Learning objectives

The degree course in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques is structured in such a way as to provide adequate preparation for professional training as a biomedical laboratory technician.
To achieve this, the student must have acquired knowledge that enables him/her, with technical and professional autonomy and to the extent of his/her competence, to:
- verify the biological material sent to the laboratory, carry out the conformity check of the request, and prepare the sample for the subsequent analytical stages;
- plan and implement the analytical stage using appropriate methods and technologies in compliance with the recommendations and quality requirements adopted by the laboratory;
- have excellent knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of using laboratory equipment and be familiar with their organisation and management, including the specific legislation governing them;
- assess and critically document the reliability of test and analysis results in accordance with the laboratory's quality systems;
- take an active part in the development of systems for checking the validity of laboratory tests and analyses;
- learn to recognise and identify the risks inherent in the working environment in which he/she operates and take appropriate preventive measures to reduce them;
- independently conduct investigations in databases and search engines in order to acquire and critically evaluate new knowledge inherent in the various laboratory technologies, and to use this information to contribute to the development of methods and the implementation of tests and analyses, in coordination and collaboration with the other figures making up the biomedical laboratory team;
- be responsible and professional, understanding the ethical and deontological issues in relation to users and in relation to interdisciplinary collaboration with other relevant health professionals.
In relation to these specific objectives, the training activity is organised into teaching activities that refer to the basic and characterising disciplines and to related and integrative teaching activities.
The teaching methods include lectures, internships, seminars, working groups and discussions on relevant topics and simulations suitable for pursuing the course aims. Courses are conducted with the aim of stimulating students' knowledge and understanding through the continuous updating of the topics covered and the encouragement of discussion. In addition to the traditional teaching activities, comprising 16 courses spread over the three years of the degree, there is the guided practical training, which occupies a significant part of each year of the degree and enables the application of the theoretical knowledge acquired. The internship activity usually takes place in several highly qualified and highly specialised laboratories of different disciplines, belonging to the Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma. The degree course also offers student services such as:
- Academic tutors, who support the Director of Professionalising Teaching Activities;
- elective and optional teaching activities;
- study rooms and library equipped with computer equipment with connection to the Internet.
The degree is divided into three years according to the following training programme:
YEAR 1
The first year of the degree course is aimed at providing the fundamental knowledge of basic disciplines such as physics, general and molecular biology, chemistry and biochemistry, anatomy, histology, physiology, preparatory to the understanding of the characterising subjects studied in the following years. In addition, basic knowledge of statistics, computer science, clinical microbiology and safety in the workplace is imparted, also as a training prerequisite for the correct fruition of the first internship experience (focused on the acquisition of basic technical skills from biomedical laboratory science).
YEAR 2
Aimed at deepening knowledge of characterising disciplines such as general pathology, medical genetics, clinical microbiology, immunology and immunohaematology, pathological anatomy, hygiene and forensic medicine, as well as related subjects such as occupational medicine and professional skills relating to the areas of pathological anatomy, immunohaematology, clinical microbiology and medical genetics laboratories. Several internship experiences are planned in contexts where the student can practically experiment with the knowledge, methodologies and techniques learned.
YEAR 3
Aimed at further specialised study with particular reference to characterising disciplines such as oncology, haematology, clinical microbiology, pathological anatomy, the acquisition of knowledge and methodologies inherent to professional practice, pharmacology and pharmacotoxicology. In the third year, the importance assigned to internship experiences increases, through which the student can gradually assume autonomy and responsibility under the guidance and supervision of experienced professional figures (tutors or internship guides). During the final year of the degree course, the student becomes particularly familiar with specific laboratory methodologies, including in the context of preparing for the thesis, which is one of the two components of the final examination.