Semester 1, 2023 External | |
Units : | 1 |
School or Department : | School of Health and Medical Sciences |
Grading basis : | Graded |
Course fee schedule : | /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules |
Staffing
Course Coordinator:
Requisites
Pre-requisite: BIO1103 and CHE2120
Overview
Medical laboratory scientists working in clinical biochemistry laboratories interact with clinicians and other healthcare professionals to generate and interpret data from the biochemical analysis of clinical specimens. These investigations assist in determining the metabolic status of patients, the diagnosis of a wide range of diseases and the monitoring of the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. This course, will provide students with the theoretical knowledge that underpins biochemical assays and the interpretation of biochemical data.
This course will prepare students for a Pathology Clinical Placement in the biochemistry department of a clinical pathology laboratory.
This course builds on the foundational knowledge acquired in the clinical biochemistry module of BIO1103 Pathology Studies with a more in-depth study of human biochemistry in health and disease. Clinical Biochemistry 1 explores the physiology and pathophysiology of major human organ systems and the metabolism of important macro and micronutrients. This course also provides an overview of the major homeostatic mechanisms in the human body and explores the pathophysiology and associated laboratory investigation of homeostatic disturbances. The effect of pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical factors on biochemical data, the establishment and use of reference ranges and the nature and importance of quality control and quality assurance procedures are also investigated. This course also provides an overview of the analytical instrumentation and analytical methods used in clinical biochemistry laboratories and investigates the work health and safety issues associated with working in a clinical biochemistry laboratory.
Clinical Biochemistry 1 will provide a solid background in the discipline to prepare students to undertake more advanced studies in this discipline 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. As part of the 精东传媒app's accreditation agreement with the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS), students are required to attempt and submit all assessment items in this course. Students are also required to attend the mandatory residential school and obtain at least 50% of the marks allocated to the practical/laboratory skills assessment in this course.
Course learning outcomes
On completion of this course students will be able to:
- outline the role of the clinical biochemistry laboratory in the screening, diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of disease states;
- explain the effects of pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical factors on biochemical data and outline the establishment and use of reference ranges, diagnostic cut-offs, critical limits and action limits;
- describe the various analytical techniques and analytical instrumentation used in clinical biochemistry and analyse and interpret the clinical significance of the data generated;
- describe the pathophysiology of a range of disease states and relate this to measurable alterations in the composition of body fluids and associated changes in biochemical parameters.
- demonstrate a high level of academic, scientific and professional literacy;
- employ safe work practices;
- evaluate quality control and quality assurance data and apply a methodical problem solving approach to quality control failures.
Topics
Description | Weighting(%) | |
---|---|---|
1. | Overview of clinical biochemistry | 16.00 |
2. | Digestion, nutrition and nutritional disorders | 24.00 |
3. | Control of fluid and electrolyte balance and associated disorders | 12.00 |
4. | Calcium metabolism and disorders of calcium metabolism | 12.00 |
5. | Carbohydrate metabolism and disorders of carbohydrate metabolism | 8.00 |
6. | Lipids digestion, transport and metabolism | 8.00 |
7. | Plasma proteins | 8.00 |
8. | Acid-base homeostasis and disorders of acid-base balance | 12.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
Student workload expectations
To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.
Assessment details
Description | Group Assessment |
Weighting (%) |
---|---|---|
Quiz | No | 20 |
Report | No | 20 |
Essay | No | 20 |
Invigilated examination | No | 40 |