Course Title: Clinical Biochemistry 1

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Clinical Biochemistry 1

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ONPS2340

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016

ONPS2340

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018

Course Coordinator: Dr Daniel Dias

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7071

Course Coordinator Email: daniel.dias@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 201.09.014C

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment and via email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.


Course Description

Clinical Biochemistry 1 is an elective subject for Master of Laboratory Medicine (MC158) and Master of Biotechnology (MC111).This subject is designed to extend your theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolomics, the latter which is an emerging multidisciplinary science, combining aspects of biology, analytical chemistry, experimental design and data interpretation.The theory you will learn throughout the course will be intertwined and applied into a series of intensive laboratory practicals throughout the semester.Through the course you will gain an immersive laboratory experience covering concepts of experimental design, sample preparation and learning about current, state-of-the-art analytical techniques and platforms which are routinely used in clinical practise and research. You will develop the required employable attributes to either undertake professional practice or potential research endeavours.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for:

MC158 Master of Laboratory Medicine

  • PLO1. Knowledge capability: Have a comprehensive understanding of key scientific principles underpinning laboratory medicine and have developed a systemic knowledge of core cellular and molecular processes underlying health and disease. Have advanced knowledge of two core clinical speciality disciplines of laboratory medicine and advanced management skills.
  • PLO2. Technical capability: Ability to develop and perform a range of diagnostic techniques relevant to the field of laboratory medicine. To use logical and systemic thinking and high level critical analysis skills to solve problems by utilising diagnostic techniques and methodologies in the chosen areas of clinical laboratory specialisation.

MC111 Master of Biotechnology

  • PLO1. Understanding science: You will demonstrate an advanced understanding of biological sciences by articulating the methods of science, explaining why current biological knowledge is both contestable and testable through further inquiry, and explaining the role and relevance of biotechnology in society; You will have an understanding of recent developments in a specialised area of biotechnology; You will demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to biological sciences.
  • PLO2. Advanced skills to critically analyse and solve problems in biotechnology: You will demonstrate cognitive skills in mastery of advanced theoretical knowledge in biotechnology and apply this knowledge to solve complex problems in existing and new areas; You will generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level.


On successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Discuss key concepts in biochemistry and molecular biology (CLO 1)
  2. Apply the theoretical concepts in biochemistry and molecular biology with a focus on DNA Technologies, Hormones and Biosignaling, Metabolism, Metabolomics and Clinical Biochemistry (CLO 2)
  3. Prepare and analyse biological material and perform a series of practical biochemical investigations (CLO 3)
  4. Correlate, validate and interpret results of biochemical investigations (CLO 4)
  5. Interpret the relevant scientific literature and provide a synthesis of the information (CLO 5)


Overview of Learning Activities

Assessment activities are conducted as both formative and summative assessments. Formative as well as summative assessment occurs throughout the teaching in the laboratory classes of the course. Tutorials and self-directed learning activities;  Interactive, real-time quizzes at the end of selected lectures will provide continuous feedback to the student and lecturer regarding his/her understanding and level of performance in the interpretation of biochemical concepts and manipulation of biochemical data. Additionally, students will interpret scientific journal publications and answer in-depth questions based on lecture material through formative assessment. Students will be able to access resources (eg. Lecture notes and recorded lectures, supplementary data) through the RMIT’s online Learning Management System (LMS) which is the central forum used to communicate announcements and discuss questions with academics and peers.


Overview of Learning Resources

Students will be able to access resources (eg. Lecture notes and recorded lectures, supplementary data) through the RMIT’s online Learning Management System (LMS) which is the central forum used to communicate announcements and discuss questions with academics and peers.


Overview of Assessment

 

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment Tasks 

Assessment Task 1: Laboratory Practicals 

Weighting 30%

This assessment task supports CLOs 3 & 4

Assessment Task 2: Mid-Semester Test 1 (DNA Technologies, Hormones and Biosignaling)

Weighting 5%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 2

Assessment Task 3: Mid-Semester Test 2 (Metabolism)

Weighting 5%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 2

Assessment Task 4: Post-Lecture Questions (Topic Specific)

Weighting 5%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 5

Assessment Task 5: Research-based Questions (Topic Specific)

Weighting 5%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1& 5

Assessment Task 6: Final Examination

Weighting 50%

This assessment task supports 1, 2, 4 & 5