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, 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 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

Grade scale A-F

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 the structure, function and metabolism of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cellscan
• can describe the flow of genetic information, from DNA to RNA to proteins
• can give examples of how factors relating to cell biology can affect health and disease
• can describe the structure and properties of important macromolecules
• can describe the function of enzymes as biological catalysts
• can describe principles of basic genetics and is familiar with the relationship between hereditary factors and disease
• can describe similarities and differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
• can describe the conditions for cellular growth

Skills 

The student

• can analyse and interpret data derived from biomedical and cell biological analyses

The work and teaching methods consist of lectures, seminars and group work. 

Emphasis is placed on student-active learning methods. Digital learning resources are used in the course in the form of video lectures and practical exercises. 

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

• a minimum of 80 per cent attendance at seminars and in scheduled group work

Supervised individual written exam, 4 hours

No aids are permitted.

All exam papers are assessed by two examiners. A minimum of twenty per cent of the exam papers will be assessed by an external examiner. The external examiner’s assessment shall benefit all students.