MLAB 2401: Clinical Chemistry

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MLAB 2401: Clinical Chemistry

Dates: June 2 – August 10, 2025
Length of Course: 10 Weeks
Classroom Hours: 48 (approximate)
Laboratory Hours: 64 (approximate)

An introduction to the principles and procedures of various tests performed on Clinical Chemistry. Presents the physiological basis for the test, the principle and procedure for the test, and the clinical significance of the test results, including quality control and normal values. Also includes basic chemical laboratory technique, chemical laboratory safety, electrolytes and acid-base balance, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, enzymes, metabolites, endocrine function, and toxicology.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

Exhibit a knowledge of body chemistry levels under healthy or abnormal conditions.
Properly evaluate the suitability of clinical chemistry specimens.
Properly prepare chemistry specimens for analysis.
Explain and perform procedures routinely found in a clinical chemistry laboratory, including electrolytes, acid-base balance, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, toxicology, therapeutic drug monitoring, and liver, kidney, and endocrine functions.
Evaluate laboratory test outcomes and correlate test results with patient condition(s).
Accurately record and report results, indicating normal and abnormal values.
Evaluate quality control results and note trends, shifts and invalid results.
Demonstrate speed and accuracy in the analysis of chemistry specimens for the following types of procedures utilizing only necessary supplies and within a predetermined, reasonable amount of time:
- weights and measures
- reagent preparation and use
- color spectrophotometric
- coulometric titration
- enzymatic
- electrophoretic
- other test procedures as available
Explain the principles of the above procedures and describe the clinical importance of abnormal results.
Discuss recent trends in clinical chemistry.

Syllabus

Please print the MLAB 2401 Syllabus and bring it to class.

Textbook

Bishop, Michael L., Fody, Edward P., and Schoeff, Larry, Clinical Chemistry, Ninth Edition, Jones & Bartlett Learning, ISBN 978-1-284-23886-0

Exams

Exam 1

(On campus)

Covers: Quality Control & Statistics, Basic Principles & Practice, Lab Safety & Regulations, Electrochemistry, Electrolytes, Mineral & Bone, Carbohydrates, and Trace Elements

Labs: QC, Safety, Micropipet/pipetting, Osmometry, Minerals, Automation, and Spectrophotometry

EVC: Monday, June 23, 2025

8:30 – 9:45 am

Room 8301

RRC: Monday, June 23, 2025

3:30- 4:45 pm

Room 3121

Exam 2

(On campus)

Covers: Proteins & Amino Acids, and Endocrinology

Labs: Electrophoresis

EVC: Monday, June 30, 2025

8:30 – 9:45 am

Room 8301

RRC: Monday, June 30, 2025

3:30- 4:45 pm

Room 3121

Exam 3

(On campus)

Covers: pH and Acid/Base Imbalance, Hemoglobin Production Disorders, Renal Function, and Tumor Markers Labs: Point of Care, and Designs in Automation

EVC: Monday, July 14, 2025

8:30 – 10:00 am

Room 8301

RRC: Monday, July 14, 2025

3:30- 5:00 pm

Room 3121

Exam 4

(Remote)

Covers: Enzymes, Liver, TDM, Toxicology, Lipids, and Cardiac Function

Labs: Lipids, Liver, and Toxicology

Opens: Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 7 a.m.

Closes: Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 7 p.m.

Comprehensive Final Exam – Monday, August 4, 2025

EVC Room 8301 9:00- 11:00 am.

RRC Room 3121.00 3:30-5:30 pm.

Schedule

Please note- do NOT print directly from the pDFs. Make sure to download the document first, then print.

Monday 6/2/25

Laboratory	Lab: Safety Biowaste Guide (PDF) Levy-Jennings Charts & Westgard Rules In class activity Lab: Quality Control Virtual lab-complete at home Lab & SQs Due 6/6/25
Lecture Topics	Syllabus Review-collect signature sheets Laboratory Safety and Regulations \| Objectives \| Notes QA, Quality Control, and Statistics \| Objectives \| Notes Westgard System and Rules When Chemistry QC Is Out Flowchart (PDF)
Textbook	Ch. 2, pp. 38-55: Laboratory Safety and Regulations Ch. 3, pp. 57-87: QA, Quality Control, and Statistics
Assignment	Admission ticket: Quality Control. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 6/3/25 Pre-Lab Assessment: Safety. Found in Bb under the Assignments button in the Pre-Lab folder. Due 6/3/25 Pre-Lab Assessment: Pipetting/Micropipette Cal. Found in Bb under the Assignments button in the Pre-Lab folder. Due 6/3/25

Tuesday 6/3/25

Laboratory	Lab: Micropipette & Pipetting
Lecture Topics	Basic Principles & Practice \| Objectives \| Notes Part 1 \| Part 2 Serial Dilution Review & Practice Guided Practice: Chemistry Math Students need to print off and bring to class. Electrochemistry \| Objectives \| Notes
Textbook	Ch. 1, pp. 2-35: Basic Principles & Practice Ch. 4, pp. 102-107: Electrochemistry
Assignment	Pre-Lab Assessment: Osmolality. Found in Bb under Assignments button in the Pre-Lab folder. Due 6/9/25 Admission ticket: Electrolytes. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 6/9/25 Chemistry Mathematics #1: Conversion & Dilutions Due 6/10/25 Chemistry Mathematics #2: Molarity, Normality, Concentration Due 6/10/25

Monday 6/9/25

Laboratory	Lab: Osmometry
Lecture Topics	Electrolytes \| Objectives \| Notes Part 1 \| Part 2
Textbook	Ch. 11, pp. 316-346: Electrolytes
Assignment	Pre-Lab Assessment: Automation. Found in Bb under the Assignments button in the Pre-Lab folder. Due 6/10/25 Admission ticket: Mineral and Bone. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 6/10/25 Videos Related to Water Balance- highly recommended! Osmosis, Osmotic pressure, Osmolality Osmolality vs. Osmolarity

Tuesday 6/10/25

Laboratory	Automation \| Objectives \| Notes Lab: Mineral Determination
Lecture Topics	Mineral and Bone Metabolism \| Objectives \| Notes Part 1 \| Part 2 \| Part 3
Textbook	Ch. 18, pp. 469-483: Mineral and Bone Metabolism
Assignment	Pre-Lab Assessment: Spectrophotometry. Found in Bb under the Assignments button in the Pre-Lab folder. Due 6/16/25

Monday 6/16/25

Laboratory	Electromagnetic Radiation & Spectrophotometry \| Objectives \| Notes Lab: Spectrophotometry Virtual lab Lab & SQs Due 6/20/25
Lecture Topics	Trace Elements \| Objectives Trace Elements Table Review Math Assignments, as needed.
Textbook	Ch. 27, pp. 669-690: Trace Elements
Assignment	Admission ticket: Carbohydrates. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 6/17/25 Trace Elements Crossword Due 6/22/25 Optional: Exam 1 Review Kahoot!

Tuesday 6/17/25

Laboratory	ACE Axcel Overview (Google Slides) Automation report required See Clinical 3 for details Lab: ACE Axcel Getting Started
Lecture Topics	Carbohydrates \| Objectives \| Notes Part 1 \| Part 2 \| Part 3
Textbook	Ch. 9, pp. 260-281: Carbohydrates
Assignment	Admission ticket: Proteins and Amino Acids. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 6/23/25

Monday 6/23/25

Laboratory	Technical Support
Lecture Topics	Exam #1 Proteins and Amino Acids \| Objectives \| Notes Part 1 \| Part 2 \| Part 3
Textbook	Ch. 6, pp. 162-203: Proteins and Amino Acids
Assignment	Pre-Lab Assessment: Electrophoresis. Found in Bb under the Assignments button in the Pre-Lab folder. Due 6/24/25 Admission ticket: Endocrinology. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 6/24/25

Tuesday 6/24/25

Laboratory	Electrophoresis \| Objectives \| Notes
Lecture Topics	Exam #1: Review, as needed. Endocrinology \| Objectives \| Notes Part 1: Introduction to Endocrinology \| Part 2: Adrenals- Overview\| Part 3: Adrenals- Disorders \| Part 4: Thyroid
Textbook	Ch. 4, 107-111: Analytic Techniques Ch. 6, pp. 188-194: Proteins & Heme Derivatives (Electrophoresis) Ch. 13, pp. 370- 392: Introduction to Endocrinology Ch. 14, pp. 395-408: Endocrine- Thyroid Function Ch. 15, pp. 410-423: Endocrine- Hypothalamic & Pituitary Ch. 16, pp. 426-444: Endocrine- Endocrine Adrenal Ch. 17, pp. 447-465: Endocrine- Gonadal
Assignment	Complete Electrophoresis Study Questions. Due 6/27/25 Admission ticket: Hemoglobin Production Disorders. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 6/30/25 Admission ticket: Renal Disorders. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 6/30/25 Optional: Exam 2 Review Kahoot!

Monday 6/30/25

Laboratory	Lab: Other Designs in Automation
Lecture Topics	Exam #2 The Kidney and Test of Renal Function \| Objectives \| Notes Part 1 \| Part 2 \| Part 3 Hemoglobin Production Disorders \| Objectives \| Notes Part 1 \| Part 2 \| Part 3
Textbook	Ch. 6, pp. 198-203:Hemoglobin Production Disorders Ch. 21, pp. 539-565: The Kidney and Test of Renal Function
Assignment	Admission ticket: pH and Acid-base Imbalance. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 7/1/25

Tuesday 7/1/25

Laboratory	Acid/Base Disorders Worksheet Point of Care Testing (POCT) \| Objectives \| Notes
Lecture Topics	Exam #2: Review , as needed. pH and Acid-base Imbalance \| Objectives \| Notes Part 1 \| Part 2 \| Part 3 \| Part 4 Classification of Acid-base Disorders (PDF) Siggaard-Andersen Nomograph (PDF)
Textbook	Ch. 12, pp. 348-367: pH and Acid-base Imbalance Ch. 29, pp. 725-732: Point of Care Testing (POCT)
Assignment	TBA

Monday 7/7/25

Laboratory	Note: Students will NOT come to campus. This is a self-instructional unit.
Lecture	Tumor Markers \| Objectives \| Notes
Textbook	Ch. 28, pp. 703-721: Tumor Markers
Assignment	Admission ticket: Enzymes. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 7/8/25

Tuesday 7/8/25

Laboratory	Lab: Liver Enzymes
Lecture	Enzymes \| Objectives \| Notes Part 1 \| Part 2
Textbook	Ch. 8, pp. 225-258 Enzymes
Assignment	Admission ticket: Liver Function. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 7/14/25 Optional: Exam 3 Review Kahoot!

Monday 7/14/25

Laboratory	Pipetting By Numbers
Lecture	Exam #3 Liver Function \| Objectives \| Notes Part 1 \| Part 2 \| Part 3
Textbook	Ch. 19, pp. 486-512: Liver Function
Assignment	Complete the Liver Function & Evaluation Crossword Upload to the Dropbox Due 7/20/25 Admission ticket: TDM/Toxicology. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 7/15/25

Tuesday 7/15/25

Laboratory	Lab: Toxicology
Lecture	Review Exam #3, as needed. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) \| Objectives \| Notes Toxicology \| Objectives \| Notes Part 1 \| Part 2
Textbook	Ch. 25, pp. 622-644: Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) Ch. 26, pp. 646-668: Toxicology
Assignment	Read article: Mysteries of medical marijuana are challenge for doctors. Log into Bb, go to the discussion board, and post your opinions of this article in at least 50 words. Due 7/20/25

Monday 7/21/25

Laboratory	Lab: Lipid Studies
Lecture	Lipids and Lipoproteins \| Objectives \| Notes Part 1 \| Part 2 \| Part 3
Textbook	Ch. 10, pp. 286-312: Lipids and Lipoproteins
Assignment	Admission ticket: Cardiac Monitoring and Lipids. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 7/22/25

Tuesday 7/22/25

Laboratory
Lecture	Cardiovascular Conditions and Assessment \| Objectives \| Notes
Textbook
Assignment	Cardiac Marker Worksheet: submit to Dropbox in Bb. Due 7/27/25 Optional: Exam 4 Review Kahoot!

Monday 7/28/25

	Travis County Medical Examiner Tour- TENTATIVE Arrive by 9:15 am
Textbook
Laboratory
Assignment	Optional: Final Exam Review Kahoot!

Tuesday 7/29/25

	TBD
Textbook
Laboratory
Assignment

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