Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Quantitative Medical Science develops previous work undertaken in MAB141 and LSB325 and builds to work which will be undertaken in LSB525. It introduces you to a range of quantitative approaches to chemical analysis and particular emphasis is placed on the knowledge, skills and values required for good laboratory practice, and a commitment to high quality results, as preparation for the clinical pathology workplace. This means that manual experiments must be performed with accuracy and precision, and data and results validated according to quality standards. With good laboratory practice, troubleshooting skills are also developed. This unit prepares you for the more complex procedures and automated technologies you will be introduced to in the third year units and it also introduces you to the quality standards that are an essential component of all laboratory practices.

Aims

This unit aims to introduce you to range of quantitative chemical analysis systems, and to cultivate good laboratory practices by development of the knowledge and skills needed for data handling, data and results validation, and laboratory quality assurance.

Objectives

Students will demonstrate:
1. Critical thinking and analytical skills in the laboratory context.
2. Knowledge and skills applicable to Clinical Biochemistry
3. Professional, local and global knowledge in the medical laboratory science context
4. Knowledge of appropriate Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) systems in laboratory practice
5. Appropriate scientific writing in written communication including laboratory and project reports

Content

The content of this unit includes:
· The theoretical and practical aspects of major chemical analysis systems
· Good laboratory practice
· Results and method evaluation and validation, Quality Assurance (QA), Internal Quality Control (IQC) and External Quality Assurance (EQA)
· Mathematical curve fitting and graphical analysis
· Professional issues

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit engages students in theory-to-practice learning experiences, a constructivist approach and elements of problem solving to formulate responses to laboratory contexts. The learning experience involves 5 hours contact time per week over 13 weeks, incorporating a 2 hour lecture/lectorial to cover the theoretical aspects of the unit; a 2 hour practical session entailing individual work in analytical techniques; and a 1 hour tutorial linking lectures and practicals, and providing demonstrations and assistance with calculations and data handling and interpretations.. Together these approaches aim to cultivate the ability to critically interpret data and results, to troubleshoot errors, and a commitment to high quality laboratory results. The LSB425 Blackboard site is used to provide resource material and regular unit updates.

Assessment

General Assessment Information

Both the practical and theory components of LSB425 are assessed:
· The practical component comprises progressive formative and summative assessment in the form of reports, review exercises and a practical test
· Apart from being an intrinsic part of the practical assessment, the theory component is assessed in an end-of-semester summative examination.

Due to the applied clinical laboratory nature of this unit (and for LS37 a requirement of professional course accreditation), you must obtain 50% or more in both the practical and theory components and at least 50% overall for successful completion of this unit.

Practical Class Attendance and Assessment

Participation in the practical classes is an integral part of your learning experience in LSB425. If you are unable to attend a practical session, you should inform the unit coordinator by email and provide supporting documentation for your absence the following week at the start of practical class, e.g. medical certificate. In the case of unapproved absence from practicals, no marks will be given for related assessment.

Late Submission and Requests for Extensions

Assessment tasks will not be accepted if they are more than one working week late (five days) or the material has been subsequently reviewed in class. For assessment tasks submitted late where an extension has not been sought and approved, 20% from the total mark available will be subtracted for each day or part day of lateness until five working days have passed. A mark of zero and did not complete will then be recorded as your final result. If you need an extension it must be requested before the due date by emailing the unit coordinator, with supporting documentation attached, outlining why you need an extension and how long you are seeking. Requests for extensions received after the due date without appropriate supporting evidence will not be approved.Formal feedback to students is provided through assessed reports and a practical test as well as in the tutorial program and via the Blackboard site. Informal feedback is provided weekly in practical classes and in student discussion sessions.

Supplementary Practical Assessment
There is no provision for supplementary practical assessment

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: (a) Practical exercises completed and reported weekly and marked progressively according to set criteria - (weekly) (30%)
(b) Practical Test: Short answer test of calculations and a data handling and validation exercise (mid semester) (10%)
(formative and summative).
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: See Blackboard site

Assessment name: Project
Description: Quality Control (QC) project on QC data collected in practical classes over a period of 7 weeks - results are collated and assessed for precision and accuracy, test results validation, consensus with peer group and implications for laboratory practice. Assessed weekly and finalised at the end of Semester. (formative and summative). The final report due at the end of semester is worth 25% and participation and contribution in other project activities is worth 10%
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Weight: 35%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: See Blackboard site

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: Written examination covering the theoretical aspects of the unit (summative)
Relates to objectives: 2 and 3
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Recommended References
1. Kaplan LA & Pesce AJ (2010) Clinical Chemistry: Theory, Analysis, Correlation, Mosby: Elsevier
2. Burtis CA, Ashwood ER & Bruns DE (2008) Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry, Saunders; Elsevier
3. Westgard JO (2010) Basic QC Practices 3rd Edition, Westgard QC
4. Westgard JO (2008) Basic Method Validation 3rd Edition, Westgard QC
5. Moorthy K (2008) Fundamentals of Biochemical Calculations 2nd Edition, CRC Press


Personal Protective Equipment
Laboratory coat - 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix (65% polyester is max. allowable) and Safety eye protection glasses - selected and used in accordance with AS1336, AS1337 and AS 1338

Risk assessment statement

This unit includes a laboratory component, and you are obliged to comply with health and safety regulations. You will be given access to a QUT laboratory health and safety manual through QUT Virtual and will be expected to adhere to the safety procedures detailed in it. You are required to read this manual and answer the short health and safety quiz based on its content before commencing your laboratory classes. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline.

If you have an underlying health condition, you are advised to inform the unit coordinator so that additional precautions can be taken if necessary.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 08-Oct-2012