Course specification for BIO2108

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BIO2108 Haematology 1

Semester 1, 2020 On-campus Toowoomba
Short Description: Haematology 1
Units : 1
Faculty or Section : Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences
School or Department : School of Health and Wellbeing
Student contribution band : Band 2
ASCED code : 060113 - Pathology
Grading basis : Graded

Staffing

Examiner:

Requisites

Pre-requisite: BIO1103 and BIO1104

Rationale

This course is designed to build on the foundational knowledge and understanding gained in the Haematology module of BIO1103 Pathology Studies. Haematology 1 is designed to expand the student's understanding of the human haematological system in health and disease and enable the student to recognise morphological changes in blood cells and relate these changes to specific haematological disorders. This course will also introduce students to the routine and specialised laboratory tests used in the assessment of haemopoiesis and haemostasis in the clinical haematology laboratory and enable them to interpret the results of these tests.
This course will prepare students for a Pathology Clinical Placement in the haematology department of a clinical pathology laboratory.

Synopsis

This course builds on the foundational knowledge acquired in the haematology module of BIO1103 Pathology Studies with a more in-depth study of normal haemopoiesis and haemostasis, qualitative and quantitative blood cell disorders, haemorrhagic and thrombotic disorders and haematological malignancies. Haematology 1 will also introduce the student to the use of specialised laboratory techniques including flow cytometry, cytochemistry, cytogenetics and molecular techniques in the diagnosis and monitoring of haematological disorders.

The residential school component of the course will enable the student to practice the specialised laboratory skills required by scientists and technicians working in a clinical haematology laboratory including the interpretation of full blood counts and coagulation profiles and the microscopic assessment of blood film morphology.

Haematology 1 will provide a solid background in the discipline to prepare students to undertake further advanced studies in BIO3107 Haematology 2 or to commence work in either a diagnostic or research setting.

This course contains a mandatory residential school for both external and on-campus students.

Objectives

On completion of this course students should be able to:

  1. outline the process of haemopoiesis, describe the morphology and function of the various cellular components of blood, and explain the association between specific physiological and pathological processes and changes in the morphology and function of blood cells;
  2. describe the vascular, cellular and molecular components of the haemostatic response, outline the pathogenesis of common haemorrhagic and thrombotic disorders and interpret the results of routine tests used in the investigation of inherited and acquired disorders of haemostasis;
  3. illustrate development of specialised skills required by medical laboratory scientists working in a diagnostic haematology laboratory
  4. investigate relevant literature and prepare reports on aspects of theoretical, diagnostic and therapeutic Haematology;
  5. demonstrate safe laboratory practices and a clear understanding of the ethical and professional responsibilities associated with working in a diagnostic haematology laboratory.

Topics

Description Weighting(%)
1. An overview of the normal human haematological system 20.00
2. Haemostasis 16.00
3. The haematological system in disease: pathophysiology, diagnostics and therapeutics 20.00
4. Theory and interpretation of haematological diagnostic tests 24.00
5. Case studies in haematology 16.00
6. Safety in the clinical haematology laboratory 4.00

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2020&sem=01&subject1=BIO2108)

Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)

Rodak, B, Fritsma, G and Keohane, E 2020, Rodak's Hematology: clinical principles & applications, 6th edn, Elsevier, Saunders, St Louis.
Rodak, BF & Carr JH 2015, Clinical hematology atlas, 5th edn, Elsevier, Saunders, St Louis.
(Ebook.)

Reference materials

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.
Buja, ML & Krueger, GRF 2014, Netter's illustrated pathology, 2nd edn, Saunders Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA.
Howard, MR & Hamilton, PJ 2013, Haematology, 4th edn, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, New York.

Student workload expectations

Activity Hours
Assessments 20.00
Online Lectures 26.00
Private ¾«¶«´«Ã½app 90.00
Residential Schools 16.00
Tutorials 13.00

Assessment details

Description Marks out of Wtg (%) Due Date Notes
Assignment 1 20 20 27 Apr 2020 (see note 1)
Laboratory report 20 20 25 May 2020 (see note 2)
Online Exam 60 60 End S1 (see note 3)

Notes
  1. Examiner to advise assignment details.
  2. The dates and location of the mandatory residential school are available from the Residential School Timetable (http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/current/resschoolsched.html). On-campus students can follow the Class Timetables (https://www.usq.edu.au/current-students/organise-enrolment/timetables/class) as a guide or enrolled students can refer to their student portal and navigate to Student Centre>Self Service>Timetables>My Weekly Schedule.
  3. This will be an open examination. Students will be provided further instruction regarding the exam by their course examiner via ¾«¶«´«Ã½appDesk. The examination date will be available via Uconnect when the official examination timetable has been released.

Important assessment information

  1. Attendance requirements:
    Both external and on-campus students must attend the mandatory residential school. It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
    Student (external and on-campus) attendance at the residential school is mandatory (non-attendance will mean the student cannot pass the course). The residential school delivers the practical component for the semester, students must attend and actively participate in the laboratory sessions in the course and maintain a satisfactory record of practical work.

  2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item.

    Requirements after S1 2020:
    To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course).

  3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
    Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4).

  4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.

    Requirements after S1 2020:
    To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must obtain at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course (i.e. the Primary Hurdle), must have satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), (i.e. the end of semester examination Part A and Part B) by achieving at least 40% of the marks available for that assessment item, and must have satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Proficiency), (i.e. the laboratory report) by achieving at least 50% of the marks available for that assessment item.

  5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
    The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.

  6. Examination information:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: An Open Examination is one in which candidates may have access to any printed or written material and a calculator during the examination.

    Requirements after S1 2020:
    In a Closed Examination, candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination.

  7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: The details regarding deferred/supplementary examinations will be communicated at a later date.

    Requirements after S1 2020:
    Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.

  8. ¾«¶«´«Ã½app Student Policies:
    Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene ¾«¶«´«Ã½app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .

Assessment notes

  1. Harvard (AGPS) is the referencing system required in this course. Students should use Harvard (AGPS) style in their assignments to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (AGPS) style to be used is defined by the USQ Library's referencing guide.

  2. The dates and location of the highly recommended residential school are available from the Residential School Timetable (. On-campus students can follow the Class Timetables ( as a guide or enrolled students can refer to their student portal and navigate to Student Centre>Self Service>Timetables>My Weekly Schedule.

  3. Students should be aware that the originality of any submitted assignment will be checked by the USQ service, "Turnitin". An originality index must be generated and will be checked - an acceptable Turnitin similarity index is <15%.

Date printed 19 June 2020