Course Title: Clinical Biochemistry 3

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Clinical Biochemistry 3

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BIOL2140

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010

BIOL2141

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010

Course Coordinator: Dr Peter Roche

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7078

Course Coordinator Email: peter.roche@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 223.2.17


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

BIOL2138/2139


Course Description

This course is designed to prepare graduates for a career in clinical biochemistry or to pursue postgraduate research in the discipline. The syllabus is covered in a program of lectures, tutorials, seminars and practical exercises. The subject matter covered in this second semester course is designed to cover the the more complex issues and less common tests performed in a modern clinical biochemistry laboratory. Students wishing to study the more frequently performed analyses should consult the Course Guide for BIOL2138/BIOL2139 for more details.

Case studies are used extensively to highlight and explain the biochemical disorders underlying clinical diseases. The practical program emphasises problem solving to provide students with a high level of competency in the the testing and investigating of pathology. Throughout the subject students will be trained to demonstrate a responsible and mature attitude to their work, consistent with working with patient samples in a clinical environment.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Having completed this course it is expected that you will be able to demonstrate the following capabilities:

  • Understand the role of clinical biochemistry in clinical diagnosis
  • Be proficient in the interpretation of results of routine and more complex clinical biochemistry investigations
  • Describe the methodology, instrumentation and clinical relevance of more complex clinical biochemistry tests
  • Explain the biochemistry and pathophysiology associated with these tests
  • Identify the principals of the analytical instruments in use in the clinical laboratory
  • Discuss the importance of quality control and assurance to diagnostic work
  • Evaluate new instruments, methods and diagnostic kits
  • Be able to extract and present relevant information from the literature in Clinical Biochemistry


Having studied this subject, the student should be able to:

  • Show problem-solving skills relevant to the practice of clinical biochemistry
  • Explain organisational issues to ensure efficient laboratory operation that satisfies current accreditation requirements
  • Demonstrate achievement of the level of proficiency required for employment in a medical laboratory
  • Review moral and ethical issues concerned with the practice of pathology
  • Illustrate the integration of knowledge acquired in all disciplines of laboratory medicine.


Overview of Learning Activities

The pathophysiology of diseases and the analytical challenges these present will be outlined and discussed in lectures, seminars and tutorials. Case studies will be used to illustrate these concepts, with discussion of their interpretation encouraged in tutorials and online forums.

Specialist guest lecturers provide students with exposure to the most up to date information and current practice in clinical biochemistry.


Overview of Learning Resources

Throughout the semester the learning activities are modularised into weekly themes with complementary activities to approach the topic.

  • Copies of lecture slides will be provided on the DLS
  • Audio recordings of lectures will enable review of topics at convenient times
  • URLs and articles of interest will be made available through the DLS
  • Self-assessment quizzes will be available on a regular basis


Overview of Assessment

The assessment in this course is based on performance in examinations and assignments together with submission of practical reports.