General Hematology Course

Lesson 1 • Stem Cells and Progenitor Hierarchy

Explains pluripotent stem cells, committed progenitors, and lineage commitment. Grounds understanding of how all mature blood cells originate.

Lesson 2 • Blood Composition and Functions

Covers plasma, formed elements, and their physiological roles. Provides the baseline vocabulary needed throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Hematopoietic Organs and Sites

Identifies primary and secondary hematopoietic sites across the lifespan. Links anatomical sites to developmental stage of blood cell production.

Lesson 4 • Cytokines and Growth Factor Regulation

Describes key hematopoietic growth factors and their receptor signaling. Explains how cytokines regulate lineage output and cell survival.

Lesson 1 • Erythrocyte Biology and Maturation

Covers erythropoiesis stages from proerythroblast to reticulocyte release. Establishes the cellular basis for interpreting red cell indices.

Lesson 2 • Haemoglobin Structure and Variants

Explains globin chain composition, oxygen affinity, and clinically significant haemoglobin variants. Prepares students to interpret haemoglobin electrophoresis results.

Lesson 3 • Anaemias: Classification and Pathophysiology

Classifies anaemias by morphology and mechanism, linking pathophysiology to lab findings. Provides a systematic framework for differential diagnosis.

Lesson 4 • Polycythaemia and Erythrocytosis

Differentiates absolute from relative erythrocytosis and primary from secondary causes. Integrates lab and clinical data for accurate classification.

Lesson 1 • Granulocyte Biology and Maturation

Describes neutrophil, eosinophil, and basophil development, morphology, and function. Establishes normal granulocyte reference points for recognising pathology.

Lesson 2 • Reactive Leukocyte Changes

Identifies morphologic and quantitative leukocyte changes in infection, inflammation, and stress. Teaches systematic peripheral blood film review for reactive patterns.

Lesson 3 • Benign Leukocyte Disorders

Covers inherited and acquired non-malignant white cell abnormalities and their lab features. Distinguishes benign disorders from early malignant presentations.

Lesson 4 • Lymphocyte Biology and Subsets

Explains T-cell, B-cell, and NK-cell development, markers, and immune roles. Provides the cellular immunology foundation needed for lymphoid malignancy chapters.

Lesson 1 • Haemostasis Laboratory Testing

Covers PT, aPTT, thrombin time, and mixing studies and their clinical interpretation. Links test results to specific factor deficiencies or inhibitors.

Lesson 2 • Coagulation Cascade and Fibrinolysis

Details intrinsic, extrinsic, and common pathway factors and their regulation. Explains fibrin clot formation and plasmin-mediated fibrinolysis.

Lesson 3 • Primary Haemostasis and Platelet Function

Describes vascular injury response, platelet adhesion, activation, and aggregation. Connects platelet plug formation to clinical bleeding time and aggregometry.

Lesson 4 • Platelet Production and Structure

Explains megakaryopoiesis, platelet ultrastructure, and granule contents. Establishes the structural basis for understanding platelet function tests.

Lesson 1 • Specimen Handling and Preanalytical Variables

Identifies collection, anticoagulant, storage, and transport factors that affect haematology results. Teaches rejection criteria and corrective actions.

Lesson 2 • Peripheral Blood Film Preparation and Staining

Covers wedge smear technique, Romanowsky staining, and quality assessment of film preparation. Establishes manual review skills that complement automated analysis.

Lesson 3 • Quality Control and Calibration

Applies Levey-Jennings charts, Westgard rules, and delta checks to haematology QC. Ensures students can detect and respond to out-of-control situations.

Lesson 4 • Reticulocyte and Special Stains

Describes reticulocyte counting methods and special cytochemical stains used in haematology. Links stain results to specific diagnostic applications.

Lesson 1 • Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics in Myeloid Disease

Explains karyotyping, FISH, and next-generation sequencing applications in myeloid neoplasm diagnosis. Connects genetic findings to classification and prognosis.

Lesson 2 • Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative Overlap Neoplasms

Covers CMML, atypical CML, and JMML as entities with mixed dysplastic and proliferative features. Distinguishes overlap neoplasms from pure MDS or MPN.

Lesson 3 • Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Covers MDS morphologic dysplasia, cytopenia patterns, and risk stratification scoring. Links bone marrow findings to prognosis and treatment planning.

Lesson 4 • Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Classification

Applies current classification criteria to AML subtypes using blast percentage, morphology, and genetics. Prepares students to integrate multiparameter diagnostic data.

Lesson 1 • Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and Lymphoma

Covers B-ALL and T-ALL classification, immunophenotype, and cytogenetic risk stratification. Distinguishes leukaemic from lymphomatous presentations.

Lesson 2 • Flow Cytometry in Lymphoid Diagnosis

Applies multicolor flow cytometry panel design and gating strategies to lymphoid neoplasm diagnosis. Interprets antigen expression patterns for lineage and clonality assessment.

Lesson 3 • Hodgkin Lymphoma

Distinguishes classical Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes from nodular lymphocyte-predominant disease. Identifies Reed-Sternberg cell morphology and immunophenotype.

Lesson 4 • Mature B-Cell Neoplasms

Classifies CLL, mantle cell, follicular, diffuse large B-cell, and Burkitt lymphomas by morphology and markers. Applies diagnostic criteria to distinguish subtypes.

Lesson 1 • Anticoagulant Therapy Monitoring

Explains laboratory monitoring of heparin, warfarin, and direct oral anticoagulants. Teaches therapeutic range interpretation and interference recognition.

Lesson 2 • Blood Group Systems and Compatibility

Covers ABO, Rh, and clinically significant blood group antigens and antibody detection. Establishes the immunohematology foundation for safe transfusion practice.

Lesson 3 • Thrombophilia and Hypercoagulable States

Covers inherited and acquired thrombophilia causes, testing strategies, and result interpretation. Connects laboratory findings to thrombotic risk assessment.

Lesson 4 • Blood Components and Indications

Describes preparation, storage, and clinical indications for red cells, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate. Links component selection to patient clinical and lab status.