BMSC5001: Semester 1, 2024

University home

Library

Current students

Staff intranet

Find an event

Give

Current students

Units BMSC5001 Semester 1 2024 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

BMSC5001: Clinical Laboratory Science

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Westmead, Sydney

Overview

There is growing demand in the medical research and health industries for graduates with the skills to understand and use a range of techniques and technologies, to interpret medical and research data, and to translate scientific and laboratory findings into clinical practice. By undertaking this unit of study you will hone and expand your skills and knowledge in analytical and clinical laboratory techniques that apply to a range of specialisations and workplace settings, including hospital, forensic and veterinary biotechnology laboratories and clinics, industrial research and medical biotechnology laboratories. Your learning will take place in state-of-the-art teaching laboratories utilising techniques and equipment relevant to your chosen area of specialisation. The skills you learn will equip you with the methods and theoretical underpinings of tools required in the analysis, detection, diagnosis, treatment and research of disease across a range of settings.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	BMSC5001
Academic unit	Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	BMSC5901
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Naisana Seyedasli, naisana.seyedasli@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Craig Campbell, craig.campbell@sydney.edu.au
	Naisana Seyedasli, naisana.seyedasli@sydney.edu.au
	Ramin Mostofi Zadeh Farahani, ramin.mostofizadehfarahani@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Written Assessment Written assessment 3000 words Nature protocols format	40%	Formal exam period Due date: 07 Jun 2024 at 23:59	Written assessment (refer to canvas)
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Practical skills and theory assessment Skills assessment plus paper-based theory assessment.	40%	Week 05 Due date: 22 Mar 2024 at 09:00	2-4 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Oral assessment Students will be submitting an 8min recorded oral pres+5min live Q&A	20%	Week 10 Due date: 29 Apr 2024 at 09:00	8min oral pres+5min Q&A
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

This unit will have three assessments as follows and outlined in detail in the assessment section:

-Oral assessment (20%)

-Practical skills and theory assessment (40%)

-Written assessment (40%)

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Written work submitted electronically after 11.59 pm on the due date will be considered to have been submitted late. For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. The marker may elect to, but is not required to, provide feedback on such work.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity	Learning outcomes
Ongoing	Module 1 (Fundamentals of clinical laboratory science) pre/post prac workshops; Module2 (Interrogating cells in clinical laboratory science) pre/post prac workshops; Module3 (Interrogating molecules in clinical laboratory science) pre/post prac workshops; Module4 (Frontier techniques in clinical laboratory science) pre/post prac workshops; Oral assessment workshop; Introduction lecture Online workshops are scheduled 9-11am every Wednesday on zoom. Attendance in these workshops is compulsory	Online class (20 hr)
Ongoing	Module 1 practical session (Fundamentals of clinical laboratory science); Module 2 practical session (Interrogating cells in clinical laboratory science); Module 3 practical session (Interrogating molecules in clinical laboratory science); Module 4 practical session (Frontier techniques in clinical laboratory science). Practical laboratory sessions are scheduled on Fridays and participation in all of them is compulsory (Refer to online timetable and/or Canvas for details).	Practical (32 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: It is compulsory to attend face-to-face practical laboratory sessions and all scheduled online workshops. Students are expected to attend a minimum of 80% of timetabled activities for this UOS unless granted exemption by the Associate Dean.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate proficiency in relevant biomedical laboratory techniques and standards and work safely in a modern laboratory environment
LO2. Select and justify appropriate approaches, assays, techniques and protocols to address a specific biomedical need
LO3. Analyse and interpret data using a variety of specialised digital and analytical tools
LO4. Assess the reliability of existing methods and validate new experimental assay designs
LO5. Modify existing, and develop new, approaches to improve upon current techniques and practices
LO6. Communicate using professional formats and standards for specialist audiences

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We value your feedback about any aspect of the unit of study and your experience as a student of the School of Medical Sciences. To help ensure our courses meet your needs and maintain a high standard, we welcome your feedback at any time and we ask you to complete the Mid-Semester Evaluation Survey and the unit of study Evaluation Survey at the end of the semester. You can also rate any component of the unit using our star rating system found at the bottom of many pages as you progress through the unit. Your ratings and comments are anonymous and specifying what you liked and didn’t like about any of the learning materials, assessment items, discussion forums, feedback etc will help us to target our improvement efforts. Please note that your participation in this unit of study permits de-identified information about your learning experience and interaction with learning resources to be used for the purpose of improving the student learning experience.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect