LSC-40081 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This module is one of four that make up the taught content of the MSc Biomedical Science (blended). This module will be delivered using a combination of guided independent study with weekly live sessions and the option of a week-long residential programme that will further develop and enhance your academic, practical and professional skills.
This module is a detailed exploration of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology. As such, you will be exploring the kind of laboratory tests and analyses that take place in these key areas. You will learn how to critically evaluate and assess each of the techniques and understand how they relate to the diagnosis and monitoring of disease states. You will also investigate the clinical and research implications of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology in the field of Biomedical Science.
Alongside this core academic basis, this module aims to further develop key professional skills and nurture new attitudes to the approach, integration and application of new knowledge and problem-solving. Particular emphasis will be placed on developing critical thinking, innovation, autonomous learning and communication skills to really help prepare you for a lifetime of continued professional development.
The emphasis of this module is to look at health and disease from a patient or population-oriented, case-study-driven perspective. The multidisciplinary approach encourages you to think outside of the box and join all the different pieces of information to get a more holistic level of understanding.
The optional week-long residential, shared with your other core semester 1 module will provide you with a series of advanced laboratory, academic and professional skills alongside providing networking opportunities with other students, the programme team, local researchers and healthcare professionals.

This module aims to enhance student understanding of both the clinical and technical roles of Clinical Biochemistry and Medical Immunology. They will develop key analytical skills used to assess, investigate and evaluate pathobiology and patient pathways as well as develop evidence-based arguments to support clinical decision-making.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Make evidence-based decisions using current research and technical trends in diagnostic Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology: 1,2,4,5
Use detailed knowledge of metabolism, pathology and clinical findings to assess, investigate and evaluate pathobiology related to patient pathways and tackle current problems faced by health professionals: 1,2,3,4,5
Critically discuss current issues within the role of practising health care scientists in Blood Sciences, particularly Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology: 1,2,4,5
Critically appraise scientific publications: 2,3
Critically appraise test methodologies principally within Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology: 1,2,3,4,5
Analyse complex scientific data to accurately interpret and validate clinical findings in Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology: 1,2,4,5
Discuss the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to assessing patient health and clinical need: 1,2,4,5

Study hours

Active Learning hours:
1 x 1hr introduction session
1 x 1hr assessment session
8 x 1 hour online sessions including supporting tutorials aligned with asynchronous topics, case-based learning sessions and student presentations
8 x 8hr engagement with weekly asynchronous content including note-taking, further reading and research on the topic
Optional Residential hours:
5 x 3 hours of activities, which may include meetings with the programme team and practical, academic and professional skills sessions
Independent Study Hours:
3 x 2 hr online tasks
3 x 40 hrs revision for online tasks
65 hrs lab report writing
35 hrs preparation for group presentation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment