Unit Outline

The unit CXA651, Clinical Chemistry 1 will provide you with a thorough knowledge of: quality assurance, including sources of error; use and establishment of reference ranges; collection, preservation, transportation and storage of specimens for analysis and the preparation of laboratory method manuals. The laboratory investigations of renal function, water, electrolyte and acid base balance, and hypothalamic, pituitary and fertility hormones are also studied. This unit is co-taught with a related unit to students in the Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine, and although you will be provided with similar knowledge and laboratory skills as these students, you will also undertake additional learning activities and assessment. This is necessary for you to develop and demonstrate the higher level investigatory and communication skills to satisfy the Australian Qualification Framework level 9 requirements of a Master’s degree.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of clinical chemistry principles.
2.	Communicate in a scientific manner using discipline specific terminology related to clinical chemistry.
3.	Perform laboratory techniques and calculations competently and accurately
4.	Critically assess laboratory results and evaluate the clinical relevance of case studies to peers.
5.	Apply technical skills to obtain reliable results in the laboratory

Alterations as a result of student feedback

No alterations have been made as a result of student feedback.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Laboratory Report	See the MyLO site for the due date	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Written Case Study	See the MyLO site for the due date	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Skills and Competencies Test	Week 4	0 %	LO3, LO5
Assessment Task 4:	Method Protocol	Week 5	10 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 5:	Quiz	Week 7	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 6:	Practical Exam	Exam Period	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 7:	Examination	Exam Period	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Laboratory Report

Task Description:

Laboratory Report.
During the semester, you will complete two written laboratory reports (one formative and one summative) based on practical sessions. Reports must be written to conform to the provided format.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain relevant principles of clinical chemistry	LO1, LO2
2	Method describes laboratory activities undertaken	LO2
3	Analyse and interpret data collected in the laboratory to explain clinical chemistry principles	LO1, LO2, LO4
4	Critically assess laboratory results and use evidence to explain clinical relevance and draw valid conclusions	LO1, LO2, LO4
5	Critically evaluate experiment to suggest improvements	LO1, LO4
6	Report conforms to scientific writing requirements for a laboratory report and uses discipline specific terminology and refers to literature	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Written Case Study

Task Description:

Written Case Study.
You will be given a Case Study covering Water Balance, Renal Function, Electrolyte Balance and Acid Base Balance. You are required to research the case study, performing any relevant additional calculations, and describe the pathophysiology.

Task Length:

1200 words

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Communicate ideas and information using clinical chemistry principles to explain the case study	LO1, LO2, LO4
2	Use laboratory results to explain the case study clinical relevance and disease process	LO1, LO2, LO4
3	Present the case using discipline specific terminology	LO2

Assessment Task 3: Skills and Competencies Test

Task Description:

Skills and Competencies Test.
This skills and competencies test is a hurdle task to determine that you have the required skills on which to build further laboratory skills. The session will examine basic pipetting.

Task Length:

3 hours

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Perform laboratory and analytical techniques	LO3, LO5

Assessment Task 4: Method Protocol

Task Description:

Method Protocol.
You will prepare a method protocol on the spectrophotometric assay of an analyte of your choice based on current NATA requirements. Protocols must be written to conform with the provided format.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Chosen analyte and method are appropriate for a spectrophotometric assay.	LO1
2	Method conforms to NPAAC guidelines	LO1, LO2
3	Laboratory specific information and QC requirements are described in method	LO1, LO2
4	Research and relevant information are integrated into the method	LO2
5	Method is written in a concise and structured manner using discipline specific terminology	LO2

Assessment Task 5: Quiz

Task Description:

Quiz.
A 50 minute quiz comprising calculations, short answers and case studies.

Task Length:

50 minutes

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Perform clinical chemistry calculations	LO1, LO3
2	Use clinical chemistry principles to explain diseases	LO1, LO2, LO4
3	Critically assess laboratory results	LO4
4	Use discipline specific terminology	LO2

Assessment Task 6: Practical Exam

Task Description:

A three hour practical exam will be conducted during the formal examination period. The exam will involve the application of techniques studied during the semester, demonstration of laboratory competency and the interpretation of results obtained. The exam will be marked on the accuracy of laboratory results and the completeness of result interpretation and questions. The practical examination is a hurdle task that students are required to pass to be eligible for a pass grade or better in this unit. This task assesses competencies that contribute to core claims of competency for medical scientists.

Task Length:

3 hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate knowledge of clinical chemistry principles	LO1
2	Use technical skills to obtain results in the laboratory	LO1, LO5
3	Perform laboratory techniques and calculations	LO2, LO3, LO5
4	Assess laboratory results and evaluate the clinical relevance	LO1, LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 7: Examination

Task Description:

This is a closed book paper-based exam, where you will be required to demonstrate your individual ability to communicate and apply theoretical and practical knowledge. You may take one A4 double sided or two A4 single sided pages of typed notes into the exam.

Task Length:

3 hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

25 %

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.