91344 Medical and Diagnostic Biochemistry
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2020 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 91320 Metabolic Biochemistry
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
This subject is designed to introduce the basic concepts of medical and clinical biochemistry relevant to biotechnology, (bio-)medical research, and analysis of patient samples in a pathology laboratory. While undertaking this subject, students examine the basic biochemical abnormalities that lead to various disease states, their diagnosis, clinical analysis and final treatment. The areas covered include: abnormal kidney and liver function, biochemistry of haemoglobin pigments and their relation to disease, abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism such as diabetes, clinical enzymology, and serum proteins in health and disease. The principles of laboratory management, with special emphasis on safety, quality control and automation are also covered.
The subject provides students with an insight into clinical biochemistry and its importance to human health, both in research and diagnosis, as well as quality requirements that ensure accurate and relevant test results. Students who are interested in a future career in diagnostic pathology, clinical research, or laboratory management may benefit from taking this subject.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Effectively communicate complex scientific concepts in both oral and written formats, with consideration of the target audience. |
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| 2. | Work effectively in a team in order to produce an oral presentation with visual component, as specified in the guidelines. |
| 3. | Describe and explain common biochemical laboratory analysis methods of blood and urine samples. |
| 4. | Perform biochemical laboratory analysis on blood and urine samples; then, critically evaluate and interpret the generated results in order to determine the likely diagnosis. |
| 5. | Apply knowledge of health, homeostasis and disease, diagnostic methods, and treatment options, in order to describe and explain common human biochemical pathologies, using relevant examples and in the context of published literature and/or a patient case studies (where relevant). |
| 6. | Describe and explain fundamental requirements of quality assurance and quality control within a (bio)medical science laboratory, using relevant examples. |
| 7. | Describe and explain fundamental requirements of reference intervals for biochemical testing, and their determination, using relevant examples. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Apply: Use contemporary technologies for the collection and analysis of data and apply evidence-based practice at all levels of laboratory investigation. (1.1)
- Analyse: Inspect and understand normal physiology and how it differs during disease processes. (1.2)
- Synthesise: Adapt disciplinary skills and techniques to other disciplines and other areas of study, in particular, the specialisations of cellular pathology, microbiology, and host responses or biochemistry and molecular diagnostics. (1.3)
- Apply: Employ robust scientific method in the investigation of disease and undertake laboratory work based on world�s best practice. (2.1)
- Analyse: Be guided by the current literature to critically appraise published information and recognize gaps of knowledge in the field. (2.2)
- Apply: Demonstrate familiarity in established techniques, while also having an awareness of new technologies and modern instrumentation, considering the appropriate quality control measures at all stages of the diagnostic process. (3.1)
- Analyse: Demonstrate creative and lateral thinking within a structured discipline by extending the principles of biomedical science to a broader context. (4.2)
- Synthesise: Confidently engage in individual and independent learning strategies, and be able to contribute to a team to deliver meaningful outcomes. (4.3)
- Apply: Use a variety of tools, such as written reports, oral and visual presentations, graphical or statistical analysis in both lay and professional settings. (5.1)
- Synthesise: Develop the capacity to disseminate scientific information in the most appropriate manner in a variety of professional contexts. (5.3)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Within the Faculty of Science there are seven Graduate Attributes (Course Intended Learning Outcomes) which are the knowledge bank and skill set you will have the opportunity to learn, develop and apply while you study. Medical and Diagnostic Biochemistry is designed to be undertaken in Stage 5 (first semester of third year) and builds upon the knowledge and skills learnt in Cell Biology and Genetics (91161) and Metabolic Biochemistry (91320), as well as the fundamental understanding of the human body gained in Human Anatomy and Physiology (91400). Through studying Medical and Diagnostic Biochemistry you will have the opportunity to learn, develop and apply all seven of the Faculty of Science Graduate Attributes.
1. Disciplinary knowledge.
In lectures you will be introduced to common biochemical underpinnings of health and homeostasis in the human body, as well as clinical presentations (symptoms) of several disease states. In lectures and practicals you will have the opportunity to learn and perform biochemical laboratory analysis using clinical samples (biological fluids) for diagnosis of disease. This knowledge and hands-on experience will assist you to formulate rational judgements as to the quality and robust nature of generated experimental data in order to come to a reasoned and correct conclusion. Your disciplinary knowledge will be assessed in all Assessment Tasks.
2. Research, Inquiry and critical Thinking.
Researching and critically evaluating published scientific literature to identify what is known, understood, and agreed upon, or, what is not yet known or is controversial, is a fundamental aspect of being a successful scientist, whether you are a research scientist in a laboratory, a medical writer, or a government advisor. In Medical and Diagnostic Biochemistry you will have the opportunity to research different topics, as well as perform laboratory experiments, and then apply your learned knowledge of quality, reference intervals, biochemistry, and human health and disease, and critically evaluate your work in reference to published literature, in order to come to a reasoned conclusion. This graduate attribute will be assessed in all Assessment Tasks.
Part of enquiry is developing and determining experimental methods in order to test hypotheses. While in this subject you will not be developing and testing your own methods, you will have the opportunity to examine patient case studies in order to understand why you are performing particular laboratory tests in order to correctly identify the likely disease state with which the patient presents. You will perform the laboratory analysis and critically evaluate the generated results, in reference to published literature (if required) and determine if a patient sample indicates the presentation of certain disease state. Drawing on your knowledge and in reference to the literature you may indicate further definitive tests are required. This will be assessed in Assessment Task 1.
3. Professional ethical and social responsibility.
While studying in this subject you will have the opportunity to develop personal organisation skills, time management and the ability to prioritise, attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions, teamwork, laboratory (practical) skills, data handling and data literacy (graphical and numerical). You may practice these skills in all classes (lectures, practicals and journal club) and online resources to support your learning of these skills may be available from the subject coordinator and through the Library website. These skills are assessed in Assessment Tasks 1, 2 and 3.
This Graduate Attribute is about skills for you to be a life-long learner, and includes the ability to be a productive team member, and to think critically about yourself (reflection) and other people and to provide constructive feedback. These skills will be developed as you interact with your laboratory partner and other groups in order to complete the practical experiments and share results (when required). This will be assessed through SPARKPlus in Assessment Task 3.
4. Reflection, Innovation, creativity.
Your ability to be a self-starter (initiative) and to learn and apply new skills will be developed throughout this subject, as you have the opportunity to actively drive and participate in your own learning. Your ability to innovate will come into play in the journal club, as you present your scientific research to your peers using your own unique presentation style. You will have the opportunity to adapt what you have learnt through observing the many different presentation style while you have studied at University, and develop a style that is your own. This Graduate Attribute will be assessed in Assessment Task 3.
5. Communication.
Communication skills are essential for successful future employment scientific fields, and these skills are fostered through your participation in the laboratory practicals and journal club. In these tasks you will communicate laboratory results (yours and others) in written format, as a journal publication, and verbally, as an oral presentation with a visual component. From undertaking these tasks you have the opportunity to learn how to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts, in written and visual formats, taking into consideration your type of target audience. This Graduate Attribute is assessed in Assessment Tasks 2 and 3.
Teaching and learning strategies
In Medical and Diagnostic Biochemistry you will have the opportunity to learn through lectures, laboratory practicals, and a journal club, giving you 5 hours of face-to-face contact each week over 12 weeks of the teaching session. In these classes you will be exposed to a variety of learning strategies which can be complemented by your own independent study, in order to help you maximise your learning potential in this subject.
You are directed to check UTSOnline and your official UTS student email regularly (at least once per week) in order to be up-to-date with possible updates for the timetable and assessments. Failure to read instructions and/ or check UTSOnline will not be considered as a reason for any special consideration when tasks are not completed correctly or on time.
Lectures (2 hr/wk):
Lectures are delivered to you by experts in their respective fields, and provide an introduction to the key concepts of Medical and Diagnostic Biochemistry. Lecture notes will be available on UTSOnline before the timetabled session and you are encouraged to read these before the lecture in order to familiarise yourself with the topic and prepare questions to ask in the session. Some lectures may also involve preparation by you in the form of reading provided journal articles or patient case studies, in order to discuss these in the lecture session.
Laboratory Practicals (3 hr/wk for 5 weeks):
You will generally work in pairs or groups of 4 to perform laboratory experiments focused on analysis of clinical samples for diagnosis of disease states, providing you with hands-on experience of diagnostic pathology and methods used in (bio-)medical research. These laboratory practicals will extend theory learnt in lectures, and help you understand and apply your learning. You will need to prepare for each session by reading the experimental protocol provided in the manual, and completing a test on UTSOnline before the session begins. Completing this pre-work and test will help you prepare for the experimental procedures and manage your time in the session in order to complete the required work in the timetabled session. For some of the laboratory practicals you will also need to prepare by reading clinical case studies to understand why the relevant methodologies are being employed and on analysis of the results you will determine what is the likely cause of the patient’s symptoms.
Journal Club (3 hr/wk for 3 weeks):
Journal Club is used in professional scientific fields of employment, and is a regular meeting of a group of scientists to discuss developments in their field that have been recently published in the literature. Journal Club involves a person/team presenting a recently published journal article to the group, including context, aims, experimental procedures, and the important findings; as well as a critical evaluation of the study. The group then discusses the study drawing on their collective knowledge.
You will work in teams (maximum of 3 people) to present at Journal Club. You will select a recently published journal article (within the last 3 years) on your choice of topic associated with lecture series in Medical and Diagnostic Biochemistry. In your team you will present this article and associated, relevant information, as well as your critical evaluation (critique) of the study. This presentation will be a talk (oral presentation) with a visual component (eg PowerPoint). Associated with this task will be self-assessment of your contribution to the team project, as well as that of your peers (team members), using SPARKPlus.
Revision session (2 hr/ 1 week)
At the end of the semester there will be a revision session. Students will be given questions to prepare and the answers will be discussed in a class session. Students will also have the opportunity of discussing other aspects of the course prior to the exam. This session will not be assessed but is an opportunity for students to be self-starters and show motivation (GA 7). Students must be prepared for the in class discussion and use this session to enquire about things they need to clarify or understand better (GA 2).
Visit to Clinical Laboratory (2h/ 1 week)
In the mid semester Stu-Vac week there is the opportunity to visit a diagnostic laboratory. This activity is not compulsory and will not be assessed. It gives the students an opportunity to see a working diagnostic laboratory and put into context much of what they have learnt in the subject (GA1, GA 8).
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Content (topics)
Medical and Diagnostic Biochemistry focuses on experimental (laboratory) analysis of human samples (biological fluids: blood and urine) for diagnosis of disease and assessment of treatment efficacy. In this subject you are introduced to common human diseases (illness, pathologies) that can be identified and monitored using biochemical analysis.
For example you will study:
Haemoglobin pigments and associated disease states, abnormal glucose metabolism that leads to the development of diabetes mellitus, normal kidney (renal) function and disease states that arise from disordered renal function, Anion/cation balance in the blood and the disease states that result from an imbalance, disordered liver function.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Practical reports as data sheets (2)
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Criteria: | Your disciplinary knowledge (1) will be assessed by the correct nature of your answers to the questions; which is associated with your enquiry oriented approach (2) as you critically evaluate and interpret your results. Your professional skills (3) will be assessed by the quality of the data you produce.
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Assessment task 2: Practical written reports (2)
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.2, 2.1, 3.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 3: Journal Club
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 2.2, 4.3, 5.1 and 5.3 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Criteria: | Your disciplinary knowledge (1) will be assessed by the correct knowledge of the area and answers to questions; which is associated with your enquiry oriented approach (2) as you critically evaluate and interpret your the research article. Your professional skills (3) and communication skills (6) will be assessed by the quality and innovation (initiiave and innovative ability (7)) of your presentation and interaction with your peers (ability and motivation for continued intellectual development (4)). See the marking rubric on UTSOnline for details. |
Assessment task 4: Examination
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application. 2. Enquiry oriented approach. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 3, 5, 6 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 1.3, 3.1 and 4.2 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Criteria: | Your disciplinary knowledge (1) will be assessed based on the correct and appropriate nature of your answers to the stated questions. You capacity for enquiry (2) will be assessed through your analysis, interpretation and critical evaluation of presented data or clinical case studies. |
Minimum requirements
In order to maximise your learning potential in this subject you are encouraged to prepare for all learning activities as directed on UTSOnline, and attend all timetabled classes (lectures, laboratory practicals, and journal club). As all laboratory practicals are associated with assessment items you are expected to attend all your allocated (timetabled) laboratory practical sessions. In the professional employment space journal club is a mandatory group meeting, and hence you are expected to attend all your allocated (timetabled) journal club sessions. If a laboratory practical or journal club session is missed due to illness or misadventure, you are to contact the subject coordinator (Ann.Simpson@uts.edu.au) at the earliest available time, and either apply for special consideration through the UTS online system (http://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/managing-your-course/classes-and-assessment/special-circumstances/special), or provide a medical certificate (or other supporting documentation) to the subject coordinator on your return to UTS. Other reasons for absence will be assessed on their merits at the time.
All assessment items are compulsory.
The subject will consist of lectures, 2hr/week for 11 weeks, and practicals/journal club for 11 weeks. You are expected to attend all lectures and 100% of the practical/ journal club sessions. If a practical/ journal club session is missed a medical certificate must be presented to the subject co-ordinator on your return to UTS. Other reasons for absence will be assessed on their merits at the time.
The practical reports, journal club presentation and the final exam are all compulsory pieces of assessment. You must hand in all practical reports on time (unless a medical certificate is produced). Reports handed in late will lose 20% for each week they are late. No report will be accepted that is more than 2 weeks late. All your practical reports must have an assessment cover sheet which indicates it is your own work. Example is provided in your practical manual.
You must obtain at least 40% of the marks available for the final examination in order to pass this subject. If you do not, you will be awarded an X (fail) grade regardless of the total marks obtained in the subject.
In order to pass the subject you must attain at least 50% of the collective total marks.
Recommended texts
Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry 6th Ed (2008) or (2014), Burtis, CA; Ashwood, ER & Bruns, DE. Saunders Elsevier, Missouri, USA
OR
Clinical Chemistry, Theory, Analysis, Correlation, 5th Ed (2009), Kaplan, LA & Pesce, AJ. Saunders Elsevier, Missouri, USA
There is also an older, well set-out text: A Primer of Chemical Pathology (1996) Koay, ESC & Walmsley N. World Scientific
A limited number of these books are on closed reserve in the library.