LQB529 Chemical Pathology

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This unit is designed to equip students with the foundational knowledge and practical competencies required to function effectively as medical laboratory scientists within Chemical Pathology laboratories. Positioned in the formative phase of the course, it follows LQB429 Quality and Analysis in Clinical Biochemistry, ensuring a logical progression of learning. Together, these units provide comprehensive preparation for employment in both small, multi-disciplinary laboratories that conduct a limited range of biochemical tests, and larger, specialised laboratories engaged in advanced investigations across all domains of chemical pathology.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Analyse and problem-solve in chemical pathology including the principle and rationale of various analytes that are estimated, the pre-analytical factors that may impact result integrity
2. Apply your knowledge and understanding of the clinical tests associated with various pathologies and perform the measurement of a broad range of analytes using a variety of techniques and instrumentation as per established protocols
3. Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviours and knowledge, including occupational health and safety and quality assurance
4. Communicate your knowledge and learning in a range of formats appropriate for medical laboratory scientists for a range of purposes and audiences

Content

Learning Approaches

As this course is vocationally directed, this unit will scaffold your learning by closely integrating theory with practical exercises relevant to real world clinical laboratory practice. Strategies to assist with your learning will involve fostering independent learning to assist your transition to clinical laboratory workplaces by developing your information literacy skills and by developing your practical skills in an authentic laboratory context that mirrors “real life” practices, including actual clinical case studies explored under the guidance of professionals from clinical practice, and modelling appropriate professional practice and behaviours by using practicing medical scientists to assist you in developing your diagnostic skills.

The organisation of the unit is to consist of a lecture, a tutorial and a practical session per week. You will be encouraged to learn both independently and interdependently as part of an integrated generic skills approach. The practical sessions will allow you to apply your learning by performing estimations of various analytes using colorimetry, spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, chromatography and immunoassay. These practical classes are integrated with the lectures by relevant questions, involving "real-life" case studies, which you will solve as part of your practical activities. These corrected exercises, will provide ongoing feedback on your performance throughout the Semester in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the unit.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will be provided with feedback on your learning and progress via your corrected practical reports and quizzes, and by participating in learning activities with your classmates and teaching staff.

During and at the end of semester you will have the opportunity to share your experiences and thoughts by providing your feedback on the teaching and content of this unit. Your ideas feedback and suggestions may be used to make changes to the unit (e.g. classroom activities, practicals or assessment) where appropriate to improve the learning outcomes for you and future students.

Assessment

Overview

General Assessment Information

Due to the applied clinical laboratory nature of LQB529 and for you to meet the requirements of course accreditation, threshold assessment conditions apply to the grading in this unit. A minimum of 50% in both theory and practical assessment tasks is required to successfully complete this unit. If you fail either the practical or theory assessment components, and have meaningfully attempted all assessment tasks, and have obtained a result of 45-49% for the failed section, and your overall unit mark is greater than or equal to 50%, you have the opportunity to complete one additional assessment (designated by the unit coordinator); if you pass this, you will receive an overall grade of 4 for the unit. However, if you do not pass this additional assessment, you will not be eligible to pass the unit and will be awarded a maximum grade of 3. You are advised to seek feedback from the unit coordinator prior to undertaking the additional threshold assessment.

This unit will use Canvas for the submission of your assessment tasks.

Practical Class Attendance and Assessment

Participation in the practical classes is an integral part of your learning experience in LQB529, if you are unable to attend a practical session, you should inform the unit coordinator by email and provide supporting documentation for your absence within 48 hours, e.g. medical certificate. For approved absences alternate arrangements will be accommodated on up to two occasions. Approved absences in excess of two occasions will need to be discussed with the unit coordinator. In the case of unapproved absence from practicals, no marks will be given for related assessment.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Practical Portfolio

You will perform practical activities each week which will be assessed progressively over the semester and feedback on ongoing performance provided. These four practical case studies will involve performing laboratory measurements of biochemical tests, critical analysis of the quality of the data obtained, as well as your ability to make judgements regarding the clinical utility and interpretation of patient results. The final results will be presented in a format used by clinicians in patient care. These practical activities reflect the duties regularly performed by scientists in diagnostic pathology laboratories and are critical for the delivery of accurate and timely results to clinicians and allied health practitioners. (formative and summative)

Threshold Assessment:

Threshold conditions apply.  Students need to obtain greater than or equal to 50% for the portfolio and greater than or equal to 50% in the unit overall to pass.

Assessment: Method Verification Project

You will evaluate the performance and suitability of a new assay introduced to your laboratory.  You will assess performance in accordance with current NATA method verification protocols.  Your data will be collected during practical classes, and then collated, assessed and reported according to current clinical criteria and guidelines to determine its fitness for purpose.  The report is expected to be between 3500 and 5000 words.  The final length will be ultimately determined by the data you obtain.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions. 

Threshold Assessment:

Threshold conditions apply.  Students need to obtain greater than or equal to 50% for the project and greater than or equal to 50% in the unit overall to pass.

Assessment: Theory Examination

A two and a half hour written examination covering the theoretical aspects of the unit.  The exam will contain a combination of both short and long answer questions.

Threshold Assessment:

Threshold conditions apply.  Students need to obtain greater than or equal to 50% for the final exam and greater than or equal to 50% in the unit overall to pass.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

Practicals will require personal protective equipment supplied by each student:
1. Laboratory Gown - Rear fastening 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix
2. Safety eye protection glasses - selected and used in accordance with Australian Safety Standards
3. Fully enclosed non-slip shoes

Costs

Cost of obtaining lab gown and safety glasses is the responsibility of the student.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Burtis, C.A., Ashwood, E.R. & Bruns, D.E. (2011). Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics (6th ed.). Elsevier Saunders.

Burtis, C.A., Ashwood, E.R., & Bruns, D.E. (2008). Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry (9th ed.). WB Saunders.

Kaplan, L.A., & Pesce, A.J. (2010). Clinical Chemistry (5th ed.)., Mosby.

Kellerman, G. (2011). Abnormal Laboratory Results. McGraw Hill

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit includes a laboratory component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You are required to view a Health & Safety Induction video and complete an online health and safety quiz prior to being permitted into the laboratory, to access please follow this link Health & Safety Induction. A passing score of 10/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory session. You may repeat the quiz until this score is achieved. You are also referred to the Faculty of Health's Health & Safety Web Site for further information.

If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the lecturer in charge of the unit, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.

Course Learning Outcomes

LS47 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

1. Discipline Knowledge
   Relates to: ULO1, Practical Portfolio, Theory Examination
2. Professional (including OHS and QA) Knowledge
   Relates to: ULO3, Practical Portfolio, Method Verification Project, Theory Examination
3. Ethical knowledge
   Relates to: ULO3
4. Technical proficiency
   Relates to: ULO2, Practical Portfolio
5. Interpretation and application of protocols
   Relates to: ULO2
6. Analysis and interpretation of data
   Relates to: Practical Portfolio, Method Verification Project, Theory Examination
7. Synthesis, judgement, and explanation
   Relates to: Method Verification Project
8. Scientific communication skills including information literacy and numeracy
   Relates to: ULO4
9. Interdisciplinary Communication
   Relates to: Practical Portfolio
10. Quality assurance
    Relates to: ULO2, Practical Portfolio, Method Verification Project