Unit Outline

This unit continues from CXA651 and is designed to extend student theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of clinical biochemistry. The unit covers the pathological changes that occur in tissues and cells and how these changes can be detected through biochemical analyses. Topics include clinical enzymology, liver and cardiac function, iron metabolism, diabetes, lipid metabolism and other specialised clinical biochemistry tests. Case studies are used throughout the unit to enhance understanding of key subject areas and to develop the skills necessary for data and clinical interpretation. 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. 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	Communicate advanced theoretical and practical principles of Clinical Chemistry using discipline specific terminology related to clinical chemistry.
2	Analyse and interpret laboratory data and clinical information to investigate metabolic and physiological disorders.
3	Apply advanced technical laboratory skills to obtain reliable results in the medical laboratory.
4	Research, collate and contextualise current research literature in the field of Clinical Chemistry.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	CXA651

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:	Quiz	Week 6	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Case Based Laboratory Investigation	Week 8	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Critique	Week 10	15 %	LO1, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Practical Exam	Exam Period	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 5:	Examination	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Quiz

Task Description:

Quiz comprising any or all of calculations, short answers and case studies

Task Length:

60 minutes

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain advanced theoretical principles of Clinical Chemistry.	LO1
2	Interpret clinical information and laboratory results in the investigation of case studies	LO2
3	Apply Clinical Chemistry principles to calculate and interpret laboratory data.	LO1, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Case Based Laboratory Investigation

Task Description:

Case Based Laboratory Investigation.

Students will generate biochemical data for several patient case studies using an automated biochemistry analyser and then write a report. The report will include interpretation of quality control data, correlation of clinical data to pathological disorders, and discussion of preanalytical and analytical factors which may affect results.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Interpret laboratory data using clinical chemistry principles and terminology.	LO1
2	Correlate clinical presentation and laboratory data to diagnose biochemical disorders and recommend further testing.	LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Critique

Task Description:

A high level review of the literature investigating a current concept in Clinical Chemistry. The review will cover the current best practice in analytical strategies along with a summary of research in the area and emerging possibilities to enhance the service to and welfare of patients. Individual topics will be discussed with students.

Task Length:

2500 words

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Review article articulates current practice and principles in Clinical Biochemistry.	LO1
2	Literature search covers up-to-date and relevant information on the topic.	LO4
3	Literature review conforms to the publication requirements of the Clinical Biochemist Reviews.	LO1
4	Critical analysis of the current practice described in a review article	LO1, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Practical Exam

Task Description:

This practical exam consists of laboratory activities, practical based calculations, and questions. This assessment task will be conducted during the formal examination period and is a hurdle task. You must pass this task to pass the unit.

Task Length:

120 minutes

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Generate and use laboratory data to diagnose metabolic and physiological disorders of biochemistry.	LO2, LO3
2	Relate clinical chemistry principles to laboratory methods and data.	LO1, LO3

Assessment Task 5: 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

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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.