General provisions

The course is part of the Biomedical Laboratory Science Programme (180 credits), which leads directly to qualification as a registered biomedical laboratory scientist. The education and training within the programme follows a fixed course of study, which means that the courses must be taken in a set order unless an individual study plan has been established. The course is given in semester 3 of the Biomedical Laboratory Science Programme and consists of theoretical studies and practical proficiency training. The goal of the course is that the students acquire the theoretical bases and associated methodology that is required to carry out components in clinical pathology and genetics placements and to be able to utilise advanced knowledge in the area.

Entry requirements

Entry to academic year 2 requires at least 40 credits completed in subjects equivalent to the first year of the programme, with non-completed course components amounting to a maximum of 1 practical test and 2 examinations. For admission to the course as a freestanding course, older biomedical laboratory science studies or equivalent skills are required.

Responsible department: Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

Pathology

On completion of the course, students should be able to

• describe commonly occurring diseases and their prevalence
• describe the pathophysiological mechanisms behind the origin of described diseases
• describe the classification of tumours
• describe basic and commonly occurring laboratory methods in diagnostic pathological activities
• describe commonly occurring laboratory methods in pathological activities
• follow the laws and regulations that govern laboratory activities in the pathology clinic
• demonstrate knowledge of the organisation of logistics and quality assurance at a pathology and cytology clinic
• discuss current research in the area and the relationship between research and clinical application
• describe how the changed morphology in different tissues can be used for diagnostic aims
• describe relevant cellular and molecular changes in certain diseases and how these can be utilised for diagnostic aims

Genetics

On completion of the course, students should be able to

• describe the importance of genetic factors for health and disease
• describe the different major groups of genetic diseases and how they are inherited
• describe how genetic injuries/variants are diagnosed and the basic laboratory technology in clinical genetics
• follow the laws and regulations that govern genetic activities
• demonstrate knowledge of the organisation of logistics and quality assurance at a genetic clinic
• show knowledge of current research in the area and the connection between research and clinical application

Skills and abilities

Pathology & Genetics

On completion of the course, students should be able to

• demonstrate skills in basic and commonly occurring laboratory methodology in pathological activities
• demonstrate an ability to assess the quality and perform simple interpretation of microscopical preparations and other analysis results
• demonstrate the ability to independently present facts through oral and written presentations
• demonstrate an ability to independently acquire and evaluate facts
• demonstrate proficiency in the basic laboratory techniques in clinical genetics

Judgement and approach

On completion of the course, students should be able to

• demonstrate an understanding of ethical questions concerning the handling of human tissue and analysis results in clinical pathological and genetic activities
• demonstrate an ability to plan in groups and distribute joint tasks
• demonstrate an ethical, diversity-respecting and equal treatment of colleagues and show maturity in handling conflicts that arise in planning and carrying out group assignments
• discuss knowledge in the subject areas of the course with other students and teachers and identify their own need to improve their knowledge

Content

Pathology

Pathology is about general cellular pathology, pathological concepts and terminology, organ-related tumour theory including tumour classification, inflammation, degeneration and aggregation diseases, autopsy, slide preparation, techniques for histopathology including light microscopic analysis, immunohistochemistry, molecular pathology, electron microscopy and cytologic diagnostics and its techniques.

Clinical Genetics

Clinical genetics is about the organisation and inheritance of the genome, genetically conditioned diseases, advanced knowledge in the use of molecular biological methodology for gene diagnostics and analysis, and methods for chromosome analysis.

Instruction

Lectures, laboratory sessions, demonstrations, case studies, seminars, group assignments and study visits.

Assessment

Assessment takes place in the form of an individually written examination and a practical test. For a pass grade, students must pass the examination and test, as well as achieving approved performance in seminars, group assignments and laboratory sessions and actively participating in mandatory elements. If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Students who have failed the examination have the right to take an examination a further 4 times (in total, 5 examinations). If special circumstances apply, the programme committee can allow additional examinations. Every time the student participates in an examination is regarded as an examination attempt. Submission of a blank exam paper is counted as an examination.