LSB466 Histological Techniques

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Histological techniques are often essential for diagnosis and management of disease, and therefore constitute an important skill set for medical laboratory scientists. The purpose of this unit is to provide you with the opportunity to learn the theory underpinning basic histological techniques routinely used in clinical as well as research laboratories, and how they are applied and interpreted. From a whole of course perspective, the unit LSB466 Histological Techniques incorporates and builds upon your learning in LSB255 Foundations of Anatomy and Histology, and LSB365 Pathology, and prepares you for LSB566 Histopathology in the third year of your course.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the recognition, preparation and staining of tissue sections using a variety of protocols commonly routinely used in histology laboratories;
2. Problem-solve by interpreting results of frequently/routinely performed staining procedures applied to tissue sections;
3. Demonstrate professionalism and ethical behaviours including adherence to workplace health and safety guidelines;
4. Communicate your knowledge and learning of the histochemical basis and purpose of procedures used in histological laboratories using appropriate vocabulary and scientific writing;
5. Demonstrate effective collaborative and independent behaviours relating to working in a diagnostic clinical or research laboratory.

Content

Learning Approaches

The unit content will be delivered via an interactive online course, supported by a series of laboratory classes and online tutorials. The online course will cover the essential steps involved with preparing histological specimens for diagnosis. Laboratory classes will provide students with the opportunity to apply knowledge gained from the online course, by producing histological specimens. The online tutorials will provide an opportunity for students to consolidate their knowledge gained from the online course, as well as receiving feedback on specimens produced in laboratory classes.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Throughout the semester you will receive immediate feedback on your understanding of concepts covered in the online course via a series of automated test exercises. Feedback on your application of knowledge will be provided by experienced current and former industry-based scientists, during laboratory classes, as well as during the online tutorials.

During semester and at the end of semester you will also be provided with the opportunity to give your feedback on the teaching and content of this unit. Your feedback and suggestions will be used to make changes to the unit where possible to improve the learning outcomes for you and future students.

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 minimum of 50% in both the final theory exam and practical assessment tasks (Tissue Identification exercise and Evaluation of Staining exercise) 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.

You will have the opportunity to complete an optional, online, progress exam around the middle of semester. This theory examination will allow you to practice the styles of questions representative of the final theory examination and receive feedback on your depth of understanding of the topics through discussions of the answers in class.

Participation in the practical classes is an integral part of your learning experience in LSB466. If you are unable to attend a practical session, you should inform the unit coordinator by email and provide supporting documentation for your absence the following week at the start of practical class, 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.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Tissue and Stain Identification exercise

This Timed Online Assessment will test the ability of students to identity different tissues and stains, based upon their interpretation of a series of high-quality digital images of histological specimens. 

Assessment: Staining exam

This practical examination will require students to plan and subsequently execute a panel of different staining techniques within a designated time period.

Assessment: Final Theory Exam

This examination will test your knowledge of basic terms and definitions relating to common histological techniques. You will also be examined on your ability to apply this knowledge to the interpretation of stated staining outcomes and to be able to discuss potential solutions to common technical problems.

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

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

Reference book(s)

Bancroft, J.D. & Stevens, A. (1990). Theory and Practice of Histological Techniques Churchill Livingstone.

Bancroft, J.D., & Cook, H.C. (1984). Manual of Histological Techniques. Churchill Livingstone.

Kiernan, J.A. (1990). Histological and Histochemical Methods, Theory and Practice. Permagon Press.

Histotechnology Group of Queensland website contains useful links to histology sites

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: Tissue and Stain Identification exercise, Staining exam, Final Theory Exam
2. Professional (including OHS and QA) Knowledge
   Relates to: Tissue and Stain Identification exercise, Staining exam, Final Theory Exam
3. Technical proficiency
   Relates to: Tissue and Stain Identification exercise, Staining exam
4. Interpretation and application of protocols
   Relates to: Tissue and Stain Identification exercise, Staining exam
5. Analysis and interpretation of data
   Relates to: Tissue and Stain Identification exercise, Final Theory Exam
6. Synthesis, judgement, and explanation
   Relates to: Tissue and Stain Identification exercise, Final Theory Exam
7. Quality assurance
   Relates to: Staining exam