Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Advanced Laboratory Medicine

Credit Points: 24.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

MEDS2154

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 2 2024

Course Coordinator: Dr Denise Jackson

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: denise.jackson@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This capstone course has an industry focus in a specific discipline of Laboratory Medicine. This course is taken as part of a major discipline stream in the final year of the program and is designed to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to competently undertake investigations into a range of discipline specific diseases. A series of problem solving exercises examine the clinical presentation and laboratory investigation of a range of discipline specific diseases.
In addition, a laboratory based, online or blended (online & laboratory) project will assist you to develop skills and/or knowledge in biological research and scientific communication, including design and performance of experiments, analysis and presentation of experimental data, oral and written scientific reports that use these skills and knowledge.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for MC158 Master of Laboratory Medicine degree program AQF9:

  • PLO 1. Knowledge capability
    Have a comprehensive understanding of key scientific principles underpinning laboratory medicine and have developed a systemic knowledge of core cellular and molecular processes underlying health and disease. Have advanced knowledge of two core clinical speciality disciplines of laboratory medicine and advanced management skills,
    • PLO 2. Technical capability
    Ability to develop and perform a range of diagnostic techniques relevant to the field of laboratory medicine. To use logical and systemic thinking and high level critical analysis skills to solve problems by utilising diagnostic techniques and methodologies in the chosen areas of clinical laboratory specialisation,
    • PLO 3. Professional work practices
    Have a critical awareness of principles relating to scientific integrity, ethical issues and legal framework that underpins the field of laboratory medicine. Contribute to professional work settings through effective interpersonal and teamwork skills to support constructive interactions,
    • PLO 4. Communication skills
    Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups within the diagnostic laboratory environment. Acquire, organise, critically analyse, interpret and present information to media in professional settings on current issues in laboratory medicine, and
    • PLO 6. Research capability
    Ability to apply the principles and methods of scientific inquiry and research design to plan and perform hypothesis-driven research project in the field of laboratory medicine or an in-depth advanced professional practice in laboratory medicine work experience.

 


On successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Discuss in detail the complex nature of events contributing to disease states in your discipline.
  2. Evaluate and perform laboratory techniques relevant to your discipline and/or examine the medical literature pertaining to such techniques and determine the accuracy, precision, sensitivity and cross-reactivity pertinent to your assay.
  3. Describe the clinical presentation of a variety of discipline based disorders.
  4. Independently undertake a laboratory-based, online or blended (online & laboratory) project that investigates a topic of relevance to your given discipline.
  5. Apply proper scientific practice regarding data collection and recording, laboratory safety, time and project management, experimental design, accuracy and precision, analysis and interpretation of results.
  6. Analyse and interpret scientific literature, experimental data, prepare a minor thesis (literature review, materials and methods, results, discussion and bibliography) or systematic review/meta-analysis or other appropriate scientific paper/manual
  7. Report findings of a laboratory based, online or blended project in an oral seminar.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both.

This is a discipline-based course from a major stream that is designed to prepare graduates for a career in laboratory medicine, or to pursue postgraduate research in the discipline. The syllabus is covered in a program of lectorials, tutorials, laboratory based, online or blended projects and seminars. Tuition is primarily based on problem solving exercises which are designed to extend theoretical knowledge and to develop analytical and critical thinking skills.

Preparation of a reference list and project outline, project work under the guidance of a supervisor, participation in laboratory or online meetings, seminars, writing and editing a minor thesis in consultation with a supervisor, preparation of and presentation of a seminar.

Students are also required to complete an on line RMIT Micro-credential.

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

This course contains hurdle requirements. All hurdle requirements for this course are indicated clearly in the assessment regime that follows, against the relevant assessment task(s) and all have been approved by the College Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching).

This course has hurdle requirements related to theory ONLY for the students in the Major - Transfusion and transplantation science the details of which are outlined in Part B

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Literature Review
Weighting 10%
This assessment supports CLO 6

Assessment Task 2: Mid-Semester invigilated Test
Weighting 15%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 3

Assessment Task 3: Oral Presentation
Weighting 10%
This assessment task supports CLO 7

Assessment Task 4: Final Project Report
Weighting 35%
This assessment task supports CLOs 2, 4, 5 & 6

Assessment Task 5: Final invigilated theory exam
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 3

Assessment Task 6: Supervisor/Lab Notebooks 
Weighting 10% 
This assessment task supports CLOs 2, 4, 5 & 6

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.