LQB429 Quality and Analysis in Clinical Biochemistry

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Quality and Analysis in Clinical Biochemistry develops previous work undertaken in LQB286 and LQB381 and builds towards work which will be undertaken in LQB529 Chemical Pathology. This second-year unit explores a range of analytical techniques and the quality assurance standards and practices in place in real world pathology laboratories. Assays must be performed with accuracy and precision, and data and results validated according to quality standards, and troubleshooting skills also developed. With emphasis on the knowledge, skills and values required for good laboratory practice, and a commitment to high quality results, this unit prepares you for the more complex procedures, automated technologies, and clinical topics in the third-year units and the clinical biochemistry workplace.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Apply skills of extrapolation, critical analysis of data and complex reasoning to solve problems in priority areas in the laboratory context.
2. Work independently using Clinical Biochemistry knowledge, skills in scientific writing and digital technologies.
3. Apply knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Quality Assurance systems, and ethical workplace practices in the clinical context.
4. Analyse and problem-solve in clinical biochemistry including the principle and rationale of various analytes that are estimated, the pre-analytical factors that may impact result integrity

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit engages students in theory-to-practice learning experiences, a constructivist approach and elements of problem solving to formulate responses to real world laboratory contexts. Participation in the practical classes is an integral part of the learning experience. The learning experience involves lectures to cover the theoretical aspects of the unit, practical sessions using digital technologies and entailing individual work in analytical techniques and quality control, and workshops and tutorials linking lectures and practical work, and providing demonstrations, and assistance with calculations and data handling, and interpretations. Together these approaches support the critical interpretation of data and results, troubleshooting of errors, and a commitment to high quality laboratory results. The LQB429 Canvas site is used to provide resource material and regular unit updates.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Formal feedback to students is provided through assessed reports and a practical test as well as in the tutorial and workshop program and via the Canvas site. Informal feedback is provided weekly in practical classes and in student discussion sessions as well as in formative online quizzes.

Assessment

Overview

For the purpose of meeting professional accreditation standards and successful transition to advanced units in this course, threshold assessment conditions apply to the grading in this unit. A satisfactory achievement (minimum of 50%) in the Quality Control (QC) Project Report and an overall unit passing mark of at least 50% are required to obtain a passing grade for this unit. If you achieve 45-49% for the QC Project Report, 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 additional assessment 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 on your QC Project Report from the unit coordinator prior to undertaking the additional threshold assessment.

Practical Class Assessment
Participation in the practical classes is an integral part of your learning experience in LQB429, if you are unable to attend a practical session, you should inform the unit coordinator by email and provide supporting documentation 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: Laboratory/Practical

You will undertake weekly practical activities and be provided with ongoing formative feedback with respect to your performance.  (a) Three (3) practical reports will be summatively assessed and will assess your ability to perform analyses, critically analyse data, and your ability to make judgements about the validity and clinical utility of patient results (15%). These reports will be presented in a format used by clinicians in patient care and account  and (b) Practical Test: This short answer test of calculations and a data handling and validation exercise (10%) will assess your critical analysis of data and ability to make judgements about laboratory results.  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.

Assessment: Quality Control Project

Quality Control (QC) project based on data collected in practical classes. Results are analysed and assessed for accuracy and precision, test results' validation, consensus with peer group and implications for laboratory practice. Results are formatively assessed weekly and finalised at the end of semester in a final project report (formative and summative).

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

Threshold Assessment:

A satisfactory achievement (minimum of 50%) in the Quality Control (QC) Project Report and an overall unit passing mark of at least 50% are required to obtain a passing grade for this unit. If you achieve 45-49% for the QC Project Report, 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 additional assessment 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 on your QC Project Report from the unit coordinator prior to undertaking the additional threshold assessment.

Assessment: Examination (written)

Examination assessing your knowledge and application of the theoretical aspects of the unit.  The exam will contain a combination of both multiple-choice and short answer questions. (summative).

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

Costs

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

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Kaplan, L.A., & Pesce, A.J. (2010). Clinical Chemistry: Theory, Analysis, Correlation. (5th ed.) Mosby: Elsevier.

Rifai, N , Horvath, A.R., & Wittwer, C.T. (2019). Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics (8th ed.). Saunders; Elsevier.
Also available as an e-book.

Link to Library record: https://qut.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61QUT_INST/1l08vsn/alma991009815189704001

Westgard, J.O. (2016). Basic QC Practices (4th ed.). Westgard QC.

Safety and protective equipment

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

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: ULO2, ULO4, Laboratory/Practical, Quality Control Project, Examination (written)
2. Professional (including OHS and QA) Knowledge
   Relates to: ULO3, Quality Control Project, Examination (written)
3. Ethical knowledge
   Relates to: ULO3
4. Technical proficiency
   Relates to: Laboratory/Practical, Quality Control Project
5. Interpretation and application of protocols
   Relates to: Quality Control Project
6. Analysis and interpretation of data
   Relates to: ULO1, Laboratory/Practical, Examination (written)
7. Synthesis, judgement, and explanation
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO4
8. Scientific communication skills including information literacy and numeracy
   Relates to: ULO2, Quality Control Project
9. Quality assurance
   Relates to: ULO3, Quality Control Project, Examination (written)