CQUniversity Unit Profile
BMSC13002 Advanced Clinical Biochemistry
Advanced Clinical Biochemistry
All details in this unit profile for BMSC13002 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

On completion of this unit, you will be able to evaluate the evidence base for biochemical tests used in the diagnosis and management 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 at the biochemistry laboratory on the Rockhampton campus.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 3
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisites: BMSC12010 Clinical Biochemistry and (BUSN11016 Introduction to Study and Professional Practice or BMSC11003 Introduction to 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

Mixed Mode
Rockhampton

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.

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Case Study
Weighting: 20%
2. Laboratory/Practical
Weighting: Pass/Fail
3. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 30%
4. Examination
Weighting: 50%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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

Feedback

Some students found the extensive use of guest lecturers resulted in a lack of consistency across the unit.

Recommendation

Refresh the lectures with a limited use of guest lecturers in highly specialised areas only.

Feedback from SUTE

Feedback

Students appreciated the weekly tutorials but some felt that weekly revision quizzes in addition to the Study Questions would enhance learning.

Recommendation

Consider adding weekly revision quizzes (formative) to the tutorials.

Feedback from Informal student feedback

Feedback

The Residential School was appreciated by students as it allowed them to put theory into practice.

Recommendation

Continue the format of the Residential School.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Explain the various processes involved in biochemical method evaluation, interpretation and development
  2. Explore the limitations of laboratory procedures, regulatory aspects including external quality assurance and accreditation bodies
  3. Describe the rationale and clinical correlation of specialised biochemical tests used in the detection and monitoring of processes affecting the major organ systems
  4. 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
  5. Evaluate biochemical clinical cases to derive a provisional diagnosis.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
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
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 and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Clinical Chemistry: Principles, Techniques, and Correlations

Edition: 9th (2023)
Authors: Michael L. Bishop; Edward P. Fody; Carleen Van Siclen; James March Mistler; Michelle Moy
Jones and Bartlett Learning
Burlington Burlington , Massachusetts , United States of America
ISBN: 9781284238860
Binding: Hardcover

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Amer Siddiq Unit Coordinator
a.siddiq@cqu.edu.au
Ingrid Christiansen Unit Coordinator
i.christiansen@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 10 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

1. Introduction, Quality Control and External Quality Assessment

2. Analytical process, data interpretation and method evaluation

Chapter

Clinical Chemistry, Principles, Techniques and Correlations: 1 - 4

Clinical Chemistry, Principles, Techniques and Correlations: 3 & 4

Events and Submissions/Topic


Zoom tutorial - Introduction

Week 2 Begin Date: 17 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

1. Analytical techniques

2. Automation and POCT

Chapter

Clinical Chemistry, Principles, Techniques and Correlations: 5, 6, 8 & 9

Clinical Chemistry, Principles, Techniques and Correlations: 7 & 10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - covering Week 1

Week 3 Begin Date: 24 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

Renal Function, electrolytes and fluid balance

Chapter

Clinical Chemistry, Principles, Techniques and Correlations: 12, 16 & 27

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - covering Week 2

Week 4 Begin Date: 31 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

Hepatic, pancreatic and GUT biochemistry, malabsorption etc.

Chapter

Clinical Chemistry, Principles, Techniques and Correlations: 25 & 28

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - covering Week 3

Week 5 Begin Date: 07 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

1.Cardio-respiratory system – cardiac damage, pH and blood gases

2. Endocrine system – thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and pituitary; calcium metabolism

Chapter

Clinical Chemistry, Principles, Techniques and Correlations: 17 & 26

Clinical Chemistry, Principles, Techniques and Correlations: 20 - 24

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - covering Week 4

Vacation Week Begin Date: 14 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

No lecture

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

No Tutorial

Week 6 Begin Date: 21 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Toxicology

Chapter

Clinical Chemistry, Principles, Techniques and Correlations: 30 & 31

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - covering Week 5




Case Study Report Due: Week 6 Monday (21 Aug 2023) 9:00 am AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 28 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

1. Nutritional assessment – vitamins, minerals & trace metals

2. Extremes of age – neonatal, paediatric and geriatric biochemistry

Chapter

Clinical Chemistry, Principles, Techniques and Correlations: 18 & 33

Clinical Chemistry, Principles, Techniques and Correlations: 34 & 35

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - covering Week 6

Week 8 Begin Date: 04 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

1. Reproductive hormones

2. Carbohydrates & Lipids

Chapter

Clinical Chemistry, Principles, Techniques and Correlations: 20 & 22

Clinical Chemistry, Principles, Techniques and Correlations: 14 & 15

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - covering Week 7

Week 9 Begin Date: 11 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

1. Tumour markers

2. Body fluids other than blood – urine, CSF etc.

Chapter

Clinical Chemistry, Principles, Techniques and Correlations: 32

Clinical Chemistry, Principles, Techniques and Correlations: 29

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - covering Week 8

Week 10 Begin Date: 18 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

Presentation of ‘classic diseases’

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - covering Week 9

Week 11 Begin Date: 25 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

Residential School

Chapter

A Laboratory Workbook will be provided.

Events and Submissions/Topic

A tutorial will be run in the Residential School in addition to an open Q&A session and discussion.


Practical Assessment Due: Week 11 Wednesday (27 Sept 2023) 12:00 pm AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 02 Oct 2023

Module/Topic

Review and Examination Preparation

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - Revision & Examination Preparation


Laboratory Workbook Due: Week 12 Wednesday (4 Oct 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 09 Oct 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

An invigilated examination will be scheduled during the CQUniversity examination period. The exact date will be communicated to all students.

Exam Week Begin Date: 16 Oct 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

An invigilated examination will be scheduled during the CQUniversity examination period. The exact date will be communicated to all students.

Term Specific Information

The Unit Coordinator for this Unit is Ingrid Christiansen who can be contacted by e-mail (i.christiansen@cqu.edu.au) or via the Moodle forums.

Lectures will all be pre-recorded and will be posted on the Moodle page.

Some of the lectures have been recorded by guest lecturers who are specialists in the field.

There are weekly tutorials that will be linked to Zoom to enable remote attendance and these sessions will also be recorded and posted to the Moodle page.

These tutorials will summarise the weekly lecture content and provide an opportunity for you to discuss the lecture content.

I encourage you to engage with the tutorials preferably by attending in person or virtually via Zoom, or if that is not possible, review the video and post any questions on the Q&A Forum.

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 watching recorded lectures and revising the content through study notes
  • 3 - 4 hours per week completing the weekly study questions on the unit's Moodle page
  • 1 - 2 hours per week attending the weekly tutorial and reflecting on your answers to the weekly study questions
  • 3 - 4 hours per week preparing your assessments or studying for your end of term test

Assessment Tasks

1 Case Study

Assessment Title
Case Study Report

Task Description

You will be provided with a clinical case study on the Moodle page.

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 provisional diagnosis, differential diagnoses and potential treatment options. You may also recommended further tests that will assist in confirming the diagnosis. Further details on the case, a template and an exemplar will be provided to you on the Moodle site to assist in preparation.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Monday (21 Aug 2023) 9:00 am AEST

The case study report should be uploaded in Moodle.


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Monday (4 Sept 2023)

Feedback will be provided within two (2) weeks of submission.


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

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: Correct referencing system used with appropriate in-text references.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
The documents are to be uploaded to Moodle.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • 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.

2 Laboratory/Practical

Assessment Title
Laboratory Workbook

Task Description

You will be provided with a laboratory workbook on the Moodle page. This workbook will contain all the tasks that need to be completed during the residential school. 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 Biochemical tests. Laboratory staff or demonstrators will assess your individual experimental capability during residential school to ensure your understanding of the learning outcomes.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Wednesday (4 Oct 2023) 11:45 pm AEST

A scanned version of the laboratory workbook will be submitted on the Moodle page following the Residential School.


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Wednesday (18 Oct 2023)

Results will be posted on the Moodle page.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Residential school Workbook component:

Each section will have respective assigned marks as indicated on the provided workbook.

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.

The laboratory workbook template will contain the weighting of marks associated with the tasks and subsequent questions/reports to be completed.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
A scanned version of the laboratory workbook will be submitted on the Moodle page following the Residential School.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • 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

3 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Assessment

Task Description

On Day 3 of your residential school, you will have a final practical assessment.

Further details regarding the practical assessment will be available on the Moodle page.


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Wednesday (27 Sept 2023) 12:00 pm AEST

The Practical Assessment will be conducted in class on the last day of the Residential School


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (6 Oct 2023)

Results of the Practical Assessment will be posted on the Moodle page.


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Practical assessment component: The practical assessment conducted on Day 3 of the Residential School is worth 30% of your final grade.

Further information on the practical assessment will be available on the Moodle page.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Submission Instructions
Assessments are to be handed in at the conclusion of the assessment on Day 3 of the Residential School.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explore the limitations of laboratory procedures, regulatory aspects including external quality assurance and accreditation bodies
  • Evaluate biochemical clinical cases to derive a provisional diagnosis.

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
50%

Length
180 minutes

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Exam Conditions
Closed Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Academic Integrity Statement

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?