Clinical Laboratory Science Program

OFFICE HOURS: By appointment or Friday 2pm-3pm
If you are unable to see me at this time, you may arrange an appointment at another time. You may
schedule meetings by WebCT, telephone, or in person after lab session. Please use office hours to clarify
lecture objectives, special interests or career goals at the earliest convenience for both parties. The best
time to reach me by phone is during posted office hours. If I am unable to answer your call, please leave
a detailed message and I’ll return your call as soon as possible.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Clinical Chemistry Lab course is designed to develop and refine skills in performing clinical
chemistry testing by applying the theory learned in lecture. Clinical chemistry is a rapidly changing area
in laboratory medicine because of the variety of automated instrumentation available. It is essential,
therefore, that the basic principles as well as the techniques used in clinical chemistry be mastered by the
laboratorian. These include the basic theory of chemical determinations, use and care of laboratory
equipment and apparatus, application of quantitative measurement, proper preparation of reagents,
recognition of problems when they arise, proper collection and handling of specimens, reporting of
results, and the use of quality assurance protocol in the performance of any procedure in the laboratory.
The uses and general principles of selected tests and methodologies in the clinical chemistry laboratory
will be discussed, as the student performs the test. There will be additional focus on laboratory
mathematics and how it is applied to obtain the results achieved.

COURSE GOAL:
This course is designed to provide the student with basic clinical chemistry foundations to promote and
facilitate the understanding of this complex science . The student will learn to competently perform basic
procedures and correctly interpret the findings given adequate clinical data. This course will provide the
student with the knowledge to accurately distinguish between normal and abnormal results and identify
various testing procedures to evaluate the patient results in light of clinical evidence.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
A. Cognitive
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Have an understanding of basic principles and practices in clinical chemistry.
2. Competently perform quality control procedures on reagents, instruments, refrigerators and
incubators.
3. Competently understand laboratory safety and regulations.
4. Describe universal precautions policy and its purpose.
5. Describe appropriate procedures for the handling, disposal, decontamination and spill control of
biohazards.
6. State the purpose of and information contained in a material safety data sheet.
7. Explain quality assurance, quality control, internal and external and why statistics are necessary in
the clinical laboratory.
8. Understand the difference between calibrators and controls.
9. Understand Levy- Jennings plots , Westgard rules, and the various terms used in evaluating
QC/QA.
10. Competently perform all procedures introduced in this course within the appropriate standard
deviation for the procedure.
11. Discuss role of the clinical laboratorian in point-of-care testing.
12. Competently perform simple dilutions using the proper techniques.
13. Competently perform enzymatic and colorimetric assays using a spectrophotometer.
14. Understand the functioning and operate instrumentation that performs electrolyte assays.
15. Understand the importance of laboratory mathematics.
16. Use proportions and ratios
17. Know the rules for rounding off numbers and for the use of significant figures.
18. Use exponents .
19. Describe the procedures for making a single dilution and a serial dilution.
20. Calculate the amount of one solution needed to make a solution of a lesser concentration from it.
21. Differentiate the expressions of solution concentration weight per unit weight, weight per unit
volume, and volume per unit volume.
22. Know how to prepare a percent solution.
23. Describe the differences between molar and normal solutions and be able to calculate how to
prepare solutions of a given volume and normality or molarity.

B. Affective
To show the appropriate responsible behaviors, students will demonstrate:
1. A positive attitude by being prepared for lecture and laboratory sessions, completing assigned
tasks on time and displaying self-motivation.
2. Organization by utilizing time effectively, sequencing and prioritizing tasks for completion with
time constraints and maintaining a neat clean work.
3. Attention to detail by diligently pursuing accuracy and documenting data accurately and legibly.
4. Problem solving ability by explaining purpose of each step in diagnosis , interpretation, procedure,
recognizing discrepancies in techniques or procedures and repeating necessary lab tests when
necessary.
5. Dependability by following directions, working independently after being given directions.
6. Stability and self-confidence by approaching and performing routine tasks confidently without
assistance and maintaining composure.
7. Appropriate interpersonal skills by cooperating and communicating effectively with classmates and instructors
and displaying courteous, considerate behavior and appropriate appearance.
8. Ethical behavior and integrity by respecting confidentiality of patient information, complying with
professional standards and code of ethics, adhering to safety policies and abiding by all rules and
regulations of the institution.

NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE LABORATORY WITHOUT PROPER PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE COVERING. UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS WILL BE OBSERVED AT ALL
TIMES . AT THE INSTRUCTORS DISCRESSION, THE INSTRUCTOR MAY DISMISS A
STUDENT WO DOES NOT HAVE THE PROPER PERSONAL PROTECTION.

COURSE POLICIES:

1) Required Text:
Clinical Chemistry – Theory, Analysis, Correlations by L. Kaplan, A. Pesce and S.
Kazmierczak (2003) 4^th edition. Mosby, Inc.

2) Class Attendance: The student is expected to attend all lab sessions and be on time, wear protective
equipment, and actively participate. It is responsibility of the student to notify the instructor of any
absence and to provide legitimate documentation of absence to abide to University regulations. The
instructor reserves the right to drop a student due to tardiness or absentees when in the judgment of the
instructor, a student has been absent to a degree as to impair his or her status relative to credit for the
course. The instructor may drop the student from the class with a W before the course drop deadline or
with an F after the course drop deadline. If a student is 10 minutes late this will be recorded as a tardy.

3)Instructional Strategies: The laboratory is competency based. The student must demonstrate their
competency to perform the lab procedure at the designated level before they can progress to the next lab.
Lab assignments must be written up and the procedures performed within the standard deviation for the
procedure and to the satisfaction of the instructor for a pass/fail grade. If they receive a fail grade, the lab
must be repeated until the student receives a pass grade. In a competency based program you are either
competent to perform the procedure or you are not. No one progresses until they are competent. THERE
WILL BE NO MAKEUP LABS. All competencies and repeats must be taken the day they are assigned
unless extenuating circumstances occur. The student must take the initiative in this course and see that
everything is learned and completed. A written exam will also be given for a letter grade and MUST be
passed with at least the minimum passing grade of 75%.

4) Test Policy: Proficiency testing and quizzes will be given at various intervals on the material covered.
No make ups will be offered. If you cannot attend a test for a legitimate reason (death, illness etc.) inform
me as soon as possible and we will arrange a time to my schedule. 5% of final grade will be removed if
the student misses any of the scheduled assessments for a legitimate reason. (Make ups
exams/quizzes, while they may cover the same material may differ from the exam/quiz taken by the rest
of the class in organization, format, or specific item data.) Students should maintain a 75% or above
average to continue in the program. Student participations will be taken into account for grade
determination. The final grade for the laboratory will be calculated as follows:

5) Grading Scale: 90 – 100 =A, 80 – 89 =B, 75 – 79 =C, 70 or below =F

6) Academic Dishonesty: There is a zero tolerance level for academic dishonesty. Absolute honesty and
integrity are a critical aspect of your chosen profession. Confidentiality of patient information is another.
These must be strictly observed. Any student who commits an act of scholastic dishonesty is subject to
discipline. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the
submission for credit of any work or material that are attributable on whole or in part to another person,
taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the
attempt to commit such acts. Proven violations of the detailed regulations, as printed in the Handbook of
Operating Procedures (HOP), and available in the Office of the Dean of Students, may result in sanctions
ranging from disciplinary probation, to failing grade on the work in question, to a failing grade in the
course, to suspension or dismissal, among others.

7) Supplementary Information: