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Unit of Study BIOL2006 - Clinical Biochemistry (2023)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Unit type

    UG Coursework Unit

  • Credit points

    12

  • Faculty/College

    Faculty of Health

  • Placement

    No

  • Enrolment information

    Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time. This unit contains laboratory activities and/or professional experience learning that require students to fulfil certain vaccination and compliance requirements prior to attending. As some of these can take up to 5 months to complete, you must prepare now. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in you being unable to undertake the stipulated Laboratory Activity and/or Professional Experience Learning which may result in failure of the unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/clinicalplacements

Unit description

Expands on student knowledge of human disease by incorporating results of clinical biochemistry and genetic investigations. In addition, students further develop their practical skills in biochemical and molecular analytical techniques. Current trends in biochemical/molecular research including gene therapy are also presented.

Unit content

1. Biochemical tests in clinical medicine | Disturbances of water and electrolytes and related pathophysiologies

2. Bone Metabolism | Gastrointestinal tract health and diseases

3. Glucose metabolism | Diabetes mellitus | Disorders of metabolism

4. Biochemical Endocrinology | Biochemistry of renal and cardiovascular diseases

5. Neurotransmitters | Cellular Homeostasis: Cell Growth and Cancer 

6. Clinical biochemistry in paediatrics, pregnancy and in the elderly

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

explain disease processes from a biochemical viewpoint

investigate clinical cases by applying relevant biochemical methods and evaluating clinical biochemical data

evaluate clinical biochemical data used in disease diagnosis across culturally diverse populations with consideration of quality control and standard safety procedures

select and employ relevant laboratory methods and safe practice in the biochemical laboratory

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • Murphy, M, Srivastava, R & Deans, K, 2018, Clinical Biochemistry: An Illustrated Colour Text, 6th edn, Elsevier Health Sciences, Great Britain. ISBN: 9780702072987.
Prescribed Resources/Equipment

  • The following items must be purchased and students must wear them at each laboratory class:

    • White lab coat - available at Co-op Bookshop.
    • Shoes - fully enclosed non-absorbent shoes made from leather, rubber or vinyl. Shoes must have a sturdy sole and fully covered heel, sides, top of foot and toes. If you are unsure of appropriate footwear you can get further information from the Lab Safety DVD available on the Blackboard site or you can check with Lab technical staff at your campus.
    • Safety glasses - available at Co-op Bookshop. Safety glasses must be worn when performing experiments that involve the use of chemicals or bodily fluids. If you wear prescription glasses, you must purchase safety glasses that fit over your prescription glasses.
    • A scientific calculator will also be required.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.