Overview
On completion of this unit, you should be able to evaluate the evidence base for biochemical tests used in diagnosis and monitoring of diseases in the major organ systems of the body. Problem solving and decision making skills will be developed through use of authentic case studies. Skill development in instrument calibration, best practice measurement, interpretation of test results and test quality control monitoring will occur through practical exercises. You will be required to attend a residential school on Rockhampton campus in order to promote development of unit learning outcomes.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites: BMSC12010 Clinical Biochemistry or BMED19003 Clinical Biochemistry and BMSC11003 Introduction to Medical Science
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 1 - 2018
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 Student Feedback
The residential school could be more relevant to broader disciplines in the Medical Sciences
The residential school should be revised in consultation with other discipline leaders.
Feedback from Unit coordinator's reflections
The Practical Assessment task currently is more consistent with a competency-based assessment and is unable to effectively graded.
Review this assessment to ensure it can adequately assess the related Learning Outcomes.
- Explain the various processes involved in biochemical method evaluation, interpretation and development.
- Explore the limitations of laboratory procedures, regulatory aspects including external quality assurance and accreditation bodies.
- Describe the rationale and clinical correlation of specialised biochemical tests used in the detection and monitoring of processes affecting the major organ systems.
- Demonstrate skills in the use of biochemical instrumentation, including specimen handling and test processing in automated systems and institution of appropriate corrective action as required in response to errors in automated instrumentation function.
- Evaluate biochemical clinical cases to derive a provisional diagnosis.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 30% | |||||
| 3 - Examination - 50% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 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 | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Examination - 50% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Clinical Chemistry: Principles, Techniques, and Correlations
Edition: 8th edn (2017)
Authors: Bishop, ML, Fody, EP & Schoeff, LE
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
Philadelphia Philadelphia , PA , USA
ISBN: 9781496335586
Binding: Hardcover
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
p.strappe@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
1. Introduction
2. Quality control and External Quality Assessment
Chapter
3, 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
1. NATA, ISO - importance and relevance in Clinical Biochemistry
2. Medicare requirements
Chapter
3, 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
1. The analytical process and data interpretation
2. Evaluation and validation of methods
Chapter
3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
1. Automation in Biochemistry
2. Point of care testing
Chapter
7, 10
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
1. Biochemistry of body fluids
2. Toxicology
Chapter
29, 31
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
No lecture
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Tumour markers and genetic testing for cancer
Chapter
32
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Therapeutic drug monitoring
Chapter
30
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Extremes of Age - the pediatric and the geriatric patient
Chapter
34, 35
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Residential School - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (9th, 10th and 11th May 2017)
Chapter
Laboratory workbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Gastrointestinal Biochemistry
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Testing for Nutritional Pathology
Chapter
33
Events and Submissions/Topic
Compulsory Residential School
May 22nd to May 24th (Tues-Thurs)
Module/Topic
Revision lecture
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attendance at the Residential School (Week 11, May 22 to May 24) is compulsory
1 Written Assessment
You will be provided with a clinical case study on the Moodle site.
You will be provided with information regarding the clinical presentation, patient history and specific biochemical parameters (provided by an automated analyser) for this clinical case study. You are required to write a report (around 1,000 words) using a case study approach describing the pathophysiology, specific biochemical profile characteristics observed that led to the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment options and any recommended further tests. Further details on the case, a template and an exemplar will be provided to you on the Moodle site to assist in preparation.
Week 7 Friday (27 Apr 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 9 Monday (7 May 2018)
The 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 provided template with clarity of purpose and coherence of expression (spelling, grammar, syntax) in a clear and organised manner.
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 in order 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: Harvard referencing system used with appropriate in-text references
- Describe the rationale and clinical correlation of specialised biochemical tests used in the detection and monitoring of processes affecting the major organ systems.
- Evaluate biochemical clinical cases to derive a provisional diagnosis.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
2 Practical and Written Assessment
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 biochemical 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.
Important: On Day 3 of your residential school block (Thursday 11th May 2017), you will have a final practical examination. Further details regarding the examination will be available on the Moodle site.
Practical Exam to be handed in at end of Residential School
Results of Practical Exam will be posted on line one week after the Residential school
- Residential school and Workbook component: Each section will have respective assigned marks as indicated on the provided workbook. A total mark obtained for the workbook and associated tasks would then represent to 20% of your final grade. The laboratory staff will provide immediate verbal feedback to you on the practical hands-on aspect of this assessment item. The laboratory workbook template will contain the weightage of marks associated with the tasks and subsequent questions/reports to be completed
- Practical examination component: The practical examination conducted on Day 3 of the residential school is worth 10% of your final grade. Further information on the examination will be available on the moodle site.
- Total for practical assessment: 20 + 10 = 30%
- Explore the limitations of laboratory procedures, regulatory aspects including external quality assurance and accreditation bodies.
- Demonstrate skills in the use of biochemical instrumentation, including specimen handling and test processing in automated systems and institution of appropriate corrective action as required in response to errors in automated instrumentation function.
- Evaluate biochemical clinical cases to derive a provisional diagnosis.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
Examination
Calculator - non-programmable, no text retrieval, silent only
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?
