BIOB1210 Anatomy and Physiology Course description

The course covers basic knowledge about anatomy, physiology and histology. Key aspects are knowledge about and understanding of the connection between the structure and function of different tissues and organs and the most important mechanisms for regulating biological functions. Basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology and histology is a prerequisite for understanding disease and how it can affect analysis results. The course includes a two days’ external practical training at an outpatient clinic, where students will draw blood samples from patients.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

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

Knowledge 

The student 

• can describe how cells, tissues, organs and organ systems are built up and function
• has knowledge of human anatomy and physiology key to biomedical laboratory work
• has knowledge of the connection between the cells and tissues’ structure and function
• has knowledge of the cells’ structure and function in relation to biomedical analysis
• can explain various blood sampling technique and is familiar with pre-analytical conditions that are essential for obtaining a correct analysis result
• is familiar with basic medical terminology 
• can explain the main characteristics of the immune system and the different functions of immune cells
• is familiar with the relevant procedures for collection of blood samples from adults and children

Skills 

The student

• can recognise and describe cells and tissues from different tissue and organs by microscopic examination
• can master capillary and venous blood sample collection of adults under supervision and according to the applicable procedure

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

Work and teaching methods include lectures, seminars, assignments and laboratory work. Students take two days’ practical training at an outpatient clinic, including blood sample collection from patients. After practical training at the clinic, the students will present posters in groups. The posters are used for presenting relevant topics from practical training, such as the meeting with patients and preanalytical conditions.

Parts of the teaching used is the ‘flipped classroom’, where digital learning resources will be made available to students in advance. Digital learning resources include video lectures, digital tests and practical exercises. 

In order to be permitted to take the exam, the following must have been approved: 

• a minimum of 90 per cent attendance in laboratory teaching
• a minimum of 90 per cent attendance in external practical training in an outpatient clinic
• digital poster presentation in a group

Supervised individual written multiple choice exam, 3 hours

No aids are permitted.

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, with the exception of the course BIOB1060

or

• Admitted to the Complementary Education in Biomedical Laboratory Science

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