BIOB2100 Histopathology and Cytology Course description

The course deals with the practical application of laboratory analyses of cells and tissue related to pathological conditions. Basic knowledge of morphological analysis is necessary for a biomedical laboratory scientist to plan, perform, quality assure and assess biomedical analyses. The course emphasises relevant theory related to pre-analytical conditions, relevant analyses and micro-examination of cell and tissue specimens. It also covers a selection of histological and cytological methods used to diagnose cancer and other diseases, including immunological methods. Knowledge of cells and tissues and relevant methods of analysis is important in this part of the biomedical laboratory sciences field, where assessments are, in part, based on subjective criteria.

• 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

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 explain the principles of cell and tissue preparation for brightfield microscopy and digital pathology examination
• can explain relevant theory and the principles behind selected analyses, general staining theory, overview of staining and special staining techniques, and describe the application of method’s as well as its possibilities and limitations
• has knowledge of the use of antibodies as analysis tools and of different detection techniques
• can provide examples of key immunological methods and techniques used with biological fluids, cells and tissue
• is familiar with methods and applications in molecular pathology
• can explain the connection between analysis results, disease mechanisms and disease progression in cells and tissue
• can explain how relevant methods for detection of disease markers can provide solutions in relation to diagnosis and individually adapted treatment
• can define relevant quality concepts and describe how pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical conditions can impact analysis results in histology and cytology

Skills

The student

• can use relevant instruments and techniques under supervision
• can perform micro-examination of cell and tissue specimens with a certain degree of independence
• can describe morphology and recognise cytological images of cervix- and non-gynaecological preparations in normal, premalignant and malignant conditions
• can make plans for and use selected methods of analysis and assess their reliability
• can assess the quality of an analysis based on defined quality concepts related to the connection between key theoretical principles, execution and results

General competence

The student

• can show respect for the patient behind the sample material, and shows responsibility in the analysis work

Work and teaching methods include lectures, assignments (individually and in groups), peer assessment and laboratory work.

The teaching comprises laboratory work and microscopy. Relevant theory is linked to practice through lectures, learning questions and individual assignments and various forms of group assignments in addition to self-study. Problem-solving, reflection and cooperation is a pre-condition. Students give each other feedback on some of the written assignments. The student’s portfolio is an important learning tool in the course.

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

• a minimum of 90 per cent attendance in laboratory teaching
• a minimum of 80 per cent attendance in scheduled group work

Individual oral exam, up to 30 minutes.

Biomedical laboratory scientists often have day-to-day responsibility for the quality control of various medical analysis methods in the laboratory. Daily quality control contributes to ensuring that the sample results are of the expected quality. Furthermore, new analysis methods must often be developed and introduced in order to meet specific quality requirements. This means that the methods must be validated before they can be used, and the biomedical laboratory scientist must demonstrate that the methods work well enough to be implemented in practice. All this work requires fundamental knowledge of statistics and the ability to use this knowledge in connection with method validation and quality control in the laboratory.

An increasing number of laboratories are also subject to schemes that involve assessments and supervisory visits by external parties, for example the accreditation scheme administered by Norwegian Accreditation. It is therefore important that the biomedical laboratory scientist has a fundamental understanding of the principles and requirements described in international standards for quality assurance of hospital laboratories.

• 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 explain key concepts in basic statistics
• can describe the possibilities and limitations of different statistical methods and tests that are relevant for use in the laboratory
• can explain the most important elements of method validation
• can explain the most important elements of internal quality control in the laboratory
• can explain the principles and requirements related to the accreditation scheme

Skills 

The student

• can choose and apply appropriate parametric and non-parametric statistical tests on issues relevant to laboratory work
• can make assessments related to daily quality control in the laboratory
• can assess and plan which elements should form part of method validation work
• can use relevant IT tools for laboratory statistics issues

General competence

The student

• can choose and apply appropriate statistical tools for relevant issues and assessments in the laboratory 

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

• a minimum of 80 per cent attendance at seminars
• an individual assignment in statistics and the use of spreadsheets
• an individual digital test
• a group assignment in method comparison and the use of statistics software, 2,000 words +/- 10%, 3-5 students per group