91827 Advanced Medical Biochemistry
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 91320 Metabolic Biochemistry
Anti-requisite(s): 91179 Biochemical Basis of Disease AND 91193 Advanced Medical Biochemistry AND 91326 Analytical Biochemistry
Description
This subject is designed to introduce the basic concepts of medical and clinical biochemistry relevant to biotechnology, (bio-)medical research, and analysis of patient samples in a pathology laboratory. While undertaking this subject, students examine the basic biochemical abnormalities that lead to various disease states, their diagnosis, clinical analysis and final treatment. The areas covered include: abnormal kidney and liver function, biochemistry of haemoglobin pigments and their relation to disease, abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism such as diabetes, lipid abnormalities, clinical enzymology and serum proteins in health and disease.There is emphasis given to safety, quality control and automation.
The subject provides students with an insight into clinical biochemistry and its importance to human health, both in research and diagnosis, as well as quality requirements that ensure accurate and relevant test results. Students who are interested in a future career in diagnostic pathology, clinical research, or laboratory management may benefit from taking this subject.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Work effectively in a team in order to produce an oral presentation with visual component, as specified in the guidelines. |
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| 2. | Effectively communicate complex scientific concepts in both oral and written formats, with consideration of the target audience. |
| 3. | Describe and explain common biochemical laboratory analysis methods of blood and urine samples. |
| 4. | Perform and interpret biochemical laboratory analysis of blood and urine samples to determine the likely diagnosis |
| 5. | Apply knowledge of health, homeostasis and disease, diagnostic methods, and treatment options, in order to describe and explain common human biochemical pathologies, using relevant examples and in the context of published literature and/or a patient case studies |
| 6. | Describe and explain fundamental requirements of quality assurance and quality control within a (bio)medical science laboratory, using relevant examples |
| 7. | Describe and explain fundamental requirements of reference intervals for biochemical testing, and their determination, using relevant examples |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Explain how diseases arise and disrupt normal physiological function and appraise the technologies used to diagnose, treat, and cure diseases. (1.1)
- Collect, accurately record, interpret, and draw conclusions from data to solve real-world medical problems, and infer how the results of medical research can be translated to improve patient outcomes. (2.1)
- Evaluate ethical, social, and cultural issues in medical science in local and global contexts and work responsibly, safely and with respect to diversity and regulatory frameworks. (3.1)
- Reflect upon, independently evaluate, and critically appraise current evidence-based literature to identify medical problems or unmet medical needs and creatively translate medical research results to improve the clinical care of patients. (4.1)
- Effectively communicate medical science knowledge and research information, and the importance thereof, to a range of audiences using a variety of modes, independently and collaboratively. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Within the Faculty of Science there are six Graduate Attributes (Course Intended Learning Outcomes) which are
the knowledge bank and skill set you will have the opportunity to learn, develop and apply while you study. Advanced Medical Biochemistry is designed to be undertaken in Stage 6 and builds upon the knowledge and skills learnt in Cell Biology and Genetics (91161) and Metabolic Biochemistry (91320), as well as the fundamental understanding of the human body gained in Human Anatomy and Physiology (91400). Through studying Advanced Medical Biochemistry you will have the opportunity to learn, develop and apply the following Faculty of Science Graduate Attributes.
1. Disciplinary knowledge
In lectures you will be introduced to common biochemical underpinnings of health and homeostasis in the human
body, as well as clinical presentations (symptoms) of several disease states. In lectures and practicals you will have
the opportunity to learn and perform biochemical laboratory analysis using clinical samples (biological fluids) for
diagnosis of disease. This knowledge and hands-on experience will assist you to formulate rational judgements as to
the quality and robust nature of generated experimental data in order to come to a reasoned and correct conclusion. Your disciplinary knowledge will be assessed in Assessment Tasks 1, 2 and 3.
2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking.
Researching and critically evaluating published scientific literature to identify what is known, understood, and agreed upon, or, what is not yet known or is controversial, is a fundamental aspect of being a successful scientist, whether you are a research scientist in a laboratory, a medical writer, or a government advisor. In Advanced Medical Biochemistry you will have the opportunity to research different topics, as well as perform laboratory experiments, and then apply your learned knowledge of quality, reference intervals, biochemistry, and human health and disease, and critically evaluate your work in reference to published literature, in order to come to a reasoned conclusion. This graduate attribute will be assessed in all Assessment Tasks. Part of enquiry is developing and determining experimental methods in order to test hypotheses. While in this subject you will not be developing and testing your own methods, you will have the opportunity to examine patient case studies in order to understand why you are performing particular laboratory tests in order to correctly identify the likely disease state with which the patient presents. You will perform the laboratory analysis, develop data handling skills and data literacy (graphical and numerical), and critically evaluate the generated results, in reference to published literature (if required) and determine if a patient sample indicates the presentation of a certain disease state. Drawing on your knowledge, and in reference to the literature, you may indicate further definitive tests are required. This will be assessed in Assessment Tasks 1, 2 and 3.
3. Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility
While studying in this subject you will have the opportunity to develop personal organisation skills, time management and the ability to prioritise, attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions, teamwork, and laboratory (practical) skills. You may practice these skills in all classes (lectures, practicals and journal club). Online resources to support your learning of these skills may be available from the subject coordinator and through the Library website. These skills are assessed in Assessment Tasks 1, 2 and 3.
4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity
This Graduate Attribute includes thinking critically about yourself (reflection) and other people and to provide constructive feedback and innovation. These skills will be developed as you interact with your laboratory partner and other groups in order to complete the practical experiments and share results (when required). This will be assessed in Assessment Task 2 and 3.
5. Communication
Communication skills are essential for successful future employment in scientific fields, and these skills are fostered through your participation in the laboratory practicals and journal club. In these tasks, you will communicate laboratory results (yours and others) in written format, as a journal publication, and verbally, as an oral presentation with a visual component. From undertaking these tasks you have the opportunity to learn how to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts, in written and visual formats, taking into consideration your type of target audience. This Graduate Attribute is assessed in Assessment Tasks 2 and 3.
Teaching and learning strategies
In Advanced Medical Biochemistry you will have the opportunity to learn through lectures, laboratory practicals, and a journal club. In these classes you will be exposed to a variety of learning strategies which can be complemented by your own independent study, in order to help you maximise your learning potential in this subject.
You are directed to check UTS Canvas and your official UTS student email regularly (at least once per week) in order to be up-to-date with the timetable and assessments.
Lectures (2 hr/wk for 11 weeks):
Lectures are delivered to you by experts in their respective fields and provide an introduction to the key concepts of Advanced Medical Biochemistry. Lectures will be delivered online and recorded. Some lectures may also involve preparation by you in the form of reading provided journal articles or patient case studies in order to discuss these in the lecture session.
Laboratory Practicals (3 hr/wk for 5 weeks):
You will generally work groups to perform laboratory experiments focused on the analysis of clinical samples for diagnosis of disease states, providing you with hands-on experience of diagnostic pathology and methods used in (bio-)medical research. These laboratory practicals will extend theory learnt in lectures, and help you understand and apply your learning. You will need to prepare for each session by reading the experimental protocol provided in the manual, and by completing a test on UTS Canvas before the session begins. Completing this pre-work and test will help you prepare for the experimental procedures and manage your time in the session in order to complete the required work in the timetabled session. For some of the laboratory practicals, you will also need to prepare by reading clinical case studies to understand why the relevant methodologies are being employed. By reading about the analysis of the results, you will determine what is the likely cause of a patient’s symptoms. Feedback for practicals are provided during the class and online for the written work by the demonstrators and assessors.
Journal Club (3 hr/wk for 3 weeks):
Journal Club is used in professional scientific fields of employment and is a regular meeting of a group of scientists to discuss developments in their field that have been recently published in the literature. Journal Club involves a person/team presenting a recently published journal article to the group, including context, aims, experimental procedures, and the important findings; as well as a critical evaluation of the study. The group then discusses the study drawing on their collective knowledge. Feedback is provided during the session by the assessor verbally and by online summary. You will work in teams to present at Journal Club. You will select a recently published journal article (within the last 3 years) on your choice of topic associated with the lecture series in Advanced Medical Biochemistry. In your team, you will present this article and associated, relevant information, as well as your critical evaluation (critique) of the study. This presentation will be a talk (oral presentation) with a visual component (e.g., PowerPoint) which will be delivered to the class.
Content (topics)
Advanced Medical Biochemistry focuses on experimental (laboratory) analysis of human samples (biological fluids: blood and urine) for diagnosis of disease and assessment of treatment efficacy. In this subject you are introduced to common human diseases (illness, pathologies) that can be identified and monitored using biochemical analysis. Topics covered in this subject are:
- Kidney Function
- Reference Intervals
- Glucose and Diabetes
- Quality Control
- Serum Proteins
- Serum Lipids
- Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
- Enzymology
- Acid-Base Electrolytes
- Haemaglobin Pigments
- Liver Function
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Practical reports as data sheets (3)
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1 and 3.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Criteria: | Your disciplinary knowledge (1) will be assessed by the correct nature of your answers to the questions; which is associated with your Research, inquiry and critical thinking (2) as you critically evaluate and interpret your results. Your professional, ethical and social responsibility (3) will be assessed by the quality analysis and correct reporting of the data you produce.
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Assessment task 2: Practical written reports (2)
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Criteria: | Your disciplinary knowledge (1) will be assessed in your report; which is associated with your Research, inquiry and critical thinking (2) as you critically evaluate and interpret your results. Your professional, ethical and social responsibility (3) will be assessed by the analysis and correct reporting of the data you produce. Your communication skills will be assessed (5). |
Assessment task 3: Journal Club
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Criteria: | Your disciplinary knowledge (1) will be assessed by the correct knowledge of the area and answers to questions; which is associated with your Research, inquiry and critical thinking (2) as you critically evaluate and interpret your the research article. Your professional, ethical and social responsibility (3) and communication (5) will be assessed by the quality and innovation of your presentation (Reflection, Innovation, Creativity (4). Group mark component 15%: quality of the slides and the material that has been researched Individual mark component 25%: presentation of the material, how well the student understands the material and how student answers questions See the marking rubric on UTS Canvas for details. |
Minimum requirements
An overall mark of 50% or greater is required for a pass grade in this subject.