Prerequisites for admission.

In line with the laws in force, the degree programme has a set number of places. The number of students admitted to the first year of the programme is set according to annual national ministerial programming.
Admission to the degree programme in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques is subject to:
- the possession of the qualifications laid down by law:
secondary school diploma or other suitable high school qualifications or diplomas
obtained abroad.
- the passing of an entrance exam set by the Ministry. The entrance exam is based on general knowledge and logic questions, as well as biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics.
The number of places, entrance exam date, contents and selection methods are published annually in the relative call for applications.
Knowledge required for admission is deemed to be appropriate for all candidates obtaining a minimum of 20 points in the entrance exam, as laid down in Ministerial Decree no. 85 of 5 February 2014. On enrolment, students must have English language competences above “beginner” level (A1), according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages classification; if this is not the case, they shall be assigned additional learning requirements in English to be completed by the end of year I, studying in cooperation with the University Linguistic Centre.
In specific cases, enrolled students may be assigned additional learning requirements (OFA) to be completed in the first year of the programme, to acquire some core knowledge, particularly in Chemistry. The assigned OFA shall be deemed to be completed after passing the exams in General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry (in preparation for course units in Biochemistry and Biology).
And shortcomings in one or more subjects emerging from the progress tests in year I may be filled through specific learning activities set by the teachers of the corresponding subjects.
Enrolled students may apply for recognition of credits acquired in previous university studies.

Skills associated with the function

The degree programme trains professional “Biomedical Laboratory Technicians”. Biomedical Laboratory Techniques graduates are technical-diagnostic health workers performing laboratory analyses and research.
Biomedical Laboratory technicians work in the following sectors:
1) Pathological Anatomy (histopathology, cytopathology, dissection, extemporaneous laboratory)
2) Microbiology (bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology)
3) Chemical-clinical analysis (electrophoresis, chemistry, haematology, coagulation, urgencies, etc.)
4) Toxicology and Pharmacotoxicology
5) Immuno-haematology and Transfusions
6) Endocrinology
7) Legal Medicine (dosages, dissections)
8) Molecular Biology (in-situ and extractive)
9) Medical Genetics
10) Hygiene
At the end of the programme, biomedical laboratory technicians have a full command of all the required competences and can put them to immediate use in a professional setting.

Function in a work context

The degree programme trains professional “Biomedical Laboratory Technicians”. Biomedical Laboratory Techniques graduates are technical-diagnostic health workers performing laboratory analyses and research.
Biomedical Laboratory Technicians:
- are responsible in laboratories for the correct fulfilment of pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical procedures, applying the working protocols defined by the management, responding for their own work within their assigned functions.
- control and check the correct operation of the equipment used.
- take part in planning and organisation of work within the facilities they work in.
- contribute to support staff training and pro-actively follow principles of lifelong learning for their own professional growth and research.

Educational goals

The objective of the degree programme in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques is to train healthcare workers with duties attributed by decree of the Ministry of Health no. 745 of 26 September 1994 and amendments.
To achieve the specific learning outcomes and comply with the requirements of the Diagnostic Laboratories, at the end of the programme students must be able to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired, the practical skills developed and the professional ethics to professional working environments, in compliance with the Code of Ethics of Biomedical Laboratory Technicians.
For this purpose students must be able to:
- work safely in the three steps of laboratory technique (pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical). In the pre-analytical stage, students must be able to interpret the analyses required, assess the conformity or non-conformity of the biological sample and prepare it for the analytical phase, applying suitable methods and technologies in compliance with the quality control requirements established in each laboratory; subsequently, students must critically assess the reliability of the results obtained, also using data archives, the suspected diagnosis or the state of health of the patient. In the post-analytical phase, they must complete the sample processing by sending the data for paper or on-line reporting and store the examined materials for any future controls.
- autonomously carry out the analytical activities, taking responsibility for the correct application of the procedures within previously defined working protocols.
- collaborate in the application of the prevention and protection measures, in compliance with the laws in force.
- collaborate in their own professional and personal growth in technological, scientific and social areas, with a view to future career development.
- continue to study using search engines and databases and constructively applying new knowledge in the laboratory, aiming to improve the development and implementation of new tests.

Communication skills

Graduates in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques:
- use different forms of communication (paper or on-line written work, verbal) in their approach to patients and health professionals.
- are able to communicate appropriately also with non-experts, providing information on the materials gathered for analysis and the results obtained.
- use computer technologies.
- collaborate and establish professional relations with other health professionals, respecting the specific character of each professional role.
- acting as internship tutor, transmit theoretical and practical learning to students on the programme.
- communicate the data concerning the alignment of back-up instruments, calibration curves and controls carried out during the working day and laid down in the guidelines in place in each laboratory.
The learning methods and activities, teaching tools to develop the learning outcomes are:
- projection of slides and their critical analysis, simulations.
- discussion of different technologies and types of analyses, assessing the results in sub-groups.
- group and/or individual exercises in different laboratories on specific methodologies.
- internship with experiences supervised by tutors in different contexts and subsequent discussion to reflect on and process the experience learned individually or in a team.
The assessment tools for verifying the achieved results include:
- Feedback and assessment during the internship using assessment sheets structured by the tutor.
- exams using analytical instruments.

Making Judgements

Graduates in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques are able to:
- identify criticalities in the organisation or application of different diagnostic techniques, proposing solutions and applying the best evidence, in full compliance with the ethical rules in force and working with other operators in the performance of their tasks.
- respond for their work during professional practice and working with other health operators.
- take responsibility for their own actions according to the objectives and priorities of the working environment.
The learning methods and activities, teaching tools to develop the learning outcomes are:
- discussion of methods in working sub-groups.
- internship with experiences supervised by tutors in different contexts and
progressively assuming autonomy, responsibility and a pro-active approach.
- Seminars to reflect on and process the experience of professional practice.
The assessment tools for verifying the achieved results are:
- written and oral exams, practical internships, progress tests.
- feedback during the internship (in written and oral reports on the methodologies acquired).

Learning skills

Graduates in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques:
- evaluate the gaps in their professional knowledge and skills and
seek out appropriate learning opportunities for filling them.
- demonstrate the ability to plan, organise and develop their own actions in future learning paths.
- develop the ability for independent study, sharing knowledge with other technicians within the working team.
- demonstrate autonomy in searching for the information necessary to solve
problems and uncertainties in their professional practice, critically selecting
the literature available on the various topics.
- promote their knowledge in academic and professional contexts.
The learning methods and activities, teaching tools to develop the learning outcomes are:
- theoretical and practical learning of different laboratory methodologies.
- learning of bibliographical research methods using ICT tools.
- guided reading for the critical assessment of scientific and professional literature in both Italian and English.
The assessment tools for verifying the achieved results are:
- written, oral and practical exams, reports on specific topics and critical evaluations to solve problems.
- tutor supervision of the internship.
- active participation in workshops.
- precision in the timing and quality of the performance of various analytical methods.

Knowledge and understanding

Generic Area
Biomedical Laboratory Techniques graduates must acquire knowledge and understanding in different fields, including biological, biomedical, hygiene and prevention, technical diagnostic sciences.
The curriculum covers the following learning areas:
1) BASIC DISCIPLINES, divided into the following subject fields:
a) Biomedical sciences: students acquire knowledge and understanding of all aspects of life, cellular and pluri-cellular organisms, the structural principles of biomolecules controlling metabolic activity, genetic transmission and the structural and ultra-structural organisation of the various components of the human body (tissues, organs and systems) and the complex function of physiological, pathological processes and defence mechanisms of living organisms;
b) Preparatory sciences: students acquire knowledge and understanding of the basic elements of medical physics, medical computing and medical statistics;
c) First aid: for understanding the care and intervention processes adopted for emergency patients.
d) English language: students acquire the elements required to know and understand the English language, required to use and translate scientific literature.
2) CORE DISCIPLINES, divided into the following subject fields:
a) Biomedical Laboratory Techniques and Sciences: students acquire knowledge and understanding of the methodologies used in analysing various biological materials in different laboratories, the relative results used for diagnostic purposes and their clinical significance. In this field particular importance is paid to the various branches of microbiology (bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology), and the techniques applied for diagnostic purposes; pathological anatomy and the most common diagnostic techniques (histopathology, cytopathology, ultrastructural techniques, biomolecular techniques);
b) Medical and Surgical Sciences: students learn to know and understand the elements of pharmacotoxicology and the bases of macroscopic recognition of organs and their pathologies;
c) Prevention and Health Services Sciences: to know and understand the hazards and risk factors, forms and individual and collective systems of prevention protecting the health and safety of workers and users;
d) Interdisciplinary Clinical Sciences: students learn to know and understand the basic elements of endocrine physiopathology and immuno-haematology;
e) Human and Psycho-pedagogic Sciences: for learning the basic elements of the history of medicine and understand the evolution and processing of the currently adopted principles;
f) Interdisciplinary Sciences: to understand the principles, operations and equipment used in electronic bioengineering and computing;
g) Health Management Sciences: providing students with knowledge and understanding of psycho-social, ethical, legal and organisational subjects, to find their way in the National Health System and apply the regulations and directives received in the form of guidelines, with clear implications for the bioethical problems linked to research.
Moreover, students have the faculty to select some elective subjects.
The teaching tools used to achieve the set results include lectures, summary diagrams, presentation of images and videos, readings of preparations under the microscope, seminars, practical internships.
The outcomes are assessed in written and oral exams, progress tests, reports and project-work.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Generic Area
The ability to apply knowledge and understanding the subjects included in different learning areas is expressed in the use of the technologies taught in the Practical Internship.
Graduates in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques:
- use the knowledge of the functioning of the human body and its physical, biomolecular and cellular characteristics in their professional activities, applying this knowledge to the first stages of every analytical process;
- in different laboratory activities (Pathological Anatomy, Chemical-Clinical Analysis, Transfusions, Pharmacy, Endocrinology, Toxicology, Microbiology and Virology, Medical Genetics, Molecular Biology and Legal Medicine), they apply the methodologies and technical-diagnostic skills learned;
- use the many methods available, assessing them critically, in order to extrapolate the most appropriate ones to produce the best technological solutions;
- autonomously use equipment and ensure its correct operation, also performing routine maintenance;
- integrate the knowledge acquired, applying the laws in force to the working environment in terms of safety and control of biological, chemical and radiological risk factors, appropriately using Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), for the handling and correct disposal of organic material and for using laboratory reagents in full safety;
- apply their knowledge and abilities for active participation in the organisation of work in the laboratory, evaluating costs, organisational logistics and the introduction of new technologies, respecting the functions and roles defined in the laboratories;
- work pro-actively with other health workers, creating interdependence and working relations to foster and increase their own professional autonomy;
- are able to apply theoretical and practical knowledge of first aid techniques that are fundamental for emergency patients.
The learning methods and activities, teaching tools to develop the learning outcomes are:
- theoretical and practical lessons, demonstrations, diagrams and graphs.
- discussion of methodologies with presentations in working groups.
- practical exercises and simulations.
- internship with experiences supervised by tutors in different contexts, working with progressive autonomy, responsibility and pro-active abilities.
The assessment tools for verifying the achieved results include, in particular:
- written and oral exams, practical tests, project work, reports.
- feedback during the internship (using portfolios, structured assessment sheets and reports on professional practice).