BIOB1400 Hematology Course description

Haematology is the study of blood and blood disorders and constitutes a core component of the biomedical laboratory scientist’s professional competence. The course provides an introduction to basic haematology and haemostasis, with particular emphasis on the development, function, and morphology of blood cells. Students will gain insight into the most common blood disorders and coagulation abnormalities and learn how these affect the body’s physiology and laboratory parameters.

The course further includes practical and theoretical knowledge of methods for analysing haematological and coagulation-related samples. Emphasis is placed on understanding analytical principles, sources of error, interferences, and quality assurance. Through this, students build a solid foundation for performing, interpreting, and evaluating haematological analyses in accordance with requirements for accuracy, patient safety, and professional accountability.

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, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of the normal development, function, and morphology of blood cells
• can explain the mechanisms of haemostasis
• can account for some common blood disorders and coagulation abnormalities
• can describe selected pathological cells and conditions in blood smears and explain how these findings relate to results from haematology instruments
• can explain the principles underlying different methods used to measure selected haematological and coagulation analyses, such as fluorescence flow cytometry, electrical impedance, immunophenotyping, blood cell counting and differentiation, and clot detection
• has knowledge of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical sources of error and interferences, and how these may affect analytical results
• can explain how haematological and coagulation analyses contribute to the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients, and assess analytical results in light of clinical problem statements

Skills

The student

• can perform selected haematological and coagulation analyses in accordance with current procedures
• can perform start-up, daily maintenance and quality control of hematology and coagulation instruments
• can identify and characterise normal and certain pathological cells/conditions in the blood by means of manual and digital morphology
• can assess and assure the quality of sample materials and test results
• can assess and interpret scattergrams (plots) from automatic cell counters
• can interpret test results in conjunction with other parameters

General competence

The student

• can make plans for and carry out own laboratory work by using relevant documents such as procedures, product information and method applications

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

• Hematology and morphology 8 credits
• Hemostasis 2 credits

Work and teaching methods used are lectures, flipped classroom, group work, and laboratory work individually and in groups.

Digital learning resources are made available for students before the laboratory sessions. The time in the laboratory is therefore generally not used to demonstrate how to solve the assignments. Digital learning resources are also used in the form of practical assignments in digital morphology.

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
• laboratory exercises in accordance with specified criteria

Supervised individual written exam, 3 hours.

No aids are permitted.

Grade scale A-F

All answers are assessed by two examiners. An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum for every third ordinary examination. If selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 10 answers. The external examiner’s assessment shall form the basis for the assessment of the remaining answers.

7 credits overlap with the course BIO1400 Hematology and Immunology