Presentation
This master's degree deals with the application of laboratory techniques for clinical, presymptomatic or predisposition diagnosis. Students will be trained in aspects related to clinical and environmental microbiology, biochemistry, clinical immunology and haematology, clinical and multifactorial genetics, molecular genetics applied to forensic diagnostics, genetic counselling and assisted reproduction techniques; and to the clinical evaluation and interpretation of the results obtained via laboratory techniques.
Objectives
To acquire knowledge competencies
- To teach students the structure, functioning, distribution of tasks and the responsibilities of clinical laboratories personnel in the healthcare environment (private clinical laboratories or hospitals and healthcare institutions).
- To study biological processes in clinical laboratories.
- To learn the mechanisms by which the organism maintains homeostasis; the causes of biological variation and of physiopathology associated with analytical tests performed routinely in clinical laboratories.
- To familiarise students with analytical methodology, diagnostic indication and selection, and the sources of analytical error.
- To assess the results and their clinical interpretation.
To acquire methodological competencies
- To formulate working hypotheses on the basis of existing literature and previous experiments.
- To design and carry out experiments. To plan and know how to use appropriate experimental and computing tools.
- To learn the dynamics of team work.
- To learn the basic elements of communication.
- To apply the knowledge of information searches to a real situation.
- To learn how to apply decision making skills to specific situations.
To acquire attitudinal competencies
- To establish initial contact with the world of clinical laboratories and the healthcare sector as well as with the world of research.
- To learn the ethical principles of working procedures.
- To learn the principles of company and research cultures.
Contents
[curriculum] [curriculum summary]
- Optional modules
Genes and Cell Functioning, Genomes and Systems, Cellular Communication, Model Organisms in Biomedicine, Bioinformatics, Scientific Communication, Epidemiology, and Bioinformatics.
- Specific compulsory module
Clinical Microbiology and Parasitology, Environmental Analyses, Biochemistry, Immunology, Clinical Haematology and Genetics, Forensic Genetics and Genetic Counselling, and Assisted Reproduction Techniques.
- Practical training
The master finishes with a practical training period which consists of a supervised internship in a clinical laboratory or in a sciences laboratory to carry out a research project related to laboratory techniques and their clinical interpretation.
Internship
During the internship stage (second and third terms), students will gain experience in different areas of the laboratory where they will become familiar with the principles of analytical methods in an organised, safe and efficient manner. In addition, they will acquire the necessary skills to develop quality control programmes used in laboratories and will analyse and interpret clinical results in terms of standards, controls, quality and clinical significance. Master's degree students' internships can be carried out in a broad variety of spheres:
- Laboratories of hospitals and other medical care centres and private laboratories.
- Research laboratories or centres.
- DNA technology and genetic engineering corporations.
- Pharmaceutical product development areas.
- Assisted reproduction centres.
- Environmental analysis and environmental health laboratories.
- Health industry company diagnostics departments.
- Stem cell banks.
- Forensic analysis and forensic genetics laboratories.
- Toxicology and drugs of abuse laboratories.
- Rare disease diagnosis laboratories.
- Genetic advice centres.
- Marine toxicology laboratories.
This master trained to carry out a doctoral thesis.
Career prospects
The same as those developed in the internships.
