ANALYTICAL AND CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY - 2025/6
Module code: BMS2043
Module Overview
The Module will cover a range of topics that will address analytical techniques in research and clinical laboratories, as well as addressing data analysis and statistics.
Module provider
School of Biosciences
Module Leader
LYMPANY Penny (Biosciences)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 5
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 54
Lecture Hours: 41
Laboratory Hours: 6
Guided Learning: 10
Captured Content: 39
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
Pre-requisites: Biochemistry: The molecules of life (BMS1049) or Biochemistry: The understanding the chemistry of life (BMS1054), and BMS104, and Biochemistry: Enzymes and metabolism (BMS2035). In taking this module, you cannot in the same year take BMS2053 or BMS2070.
Module content
In-class lectures:
- Chromatography (TLC, HPLC, GC, size exclusion, ion exchange, affinity)
- Therapeutic drug monitoring and monitoring of drugs of abuse
- Quality assurance including EQA
- Tools of Analytical Biochemistry
- Analytical Standards and Sample Preparation
- Spectroscopy: UV-Vis, fluorescence, luminescence, Infra-red
- SDS-PAGE, isoelectric focussing & western blotting
- Liver function tests (LFTs) and clinical cases
- Lipoproteins
- Lipids - clinical overview
- Evaluating Analytical Data (including overview of statistics: Regression, t-test, ANOVA)
Practicals
Laboratory practical - Urinalysis point of care testing
In-class, in silico computer practicals:
- Report 1: HPLC & Drug Metabolism
- Report 2: Creatinine Clearance
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Report 1 | 15 |
| Coursework | Report 2 | 15 |
| Examination | Exam - In person, invigilated (90 min) | 70 |
Alternative Assessment
Practical reports, with data provided for practical write up 1 and 2
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their critical understanding of the taught and practical topics.
The summative assessments for this module consist of:
- Laboratory report 1 (HPLC & Drug Metabolism)
- Laboratory report 2 (Creatinine Clearance)
- An MCQ final exam (90 minutes) covering all taught topics
Formative feedback & advice will be provided through:
- In-class and online discussions
- In-class polls, e.g. PollEverywhere or Kahoot
- Assessments brief
- Statistics workshops
- Online tests [SurreyLearn]
- In-class practical sessions
- One-to-one feedback
Summative feedback on coursework & final exam will be provided (one-to-one, as requested, with generic on-line feedback).
Module aims
- Provide an overview of analytical techniques used in research and clinical laboratories including point of care testing and quality management
- Link taught topics to practicals
- Develop a critical awareness of analytical techniques and the analysis/interpretation of data
- Further develop an understanding of statistical concepts and their correct utilization
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Recognize and critically understand analytical techniques that are commonly used in research and clinical laboratories including point of care testing and quality management | KCT |
| 002 | Apply knowledge to the correct interpretation of data and reporting of results | KC |
| 003 | Draw relevant conclusions from experimental data linked to the critical understanding of taught materials. | KCPT |
| 004 | Demonstrate independent learning and relevant further reading, thus further developing scientific and critical thinking skills | KC |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
T
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
- Enhance students’ knowledge of analytical and clinical biochemistry, progressing from Level 4 and semester one, level 5;
- Develop the critical and conceptual understanding of analytical and clinical biochemistry;
- Develop and enhance critical thinking, data analysis, writing and communication skills.
The learning and teaching methods include:
- In-person lectures
- In-class and online discussions
- In-class, in silico computer practicals
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: BMS2043
Other information
Resourcefulness & Resilience: Students will be provided with one-to-one advice opportunities to help develop their resiliency and reflective skills (Learning Outcomes 3, 4 & 5).
Digital capabilities: Students will enhance their digital and literacy skills throughout the module, building on their learning at levels 4 & 5 (semester one). The practicals are online and data analysis utilizing the GraphPad Prism software is required. The use of spreadsheets in the data analysis process is advised (Learning Outcome 2 & 3).
Employability: Students will indirectly gain employability skills through the further development and fine-tuning of their critical thinking, data analysis literacy and communication skills, building on their learning at levels 4 & 5 (Learning Outcomes 3, 4 & 5).
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry MSci (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Biochemistry BSc (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Biological Sciences BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Microbiology BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Biological Sciences (Cellular and Molecular Sciences) BSc (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Biomedical Science MSci (Hons) | 2 | Core | Each unit of assessment must be passed at 40% to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.