Generic Area
Biomedical Laboratory Techniques graduates must acquire knowledge and understanding in different fields, including biological, biomedical, hygiene and prevention, technical diagnostic sciences.
The curriculum covers the following learning areas:
1) BASIC DISCIPLINES, divided into the following subject fields:
a) Biomedical sciences: students acquire knowledge and understanding of all aspects of life, cellular and pluri-cellular organisms, the structural principles of biomolecules controlling metabolic activity, genetic transmission and the structural and ultra-structural organisation of the various components of the human body (tissues, organs and systems) and the complex function of physiological, pathological processes and defence mechanisms of living organisms;
b) Preparatory sciences: students acquire knowledge and understanding of the basic elements of medical physics, medical computing and medical statistics;
c) First aid: for understanding the care and intervention processes adopted for emergency patients.
d) English language: students acquire the elements required to know and understand the English language, required to use and translate scientific literature.
2) CORE DISCIPLINES, divided into the following subject fields:
a) Biomedical Laboratory Techniques and Sciences: students acquire knowledge and understanding of the methodologies used in analysing various biological materials in different laboratories, the relative results used for diagnostic purposes and their clinical significance. In this field particular importance is paid to the various branches of microbiology (bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology), and the techniques applied for diagnostic purposes; pathological anatomy and the most common diagnostic techniques (histopathology, cytopathology, ultrastructural techniques, biomolecular techniques);
b) Medical and Surgical Sciences: students learn to know and understand the elements of pharmacotoxicology and the bases of macroscopic recognition of organs and their pathologies;
c) Prevention and Health Services Sciences: to know and understand the hazards and risk factors, forms and individual and collective systems of prevention protecting the health and safety of workers and users;
d) Interdisciplinary Clinical Sciences: students learn to know and understand the basic elements of endocrine physiopathology and immuno-haematology;
e) Human and Psycho-pedagogic Sciences: for learning the basic elements of the history of medicine and understand the evolution and processing of the currently adopted principles;
f) Interdisciplinary Sciences: to understand the principles, operations and equipment used in electronic bioengineering and computing;
g) Health Management Sciences: providing students with knowledge and understanding of psycho-social, ethical, legal and organisational subjects, to find their way in the National Health System and apply the regulations and directives received in the form of guidelines, with clear implications for the bioethical problems linked to research.
Moreover, students have the faculty to select some elective subjects.
The teaching tools used to achieve the set results include lectures, summary diagrams, presentation of images and videos, readings of preparations under the microscope, seminars, practical internships.
The outcomes are assessed in written and oral exams, progress tests, reports and project-work.
Generic Area
The ability to apply knowledge and understanding the subjects included in different learning areas is expressed in the use of the technologies taught in the Practical Internship.
Graduates in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques:
- use the knowledge of the functioning of the human body and its physical, biomolecular and cellular characteristics in their professional activities, applying this knowledge to the first stages of every analytical process;
- in different laboratory activities (Pathological Anatomy, Chemical-Clinical Analysis, Transfusions, Pharmacy, Endocrinology, Toxicology, Microbiology and Virology, Medical Genetics, Molecular Biology and Legal Medicine), they apply the methodologies and technical-diagnostic skills learned;
- use the many methods available, assessing them critically, in order to extrapolate the most appropriate ones to produce the best technological solutions;
- autonomously use equipment and ensure its correct operation, also performing routine maintenance;
- integrate the knowledge acquired, applying the laws in force to the working environment in terms of safety and control of biological, chemical and radiological risk factors, appropriately using Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), for the handling and correct disposal of organic material and for using laboratory reagents in full safety;
- apply their knowledge and abilities for active participation in the organisation of work in the laboratory, evaluating costs, organisational logistics and the introduction of new technologies, respecting the functions and roles defined in the laboratories;
- work pro-actively with other health workers, creating interdependence and working relations to foster and increase their own professional autonomy;
- are able to apply theoretical and practical knowledge of first aid techniques that are fundamental for emergency patients.
The learning methods and activities, teaching tools to develop the learning outcomes are:
- theoretical and practical lessons, demonstrations, diagrams and graphs.
- discussion of methodologies with presentations in working groups.
- practical exercises and simulations.
- internship with experiences supervised by tutors in different contexts, working with progressive autonomy, responsibility and pro-active abilities.
The assessment tools for verifying the achieved results include, in particular:
- written and oral exams, practical tests, project work, reports.
- feedback during the internship (using portfolios, structured assessment sheets and reports on professional practice).