Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

This unit is in the course to provide you with essential knowledge and practical skills to prepare you to work as a medical laboratory scientist. The unit is positioned in the developmental phase of the course and is preceded by LSB425, the study of quantitative medical science and is followed by LSB625 Diagnostic Endocrinology. The sequencing and content of these units will prepare you for work in both smaller multi-disciplinary laboratories performing a limited number of biochemical tests, as well as larger specialised laboratory performing in-depth studies in all aspects of chemical pathology.

Aims

The aim of this unit is develop your proficiency in the interpretation of results associated with routine biochemical investigations and understand the role of chemical pathology in clinical diagnosis. You will also develop your practical and problem-solving skills relevant to the practice of chemical pathology.

Objectives

At the end of this unit you will demonstrate:
1. Higher order thinking to analyse and problem-solve in chemical pathology including the principle and rationale of various analytes that are estimated, and the pre-analytical factors that may impact result integrity.
2. A substantive knowledge and skills base for understanding clinical tests associated with various pathologies and the reasons for the broad measurement of analytes.
3. Professional and ethical behaviours and knowledge appropriate for the pathology industry.
4. Appropriate scientific writing and vocabulary for the workplace.

Content

This unit introduces the study of chemical aspects of human life in health and illness, and discusses the application of chemical laboratory methods to diagnosis, control of treatment and prevention of disease.

In this unit you will focus on:
· Electrolytes
· Acid-base balance
· Renal function
· Lipids, lipoproteins and assessment of cardiovascular risk
· Proteins in disease
· Renal function
· Trace elements
· Liver function
· Markers of cardiac damage

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

As this course is vocationally directed, this unit will scaffold your learning by closely integrating theory with practical exercises relevant to real world clinical laboratory practice. Strategies to assist with your learning will involve a combination of some or all of the following: (i) fostering of independent learning to assist your transition to clinical laboratory workplaces by developing your information literacy skills by locating, accessing, evaluating and using resources such as journals, books, websites, interactive computer software programs, online quizzes and providing weekly self-directed tutorials, and (ii) developing your practical skills in an authentic laboratory context that mirrors ¿real life¿ practices, including actual clinical case studies explored under the guidance of professionals from clinical practice, and (iii) modelling appropriate professional practice and behaviours by using past students/graduates/practicing medical scientists as peer mentors to assist you in developing your diagnostic skills.

The organisation of the unit is to consist of a 2 hour lecture, 1 hour tutorial and a 2 hour practical session per week. You will be encouraged to learn both independently and interdependently as part of an integrated generic skills approach. The practical sessions will allow you to apply your learning by performing estimations of various analytes using colorimetry, spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, chromatography and immunoassay. These practical classes are integrated with the lectures by relevant questions, involving ¿real-life¿ case studies, which you will solve in your practical reports. These corrected reports, along with the practical examinations, will provide ongoing feedback of your performance throughout the Semester in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the unit.

Assessment

General Assessment Information
Due to the applied clinical laboratory nature of this unit and the requirements of professional course accreditation you must obtain greater than or equal to 50% in both the practical and theory assessment tasks 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 Chemical Pathology. If you are unable to attend a practical session, you should inform the unit coordinator by email and must 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.Throughout the semester your weekly practical reports will be reviewed, assessed and feedback given to highlight key areas where you need to focus your attention. Sample exam questions, both for theory and practical components of the unit, will be provided for students to work on throughout the semester to enhance their understanding and learning of key concepts and principles and as preparation for summative examinations, Case scenario problem-solving will play a key role in formative assessment strategies. Tutorials will provide the opportunity for feedback and critical discussion of lecture and practical class material and promote broader understanding and to foster deep-learning skills. Laboratory class group or one-on-one discussions with demonstrators allow students to gain immediate and continuous feedback on their progress.

1. Formative feedback will be provided to you weekly via discussions/answers to questions presented in the laboratory sessions. Feedback may also be presented online in the form of tasks and quizzes.

2. Summative feedback will be provided following assessment of your weekly practical reports and practical examinations.

Feedback to students
Both during and at the end of the Semester you will be provided with the opportunity to give your feedback on both the teaching and content of this unit, e.g. REFRAME and class discussion/feedback sessions. Feedback and suggestions will be used to make modifications to the unit where possible to improve the learning outcomes for you and future students.

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: A series of practical activities (quizzes, reports) are to be completed and marked progressively according to set criteria. (Formative).
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Weight: 35%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weekly

Assessment name: Method Evaluation
Description: Method evaluation based on data collected during practical classes. Results are collated and assessed according to set criteria to determine the assay's suitability and fitness for purpose. (Summative)
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Weight: 35%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 13

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: A three hour written examination covering the theoretical aspects of the unit (summative)
Relates to objectives: 2, 3 and 4.
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

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

1. Burtis CA, Ashwood ER & Bruns DE (2011) Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, 5th edition, Elsevier Saunders

OR

2. Burtis CA, Ashwood ER & Bruns DE (2008) Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry, 6th edition, WB Saunders Co

OR

3. Kaplan LA & Pesce AJ (2010) Clinical Chemistry, 5th edition, Mosby

AND/OR

4. Kellerman G (2011) Abnormal Laboratory Results, McGraw Hill

Risk assessment statement

This unit includes a laboratory component. 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. You will be provided with the latest edition of a comprehensive safety booklet pertinent to life sciences laboratories and specifically to this unit, and you will be required to adhere to the safety procedures detailed in it. You are referred to the university's health and safety web site http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/index.jsp for further information.

If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the unit coordinator, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.

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: 15-Feb-2013