AP0509 - Cellular and Transfusion Science

You will learn through a combination of lectures, practical sessions, directed reading and independent learning. The lectures, supplemented by directed reading, will provide you with an overview of the theoretical and practical aspects of cellular and tissue structure and function and how these characteristics are used in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. In practical classes, carried out in the Faculty’s state of the art teaching laboratories, equipped with large screen monitors and PA systems to facilitate in-class tutorials, you will further develop your practical competencies including the preparation and examination of material for microscopic analysis and comparison, carry out blood grouping and antibody identification as well as generating data related to these techniques understanding how it aids in diagnosis and should be appropriately presented and interpreted in a professional Healthcare situation.

Support for your learning in this module will include feedback during practical sessions by tutors on your data presentation and interpretation skills. Formative practical sessions and other exercises will help prepare you for the practical exam, approximately half-way through module delivery. This material will assist you in consolidating your understanding and knowledge in the relevant area. Access to e-books in the subject will allow specific directed reading (and preparing answers to set questions) to be completed by the whole class, in advance of some lectures to support the lecture process, “flipping the classroom”. You will also be guided through the lecture material to understand and prepare for the seen case part of the final exam, where you will be supported in integrating concepts from both strands of the module in a real-world, problem-based scenario. The ELP will be used both as a repository for information and advice, as well as communicating other aspects of support that generate during delivery.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will be able to describe the haematological and histological features of all blood cell types in health and disease and the pathogenic mechanisms underpinning this.
2. You will understand the significance of red cell antigens in the selection and safe transfusion of a a variety of stored blood components.
3. You will understand the theoretical principles underpinning the preparation of tissues for a variety of microscopic and examinations

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. You will understand and apply the principles of quality assurance and the development of reference ranges and their significance in disease diagnosis. treatment and monitoring.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. You will appreciate the role played by the haematology, blood transfusion and histology laboratories in the screening, diagnosis and monitoring of disease in a safe, professional, ethical and confidential service

You will be assessed by a mid-point practical-based examination (40%) including practical competencies, and a combination of MCQ and SAQ’s. (MLO’s 1, 2 4)

The terminal assessment will be a 2 part examination (60%) including (I) a SEEN case study that will integrate all 3 pathology disciplines and (ii) a synoptic MCQ section.
(MLO’s 1, 2, 3, 5)

Practical classes will provide competency rehearsal with in-sessional assessment and feedback. Turning point sessions will be built in throughout the lecture series to develop a familiarity with MCQ style and technique. These will be formatively assessed in-session with immediate class feedback.

Full written or recorded personal feedback on the practical exam will inform and prepare for the theoretical aspects of the final exam.

level 4 Introductory Pathology Science

N/A

Cellular and transfusion sciences will truly expose you to the real world of multi-disciplinary pathology both in the Biomedical Sciences sector and beyond. Taking a rich, theoretical understanding of the structures and functions of haemopoeitic and other cells and tissues in health and disease and the diagnostic techniques that allow their qualitative and quantitative analysis, you will integrate this knowledge and practical competency to ultimately explore a real world case through a problem based approach. You will learn with subject specialists from within the University as well as Biomedical Scientists from local hospitals and from NHS Blood and Transplantation, giving you a real and very current picture of the contributions made by the haematology, blood transfusion and histopathology in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of patients.