Modules can be offered either individually or collectively if you have had your first degree evaluated by the IBMS and require further Top-up studies in order to complete the educational requirement for IBMS accreditation.

This 30 credit Haematology module is a core specialist module within the BSc Biomedical Science programme and so aims to deliver specialist knowledge through taught lectures, together with inductive tutorials, seminars and practical classes to enable application and problem-solving utilising this knowledge.

On successful completion of this level 6 (undergraduate level) module, you will be able to:

• critically discuss the processes involved in the maintenance of normal blood composition and function
• outline the nature and significance of investigative haematology and its role in the diagnostic process
• discuss critically the biological basis of selected haematological disease states
• demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the main areas of the module - haematological malignancies, haemostatic disorders, red cell disorders and blood transfusion
• interpret parameters that characterise selected disease states
• critically appraise relevant scientific literature.

For an applicant looking to top-up an undergraduate degree to obtain an Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) accreditation, please refer to the Biomedical Science module top-up for IBMS/HCPC accreditation for more information.

Careers / Further study

This module can contribute towards the PGCert Health and Social Care, MSc Clinical Practice, and the Professional Development Awards. If you have any queries, please contact the Professional Development team using the enquiry form below.

This module contributes towards:

• BSc(Hons) Biomedical Science
• MSc Biomedical Science
• BSc(Hons) Biomedical Science with Foundation year
• MSc Biomedical Science with Foundation year.

Content

Physical and chemical requirements for optimal haematopoiesis throughout life

• Content of the blood and bone marrow.
• Reference values.
• Ontogeny and sites of haematopoiesis.
• Regulation of haematopoiesis.
• Nutritional requirements.

The anaemias

• Classification systems.
• Megaloblastic anaemias.
• Iron deficiency and related anaemias.
• Normal erythrocyte structure and function.
• Red cell survival disorders.
• Haemoglobinopathies and the thalassaemia syndromes.
• Red cell enzymopathies.

Haematological malignancy

• Aetiology and the multi-hit hypothesis.
• Classification.
• Principles of investigation and diagnostic criteria.
• Pathophysiology.
• Theoretical basis of cytotoxic chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation.

Haemostasis

• Structure and contribution to haemostatic function of blood vessels, platelets, coagulation proteins and fibrinolytic proteins.
• Functional inter-relationships between the vascular, platelet, coagulation and fibrinolytic systems.
• Naturally occurring inhibitors of coagulation and fibrinolysis.
• Haemorrhagic conditions.
• The hypercoagulable state.

Blood donation

• Principles of the selection, collection, separation, storage and transportation of donated blood components for transfusion.
• The bacteriology, virology and parasitology of diseases which can be transmitted by transfusion.

Blood groups

• The major blood polymorphism's e.g. ABO, Rh, and selected other blood group systems.
• Blood group structure, function and relevance to transfusion.

Compatibility of blood

• In vitro antibody-antigen reactions for the selection of compatible blood.
• Optimisation of detection techniques for in vitro antibody-antigen reactions.

Immunohaematology

• Laboratory investigation of serological reactions to aid diagnosis of immunohaemolytic disease and immunological transfusion reactions.
• Strategies for the prophylaxis of immunohaemolytic disease.

Transfusion therapy

• The appropriate use of blood components.
• Hypersensitivity responses to transfusion.

Learning and Teaching

Scheduled learning includes lectures, seminars and tutorials. Independent learning includes hours engaged with essential reading, case study preparation, online activities, assignment preparation and completion etc

Study time

The 72 contact hours are distributed as follows:

• 48 hours of lectures
• 24 hours of tutorials/seminars

Module runs face-to-face on our Frenchay campus, Monday mornings 09:00 - 12:30 through semesters 1 and 2. Module start date for this academic year listed above. 

Assessment

• A case study, enabling you to research and critically analyse current literature, as well as interpreting data. Both formative and summative feedback will be given during, and following completion of the assignment.
• A 2 hour examination comprising a mixture of question styles.

Formative feedback is available throughout the module using Q+A sessions in lectures, group discussions, particularly in tutorials/seminars/practical, together with use of multiple choice questions throughout taught sessions to enable students to gain an indication of their progress anonymously.