Diploma in Applied Science (Medical Laboratory Science)

Immunology

This module aims to provide students with an overview on the fundamental concepts of immunology and its importance in clinical setting especially in blood transfusion science. Pathophysiology of various immune-mediated diseases will also be emphasized in this module so that students can understand the mechanisms and processes behind various immune-mediated responses in the human body.

Blood Banking

This module provides students with the fundamentals of routine procedures performed in immuno-haematology laboratories.

Haematology

This module will equip students with the theoretical knowledge and technical skills to perform routine laboratory investigations in haematology. They will also learn to interpret results and relate findings to various types of haematological disorders such as anaemia, haematological malignancies and coagulopathies for diagnosis and treatment. The importance of quality assurance and quality control in the laboratory will be emphasised in this module.

Basic Microbiology

This module investigates the important fundamentals of microbiology and its relevance to the medical laboratory science.  It covers the types of microorganisms and their relationships to human diseases.

Microbiology Technology

This module covers the basic techniques used in microbiology laboratories.  It includes identifying types of microorganisms, cultivation and growth of microorganisms.  Students also need to preform various laboratory techniques and procedures for conducting microbiological work/test.

Clinical Microbiology

This subject covers the host-microbe interactions with emphasis on infectious diseases in humans. It includes various modes of transmission, diagnosis, prevention and control of infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

Biosafety

This subject covers the fundamental knowledge and applications of risk assessment and management of biological and other hazards, risks and threats. Biosafety and biosecurity principles and practices as well as interpretation of national and international biosafety standards, guidelines and legislations will also be covered. This subject will also cover administrative controls, incidents and accidents reporting, as well as implementation of measures to maintain a safe working environment.

Biochemistry

The students will acquire the knowledge of the core biochemical components and metabolic processes of living things and skills for performing biochemical assays. The names, structures and functions of biomolecules are discussed in relation to one another.  The role of enzyme catalysis in regulating biochemical reactions will be covered.  Major metabolic pathways such as glycolysis and citric acid cycle will be examined in the role of generating biological energy.  Practical skills, such as measurement of solutions and chemicals, performing colorimetric assays, and analysis of experimental data will be taught.

Analytical Biochemistry for Clinical Sciences

This module presents the basic principles, knowledge and skills for analytical methods used routinely in the analysis of biomolecules with examples of clinical application. The topics include spectrometry, separation and imaging/detection techniques as well as discussion on selected current approaches in the analysis of clinically important biomolecules.

Clinical Chemistry and Instrumentation

This module will cover topics on the physiological changes in the disease states and discuss the assessment of underlying biochemical disturbances in diseases based on altered analytes levels. These include the principles of analytical techniques and instrumentation that are routinely use to measure/analyse different analytes in body fluids as well as the importance of maintaining a quality management system particularly in a clinical chemistry laboratory for accurate results reporting beginning from the point of sample collection.

Molecular Bioscience

This module introduces the fundamentals of cell biology, molecular biology and genetics. Topics covered include cellular organelles, membrane trafficking, cell cycle and division, chromosome structure, study of genes, eukaryotic gene expression, epigenetics as well as molecular events of replication, transcription and translation.

Molecular Techniques

This module is designed to equip students with knowledge and molecular techniques that are used to analyse samples. Students will learn about the isolation of nucleic acids and gel electrophoresis, applications of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) in molecular testing, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Clinical Applications of Molecular Testing

This module is an advanced module that focuses on applications of bioinformatics, molecular testing assays and techniques, which enable accurate and precise detection of biomarkers as well as infectious pathogens found in clinical samples.

Human Body Systems in Health and Disease

This module will focus on the gross and micro-anatomy as well as physiology of human tissues and organ systems in health and disease. Concepts of disease such as incidence, etiology, pathogenesis, complications and relevant terminologies pertaining to the various organ systems will be covered.

Laboratory Management and Operations

This module aims to cover quality and safety management systems recommended for effective operation and performance of diagnostic pathology laboratories.

Principles of Histotechnology and Cytotechnology

This module aims to equip participants with knowledge and skills required for routine and specialized techniques in Histotechnology and Cytotechnology. Lessons would focus on processing of surgical and biopsy specimens, liquid-based specimens, and aspirated specimens for pathological diagnosis. Principles of the various techniques, instrumentation, SOPs for specimen collection, processing, examination reporting, and storage will be covered.