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

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.

This course focuses on the development of basic programming techniques, analytical thinking, comprehension of code, and problem-solving skills achieved through a programming-based approach. It aims to develop basic programming skills relevant for professional use within the realm of business and administration. It provides theoretical and practical exposure to different programming technologies and programming concepts such as object-oriented programming, web programming, etc.

Language of instruction is English.

None

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

• basic understanding of the operation and capabilities of software
• an understanding of what an algorithm is and the ability to use algorithmic problem-solving to address real-life problems in business and administration
• basic knowledge of the methods used to debug software
• basic knowledge of how processes within the realm of business and administration can be automated using software
• insight on how software are written, and an understanding of various types of programming languages and their function in various areas of business and administration.

Skills

The student has acquired an ability to

• format and write basic code
• explain how problem-solving principles are used in programming
• understand how to frame and elicit unstructured business and/or administration problems in order to solve them through programming,
• understand the steps required to make software more efficient

General competence

The student is

• proficient in planning and implementing a project plan for software development for business and administration
• able to identify and remediate bugs
• able to identify specific business and/or administration requirements that can be solved with programming
• able to communicate these requirements in a structured manner
• able to recognize the place that programming has within the domain of business and administration

The course will take a hands-on learning approach in addition to learning the theoretical concepts behind programming. Course participants will work in groups on a project relevant to the field of business and administration.

The exam in the course is a supervised exam of 4 hours.