In this module you will expand and develop the underpinning and applied knowledge and skills gained at level 5 and will apply these in your development as an autonomous professional.

Diagnostic Blood Sciences:
Core transfusion medicine including the major blood groups, red cell phenotyping, antibody screening and serological cross matching.
Overview of blood transfusion services, range of blood components and clinical / regulatory guidelines.
Core and specialist clinical immunology including investigation of autoimmunity, allergy testing, cancer immunology and haematological malignancies. Mechanisms and applications of key immunological assays and techniques.
Specialist clinical biochemistry including therapeutic drug monitoring, endocrine function and dysfunction, nutrition, biochemistry of chronic diseases, and the diagnosis, monitoring and biochemical effects of cancer.
Specialist haematology including blood film morphology (including the investigation of blood borne parasitic infections), haematological malignancies, haemostasis and monitoring of anticoagulation.
Specialist blood science topics including foeto-maternal haematology, serological aspects of ante natal screening, conception and pregnancy monitoring, biochemical abnormalities of the neonate and inborn errors of metabolism.

Diagnostic Infection Sciences:
Mechanisms and investigation of common bacterial, viral and fungal infections including tests commonly encountered for infections of the gastrointestinal tract, upper and lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, genitourinary tract, cerebrospinal fluid, wounds and the immune, nervous and circulatory systems.
Investigation and management of common parasitic infections.
Guidelines and monitoring of infections within the community and hospital healthcare setting including routes of transmission, testing and incidence reduction strategies, needle stick and occupational health screening.
The role of clinical microbiology in antenatal and genitourinary screening programmes.
The aetiology, investigation and management of high-risk groups including infections that may compromise pregnancy, childhood infectious diseases, investigation of the immunocompromised patient and the multidisciplinary management of sexually transmitted infections.
The mode of action, optimisation and application of anti-microbial therapy including commonly prescribed antibiotics and antiviral therapies, vaccination strategies and antibiotic resistance.

Diagnostic Genetic Sciences:
The origin and basis of genetic disease.
Diagnostics of genetic disease, prenatal diagnostics, pre-implantation diagnostics.
Sequencing and analysis of the human genome and its potential applications
Isolation of genes associated with disease.
The use of fluorescence in situ hybridisation, array preparations and next generation sequencing.
Treatment and the potential for gene therapy of genetic diseases.
Ethical aspects of the medical applications of DNA technology.
Pharmacogenetics, personalised medicine and the role of bioinformatics.

Diagnostic Cellular Sciences:
Overview of the aspects of pathogenic processes (for example inflammation, embolism, infarction, congestion, fibrosis and neoplasia) and the cellular pathology aspects of their identification.
Aetiology, pathogenesis and presentation of common diseases to the major organs (for example heart, lungs, liver, kidney, GI tract, brain and muscle) and a comparative review of the role of histopathology and cytopathology techniques in their diagnosis.
The sampling, processing and visualisation of common diseases of the major organs including common and special stains, immunohistochemical markers and the use of molecular biology.
The application of prognostic and predictive markers and their role in stratified and personalised medicine.
An overview of autopsy practice and process.
The role of the laboratory in the diagnosis of gynaecological and non-gynaecological malignancies using cytopathology.
The laboratory application of reproductive science including reproductive anatomy, physiology and assessment of reproductive dysfunction, applied embryology (including cryo-preservation and in vitro fertilisation) and regulatory issues.

* Module will be undertaken in either Blood Sciences, Cellular Sciences, Infection Sciences or Genetic sciences

This module is mapped against the Quality Assurance Agency Benchmark for Biomedical Science and the National School of Healthcare Science Practitioner Training Programme curriculum and contributes to the Healthcare Science Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship Standard by developing your knowledge of the underlying scientific principles of the investigations offered by healthcare science services.

A minimum of 40% (or pass for PTP portfolio) in all summative assessments is required to pass the module.

Completion of Practitioner Training Programme competency portfolio (8 competency assessment documents, detailed below) LO 3

Completion the Health Education England Practitioner Training Programme Workplace Learning Portfolio, consisting of the following competency documents:
4 Direct Observations of Practical Skills (DOPS)
2 Case Based Discussion (CBD)
2 Observed Clinical Event (OCE)

Evaluative report (2000 words) LO 1
An evaluative report of an analytical technique from within the discipline of study.

Examination (2 hours) LO 2
A time constrained exam consisting of short answer and short essay-style questions.

This module is delivered as a blend of asynchronous online learning sessions, on campus study days and work-based study. Within each learning unit you will be given a range of learning outcomes and directed through a variety of learning material (for example recorded lectures, online exercises or collaborative activities) to work though asynchronously together with an opportunity to check and develop your learning (for example through online quizzes, challenge questions or discussion fora). You are encouraged to reflect upon the academic content of the module and consider how this is applicable within your workplace.

A key approach within this module is developing your skills as an independent self-directed learner in preparation for entering clinical practice as an autonomous professional upon graduation.

Your learning is supported by a group discussion board and weekly online sessions where you can discuss your learning with the academic teaching team.

1. Discuss and critically evaluate a range of methods and techniques used within a named pathology discipline and apply these methods and techniques in relevant areas of clinical practice. Learning, Analysis

2. Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of underlying anatomical, physiological, homeostatic or genetic function and dysfunction and relate these to disease manifestation, pathophysiology and treatment as applicable to a named pathology discipline informed by the forefront of clinical practice and knowledge. Knowledge and Understanding

3. Prioritise and undertake core and advanced investigations within a named pathology discipline conforming with standard operating procedures and critically evaluate the results obtained with regard to quality, onward referral, validation and clinical communication in preparation for your future practice as an autonomous professional. Application, Problem Solving

You will require access to a computer with internet access.
Access to specialist facilities on campus.

Dependent upon the specialist pathway undertaken the following tests are referred to:

Ahmed N., Glencross H., & Wang Q. (2016) Biomedical Science Practice Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

Orchard G., & Nation B. (2014) Cell Structure and Function Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

Ahmed N (2016) Clinical Biochemistry Oxford University Press, Oxford, Uk

Hall A., Scott C., & Buckland M., (2016) Clinical Immunology Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

Shambayati B (2011) Cytopathology Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

Moor G., Knight G., & Blann A (2016) Haematology Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

Orchard G., & Nation B (2011) Histopathology Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

Ford M (2014) Medical Microbiology Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

Knight R (2012) Transfusion and Transplantation Science Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

In this module you will expand and develop the underpinning and applied knowledge and skills gained at level 5 and will apply these in your development as an autonomous professional in your specific discipline. The module will be undertaken in either Blood Sciences, Cellular Sciences, Infection Sciences or Genetic sciences