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

Synopsis
Endocrinology is a specialised area of study in clinical chemistry and investigates pathologies associated with the hormonal control mechanisms that regulate metabolism and growth within the body. It is a third year unit that builds on the theoretical aspects of biochemistry in LSB325, the study of biochemistry, the practical skills developed in LSB425, the study of quantitative medical science, and the theoretical and practical elements of LSB525, the study of chemical pathology.

Rationale
Endocrinology is a specialised area of study in clinical biochemistry and investigates pathologies associated with the hormonal control mechanisms that regulate metabolism and growth within the body. This unit is in the course to provide you with essential scientific and technical 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 LSB525, the study of chemical pathology. Combined, these units prepare you for employment in both smaller multi-disciplinary laboratories performing a limited number of biochemical tests, as well as larger specialised laboratory performing in-depth studies of all aspects of chemical pathology and endocrinology.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to prepare you to be proficient in the interpretation of results associated with endocrine investigations, and understand the role of laboratory-based investigations of endocrine function in clinical diagnosis. You will also develop your practical and problem-solving skills in learning exercises/activities relevant to the practice of diagnostic endocrinology.

Objectives

At the end of this unit you will demonstrate evidence of;
1. Higher order thinking capacity to analyse and problem-solve in diagnostic endocrinology including the principle and rationale of various analytes that are estimated, the pre-analytical factors that may impact result integrity and requirements of specialised dynamic function testing.
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, including collaboration and contribution in a group learning environment, and knowledge appropriate for the pathology industry.
The ability to communicate your knowledge and learning in spoken, written and digital format appropriate for medical laboratory scientists for a range of purposes and audiences, including international and intercultural communication contexts.

Content

This unit further develops on 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:
· Adrenal function
· Thyroid function
· Growth
· Gonadal function
· Fertility
· Pregnancy
· Bone metabolism
· Gastric, pancreatic and intestinal function
· Tumour markers

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

As this course is vocationally directed, you will have opportunities to apply knowledge and skills learned through a case studies approach as they are in the workplace. The organisation of the unit is to consist of a 2 hour lecture and 1 hour tutorial for all 13 weeks and a 2 hour practical session per week for 10 weeks.

The practical sessions, will involve the estimations of various analytes using colorimetry, spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, chromatography and immunoassay. These practical classes are integrated with the lectures by relevant questions, involving a ¿real life¿ case study, and which are answered by you in the practical reports. These corrected reports, along with the practical examinations, will provide ongoing feedback to you in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the unit.

This unit is taught in a way that encourages you to acquire and develop the graduate capabilities highly valued in medical laboratory scientists by employers. These include discipline specific knowledge and practical skills, the ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve, effective written and oral communication skills; as well as the ability to work independently or as part of a team in an ethical, culturally sensitive and professional manner. As a result, your learning activities and assessment tasks will be focused on developing and demonstrating these skills and capabilities.

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. In addition to submitting hard copies of your assessment you are required to electronically submit all written assignments for content matching checks

Practical Class Attendance and Assessment
Participation in the practical classes is an integral part of your learning experience in Diagnostic Endocrinology. 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.You will be provided with feedback on your learning and progress via your corrected practical reports along with the practical examinations, and by participating in learning activities with your classmates and teaching staff.

During, and at the end of Semester you will have the opportunity to share your experiences and thoughts by providing your feedback on the teaching and content of this unit. Your ideas feedback and suggestions may be used to make changes to the unit (e.g. classroom activities, practicals or assessment) where appropriate to improve the learning outcomes for you and future students

Assessment name: Laboratory / Practical
Description: 9 Practical exercises are to be completed, reported and marked progressively according to set criteria. As well as assessing the exercises, a laboratory performance and participation mark will be allocated on a weekly basis. (Formative and summative).
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: Oral Presentation
Description: Students will works in groups to prepare and then give an Oral case study presentation on a topic relevant to diagnostic endocrine laboratories. (Summative)
Relates to objectives: 2, 3 and 4
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Weeks 12 & 13

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. Gardner DG & Shoback D (2011) Greenspan's Basic and Clinical Endocrinology, 9th Edition, McGraw-Hill

AND

2.Burtis CA, Ashwood ER & Bruns DE (2006) Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, 4th edition, Elsevier Saunders

OR

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

OR

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

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 for further information.

If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the lecturer in charge of the unit, 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: 09-Oct-2012