 months to 5 years, depending on the academic level.  Pathology course is offered at diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The minimum eligibility criteria to study Pathology courses is to pass higher secondary with at least 45% to 50% marks in aggregate. Physics, Chemistry, and Biology must be the core subjects of Pathology course aspirants. Aspirants can also pursue a Certificate course in Pathology after finishing their secondary education. 

Admission process for Pathology courses is done on the basis of the marks secured by applicants in university-level entrance exams. Some colleges also ask for entrance exam scores like NEET, AIIMS, JIPMER, NPAT, and more. Some of the best colleges to study pathology in India are the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Christian Medical College, Banaras Hindu University, Armed Forces Medical College, and more. The average fee for studying pathology courses is somewhere around INR 30,000 - INR 2 lakhs. The fees can be higher if it is a private college. The return on investment in this field in terms of starting salary is also great as freshers can expect to earn INR 2.5-6 lakhs annually. Read further to know and understand the field of pathology, the various pathology courses, syllabus, scope, career opportunities, and much more.

Mentioned below are some of the important highlights of Pathology courses for aspirants to look at:

Pathology is the bedrock of clinical medicine, including all aspects of patient care, diagnostic tests, and treatment strategies. Here are some of the best perks to learn before pursuing a career in pathology:

• A Diverse Industry with the Most Recent Advancements: Pathology is a fast-paced medical area that equips healthcare practitioners with the most up-to-date clinical procedures and diagnostic tools. They will have the chance to become acquainted with cutting-edge laboratory techniques and clinical procedures for analysing bodily fluids. 

• A Wide Range of Career Opportunities: Pathology as a medical speciality will equip aspirants for a variety of intriguing job opportunities. Pathologists are in great demand and will continue to be so in the field of healthcare. There are several employment opportunities in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, laboratories, emergency clinics, research labs, medical schools, and universities.

• Pathologists Play an Important Role in the Medical Field: Pathologists may make a significant impact on the lives of patients by discovering the origin of their sickness and keeping their lives free of infection. Pathologists understand the biology of each form of illness and ensure that each patient receives appropriate therapy.

• Dynamic Responsibilities: Pathologists are in charge of researching the type of sickness or infection, its causes, and its consequences. They provide services in practically every facet of clinical medicine. Furthermore, they assist doctors in developing an appropriate treatment plan for patients by monitoring and maintaining their continuing health.

As stated above, pathology is a broad medical field of study, hence aspirants can find a plethora of different pathology courses to study in India at different levels of study. Some of these courses are mentioned below: 

Passing entrance exams with minimum qualifying marks is one of the major admission or eligibility criteria that aspirants have to meet to study pathology courses in India. Here are a few prominent entrance exams that are used by top universities and institutes to select eligible applicants for their pathology courses:

The table below highlights the general admission eligibility for aspirants to study pathology courses in India: 

Admission to pathology courses is strictly based on excellence in the 12th grade and marks obtained in the entrance exam. Admission to most pathology courses begins in May and ends in late June or early July. Candidates can submit their applications both online and in person.

• To fill out the application form online, students must go to the university's or college's website and accurately fill out all of the required data in the application form. After successfully registering, you must wait for any necessary correspondence from the college/university.

• Following online registration, you must attend the institution in person with all essential documents, including the Class 12 mark sheet, Class 10 mark sheet and certificate, ID verification, and photographs.

• Candidates who prefer to apply offline must purchase an application form along with a brochure from the college campus and submit it after filling out the form correctly.

• Students will be admitted to the colleges/universities listed above based on their Class 12 grades. Entrance will be granted only to those students who fulfil the other admission conditions and clear the cut-off marks set by the various colleges. Admission will be given only based on the student's achievement in the class 12th exam.

Some of the most popular and well-known colleges in India that offer pathology courses are as follows: 

Here is a list of some of the most renowned colleges abroad to study pathology courses:

The following are the average pathology course fees in India for various levels of study:

Enlisted below are core subjects that aspirants will study while pursuing pathology courses in India:

Diploma 

Undergraduate 

Postgraduate

Pathologists can find work in a variety of government and commercial facilities, including AIIMS, the National Institute of Health, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, and others. Pathologists can also work in agriculture, public health, law enforcement, and a variety of other disciplines. 

Some of the more well-known employment opportunities available to pathology graduates include:

• Clinical Pathologist

• Anatomic Pathologist

• Forensic Pathologist

• Medical Lab Technician

• Laboratory Technician

• Data Analyst 

• Research Analyst 

• Research Scientist

• Biochemist 

• Forensic Pathologist 

• Professor 

Check out the average beginning yearly income of several pathology job profiles listed below.

The aspirant's abilities and expertise in the sector will aid in their job search. Many firms require such talents for their employees. Check out the pathological skill set criteria listed below:

• To be meticulous and detail-oriented

• To be skilled in the operation of a computer and the major software programmes

• Thinking and reasoning abilities

• Understanding of medicine and dentistry

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Complex problem-solving skills 

• Analytical thinking skills

• Acceptance of criticism and ability to perform well under pressure