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.

The course is an introduction to research and development work (R&D) in biomedical laboratory science. The students will develop an understanding of the importance of updating and developing biomedical laboratory science practice and become familiar with the ethical aspects of such projects. The goal of the bachelor's assignment is to give the students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a topic that is relevant to the biomedical laboratory sciences field.

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

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;

• is familiar with scientific methods for research and development activity in the biomedical laboratory sciences field
• has knowledge of research and development work in an area of biomedical laboratory sciences
• is familiar with general research ethics issues of relevance to R&D projects in the biomedical laboratory sciences field
• is familiar with the laws and regulations that regulate the establishment, approval and use of biobanks in the field of medicine and health
• is familiar with risk assessments relating to the storage of personal data in R&D projects and methods for following this up in a systematic manner

Skills;

The student

• can make plans for and carry out an R&D project relating to biomedical laboratory sciences under supervision and in accordance with ethical requirements and guidelines
• can obtain, critically assess and integrate relevant subject matter in his/her own project work
• can understand and apply statistical methods that are relevant in biomedical laboratory sciences literature in his/her own project work
• can use relevant scientific methods and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the methods applied in his/her own project
• can document and disseminate knowledge of biomedical laboratory sciences through oral and written presentations in Norwegian

General competence

The student

• can participate in the planning and completion of an R&D project related to biomedical laboratory sciences in binding cooperation with others
• can demonstrate independent academic and ethical reflection in areas of biomedical laboratory sciences, particularly in relation to interpreting and evaluating the results achieved during work on the bachelor’s thesis

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. A pass is required in part 1 to be able to take part 2, the written home exam.

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.

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

• oral presentation of a bachelor’s project in groups, up to 25 minutes per group

Written bachelor’s thesis in groups normally comprising 3-4 students, up to 9,000 words.

Resit exam: If the bachelor’s thesis is awarded a fail grade, the students have the right to submit a reworked version of the thesis once.

Part 1) Midway and final assessments are made by the practical training supervisor and the contact lecturer at the university. 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.

Each answer paper is assessed by an external and an internal examiner.