LQB181 Introduction to Medical Laboratory Science
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: | LQB181 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,118 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,680 |
| International unit fee | $6,900 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | LQB181 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinator: | Frances Breen | f.breen@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Medical laboratory scientists work in clinical diagnostic pathology, performing laboratory based tests on tissue(s) or bodily fluids e.g. tissue biopsies, blood or urine. These assist medical practitioners and allied healthcare workers in the diagnosis of disease, management of patient care and ongoing research into disease. Up to 70% of medical treatments are based on a pathology diagnosis. This first year unit introduces you to the profession of medical laboratory science, the clinical practice of diagnostic pathology and your LS47 course. In a case-study scenario, you will learn and apply laboratory skills required to practice in clinical pathology. You will also be introduced to personal and academic support resources to support transition into first year and the rest of your course at QUT, and academic skills including information literacy and digital technologies.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe and apply knowledge of theoretical, practical and professional aspects of medical laboratory science in disease diagnosis and ongoing patient care/management.
- Describe and apply ethical knowledge and behaviours required in the workplace and at QUT with respect to safe laboratory practice and the use of patients' personal information.
- Reflect on your learning goals and understanding of your future role as a medical laboratory scientist
- Locate and interpret information and communicate your knowledge and learning in spoken, written and online/digital contexts
- Collaborate and contribute in a group learning environment and provide and receive peer assessment in a manner appropriate for medical laboratory scientists and your ongoing studies at QUT.
Content
The content of the unit includes:
- An introduction to the pathology industry, profession and scope of practice for medical laboratory scientists;
- Your professional development, and graduate destination options.
- Laboratory health and safety and practical skills required in the workplace and for students at QUT;
- Ethical knowledge and behaviours appropriate for medical laboratory scientists and students at QUT;
- An introduction to the core clinical disciplines of chemical pathology, microbiology, haematology, anatomical pathology and molecular pathology, their specific knowledge and its application;
- Study skills and learning approaches in the transition to study at university;
- Information literacy including locating, evaluating, reflecting on, and communicating your learning;
Learning Approaches
This unit will be taught by a team of teaching staff from across the course and consists of lectures, workshops, tutorials, and practical classes. The lectures and workshops introduce you to the profession of medical laboratory science and the theoretical and practical knowledge associated with the clinical disciplines. Practical classes allow you to apply this learning in a case study-based context and acquire laboratory skills to produce, analyse, and evaluate 'patient' data, with learning support and feedback from staff. Tutorials provide information to access resources and develop skills required for successful learning during your course and professional development, develop written and oral communication skills, and engage in group learning to develop a group presentation.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Throughout the Semester you will receive verbal and written feedback on your progress as you complete learning tasks. At the end of Semester you may have the opportunity to share your experiences and thoughts by providing your feedback on the teaching and content of this unit. Your constructive feedback may be used to make changes to the unit where appropriate to improve the learning outcomes for future students.
Assessment
Overview
General assessment information
This unit may use online web based text matching software that assists students to develop the academic skills required to correctly use and cite reference material as well as to check citations to determine and avoid possible instances of plagiarism.
Practical Class Attendance and Assessment
Participation in the practical classes is an integral part of your learning experience in LQB181. If you are unable to attend a practical session, you should inform the unit coordinator by email and provide supporting documentation for your absence, e.g. medical certificate on or within two days of the missed practical class. Subject to the above condition for advice, and satisfactory documentation, 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 absence from practicals, no marks will be given for related assessment.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Practical Portfolio
You will complete skills and case study based practical reports and quizzes progressively throughout semester. (Formative and summative).
Assessment: Poster Presentation
Modelling an industry conference presentation by a team of medical laboratory scientists, you will work in a group to research a designated topic relevant to the field of Medical Laboratory Science and communicate your findings in an abstract, e-poster and short talk. This assessment includes:
(a) an individual component, assessing research skills (5%) and research and group work progress (5%), and (b) a group component (30%), comprising assessment of the final presentation (abstract, e-poster and audio presentation) by academic staff and peer students. The final group mark may be moderated for individual students based on peer and self-assessment of group work.
Assessment: Reflection - SWOT Analysis
You will reflect on your personal, academic and professional development learning goals as you transition to university and complete a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis, a reflective evaluation tool used in professional and organisational contexts to identify areas of focus and strategies to address them (Formative and summative).
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
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, low heeled, non-slip shoes
Costs
Cost of obtaining lab gown and safety glasses is the responsibility of the student.
Resources
You will be referred to appropriate information resources via the unit Canvas site throughout the Semester.
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, Poster Presentation - Professional (including OHS and QA) Knowledge
Relates to: Practical Portfolio, Reflection - SWOT Analysis - Ethical knowledge
Relates to: Practical Portfolio - Analysis and interpretation of data
Relates to: Practical Portfolio - Scientific communication skills including information literacy and numeracy
Relates to: Practical Portfolio, Poster Presentation - Professional behaviours
Relates to: Practical Portfolio - Team work/Group work
Relates to: Poster Presentation - Peer Review
Relates to: Poster Presentation