School: Medical and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Clinical Biochemistry
  • Unit Code

    MMS2103
  • Year

    2019
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Megan LLOYD

Description

This unit in conjunction with SCH2232 Medical Biochemistry is designed to equip the medical scientist with knowledge and skills to undertake a range of clinical biochemical studies in a pathology laboratory. Emphasis is on building up a range of practical, analytical and communication skills underpinned with clinical biochemical theories of disease.

Prerequisite Rule

SCH2232

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Explain the pathophysiology and biochemistry of cardiovascular, renal and common metabolic neoplastic diseases and analyse the implications of these for laboratory investigations.
  2. Formulate a report on the outcomes of laboratory investigations, communicate the outcomes via a variety of media and discuss the data with medical and allied health professionals.
  3. Perform a range of standard laboratory biochemical investigations related to the above and to interpret the results on the basis of current Australian clinical practice guidelines.
  4. Recommend safe and accurate specimen collection and processing techniques.

Unit Content

  1. Methodologies used in biochemical assays.
  2. Reporting and evaluation of clinical biochemistry results.
  3. The pathophysiology and biochemistry of liver disease.
  4. The pathophysiology and biochemistry of myocardial infarction.
  5. The pathophysiology, biochemistry and generation of plasma markers in liver, prostate and bone cancer.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit will be taught using lectures and laboratory sessions. Laboratory work requires that students work as a team to contribute to safe practices. Data analysis and interpretation of assay results will also occur in class, along with discussions of biomarker development and use in current research.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentLiterature review30%
TestMid-semester test20%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

MMS2103|2|1

School: Medical and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Clinical Biochemistry
  • Unit Code

    MMS2103
  • Year

    2019
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    3
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Andrew Jonghan WOO

Description

In this unit, students will gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills to undertake a range of clinical biochemical analyses using a variety of laboratory equipment. Emphasis is placed on aligning the detection of biochemical biomarkers with the development of human disease, and the contribution of this type of testing to the diagnostic process.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Interpret clinical data to evaluate health or disease status in humans
  2. Measure blood-based indicators and biomarkers of human disease
  3. Synthesize information to determine additional testing requirements.
  4. Explain the importance of quality control and processes required to achieve reliable medical results.

Unit Content

  1. The pathophysiology and biochemistry of renal disease, liver disease, heart disease, bone disease, thyroid disease, uric acid-associated disease, diabetes and cancer.
  2. Methodologies used in biochemical assays including the hands-on use of a variety of laboratory equipment.
  3. Evaluation of clinical biochemistry results including quality control analyses and result validation techniques.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit will be taught using lectures, tutorials and hands-on laboratory classes that will involve the biochemical evaluation of blood for specific biomarkers. Data analysis and interpretation of assay results in case studies will occur in class, along with discussions of biomarker assay development and the current use of clinical biomarkers in pathology laboratories. Guest lecturers will provide information on practical and research-based applications for biochemical testing.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentPrimary Research Article Comparison30%
TestLaboratory Test (Theoretical) 20%
ExaminationEnd of Semester Examination50%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

MMS2103|3|2