University Graduate Study of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics

University Graduate Study of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics is based on scientific and professional training of students. The purpose of this multi-disciplinary study is to train the students for independent work at university and clinical hospitals, medical and scientific institutes, biotechnical and/or pharmaceutical companies, managerial positions and for work as associates in scientific and clinical research.
The study program provides a basis for better understanding of clinical conditions in medicine and for application of laboratory methodology and instrumental techniques, and it involves courses which use various methods in immunology, microbiology, haematology, transfusion medicine, molecular biology, cytology, morphology, clinical biochemistry, but also courses that are highly specialized in other fields of biomedical laboratory science, all with the aim of preventing, diagnosing, treating and monitoring illnesses. This form of higher education prepares students for work in an international and multicultural environment, with the aim of improving human health.

Basic characteristics of University Graduate Study of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics

• Harmonization of the study program and planned study organization with the guidelines of the Bologna Declaration: University Graduate Study of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics lasts for 2 years, i.e. 4 semesters. The number of credits acquired by a student in one academic year is 60 ECTS credits. Consequently, it is necessary to acquire 120 ECTS credits in order to complete the studies and meet all prescribed obligations of the graduate study program.• The objective of this study is providing of a sufficient number of experts who will, upon completion of the study, be competent for independent performance of the most complex diagnostic procedures, for management of biomedical laboratories, participation in research, continuation of education in a doctoral study, following the model of other countries in Europe and the world, but also for inclusion in the teaching process.
• A special strategic objective is to enable scientific training in medical laboratory sciences, educate new teaching staff who will, upon completion of the graduate study, be competent for independent teaching in the field of laboratory medicine, participation in research and continuation of scientific training at the Postgraduate Doctoral Study Biomedicine and Health.
• According to the structure of the proposed study program, it is obvious that teaching is carried out in the form of lectures, seminars, laboratory exercises and clinical rotations, individual students' work with participation of mentors and other extracurricular and curricular activities.

Requirements for enrolment in the study

Based on the principle of equality and vertical and horizontal mobility in the education system, the study program enables the continuation of education to persons who:

• Completed the University Undergraduate Study of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics (180 ECTS),
• Completed the professional study of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics with study load of at least 180 ECTS and passed supplemental exams,
• Completed a similar professional or undergraduate university study (in the field of laboratory biomedicine and health) and passed supplemental exams,
• Have a grade point average of at least 3.5.

Selection of candidates will be done by a classification procedure during which the best candidates will be selected in a transparent manner. The procedure of selecting candidates for enrolment will be determined so as to guarantee equality of all candidates, regardless of their race, skin colour, gender, language, religion, political or other beliefs, national or social background, financial status, line of descent, social status, disability, sexual orientation or age.

Duration of the study

The proposed study lasts for four (4) semesters, i.e. two (2) academic years (120 ECTS).

Title acquired upon completion of the study

MASTER OF MEDICAL LABORATORY DIAGNOSTICS

Competencies students acquire upon completion of the proposed study

Upon completion of the study, a master of medical laboratory diagnostics possesses the acquired knowledge and skills for independent performance of all kinds of laboratory diagnostics. He/she is prepared for independent performance of the most complex routine tasks and analytical procedures, for monitoring, transferring and developing knowledge at a scientific level, as well as for independent management of laboratory. The skills acquired during the study enable him/her to quickly and easily adapt to technological advancement and to acquire knowledge in accordance with the requirements of various types of laboratories.

a) Basic competencies of masters of medical laboratory diagnostics are the following:

• Adequate knowledge of interdisciplinary scientific fields on which laboratory biomedicine is based and good understanding of scientific methods, including the principles of biological functions, evaluation of scientifically determined facts and data analysis,
• Sufficient understanding as well as independent use (with critical approach) of basic natural and biomedical facts in subsequent research-related and professional education,
• Adequate knowledge of social and ethical aspects and their implementation in professional work and scientific research,
• Appropriate understanding, use and evaluation of biomedical analytical techniques and methods that are useful in the entire field of laboratory biomedicine.

b) General competencies of masters of medical laboratory diagnostics are the following:

• They are trained for implementation and integration of basic, pre-clinical, clinical, behavioural, public health sciences and biomedical humanities, with the aim of diagnosing, preventing, treating and monitoring the course of illnesses, and promoting the health of the individual, the family and the society as a whole,
• They are trained to implement standard laboratory skills and practical procedures in a responsible and safe manner,
• They are familiar with the theoretical principles and methodology of scientific research in biomedicine and health, and have the ability of implementing them and integrating them in order to develop own, original scientific ideas and concepts,
• They are capable of solving professional and scientific problems within the broader, multidisciplinary context in the field of laboratory biomedicine and health,
• They are capable of solving professional and scientific problems in new, unexpected and unfamiliar circumstances, and of making judgments even when having only incomplete or limited information available,
• They are capable of communicating their professional and scientific ideas, knowledge and understanding in a way that is clear and easy to understand, both to professionals and laypersons,
• They are capable of recognizing their own personal and professional limitations and of requesting assistance when necessary,
• They are aware of the duty to protect the patient from ignorance, lack of skills, illness or inadequate treatment by another healthcare provider,
• They are familiar with the organizational and economic aspects of the healthcare system of the Republic of Croatia, and of their position and responsibilities within that system, including financial liability,
• They are aware of the broader social environment in which they apply biomedical laboratory technologies, including the knowledge of relevant acts and regulations of the Republic of Croatia,
• They possess a developed attitude regarding the need for personal training and the skill of independent learning, in order to be able to continuously and successfully keep track with the frequent changes in the field of laboratory biomedicine and relevant technologies,
• They are aware of their duties and responsibilities, and they have to be are aware of, understand and respect the rights of patients, including the patient's right to independently make decisions regarding his/her own health and medical care,
• They know how to communicate with the patient's family members, legal representatives or guardians,
• They respect each patient, regardless of his/her lifestyle, culture, line of descent, beliefs, race, gender, age, social and economic status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or impairment.
• They know how to successfully cooperate with associates in team work, which includes a respect for the roles and experiences of all team members from both medical or non-medical fields,
• They are aware of their own professional competencies and they are prepared to take on a managerial role and responsibility in the biomedical laboratory,
• They have to develop the knowledge, skills, behaviour and attitudes of a competent educator.

c) Specific competencies of masters of medical laboratory diagnostics are the following:

• They analyse, critically evaluate, find solutions and solve actual professional laboratory problems that occur in various working environments,
• They independently plan and perform demanding analyses of biological samples (bodily fluids and tissues), professional work and scientific research, and publish results,
• They are trained for evaluation of usability of methods and control of issued results of laboratory analyses with the purpose of evaluating the examinees' medical condition,
• They implement and assure quality control,
• They implement relevant knowledge and skills for introduction, understanding and evaluation of advanced techniques and methods applicable in the professional and scientific field of laboratory biomedicine,
• They are trained for improvement and rationalization of laboratory methods,
• They use appropriate ethical and professional competencies for work with patients and human biological material, and for work in biomedical research,
• They are responsible for organization and sampling of human material, its transport, processing and storage,
• They use appropriate laboratory technologies and methods for processing and analysing materials, as well as for work on complex automated analysis devices in general and specialized biomedical laboratories,
• They implement and perform appropriate methods for growing cultures of cells, tissues and organs, as well as other test models for research,
• They are trained for research, improvement and development of terminology, theories and methods in individual areas of biomedical activity,
• They are trained for studying and conducting analyses and tests in order to prevent, detect, diagnose and monitor illnesses,
• They are capable of improvement of industrial, medical and other applications of knowledge in individual laboratory activities,
• They are capable of using knowledge from the field of management, legislation, regulations and ethics in the field of laboratory biomedicine,
• They organize tasks within the daily work program of technicians, engineers and other team members involved in the work process,
• They are trained for management of administrative tasks which pertain to daily work activities and making of plans regarding the work process in a biomedical laboratory,
• They are capable of implementing appropriate bio-statistical methods and using of information technology (databases in the field of genomics, proteomics and alike) in biomedical laboratory work,
• They are capable of using and analysing professional and scientific literature,
• They are capable of working in teams,
• They are capable of independent management of biomedical laboratories,
• They are capable for quality education of new staff,
• They possess a developed attitude about the need for further, life-long education and training.

Possibility of continuing of education

Upon completion of this study program, students may continue their education on the educational vertical in the field of Biomedicine and Health (MEFOS student mobility chart).

List of mandatory and elective courses to be conducted within the study program:

1st year
Subject label	Course name	Hours			ECTS
		Σ KN	SUS	Σ OS
Mandatory courses
MOLO4TOK	Toxicological chemistry	60	65	125	5
MOLO4PKS	Application of cell and tissue culture in biomedical research	60	65	125	5
MOLO4FAR	Basic pharmacology	60	65	125	5
MOLO4KME	Clinical microbiology and epidemiology	60	65	125	5
MOLO4KLH	Clinical haematology	60	65	125	5
MOLO4CDG	Cytodiagnostics	60	65	125	5
MOLO4MGM	Molecular genetics and molecular mechanisms	60	65	125	5
MOLO4KII	Clinical immunology and immunogenetics Clinica	60	65	125	5
MOLO4UMH	Emergency medicine and emergent situations in laboratory medicine	60	65	125	5
Elective courses*
MOLI4LTM	Laboratory technologies in microbiology	70	55	125	5
MOLI4LTH	Laboratory technologies in hematology	70	55	125	5
MOLI4LTC	Laboratory technologies in cytodiagnostics	70	55	125	5
MOLI4LTT	Laboratory technologies in transfusion medicine and transplantation	70	55	125	5
MOLI4LTG	Laboratory technologies in molecular genetics and biology	70	55	125	5
MOLI4LTI	Laboratory technologies in immunology	70	55	125	5
MOLI4LTK	Laboratory technologies in clinical biochemistry	70	55	125	5
MOLI4MNM	Nuclear medicine methods and imaging techniques in biomedicine	70	55	125	5
Total mandatory courses:		1125			45
Elective courses required:		375			15
Total 1st year:		1500			60

 

* From the elective courses offered the student on the 1st  year of study must select at least three subjects.
Legend: Σ KN - total hours of contact teaching; SUS – student self-learning; Σ OS - total student load; ECTS credits according to the European higher education system (1 ECTS corresponds to 25 hours of total student load)

 

2nd year
Subject label	Course name		Hours			ECTS
			Σ KN	SUS	Σ OS
Mandatory courses courses
MOLO5KOK	Control and quality assurance in biomedical laboratory	45		55	100	4
MOLO5MPS	Medical psychology	45		55	100	4
MOLO5MEZ	Management and economics in health care	45		55	100	4
MOLO5PRM	Preventive medicine	45		55	100	4
MOLO5KMD	Clinical medicine and laboratory diagnostics	60		65	125	5
MOLO5MIZ	Methodology of writing a scientific paper	45		55	100	4
MOLO5IDR	Individual research and establishing of hypotheses   within the project for the development of graduate thesis	240		260	500	20
MOLO5ODR	Graduate thesis	40		110	150	6
Elective courses*
MOLI5LDH	Laboratory diagnostics of haemostasis disorders		45	30	75	3
MOLI5LDB	Bedside laboratory diagnostics		45	30	75	3
MOLI5LDS	Laboratory diagnostics of central nervous system disorders		45	30	75	3
MOLI5LDI	Laboratory diagnostics of infectious diseases		45	30	75	3
MOLI5OKF	Basis of clinical pharmacokinetics		45	30	75	3
MOLI5KTA	Clinical-toxicology analysis		45	30	75	3
MOLI5FOR	Laboratory diagnostics in forensic analysis		45	30	75	3
MOLI5EAM	Experimental animal models in biomedical research		45	30	75	3
MOLI5OKS	Oxidation stress and free radicals - mechanisms of action		45	30	75	3
MOLI5ENZ	Molecular enzymology		45	30	75	3
MOLI5LDT	Laboratory diagnostics of neoplasms		45	30	75	3
MOLI5LBM	Laboratory management		45	30	75	3
MOLI5ALB	Automation in laboratory biomedicine		45	30	75	3
MOLI5MUD	Evidence-based medicine		45	30	75	3
MOLI5EZB	Ethics and legislation in biomedicine		45	30	75	3
MOLI5BSI	Elected areas of biostatistics and informatics		45	30	75	3
MOLI5IPF	Elected areas of biophysics		45	30	75	3
MOLI5ENG	English in academic and professional communication		45	30	75	3
Total mandatory courses:			1275			51
Elective courses required:			225			9
Total 2nd year:			1500			60

 

* From the elective courses offered the student on the 2nd  year of study must select at least three subjects.
Legend: Σ KN - total hours of contact teaching; SUS – student self-learning; Σ OS - total student load; ECTS credits according to the European higher education system (1 ECTS corresponds to 25 hours of total student load)