BIOB2300 Statistics in the Laboratory Course description

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 of the programme or equivalent.

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

Work and teaching methods include lectures and supervised seminars.

Digital learning resources in the form of video lectures, digital tests and practical exercises are used in the course. Training in the use of statistical application will also be provided. Student work includes compulsory assignments, both individually and in groups.

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

Supervised individual written exam, 3 hours

Calculator

A collection of table and formulas will be handed out.

Excel (available during exams)

A–F.

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.

8 credits overlap with the course BIO2300 Statistics.