LSB625 Diagnostic Endocrinology
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | LSB625 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | LSB525 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,590 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,680 |
| International unit fee | $6,900 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | LSB625 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | LSB525 |
| Coordinator: | Steven Weier | s.weier@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Endocrinology is a specialised area of study in clinical biochemistry and investigates pathologies associated with the hormonal control mechanisms that regulate metabolism and growth within the body. This unit is in the course to provide you with essential scientific and technical skills to prepare you to work as a medical laboratory scientist. The unit is positioned in the developmental phase of the course and is preceded by LSB525, the study of chemical pathology. Combined, these units prepare you for employment in both smaller multi-disciplinary laboratories performing a limited number of biochemical tests, as well as larger specialised laboratories performing in-depth studies of all aspects of chemical pathology and endocrinology.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Analyse and problem-solve in diagnostic endocrinology including the principle and rationale of various analytes that are estimated, the pre-analytical factors that may impact result integrity and requirements of specialised dynamic function testing
- Apply your knowledge and understanding of the clinical tests associated with various pathologies and perform the measurement of a broad range of clinical tests using a variety of techniques and instrumentation as per established protocols
- Display professional and ethical behaviours and knowledge appropriate for medical laboratory scientists in the workplace and your studies at QUT
- Communicate your knowledge and learning in spoken, written and digital formats appropriate for medical laboratory scientists for a range of purposes and audienc
Content
This unit further develops on the study of chemical aspects of human life in health and illness, and discusses the application of chemical laboratory methods for diagnosis, control of treatment and prevention of disease.
In this unit you will focus on:
- Adrenal function
- Thyroid function
- Growth
- Gonadal function
- Fertility
- Pregnancy
- Bone metabolism
- Gastric, pancreatic and intestinal function
- Tumour markers
- Vitamins and trace elements
- Therapeutic drug monitoring
Learning Approaches
As this course is vocationally directed, you will have opportunities to apply knowledge and skills learned through a case studies approach as they are in the workplace. The organisation of the unit consists of a lecture, tutorial and a practical class each week.
The practical sessions, will involve the estimation of various analytes using colorimetry, spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, chromatography and immunoassay. These practical classes are integrated with the lectures by relevant questions, involving a “real life” case study, which you answer in the practical reports and quizzes. These corrected reports and quizzes, along with the practical examination, will provide ongoing feedback to you in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the unit.
This unit is taught in a way that encourages you to acquire and develop the graduate capabilities highly valued in medical laboratory scientists by employers. These include discipline specific knowledge and practical skills, the ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve, effective written and oral communication skills; as well as the ability to work independently or as part of a team in an ethical, culturally sensitive and professional manner. As a result, your learning activities and assessment tasks will be focused on developing and demonstrating these skills and capabilities.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will be provided with feedback on your learning and progress via your corrected practical reports and quizzes, along with the practical examination, and by participating in learning activities.
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. Constructive feedback may be used to make changes to the unit (e.g. classroom activities, practicals or assessment) where appropriate to improve the learning outcomes for future students.
Assessment
Overview
General Assessment Information
Due to the applied clinical laboratory nature of LSB625 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 Turnitin 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 LSB625, if you are unable to attend a practical session, you should inform the unit coordinator by email and provide supporting documentation e.g. medical certificate for your absence within two days . For approved absences alternate arrangements as determined by the unit coordinator 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 absences from practicals, no marks will be given for related assessment.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Practical Portfolio
You will assess sample acceptability and submit results with ongoing case studies which combined, will form your case study portfolio (30%). You will also undertake a Practical exam that will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your practical/laboratory-based skills in the clinical diagnostic laboratory context (10%) (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: Case Study Presentation
You will work individually to prepare and give a 15-minute Oral case study presentation on a topic relevant to diagnostic endocrine laboratories. (Summative)
Assessment: Examination (written)
A three-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 theory exam and greater than or equal to 50% in the unit overall to pass.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
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.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties 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
1. Gardner, D.G., & Shoback, D. (2017). Greenspan's Basic and Clinical Endocrinology(10th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
AND
2. Burtis, C.A., Ashwood, E.R., & Bruns, D.E. (2011). Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics (6th ed,). Elsevier Saunders.
OR
3. Rifai, N, Horvath, A R, Wittner C T. (2018). Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics (9th ed.), WB Saunders.
Resource Materials
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
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.LS47 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
- Discipline Knowledge
Relates to: Practical Portfolio, Case Study Presentation, Examination (written) - Technical proficiency
Relates to: Practical Portfolio - Interpretation and application of protocols
Relates to: Practical Portfolio, Examination (written) - Analysis and interpretation of data
Relates to: Practical Portfolio, Case Study Presentation, Examination (written) - Synthesis, judgement, and explanation
Relates to: Examination (written) - Scientific communication skills including information literacy and numeracy
Relates to: Practical Portfolio, Case Study Presentation - Quality assurance
Relates to: Practical Portfolio, Examination (written) - Professional behaviours
Relates to: Case Study Presentation - Team work/Group work
Relates to: Case Study Presentation - Peer Review
Relates to: Case Study Presentation