Overview
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to discuss fundamentals of haematology and transfusion science, including erythrocyte, leukocyte, reticulocyte and platelet morphology, enumeration and function. Skills in enumeration of blood cells and tests of haematological function will be developed during practical exercises. You will learn to contrast normal blood cell function with disorders of haemostasis affecting blood clotting and iron metabolism affecting blood cell numbers.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites: BMSC11002 Human Body Systems 2 OR BMSC11008 Medical Anatomy and Physiology 2 OR BMSC11011 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2AND BUSN11016 Introduction to Study and Professional Practice OR BMSC11003 Professional Practice in Medical Sciences
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2023
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Residential Schools
This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE and informal feedback from students.
Some students found the practical assessment task at the end of the Residential School helpful in consolidating their learning.
Retain the practical assessment task at the Residential School.
Feedback from SUTE
Assessment return could have been more prompt to allow a better understanding of progress.
Consider ways to improve assessment return.
Feedback from SUTE
Students felt that the Residential School was well structured and helped to put theory into practice.
Retain the general structure of the Residential School.
Feedback from SUTE and informal feedback from students.
Some students suggested that more practical task focused videos could be included to help prepare them for the Residential School and that practical demonstrations of techniques at the Residential School would be helpful.
Consider including additional instructional videos and practical demonstrations both before and at the Residential School.
- Describe the physiological process of haematopoiesis
- Distinguish between normal and abnormal erythrocyte, leukocyte, reticulocyte and platelet morphology
- Describe the causes and diagnosis of selected haematologic and haemostatic disorders
- Interpret a full blood count and related basic haematological tests
- Discuss the principle of operation for selected automated and non automated haematological laboratory test procedures
- Test and conduct quality control of basic haematological, immunohaematological and coagulation procedures in the laboratory.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Case Study - 20% | ||||||
| 2 - Laboratory/Practical - 0% | ||||||
| 3 - Practical Assessment - 30% | ||||||
| 4 - Examination - 50% | ||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||||
Textbooks
Clinical Hematology Atlas
Edition: 6th (2022)
Authors: Jacqueline H. Carr
Elsevier
St Louis St Louis , Missouri , USA
ISBN: 9780323711920
Binding: Spiral
Rodak's Hematology Clinical Principles and Applications
Edition: 6th (2020)
Authors: Elaine Keohane, Larry Smith and Jeanine Walenga
Elsevier
St Louis St Louis , Missouri , USA
ISBN: 9780323530453
Binding: Hardcover
Modern Blood Banking & Transfusion Practcies
Edition: 7th (2019)
Authors: Denise M Harmening
FA Davis
Philadelphia Philadelphia , Penn , USA
ISBN: 9780803668881
Binding: Hardcover
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Virtual Microscopy Image Viewer
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
r.r.sharma@cqu.edu.au
j.dennis@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
1. Introduction to unit
2. Haematopoiesis, cells of the blood, structure, morphology and function
3. RBC nomenclature, classification & production
Chapter
Rodak's Hematology: 1 & 4 ; Clinical Hematology Atlas: 1 - 3
Rodak's Hematology: 5 - 6;
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial:
Overview of the unit and FAQ's
Introduction to Manual techniques
Introduction to Morphology
Module/Topic
1. Hb and iron production, metabolism and destruction
2. Platelet structure and function
Chapter
Rodak's Hematology: 7 & 8
Rodak's Hematology: 10, 37-38; Clinical Hematology Atlas: 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial:
Red cell morphology : Anaemia, Thalassaemia
Module/Topic
1. Automation and POC Testing
2. The FBE, Reference Ranges, Quality control
3. Abnormal RBC morphology, RBC inclusions
Chapter
Rodak's Hematology: 11 & 12
Rodak's Hematology: 13
Rodak's Hematology: 16; Clinical Hematology Atlas: 10 - 13
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial:
Automation Tutorial
Module/Topic
1. Introduction to the Anaemias
- Microcytic anaemia
- Normocytic anaemia
- Macrocytic anaemia
- Haemolytic anaemia
2. The Haemoglobinopathies
Chapter
Rodak's Hematology: 17 -18
Rodak's Hematology: 20-23
Rodak's Hematology: 24; Clinical Hematology Atlas: 10 - 13
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial:
Anaemia/ Haemoglobinopathies
Module/Topic
1. Introduction to Haemostasis - the Coagulation Cascade & Platelet Function and laboratory diagnosis of coagulation disorders
2. Anticoagulant therapy & monitoring
Chapter
Rodak's Hematology: 35 - 36 & 41-42
Rodak's Hematology: 39-40
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial:
Diagnostic Haemostasis
Case Study Due: Week 5 Thursday (10 Aug 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
No classes scheduled this week.
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Introduction to White Blood Cells 1
- Structure and function of white blood cells.
- Differential white cell count.
- 'Benign' leucocyte disorders and investigations
Chapter
Rodak's Hematology: 9; Clinical Hematology Atlas: 14
Rodak's Hematology:13; Clinical Hematology Atlas: 5 - 9
Rodak's Hematology: 26; Clinical Hematology Atlas:14
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial:
White cell morphology
Module/Topic
1. White Blood Cells 2
'Malignant' leucocyte disorders and investigations.
2. Introduction to Flow cytometry
Chapter
Rodak's Hematology: 27 - 28; Clinical Hematology Atlas: 15 - 20
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial:
Malignant white cell morphology
Flow cytometry
Module/Topic
1. Introduction to Transfusion Science
2. Blood Donations and Processing
3. The Human Blood Group Systems
Residential School Rockhampton campus
Chapter
Modern Blood Banking & Transfusion Practices: 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 15
Practical Workbook and Laboratory Manual
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial:
Introduction to Transfusion Science
Blood donation and processing
Human blood group systems
Assessment Task 3: Practical Assessment will be completed on the final day of residential school.
Module/Topic
Residential school: Bundaberg campus
Chapter
Practical Workbook and Laboratory Manual
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment Task 3:
Practical Assessment will be completed on the final day of residential school.
Laboratory Workbook Due: Week 9 Friday (15 Sept 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
- Antibody Screening and Identification
- Pretransfusion Compatibility Testing
- Autoantibody - Definition and Analysis
Chapter
Modern Blood Banking & Transfusion
Practices: 10, 11, 21
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial:
Pretransfusion Compatibility Testing & autoantibodies
Module/Topic
1. Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and Newborn (HDFN)
2. Adverse Effects of Blood Transfusion
Chapter
Modern Blood Banking & Transfusion Practices: 17, 20
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial:
HDFN and adverse transfusion outcomes
Module/Topic
Revision lecture and preparation for final assessment.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial:
Revision Tutorial
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
The End-of-unit exam will be scheduled in the CQUniversity examination period between 12/10/23 - 20/10/23. The exact date will be advised on the unit Moodle page.
The End-of-unit exam comprises 50% of the overall unit mark.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Your unit coordinators are Jacqui Dennis and Roxina Sharma.
You can contact Jacqui/ Roxina via the following means:
- The forum on the unit's Moodle site. The forum for this unit is continuously monitored and you can expect a response within two (2) business day of posting your question;
- Or through email (j.dennis@cqu.edu.au) (r.r.sharma@cqu.edu.au)
This unit will provide you with a good understanding of the theoretical basis of Haematology with an understanding of laboratory techniques and how this is applied to diagnostic and clinical interpretation.
Lectures and tutorials will be delivered each week on Zoom, and students will be able to join these classes via Zoom from their location. These lectures and tutorials will also be recorded for the benefit of those students who are unable to attend the live lectures and tutorials.
You will get the most benefit from the tutorials if you watch/attend the weekly lectures beforehand and complete all related readings.
You will be provided an opportunity to explore how to apply the knowledge learnt in lecture and tutorial material in a compulsory residential school. This residential school is planned to take place in Week 8 for Rockhampton students and in Week 9 for Bundaberg students. The residential school will allow you to apply some of the techniques you have learnt throughout the unit and gain a deeper understanding of the relevant theory which underpins the techniques. You will also gain a better clinical understanding of the interpretation of the techniques.
As per Australian educational standards, you are expected to commit 150 hours of engagement to your study of this unit. This is broken down as:
2 - 3 hours per week attending or watching recorded lectures and revising the content through study notes
3 - 4 hours per week completing the weekly readings and other material on the unit's Moodle site.
1 - 2 hours per week attending the weekly tutorial and contributing to discussions and revising the content provided.
3 - 4 hours per week preparing your assessments or studying for your exams.
You are strongly encouraged to participate in tutorials, as studies have shown that students who attend the tutorials and participate in discussions have higher rates of success (Karnik et al., 2020). Weekly revision quizzes are also provided to reinforce the knowledge you have gained from the lectures and to support your learning experience in this unit.
Karnik, A., Kishore, P., & Meraj, M. (2020). Examining the linkage between class attendance at university and academic performance in an International Branch Campus setting. Research in Comparative and International Education, 15(4),
371-390. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745499920958855
1 Case Study
You will be provided with an authentic clinical case study on the Moodle site.
The following information regarding the case will be available to you: clinical presentation, patient history, blood smear morphology, haematological parameters (provided by an automated analyzer) and biochemical changes (if any).
You are then required to answer a series of questions in a Moodle Quiz to obtain further information and test results. This quiz is worth 40% of the marks for this assessment. You are then required to write a report (around 1,000 words) using a case study approach describing the pathology observed, aetiology, specific morphological or haematological characteristics observed that led to the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment options and any recommended further tests. This case report is worth 60% of the marks for this assessment.
Guidelines to complete the report, marking rubric and a template will be available on the Moodle site.
Week 5 Thursday (10 Aug 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 6 Friday (25 Aug 2023)
Results will be posted on Moodle. There will be an opportunity to discuss this assessment during the Residential School.
The written assessment task is marked according to how well you have met the specific requirements and in accordance with the criteria outlined below:
Presentation: The report is presented in the required template. Clarity of purpose and coherence of expression (spelling, grammar, syntax); clear and organised flow of information.
Abstract: Provides a clear overview and overall summary of the case study.
Introduction: Provides necessary background information and pathophysiology of the case. Does not discuss the final diagnosis rather supports the intended diagnosis via arguments.
Materials and Methods: Briefly describes all the methods used to aid in diagnosis. Discusses further tests to be employed to confirm the diagnosis.
Results: All data presented clearly with reference ranges. Layout is clear with further tests and expected results discussed.
Discussion: Clear discussion of the results with supporting arguments and reasoning for arriving at the final diagnosis.
References: APA or Vancouver referencing system used with appropriate in-text references.
- Describe the physiological process of haematopoiesis
- Distinguish between normal and abnormal erythrocyte, leukocyte, reticulocyte and platelet morphology
- Describe the causes and diagnosis of selected haematologic and haemostatic disorders
- Interpret a full blood count and related basic haematological tests
2 Laboratory/Practical
You will be provided with a laboratory workbook on the Moodle site.
This workbook will contain all the tasks that need to be completed during the residential school block. It will also contain a series of short questions and patient reports to be completed in relation to the authentic cases provided.
Group experimental activities during the residential school will foster team work and provide hands-on experience of the haematological techniques used in pathology laboratories.
Completion of the workbook will evidence student engagement and understanding of the principles behind the haematological tests.
Laboratory staff or demonstrators will assess your individual experimental capability during residential school to ensure your understanding of the learning outcomes.
You will be required to submit the completed version of the laboratory workbook on the Moodle site.
Week 9 Friday (15 Sept 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Results will be posted on Moodle
Each section will have respective assigned marks depending on the complexity of the task to be performed.
The laboratory workbook template will contain the weightage of marks associated with the tasks and subsequent questions/reports to be completed.
The Workbook is a PASS/FAIL Assessment.
The laboratory staff will provide immediate verbal feedback to you on the practical hands-on aspect of this assessment item.
- Test and conduct quality control of basic haematological, immunohaematological and coagulation procedures in the laboratory.
3 Practical Assessment
On the final day of your residential school block you will have a final practical assessment.
Further details regarding the practical assessment will be available on the Moodle page.
Results will be posted on Moodle
On the final day of your residential school block you will have a final practical assessment.
Further details regarding the practical assessment will be available on the Moodle page.
- Distinguish between normal and abnormal erythrocyte, leukocyte, reticulocyte and platelet morphology
- Interpret a full blood count and related basic haematological tests
Examination
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
