The theory and practice of preparing blood for transfusions is taught. Students learn to group, type, and cross-match blood for transfusions and to detect and identify the antibodies or other causes of incompatible transfusions. Students also observe blood donor and component processing at an affiliated blood center.
Emphasis is placed on learning the theory and practice of clinical biochemistry.
The students are taught to perform the various manual and automated procedures employed in the analysis of blood and body fluids. Theory is presented through formal and informal lectures. Emphasis is placed on the techniques of isolation, cultural characteristics, and identification of bacteria. Fungi, viruses, and parasites of clinical importance are covered. Antibiotic sensitivity testing is included as well as infection control procedures.