Saddleback College
Liquid Syllabus: Fall 2023
MLT 211: BASIC LABORATORY PROCEDURES
Welcome!
Hello class, my name is Thy Nguyen and I will be your instructor for MLT 211 - Basic Laboratory Procedures. Besides teaching, I am a Clinical Laboratory Scientist in the Chemistry department at the Univerisity of California Irvine Medical Center. I love sharing my real-world experience with you to help prepare you for your success in the clinical laboratory. This is the beginning of your journey to explore a career in the clinical laboratory world and I hope you will enjoy the class!
This is our Liquid Syllabus to help you get familiar with the format of an online class and the expectations of this course. The full syllabus is available on Canvas for you to review. If you don't find the answers to what you need, feel free to reach out to me, I am only an email away.
About this course
This class will introduce you to basic clinical laboratory procedures, common to all diagnostic-related tasks. Emphasis will be placed on basic laboratory math and statistics, proper use of manual pipettes and semi-automated micropipettes, preparation of serial dilutions, making buffers and reagents from stock solutions, calibration, use of balances, sterile techniques, centrifuges, and spectrophotometers.
Our class will start on 8/21/23 and will last for 8 weeks. All the materials will be posted in the weekly modules every Wednesday and all assignments will be due the next Wednesday. We will have TWO synchronous Zoom sessions on week 3 and week 7 (Thursday 9/7/23 and 9/28/23 at 6 pm) as our review classes before the midterm and final exams. Please prepare to come to class with questions so that we can make the most use of our live-time.
I am looking forward to a successful semester with you all!
Student Learning Objectives:
Students participating in this class will:
1. Identify and demonstrate proper use of laboratory equipment such as manual and semi-automated pipettes, centrifuges, spectrophotometer, and analytical balance.
2. Describe the appropriate use of reference standards, controls, and calibrators in laboratory testing.
3. Perform single and serial dilution calculations.
4. Explain the significance of dilution procedures in the analytical evaluation of patient results.
5. Demonstrate correct unit conversions in mathematical calculations of patient results.
6. Apply basic statistical concepts to evaluate quality control results.
7. Differentiate between the tasks performed during the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of laboratory testing.
How do you reach me?
I am here to help you succeed so please ask me anything, I am only an email away. I will try my very best to respond to your email within 24 hours, but please expect a delay of up to 48 hours if you email me on weekends. If you would like to speak to me, I will set up a Zoom meeting so we can talk about your concerns.
As a reminder, please use Canvas email for any communication regarding the class, personal email is not recommended.
I highly recommend posting your questions in the Q&A discussion. Other students may know the answers and will help you respond to your concerns. On the other hand, your classmates might have the same questions as you, and making a thread there will also help your fellows. I regularly check this topic and will answer your questions there as well.
My advice for success
This is an online course that will require commitment and self-discipline. You should expect to spend 10 - 15 hours every week to watch the lecture videos, do your practice homework and assignment. I will communicate with you very regularly through class announcement so please log in on Canvas at least twice a week so that you will not miss any important information.
I understand that each of you might have different experience with online learning and I thrive to make this class a positive environment for your learning. If you need any help, know that I am only an email away. Please take advantage of the two synchronous sessions if you have any questions or concerns. If you need help with any particular lessons or homework, make sure to reach out to me so we can arrange time to meet on Zoom.
This class is your community and I hope you rely on one another to help achieve your success.
Please take a moment to explore the Support Resources that are available in our college. This is your One Stop for All with support for Student Technical Issues, Tutoring, Counseling, Financial Resources, Career Replacement Services, DSPS, Admission Services, and more. Please also check out C.A.R.E Corner for any basic needs such as food, clothing, wellness, and financial needs.
Extra resource links are posted in your full syllabus as well.
Our Pact
What you can expect from me
I will regularly communicate with you about the class so you will always feel my presence, even though we are in the online environment.
I will give meaningful feedback that you help you succeed in the class.
I will create a positive and supportive environment, where you will feel safe for your learning.
My assignments, quizzes, and exams are created to support your learning and critical thinking.
I can be understanding if you are struggling with life and need extended time for your assignment. Just make sure you always communicate with me first if you think you might miss a deadline.
What I will expect from you
1. Please give me the same courtesy with timely communication, so I can know that my announcements or email have reached you.
2. I am here to assist you achieve your goal so make sure to reach out for me if you have any question at all.
3. Please be respectful of your instructor and your fellow classmates.
4. My assignments and quizzes can be challenging so I want you to push yourself further. Questions from the quizzes will not be straight from the PowerPoint so put your critical thinking cap on and apply what you know to get to the right answers.
5. If you do not think you can meet the weekly deadline, make sure to let me know so we can discuss the alternative solutions.
My Teaching Philosophy
I used to think that a teacher is the content expert and a teacher's job is to teach students what she knows. Lately, I realize, while a teacher is a content expert, a teacher should be a facilitator of learning. We all can learn from one another, and my job is not to teach but to help you learn. You play an active role in your own learning and my goal is to help you make the knowledge that I present in the class become your own. Each of you has your own asset when it comes to learning, and we all can be beneficial from it if we rely on one another and work together as a community. We may have different backgrounds, strengths, and experiences but we all can learn from each other to strengthen our own learning journey.
Week 1 starts here!
What is happening in Week 1?
Tell us about yourself! Post your first introduction on the discussion board by Wednesday 8/31/23, then post 2 comments by Sunday 9/3/23.
Listen to the video video-recorded lecture and submit your homework assignment by Wednesday 8/31/23.