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,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021

Course Coordinator: Dr Dan Dias

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7071

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

Course Coordinator Location: 201.09.014C


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 (face-to-face and/or online) throughout the semester. Throughout the course you will gain an immersive laboratory experience covering biochemistry and molecular biology concepts and learn current, relevant state-of-the-art bioanalytical techniques which are routinely used in the clinical environment and in 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

  • PLO 1. 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.
  • PLO 2. 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

  • PLO 1. 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.
  • PLO 2. 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. Explain and apply the fundamental principles of biochemistry and molecular biology concepts with a focus on DNA Technologies, Hormones and Biosignalling, Metabolism, Metabolomics and Clinical Biochemistry.
  2. Prepare and analyse biological material and perform a series of practical biochemical investigations.
  3. Problem solve, validate, apply and interpret results from biochemical investigations.
  4. Interpret the relevant scientific literature and provide a synthesis of the information.


Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities of the course take place in the form of online lectures (screen-casts); laboratory-based practical classes (face-to-face and/or online) and tutorial sessions (practical and topic based, online). The theory and practical components of the course are integrated throughout the teaching of the course. The practical component is designed to develop a high level of competency in the performance of a wide range of laboratory techniques which will be used to solve practical-based scenarios.

Assessment activities are conducted as both formative and summative assessments. Formative as well as summative assessment occurs throughout the laboratory practicals and online classes during the course. Self-directed learning activities prior to tutorials; interactive on-line quizzes and solving practical-based scenarios, will scaffold students interpretative and understanding of biochemical concepts and manipulation of biochemical data. Students will be able to access resources (eg. lecture notes and recorded lectures (screen-casts) and supplementary information) through RMIT’s online Learning Management System (LMS) which is the central forum used to communicate announcements and discuss questions with academics, demonstrators and peers.


Overview of Learning Resources

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


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: In-semester Assessment

Weighting 20%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 2: Applied Theory Assessment

Weighting 20%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 3: Applied Practical Assessment

Weighting 10%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 4: Final Competency Assessment

Weighting 50%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4