Study plan - Bachelor's programme in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences

The Bachelor's programme in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences is a professional education (180 credits) in health sciences over three years. The study plan is designed in accordance with the Regulations relating to national guidelines for biomedical laboratory science education (2019). Completion of the programme provides grounds for Norwegian authorisation as a biomedical laboratory scientist, according to The Health Personnel Act.

The biomedical laboratory scientist profession requires both a basic knowledge of natural sciences and health sciences, as well as more specialized medical, technological and methodological expertise. A biomedical laboratory scientist’s tasks include medical laboratory work, patient contact during blood sampling, as well as working with research and development. Biomedical laboratory scientists use smaller point-of-care instruments, larger, advanced laboratory equipment, automation systems and information technology. They examine blood and other body fluids, as well as various tissues from patients, to get the correct analysis results to aid in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases.

Learning outcomes

After completing the study, the candidate has defined the following learning outcomes in knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

The candidate

• has extensive knowledge of quantitative and qualitative laboratory techniques, methods and analytical processes used in biomedical laboratory sciences.
• has knowledge of equipment, analytical instruments, information technology and automation systems used in medical laboratories.
• has extensive knowledge of systems to ensure reliable analysis results for various laboratory methods, such as internal quality control programs and routines for monitoring analysis, as well as knowledge of limitations and the most common sources of error.
• has knowledge of the use of analyzes and how results can be interpreted both in relation to the body's normal functions and to disease.
• knows of scientific methods for research and development in the field of biomedical laboratory sciences.
• can update knowledge by gathering information and in contact with the academic community and the professional field.
• can explain the place of laboratory medicine in health services and the unique role of the biomedical laboratory scientist as a health profession, including professional history and development.

Skills:

The candidate

• has insight into practical and theoretical issues of biomedical laboratory sciences and makes academic choices based on knowledge and results from relevant research and development work.
• can handle techniques and methods, equipment and instruments used in medical laboratories.
• can assure the quality of own work and assess the possibilities, limitations and sources of error of the laboratory methods.
• can ensure safe blood products and collect blood from donors under guidance.
• can reflect on his/her own professional practice, seek and receive guidance.
• can acquire new knowledge, be critical to information from various sources and apply references in the correct way.
• can perform capillary and venous blood sampling of adults according to current regulations and help ensure patient safety in the sampling situation.
• can use professional forms of expression, can obtain, document and communicate relevant written and oral information.

General competencies:

The candidate

• can follow professional ethical guidelines and also reflect on the professional contribution to achieving the sustainable development goals.
• can plan and carry out varied work tasks as a biomedical laboratory scientist that extend over time, in line with current guidelines.
• can work independently, systematically and accurately according to current procedures, laws and regulations.
• can document and disseminate knowledge as a biomedical laboratory scientist through oral and written presentations in Norwegian and in English at a basic level.
• can work inter-disciplinarily with other professional groups for the benefit of the patient, respect individual and cultural differences and contribute to ensuring equal health services for all groups in the society.
• is familiar with innovative thinking and innovation processes and can contribute to systematic, quality-enhancing and sustainable work processes in the field of biomedical laboratory sciences.

Content

The contents of the Biomedical Laboratory Science programme includes courses in natural sciences and biomedicine (approx. 40 %), courses in the social sciences and humanities (approx. 10 %), and courses in the medical laboratory (approx. 50 %).

Practical training accounts for a total of 1/3 of the programme (60 credits). Out of these, 40 credits are linked to various laboratory courses internally at the programme, while a total of 20 credits are external practical training at medical laboratories, primarily in the Western Norway Regional Health Authority. The programme is concluded with a bachelor's thesis in research and development in the field of biomedical laboratory science.

Practice

Internal practice at the programme provides the student with practical skills training in laboratory work with various relevant methodologies. It is emphasized that the student receives laboratory training throughout the entire programme in order to systematically combine theory and practice.

External practical training at the medical laboratory in the health profession is an important learning arena for students at the biomedical laboratory science programme. The student is placed where learning takes place in authentic working environments in various medical laboratories, under the guidance of experienced biomedical laboratory technicians. This way, external practice provides experience in the profession’s tasks and areas of responsibility. This also includes interprofessional collaboration with students from other health sciences educations.

Attendance at all practical training is mandatory. Find more information here: https://www.hvl.no/student/praksis/helseogsosial/bioingeniro/

The student must be able to take parts of the external practical training at hospitals that fall under the entire Western Norway Regional Health Authority. This means that the students may have to travel to hospitals in different parts for the region.

Teaching

Different methods for teaching and school work are used in the education. Digital learning resources are used, these are available via the learning platform Canvas and the open website ePraksis.no.

Student-active learning methods are emphasized, both individually and in groups, where the students receive guidance and feedback on practical laboratory work, oral presentations and written work.

Assessment

The student will encounter different forms of assessments throughout the programme: written school exam, home exam, oral exam, practical exam, portfolio assessment, or a combination of these.

The students are graded either as pass / fail, or with letter grades from A to F, where A is the best and E is the least good passing grade. The grade F means fail.

External practice is graded as pass / fail.

Required progression

For admission to the second year of the Biomedical Engineering programme, the requirement is that the following courses have been completed: BIO101 Formation and Academic Crafts, BIO170 Mathematics with Computer Tools, BIO171 Anatomy, Physiology and Histology, BIO172 Biostatistics and BIO175 Medical Laboratory Technology I.

For admission to the third year of the study programme, it is required that all courses in the 1st and 2nd year of study programme have been completed.

Some courses may have additional requirements. Detailed information about progression requirements and recommended previous knowledge is available in the course description for each individual course.

Internationalization

The student can travel abroad in the 6th semester to carry out his/her bachelor's project.

Agreements have been signed for student exchange with Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa and Hong Kong Polytechnic University in China.

The study programme has also entered into Erasmus agreements for student exchange with Turku University of Applied Science in Finland, Umeå University in Sweden, Artesis Plantijn University College Antwerp in Belgium and the Polytechnic University of Coimbra in Portugal.

It is possible to extend the exchange period and carry out external practical training in the 6th semester at some of our partner institutions.

Organization

Structure

First year of study: Providing a basis for biomedical analyses and the work of the biomedical laboratory scientist.

The first year of study provides basic knowledge in natural sciences and biomedical subjects. The students receive skills training by completing various laboratory courses in both semesters and a week of external practice in the second semester. In the first semester, there is a joint introductory course with students from other health profession study programmes.

Second year of study: Providing increased understanding of laboratory technology and the biomedical laboratory scientist's work in various specialities of laboratory medicine.

The students get an introduction to more advanced methodology for the various specialities of laboratory medicine. The students have 3 weeks of external practice in one of the specialities of laboratory medicine in the 4th semester.

Third year of study: Providing additional expertise in medical laboratory technology and professional knowledge in practice.

In the 5th semester, all students work more independently in the laboratory courses and the students will have 3 weeks of external practice in medical biochemistry. In the 6th semester, 7 weeks of external practice are included, where 1 week focuses on interprofessional collaboration with other health professions. The students train communication skills and ethical reflection in their professional practice and professional role. At the end of the programme, the students carry out a research and development work under supervision, as part of a bachelor's thesis.

Confidentiality

A biomedical laboratory technician student has duty of confidentiality according to the rules for the profession; The Health Personnel Act.

Suitability

The education has a suitability assessment. For more information, see the university's website about assessment of suitability: Suitability assessment

Authorization

Upon completion of the education and accepted diploma, the candidates covered by the authorisation scheme will be granted authorisation; The Health Personnel Act.

Medical testing and vaccination

See: Medical testing and vaccination.