Program Overview

Introduction to the Biomedical Laboratory Techniques Program

The Biomedical Laboratory Techniques program at Sapienza Università di Roma is designed to prepare healthcare professionals with advanced knowledge in the field of clinical laboratory sciences and basic research techniques. The program aims to equip students with the necessary skills to work in both research laboratories and clinical analysis laboratories, with a focus on biochemistry, microbiology, parasitology, pharmacotoxicology, immunology, clinical pathology, hematology, genetics, cytology, histopathology, immunohistopathology, and molecular biology.

Program Structure

The program is structured into three years, with a combination of theoretical and practical courses. The first year focuses on the fundamentals of biomedical laboratory techniques, including chemical and physical biochemistry, morphological and functional basis of the human body, cellular and molecular basis of life, and biochemical basis of diagnostic.

First-Year Courses

• Chemical and Physical Biochemistry [FIS/07, ING-INF/07, MED/01, BIO/10] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The student acquires knowledge related to the principles of physics and elementary applications in healthcare. The student addresses aspects of descriptive statistics, elements of probability, inference statistics, statistical methods for qualitative and quantitative data, multivariate analysis, sensitivity, specificity, predictive value. The student acquires knowledge of the fundamentals of chemistry and biochemical propaedeutics.
• Morphological and Functional Basis of Human Body [BIO/09, BIO/17, BIO/16] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The student acquires knowledge of the histological characteristics of epithelial, connective, hematopoietic, osteocartilaginous, muscular, and nervous tissue. They acquire knowledge of the morphological characteristics and the functional mechanisms of the systems, apparatus, and organs in humans, as well as their interactions.
• Cellular and Molecular Basis of Life [BIO/13, MED/03, MED/04, MED/07] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The student acquires knowledge related to the characteristic morpho-functional and metabolic features of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell. He/she achieves knowledge of the fundamentals of the genetic code and the regulation of gene expression, the mechanisms of inheritance and the nature of gene mutations.
• Biochemical Basis of Diagnostic [BIO/10, BIO/12, BIO/14] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The student acquires knowledge of the molecules that make up living matter in their structural, functional, and interaction aspects with each other: proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and vitamins; acquires notions of enzymology, bioenergetics, and metabolism associated with elements of biochemical methodology.

Second-Year Courses

• Health and Safety Promotion [MED/43, MED/42, MED/44, MED/36] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The course aims to bring the student to know the fundamental elements of connection between medicine and law, to know how to carry out professional activity in compliance with legal norms, to be aware of the main deontological obligations in force within the profession.
• Basic Techniques and Instruments in the Lab [MED/08, MED/46, BIO/12, MED/07] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The student must be familiar with the laboratory equipment used in clinical chemistry, pathology, and clinical microbiology, with a focus on their application in diagnostic techniques.
• Diagnostic Methodologies of Pathological Anatomy [MED/08, MED/46] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The student acquires knowledge related to problems of diagnostic histo-cytopathology useful for the correct choice and application of biological specimen preparation methodologies.
• Health Services Law and Organization [SECS-P/10, IUS/07, SECS-P/07, ING-INF/05] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The course aims to bring to the knowledge of the fundamentals of planning and organization of health services: health legislation Italian and the organization of services in terms of objectives i policy health and performance.
• Diagnostic Methods of Microbiology [MED/07, MED/46, VET/06] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The student must be familiar with serological and culture-based laboratory tests used in bacterial and viral infections; they must know the laboratory tests for human parasitic infections.
• Diagnostic Methods of Clinical Pathology [BIO/12, MED/46, MED/05] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The student must understand the role, purpose, and development trends of laboratory medicine; be familiar with the operational logic and general organization of laboratories.

Third-Year Courses

• Advanced Technologies in Laboratory Diagnostics [MED/46, MED/08, MED/05] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The student must understand molecular analysis techniques applied to the diagnosis of neoplastic, genetic, and hereditary diseases.
• Surgery [MED/18, MED/41, MED/09, BIO/14] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The course covers general aspects related to emergency medicine and the importance of early intervention, assessment of vital parameters, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BLS - “basic life support”).
• The Quality of Biomedical Services [MED/05, ING-INF/05, MED/46, MED/42] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: One of the objectives of the course is to define and outline the role of the technician in the biomedical field within both public and private institutions.
• Integrated Diagnostic Paths [MED/06, MED/03, MED/15, MED/13] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The course aims to address laboratory diagnostics in the field of blood disorders, endocrinology, and oncology, linking methodological aspects to clinical ones in terms of diagnostic significance, therapeutic choice, evaluation of treatment response, and clinical follow-up.
• Human Sciences [M-DEA/01, M-PSI/01, MED/45, MED/02] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: Knowledge of the fields of application of general psychology in organizational and managerial contexts: personnel management, leadership, recruitment, evaluation, professional training, communication and relationships, group dynamics, work motivation, the reward-punishment system, career development.

Internships and Workshops

• TLB Internship I [MED/46] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The practical internship is designed to provide the fundamental knowledge necessary for students to learn the basic concepts required to work in both research laboratories and clinical analysis laboratories.
• TLB Internship II [MED/46] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The practical internship is designed to provide the fundamental knowledge necessary for students to learn the basic concepts required to work in both research laboratories and clinical analysis laboratories.
• TLB Internship III [MED/46] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The practical internship is designed to provide the fundamental knowledge necessary for students to learn the basic concepts required to work in both research laboratories and clinical analysis laboratories.
• Professional Workshops [N/D] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: Professional laboratories for laboratory technicians are specialized and equipped environments for conducting analyses, experiments, and tests in various fields.
• Final Exam [N/D] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The purpose of the thesis is to engage the student in a process of formalization, design, and research that substantially contributes to the completion of their professional and scientific training.
• Workshop [N/D] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: The professional activities of laboratory technicians vary significantly depending on the sector in which they work, but in general, their tasks focus on the preparation, execution, and analysis of tests, the use of specialized equipment, and ensuring the quality of the results.
• ADE [N/D] [ITA]
  • Educational objectives: An ADE (Explanatory Educational Activity) for laboratory technicians is a teaching methodology used to train and update professionals in the field. In practice, an ADE focuses on the practical and theoretical teaching of the skills required to work in a laboratory, combining theory with hands-on experience.