Course - Hematology with external placement - HBIOA1015
Hematology with external placement
New from the academic year 2026/2027
Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.
About
About the course
Course content
The course covers theoretical knowledge about the development, structure, and function of blood cells, as well as basic principles of blood disorders. It also includes relevant blood sampling procedures, pre-analytical considerations, and key analytical techniques in hematology. Furthermore, the course provides broad knowledge of interpretation and evaluation of test results, as well as quality assurance and quality control in hematological laboratory analyses.
Students will gain practical experience in blood sampling and hematological analytical techniques through internal practical training. In addition, the course includes external practical training, primarily within primary healthcare services.
External practical training provides students with practical insight into the function of a primary care clinic and its various tasks. The placement is primarily observational, but the practice site is encouraged to facilitate opportunities for students to perform practical tasks whenever possible.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
- Have knowledge of the main features of normal hematopoiesis, as well as the development, morphology and function of blood cells
- Have knowledge of common blood disorders
- Have knowledge of fundamental theories and principles of analyses in the clinical hematology laboratory, including quality assurance
- Be familiar with methods used in the differential diagnosis of hematological diseases
- Have knowledge of how healthcare professionals collaborate across disciplines
- Understand the importance of infection control and hygiene measures in connection with patient contact and medical laboratory work
- Have knowledge of how primary healthcare services are organized
- Have knowledge of communication between primary and specialist healthcare service
Skills
- Acquire skills in blood collection, sample handling, and key pre-analytical considerations in hematology
- Be able to perform and document laboratory work and blood collection in accordance with current routines, procedures, and requirements
- Be able to describe blood cell morphology and explain how blood smears are assessed using automated digital cell morphology systems
- Be able to perform and explain various methods and measurement principles, both manual and automated, used in diagnostic hematology laboratories
- Be able to evaluate and interpret test results from both normal and pathological blood samples and relate these to diagnostic contexts
- Be able to apply basic laboratory techniques and principles of quality assurance in hematology laboratories
- Be able to identify and explain relevant sources of error related to hematological analyses and account for how these may affect test results and diagnostic interpretation
- Be able to apply professional communication and adhere to biomedical laboratory scientists’ ethical guidelines when working with hematology samples, reporting results, and collaborating with patients and other healthcare professionals
- Be able to reflect on communication skills in encounters with patients in various situations
- Be able to reflect on the practical implementation of blood sampling, analyses, and examinations
- Be able to reflect on the implementation of basic infection control routines and aseptic work procedures in medical laboratory work
Competence
- Have acquired relevant biomedical laboratory science insight in hematology
- Can apply knowledge in professional discussions and contribute to the assessment of issues related to laboratory activities in hematology
- Understands the importance of communication and interprofessional collaboration in healthcare
- Understands the importance of infection control and hygiene measures in connection with patient contact and medical laboratory work
Learning methods and activities
The total workload for the student is estimated to be 200 hours, of which approximately 100 hours are scheduled activities. Teaching is given as a combination of lectures, laboratory courses (internal practical training) and external practical placements.
The teaching methods include lectures, digital exercises, group work with assignments, laboratory courses, and external practical placements. External practice includes the preparation of reflection notes and an oral presentation.
Compulsory assignments
- Laboratory course
- Practical exams
- Assigments and group work
- External placement with reflective reports
- Reflective seminar
Further on evaluation
The course is assessed by a written exam. To be eligible for the written exam, all mandatory coursework requirements must be approved. These include:
- Approved laboratory course
- Approved practical pass/fail tests
- Approved mandatory assignments and group work
- Approved participation in seminar
- Approved external practical placement
To have the external practical placement approved, 100% attendance is required, as well as approved reflection notes before and after the placement period and approved assignments following the placement.
The instructor will inform students about any permitted aids for the pass/fail test(s). Mobile phones and other electronic devices that can be used for communication are not allowed during the test(s).
Approved mandatory coursework is valid for four semesters (the teaching semester and the three subsequent semesters).
In the case of a deferred exam, the assessment format may be changed to an oral examination.
Specific conditions
Admission to a programme of study is required:
Biomedical Laboratory Science (BBIOING)
Recommended previous knowledge
HBIOA1009
Required previous knowledge
Approved laboratory course in HBIOA1009.
Credit reductions
| Course code | Reduction | From |
|---|---|---|
| HBIOA1008 | 5 sp | Autumn 2026 |
| HBIOA1001 | 7.5 sp | Autumn 2026 |
| HBIOT2032 | 5 sp | Autumn 2026 |
Subject areas
- Medical Laboratory Technology