In Progress
Please note that this Unit Profile is still in progress. The content below is subject to change.Overview
This integrated pathology unit builds on the knowledge, skill, technical and cognitive ability developed during previous study. You will evaluate laboratory-based information to diagnose complex diseases through application of knowledge of multiple clinical disciplines within medical laboratory science. You will apply your advanced-level knowledge of clinical biochemistry, haematology, histopathology, transfusion science, immunology, molecular pathology and quality management to 'real life' clinical scenarios and case studies focused on metabolic, neoplastic, cardiovascular and age-related diseases. Use of case studies will integrate advanced-level knowledge of the aetiology, pathophysiology, and investigation of metabolic, neoplastic, cardiovascular and age-related diseases that significantly affect the morbidity, mortality and economics of healthcare. At residential school you will perform laboratory tests using advanced methodology and instrumentation. This will further develop your analytical, evaluative and communication skills.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisites: BMSC13001 Advanced Haematology AND BMSC13002 Advanced Clinical Biochemistry AND BMSC13003 Medical Microbiology 2 AND BMSC13009 Immunology OR BMSC13023 Applied Immunology AND BMSC13010 Pharmacology OR BMSC13020 Drug Discovery and Clinical Trials AND BMSC13011 Advanced Transfusion Science OR BMSC13015 Molecular Targeted Therapies AND BMSC13016 Advanced Histopathology and Cytopathology
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 - 2026
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).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 12-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 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 data
Add microbiology specific instructions to the Laboratory Manual.
This recommendation was implemented for BMSC14003 in term 2 2025 and will be implemented for BMSC14001 in term 1 2026.
Feedback from SUTE data
Improve the clarity of the instructions for carrying out molecular testing in the residential school.
The instructions for both the standard PCR and qPCR protocols will be reviewed to enhance their clarity.
- Differentiate the aetiology, pathophysiology and clinical investigation of complex medical conditions with a focus on metabolic, neoplastic, cardiovascular and age-related disease
- Perform medical laboratory tests demonstrating advanced methodology and instrumentation
- Evaluate pathological mechanisms and analytical techniques in the laboratory-based diagnosis of metabolic, neoplastic, cardiovascular and age-related disease
- Evaluate data and present information concerning pathological issues in an ethical and scientific context.
The learning outcomes achieved are linked to the objectives of the accrediting body, Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS).
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Case Study - 25% | ||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 35% | ||||
| 3 - Examination - 40% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 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 | ||||