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 4 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 basics of immunology and transfusion medicine and associated methodology that is required to carry out elements in laboratory placements and laboratory activities in clinical transfusion medicine and clinical immunology, 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: The Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

Immunology

On completion of the course, students should be able to

• describe the structure and function of the human immune defence at the molecular, cellular, organ and organism level
• describe the pathophysiological mechanisms behind the most common immunological diseases
• give an account of the background, principles and performance of basic and commonly occurring laboratory methods based on immunochemical analytical techniques
• discuss the role of the immune system in immunologically conditioned diseases such as hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, immune deficiency and immunity against microorganisms
• explain the theory behind the production of antibodies
• independently acquire and evaluate facts and thereby demonstrate knowledge of current research in the area and the relationship between research and clinical application

Transfusion medicine

On completion of the course, students should be able to

• give an account of the background, principles and performance of basic and commonly occurring laboratory methods in transfusion medicine
• describe the genetics of the blood group systems and the structure of the AB0 system, and explain the Rh system and the importance of the D antigen in transfusion medicine
• describe the formation of antibodies in the different blood group systems
• describe blood component preparation
• discuss current research in the area and the relationship between research and clinical application
• give examples of quality assurance methods in transfusion medicine
• demonstrate knowledge of international regulatory frameworks and conditions for transfusion medicine

Skills and abilities

Immunology

On completion of the course, students should be able to

• put basic theory in cellular and molecular immunology into practice
• independently acquire and present facts in writing and orally
• describe methodologies used and interpret results obtained
• carry out commonly occurring immunochemical analytical techniques based on laboratory instruction

Transfusion medicine

On completion of the course, students should be able to

• make practical use of theoretical knowledge in basic transfusion medicine based on laboratory instruction
• independently acquire and present facts in writing and orally
• give an account of methodologies used and interpret results obtained, and discuss relevant problems within the subject
• give an account of the national and international laws and regulations governing transfusion medicine and blood activities

Judgement and approach

On completion of the course, the student should be able to

• demonstrate an ethical, diversity and equality perspective in the treatment of blood donors with special consideration of human rights.
• 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

• The organisation of the immune defence and the immune system, the molecular and cellular bases of the immune system
• Monoclonal antibodies and vaccines
• The natural immune defence and its components, immune genetics and cell cooperation
• Hypersensitivity reactions, autoimmunity, immunological deficiency diseases, transplantation immunology and tumour immunology
• Analytical methods based on antigen-antibody reactions
• The biochemistry, genetics and antibody formation of the AB0 and Rh systems, and their importance for transfusion, pregnancy and transplantation
• The biochemistry of other blood group systems, common antigens, and their importance for transfusion and pregnancy
• The most common blood group serological technologies, importance of immunoglobulin class and sources of errors
• Blood donation, the production of blood components, storage and control
• The organisation of logistics and quality assurance for blood donation and transplantation
• Relevant regulations and laws
• Ethical issues in connection with blood donation

Instruction

The teaching is given as lectures, laboratory sessions, case studies, group work, seminars 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 also perform approved seminars and laboratory sessions and actively participate 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 fail to pass the examination have the right to retake the examination on 4 additional occasions (= a total of 5 examination attempts). 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' examination paper counts as an examination attempt.