BIOBPRA1 Medical Biochemistry Practice Course description

The course deals with the professional role and practice of biomedical laboratory scientists, with a focus on pre- and post-analytical conditions, analysis instruments, control procedures, technology and automation systems, methods and analysis processes.

In medical biochemistry laboratories, it is the biomedical laboratory scientist’s responsibility to analyse biological material using advanced analysis instruments and assess the analytical quality of the test results. During practical training, emphasis is placed on introducing the students to procedures and quality assurance processes, and on the students acquiring an understanding of how analysis results contribute to the treatment of the patient. During the practical training, students will collect blood samples from patients and develop the ability to cooperate under supervision by experienced biomedical laboratory scientists with relevant skills and knowledge.

• Passed first year or equivalent of the Bachelor’s Programme in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, or 
• Admitted to the Complementary Education in Biomedical Laboratory Science 

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence: 

Knowledge 

The student 

• can describe the methods and analysis principles used on the practical training institutions for instance hematology, coagulation and clinical chemical instruments
• can describe the measurement principles of the analysis instruments used at the practical training institution
• can describe significant factors that can affect measurements and analysis results in patient samples
• can describe sources of error relating to the methods used at the practical training institution
• can describe quality assurance in the practical training institution and explain how and why quality controls are used in analytical work in medical biochemistry
• can explain how laboratories can contribute to the patient treatment
• is familiar with the laboratory information systems (LIS), middleware solutions and management systems for analysis instruments at the practical training institution

Skills 

The student

• can comply with the laboratory’s daily routines and analysis procedures
• can participate in analysis work at the practical training institution
• can assess the suitability of sample material
• can assess the reliability of analysis results based on biochemical, methodological and technical knowledge
• can use and maintain a selection of analytical automated devices used at the practical training institution
• can safeguard the patient in the situation surrounding sample taking

General competence

The student

• can take responsibility and demonstrate initiative and independence in the work situation
• can cooperate with fellow students and patients regardless of their ethnic, religious and cultural background

The course consists of the following subject areas, specified below as the number of credits:

• External practical training at a laboratory, 10 credits

Work and teaching methods comprise a seven week long supervised external practical training period in a laboratory for medical biochemistry.

No particular coursework requirements.

Note that there is an attendance requirement for practical training. For more information about the attendance requirement for practical training, see ‘Assessment of external practical training’ in the main section of the programme description.

Combined assessment:

Part 1) Assessment of practical training. The minimum attendance requirement for the practical training period is 90%. For more information about the attendance requirement in practical training, see ‘Assessment of external practical training’ in the main section of the programme description.

Part 2) Individual written home exam, 2,000 words (+/- 20%). The assignment is handed out at the start of the course and must be submitted after the end of the practical training period.

Both part 1 and 2 must be approved to pass the course. 

New assessment/exam. If the student fails part 1 (practical training period), he/she must normally retake the whole practical training period. If the student fails part 2, the home exam, he/she will be given one (1) opportunity to submit a reworked version.

Students can appeal the grade awarded for part 2, the home exam.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Pass/fail

Part 1) The midway assessment is made by the practical training supervisor and the contact lecturer at the university. The final assessment is made by the practical training supervisor. The final decision on whether to award a pass or fail grade is made by the university.

Part 2) Written exam is assessed by two internal examiners. An external examiner contributes to the preparation of the question papers and assessment criteria.

10 credits overlap with the course BIOPRA1 Medical Biochemistry Practice