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Course Outline

BIM203 Blood Banking and Transfusion Sciences

Course Coordinator:Yoke Lin Fung (ylfung@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Biomedicine

2026Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

In this course you will study blood group antigen and antibody systems, their interactions and how they relate to the clinical practice of blood transfusion. Building on your knowledge of haematology, you will learn the theory and develop competencies in laboratory techniques including the ABO, Rh and other blood group systems; donor screening, blood collection, preparation and use; blood grouping, antibody screening, cross-matching; problems associated with pregnancy; the risk and benefits of transfusions, strategies to investigate adverse effects of transfusions and tissue-typing.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Fully independent asynchronous learning 2hrs Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus tutorial to discuss case based application of blood banking and transfusion concepts. 2hrs Week 1 7 times
Laboratory 1 – On campus laboratories to develop competencies in blood banking techniques and investigation of transfusion cases. 3hrs Week 2 6 times

Course Topics

• Major blood group systems;
• Blood products;
• Quality control in the blood bank laboratory
• Antibody detection and identification;
• Pre-transfusion testing procedures;
• Haemolytic disease of the new born
• Adverse effects of transfusion
• Risk and benefits of transfusions
• Apheresis in transfusion practice
• Transfusion transmitted diseases
• The HLA system. Organ and Stem Cell Transplants
• Neutrophil antigens and antibodies in transfusion practice
• Platelet antigens and antibodies in transfusion practice

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Explain, describe, analyse and interpret antigen antibody interactions as they relate to blood banking and transfusion sciences and transplantation disorders Knowledgeable
Empowered
2 Investigate and analyse clinical issues in blood banking and transfusion sciences and their link to the local and global community Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
Engaged
Sustainability-focussed
3 Demonstrate an understanding of the professional and ethical responsibilities inherent in blood transfusion and tissue transplantation in clinical practice. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
Engaged
Sustainability-focussed

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

LFS112 and MLS110 and enrolled in Program SC211, SC355 or SC357

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

MLS212

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

There will be a 5% quiz on weeks 2,4 & 6 and 10% quizzes on weeks 8,10 & 13 to assess your comprehension of the key theoretical, practical, and clinical concepts covered thus far. Feedback on these concepts and the quiz will take place in the subsequent tutorial .

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Quiz/zes Individual 45% 
15 to 25 minutes
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) In Class
All 2 Literature Review (or component) Individual 25% 
The written assignment will be between 1500 to 2000 words long, and 10-15min interview on content of submitted assignment.
 Week 7 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Practical / Laboratory Skills Individual 30% 
160 minutes
 Week 12 In Class
All - Assessment Task 1:Intra semester review quizzes
Goal: 
To demonstrate your understanding of key theoretical, practical, and clinical concepts covered in weeks 1-12 of the course
Product: Quiz/zes
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Multi choice and short answer questions. Quizzes on week 2,4 & 6 are worth 5% and on weeks 8,10 & 13 are worth 10%.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Technical & clinical concepts
 1 2
2 
Explanation & interpretation
 1 2 3
3 
Identification of ethical & sustainable practices
 2 3
Generic Skills: 
Problem solving, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Research Study Assignment
Goal: 
To demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of clinical issues in blood banking and transfusion sciences and how they relate in a broader population or social context.
Product: Literature Review (or component)
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
A small number of blood banking topics will be provided for you to choose from at the beginning of the semester. Students may choose to review other blood banking topics with the approval of the Course Coordinator.

Students will be provided with instructions on how to complete the written assignment, including detailed requirements for the assignment and a marking rubric will be provided on Canvas.

In addition, during the tutorial on week 9, each student will meet with the Course Coordinator (10-15min) to discuss the content of their assignment to assess their knowledge and understanding of the content of their submitted assignment.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
demonstration of blood banking and transfusion science knowledge
 1 2 3
2 
ability to source and reference current relevant scientific information
 2 3
3 
ability to analyse, interpret and summarise relevant information
 1 2 3
4 
linking implications to global and local community
 1 2 3
5 
identification of ethical issues
 2 3
6 
adherence to format
 2 3
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Practical Exam
Goal: 
The laboratory practical exam will be based on the application and interpretation of blood banking theory, concepts and skills encountered in practical classes throughout the semester.
Product: Practical / Laboratory Skills
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Multi-choice and short answer questions
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
principles, theories, and concepts
 1 2
2 
importance of blood banking and transfusion sciences in the local and global community
 2
3 
scientific terminologies
 1
Generic Skills: 
Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Recommended Paula R. Howard 2020 Basic and Applied Concepts of Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices 5th Mosby

Specific requirements

BIM203 is structured to provide you with knowledge and practical skills necessary to meet industry established proficiency standards. It is therefore an expectation of both the University and our industry partners that you will participate in all of the directed study activities (learning material, laboratories, tutorials). To gain such proficiency you must attend and participate in at least 80% of the tutorials and laboratory practicals throughout the semester before you are permitted to attempt the Assessment Task 3 (practial exam), and you must attain a minimum of 50% result for Task 3.. 
You are required to provide and wear appropriate protective equipment during the laboratory practical, including: covered, non-slip shoes, laboratory coat/gown and safety glasses. Disposable gloves and other protective equipment will be provided when required.

How are risks managed in this course?

Risk assessments have been performed for all laboratory classes and a moderate level of health and safety risk exists. Moderate risks are those associated with laboratory work such as working with chemicals and hazardous substances. You will be required to undertake laboratory induction training and it is also your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate (the rates are cumulative): - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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