Degree Programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science (in English): Degree Programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science
Code: SXR25S2
- Degree title
- Biomedical Laboratory Technologist
- Credits
- 210 ects
- Duration
- 3.5 years (210 ECTS)
- Start semester
- Autumn 2025
- Teaching language
- English
Descriptions
The functionally bilingual (English and Finnish) degree programme trains biomedical laboratory scientists who are able to work in the Finnish healthcare system in the Finnish language. To be eligible to apply, applicants must have a minimum level B2 in English (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). There is no Finnish language requirement at the application stage.
Studies will initially be conducted in English. The degree includes at least 20 credits of Finnish language studies. In addition, Finnish language studies will be integrated into the professional subjects in order to train the student to use the language in the professional activities of a biomedical laboratory scientist. The curriculum does not include any other optional studies besides Finnish.
The curriculum is in line with the degree requirements, the competence and development needs of working life and the requirements of national and international cooperation. It emphasises student-centred and learning- and competence-based thinking. The learning objectives tell students what competences are expected of them and help them to assess their own learning. The competences produced by the biomedical laboratory science curriculum are in line with the European Qualification Framework (EQF) level 6.
The curriculum provides the student with a learning pathway to develop a personal study plan with a tutor teacher. The minimum duration of the course is one (1) credit. The curriculum is structured around the degree and sectoral curricula. The curriculum consists of degree and sectoral studies, Finnish language studies, joint multidisciplinary innovation studies (MINNO), a thesis and studies in Working Life Profiling, which include a Finnish 4 course. The curriculum also includes course content produced through the U!REKA SHIFT cooperation between European higher education institutions. If the student's language of education is Finnish or Swedish, he or she will take the following courses instead of the 20 ECTS of Finnish in the English curriculum: Client and Patient Orientation 2 ECTS, Swedish at Work 3 ECTS, Professional Communication and English 5 ECTS, Profile Studies in Working Life Skills 5 ECTS and Metropolia’s Elective Modules 5 ECTS.
The curriculum is designed to allow students to study 30 ECTS credits per semester. The Biomedical Laboratory Science degree includes a total of 75 credits of practical training in UAS learning environments and healthcare laboratories.
As a starting point for learning, the focus is on situations and challenges arising from professional practices, and the learning process aims to find evidence-based solutions and new ways of working for them. Some courses are project-based, including projects that develop the student's field of study. Various learning environments supporting learning are used to deepen and develop competence, for example simulated learning environments, service operations and innovation hubs. Studies consist of teaching on campus and online studies. Online studies require strong motivation and self-management skills. Technological teaching solutions increase flexibility and add alternative ways of studying. Regardless of the form of studies, the students are ultimately responsible for their own learning. Practical training takes place in the teaching laboratory of the university of applied sciences and the laboratory services of health care services or in research laboratories.
The student's competence is assessed during the studies using Metropolia's joint competences and the Biomedical Laboratory Science degree's specific competences. Students become proficient in continuous development of their competence and gain the ability to undertake further studies. The learning objectives have been determined in cooperation with representatives from both working life and the UAS and therefore express the students’ competence levels and readiness for different types of work. A competence-based curriculum enables student mobility within the UAS and between other UASs. In addition, it makes the recognition of prior learning (RPL) easier and enables the comparison of degrees obtained in different countries. International studies are part of the learning path of each learner in the form of international exchange, work placements or internationalisation-at-home studies, such as common core requirement studies in English or Finnish degree programmes or open studies in international network learning environments. The studies start in English with no Finnish language requirement and provide a basis for independent study and on-the-job learning in Finnish as the studies progress. The curriculum also serves as a source of information for the working life and our international partners.
Development
The curriculum is based on the nationally defined competences for biomedical laboratory scientist and the general competences for graduates of universities of applied sciences. The curriculum has been developed in cooperation with the working life and teachers. The development work has anticipated changes in healthcare laboratory work, such as the increase in robotisation and the use of artificial intelligence. Ensuring the basic competences of biomedical laboratory scientist remains a priority for the working life. The organisation and development of customer-oriented laboratory services and sustainable development will be emphasised in the future. The Advisory Board of Biomedical Laboratory Science has discussed the curriculum at its meetings and concluded that it is well adapted to the current and future competence requirements of working life.
Further information
The curriculum is new and concluded on 11 November 2024.
The following courses have been copied from the curriculum of SXJ25K2: Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology, Pre-analytics 2, Methods in Laboratory Work, Cell Biology, Basic Skills for Research and Development Work, Blood Transfusion, Clinical Histology, Clinical Microbiology: viruses and parasites, Clinical Genetics, Planning of the Thesis Work, Implementation of the Thesis Work, Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test.
A section on Artificial Intelligence and Information Security is included in the Learning and Study Skills.
The course on sustainable development (1 credit) offered by the U!REKA cooperation is offered as a stand-alone unit.
Head of Degree Programme Riitta Lumme is responsible for the curriculum.
Programme Coordinator Tanja Kaipiainen is the administrator for the curriculum.
Objective
After the first year of study, the student knows the operating environment of the biomedical laboratory scientist profession and understands clinical laboratory activities as an important part of the social and health care system. Students can describe the core competence required of a biomedical laboratory scientist. The student acquires information and evaluates it critically. The student communicates in professional interaction situations and utilizes different learning environments to develop their skills. The student guides customers, taking samples in accordance with the quality system, and acts professionally in customer service and taking samples. The student uses the most common laboratory equipment and methods and knows how to perform some point-of-care tests and explain the principles of the methods and equipment used in them.
After the second year of study, the student expands his knowledge in professional subjects. Student evaluates the laboratory testing process in different areas of clinical laboratory work and justifies the importance of laboratory tests in patient care. The student supervise and teaches customers and prepares guidance material. Student plans and implements sampling, sample processing, storage and transport. The student analyzes samples and performs patient examinations in accordance with quality requirements and recommendations. Student can explain the principles of equipment and methods used in laboratory operations. The student knows the current research and development challenges of laboratory operations and uses evidence-based information. Student internalizes professional and research ethical principles as part of his professional expertise and acts in accordance with them. The student evaluates his own professional development and develops his interaction, guidance and working community skills. Student works in various work and learning environments and in multiprofessional teams with a developing approach to work.
In the final phase of the studies, the student learning more his/her knowledge in professional subjects. Student critically evaluates the functionality of the clinical laboratory testing process in various healthcare-related customer situations, in the patient's care chain and develops it customer-oriented. The student reasonably uses quality management methods in the different stages of the laboratory testing process and works in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. Student acts solution-oriented in problem situations. The student evaluates their professional development in relation to the task area of a biomedical laboratory science and plans her own career development.
Select timing, structure or classification view
Show study timings by semester, study year or period
| Code | Name | Credits (ECTS) | 2025-2026 | 2026-2027 | 2027-2028 | 2028-2029 | Autumn 2025 | Spring 2026 | Autumn 2026 | Spring 2027 | Autumn 2027 | Spring 2028 | Autumn 2028 | 1. / 2025 | 2. / 2025 | 3. / 2026 | 4. / 2026 | 1. / 2026 | 2. / 2026 | 3. / 2027 | 4. / 2027 | 1. / 2027 | 2. / 2027 | 3. / 2028 | 4. / 2028 | 1. / 2028 | 2. / 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SXR25S2-1001 |
Biomedical Laboratory Scientist Identifying Clinical Laboratory Work Related Competence
(Choose all ) |
60 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX45 | Learning and Study Skills | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FR33 | Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00EL05 | Finnish 1 (A1.2) | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX46 | Professional Skills for Laboratory Services in the Health Care and Social Services Sector | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX47 | Chemistry | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX48 | Physics in Laboratory Work | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX49 | Mathematics in Laboratory Work | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX50 | Pre-analytics 1 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00EL11 | Finnish 2 (A1.3-A2.1) | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FR39 | Pre-analytics 2 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FR37 | Methods in Laboratory Work | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX57 | Point-of-care Testing and Health Technology | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX58 | Clinical Practice 1 at Health Care Laboratories | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXR25S2-1002 |
Biomedical Laboratory Scientist as an Actor in Clinical Laboratory Work
(Choose all ) |
50 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX59 | Clinical Immunology Examinations | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FR17 | Cell Biology | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX52 | Biochemistry | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX53 | Basics of Medicine: Internal Diseases and Surgery | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00FV31 | Metropolia Minno 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00FV32 | Metropolia Minno 2 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FP51 | Basic Skills for Research and Development Work | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX60 | Clinical Chemistry | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX61 | Clinical Hematology | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FR18 | Blood Transfusions | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXR25S2-1003 |
Competence Level in Biomedical Laboratory Science
(Choose all ) |
55 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FR30 | Clinical Histology | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00FV33 | Metropolia Minno 3 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX62 | Clinical Practice 2 at Health Care Laboratories | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX63 | Clinical Cytology | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX54 | Clinical Physiology | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00FW79 | Sustainability in the Urban European Context | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX64 | Clinical Neurophysiology and Clinical Nuclear Medicine | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FR32 | Clinical Microbiology: Viruses and Parasites | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FR22 | Clinical Genetics | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX65 | Clinical Microbiology: Bacteriology and Mycology | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXR25S2-1004 |
Development Level in Biomedical Laboratory Science
(Choose all ) |
35 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX55 | Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Social and Health Care | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GB29 | Clinical Practice 3 at Health Care Laboratories | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00EL75 | Planning of the Thesis Work | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00EL76 | Implementation of the Thesis Work | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00EL77 | Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXR25S2-1005 |
Profile Studies in Working Life Skills
(Choose ects: 5) |
5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXR25S2-1007 |
Metropolia’s Elective Studies
(Choose 5) |
0 - 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00EL30 | Finnish 3 (A2.1-A2.2) | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 210 | 60 | 55 | 55 | 20 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 15 | 15 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 10 | 10 |
Due to the timing of optional and elective courses, credit accumulation per semester / academic year may vary.
2014 polytechnics::bachelor level
Government Decree on Polytechnics (15.5.2003/352; 4 §)
amk::amk-tutkintojen kieliopinnot
AMK-tutkintoon johtavien opintojen tavoitteena on, että tutkinnon suorittaneella on riittävä viestintä- ja kielitaito oman alansa tehtäviin sekä kansainväliseen toimintaan ja yhteistyöhön. (Valtioneuvoston asetus ammattikorkeakoulusta 1129/2014, 4 §).
STRUCTURE Bachelor (A18.12.2014/1129)
Asetuksen 18.12.2014/1129 mukainen rakenne. 2 § Opintojen rakenne Ammattikorkeakoulututkintoon johtaviin opintoihin kuuluu: 1) perus- ja ammattiopintoja; 2) vapaasti valittavia opintoja; 3) ammattitaitoa edistävää harjoittelua; 4) opinnäytetyö.
Biomedical Laboratory Science (Bachelor, UAS)::competences
Biomedical Laboratory Scientist: Competence, relevant curriculum and minimum extent of studies as defined by Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (February 12, 2014) A Biomedical Laboratory Scientist cooperates with other health care professionals by executing laboratory tests that are necessary in the practice and development of patient care as well as by working in multiprofessional teams as an expert in clinical laboratory practices. The foundation of the Biomedical Laboratory Scientist’s expertise consists of a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the laboratory test process, pre-analytical factors, and the quality management of the process. These competences separate the Biomedical Laboratory Scientist from other health care professions.
|
Client service and counseling competence, Minimum extent 10 credits
Takes initiative and responsibility in client relationships; |
| Learning and Study Skills |
| Finnish 1 (A1.2) |
| Professional Skills for Laboratory Services in the Health Care and Social Services Sector |
| Pre-analytics 1 |
| Finnish 2 (A1.3-A2.1) |
| Pre-analytics 2 |
| Point-of-care Testing and Health Technology |
| Clinical Practice 1 at Health Care Laboratories |
| Clinical Immunology Examinations |
| Metropolia Minno 1 |
| Metropolia Minno 2 |
| Clinical Chemistry |
| Clinical Hematology |
| Blood Transfusions |
| Clinical Histology |
| Metropolia Minno 3 |
| Clinical Practice 2 at Health Care Laboratories |
| Clinical Cytology |
| Clinical Physiology |
| Clinical Neurophysiology and Clinical Nuclear Medicine |
| Clinical Microbiology: Viruses and Parasites |
| Clinical Genetics |
| Clinical Microbiology: Bacteriology and Mycology |
| Planning of the Thesis Work |
| Implementation of the Thesis Work |
| Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test |
| Finnish 3 (A2.1-A2.2) |
|
Quality, security and risk management competence, Minimum extent 10 credits
Complies with the quality management system; |
| Professional Skills for Laboratory Services in the Health Care and Social Services Sector |
| Pre-analytics 1 |
| Pre-analytics 2 |
| Methods in Laboratory Work |
| Point-of-care Testing and Health Technology |
| Clinical Practice 1 at Health Care Laboratories |
| Clinical Immunology Examinations |
| Cell Biology |
| Clinical Chemistry |
| Clinical Hematology |
| Blood Transfusions |
| Clinical Histology |
| Clinical Practice 2 at Health Care Laboratories |
| Clinical Cytology |
| Clinical Physiology |
| Clinical Neurophysiology and Clinical Nuclear Medicine |
| Clinical Microbiology: Viruses and Parasites |
| Clinical Genetics |
| Clinical Microbiology: Bacteriology and Mycology |
|
Pre-analytical phase of the laboratory test process, Minimum extent 15 credits
Masters the terminology of laboratory tests and is able to explain the |
| Professional Skills for Laboratory Services in the Health Care and Social Services Sector |
| Pre-analytics 1 |
| Pre-analytics 2 |
| Point-of-care Testing and Health Technology |
| Clinical Practice 1 at Health Care Laboratories |
| Clinical Immunology Examinations |
| Cell Biology |
| Clinical Chemistry |
| Clinical Hematology |
| Blood Transfusions |
| Clinical Histology |
| Clinical Practice 2 at Health Care Laboratories |
| Clinical Cytology |
| Clinical Physiology |
| Clinical Neurophysiology and Clinical Nuclear Medicine |
| Clinical Microbiology: Viruses and Parasites |
| Clinical Genetics |
| Clinical Microbiology: Bacteriology and Mycology |
| Planning of the Thesis Work |
| Implementation of the Thesis Work |
| Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test |
|
Analytical phase of the laboratory test process, Minimum extent 90 credits
Carries out patient tests in clinical physiology, nuclear medicine and |
| Professional Skills for Laboratory Services in the Health Care and Social Services Sector |
| Point-of-care Testing and Health Technology |
| Clinical Practice 1 at Health Care Laboratories |
| Clinical Immunology Examinations |
| Cell Biology |
| Clinical Chemistry |
| Clinical Hematology |
| Blood Transfusions |
| Clinical Histology |
| Clinical Practice 2 at Health Care Laboratories |
| Clinical Cytology |
| Clinical Physiology |
| Clinical Neurophysiology and Clinical Nuclear Medicine |
| Clinical Microbiology: Viruses and Parasites |
| Clinical Genetics |
| Clinical Microbiology: Bacteriology and Mycology |
| Planning of the Thesis Work |
| Implementation of the Thesis Work |
| Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test |
|
Post-analytical phase of the laboratory test process, Minimum extent 10 credits
Assesses the urgency of informing the patient of his/her laboratory |
| Professional Skills for Laboratory Services in the Health Care and Social Services Sector |
| Point-of-care Testing and Health Technology |
| Clinical Practice 1 at Health Care Laboratories |
| Clinical Immunology Examinations |
| Cell Biology |
| Clinical Chemistry |
| Clinical Hematology |
| Blood Transfusions |
| Clinical Histology |
| Clinical Practice 2 at Health Care Laboratories |
| Clinical Cytology |
| Clinical Physiology |
| Clinical Neurophysiology and Clinical Nuclear Medicine |
| Clinical Microbiology: Viruses and Parasites |
| Clinical Genetics |
| Clinical Microbiology: Bacteriology and Mycology |
| Planning of the Thesis Work |
| Implementation of the Thesis Work |
| Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test |
|
Professional ethics and professionalism in laboratory work, Minimum extent 5 credits
Complies with the values and professional ethics of clinical |
| Learning and Study Skills |
| Professional Skills for Laboratory Services in the Health Care and Social Services Sector |
| Pre-analytics 1 |
| Pre-analytics 2 |
| Clinical Practice 1 at Health Care Laboratories |
| Clinical Immunology Examinations |
| Cell Biology |
| Metropolia Minno 1 |
| Metropolia Minno 2 |
| Basic Skills for Research and Development Work |
| Clinical Chemistry |
| Clinical Hematology |
| Blood Transfusions |
| Clinical Histology |
| Clinical Practice 2 at Health Care Laboratories |
| Clinical Cytology |
| Clinical Physiology |
| Clinical Neurophysiology and Clinical Nuclear Medicine |
| Clinical Microbiology: Viruses and Parasites |
| Clinical Genetics |
| Clinical Microbiology: Bacteriology and Mycology |
| Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Social and Health Care |
| Planning of the Thesis Work |
| Implementation of the Thesis Work |
| Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test |
|
Natural scientific and medical competence, Minimum extent 20 credits
Assesses the basic functions of the human body and abnormalities |
| Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology |
| Chemistry |
| Physics in Laboratory Work |
| Mathematics in Laboratory Work |
| Methods in Laboratory Work |
| Point-of-care Testing and Health Technology |
| Clinical Practice 1 at Health Care Laboratories |
| Clinical Immunology Examinations |
| Cell Biology |
| Biochemistry |
| Basics of Medicine: Internal Diseases and Surgery |
| Clinical Chemistry |
| Clinical Hematology |
| Blood Transfusions |
| Clinical Histology |
| Metropolia Minno 3 |
| Clinical Practice 2 at Health Care Laboratories |
| Clinical Cytology |
| Clinical Physiology |
| Clinical Neurophysiology and Clinical Nuclear Medicine |
| Clinical Microbiology: Viruses and Parasites |
| Clinical Genetics |
| Clinical Microbiology: Bacteriology and Mycology |
|
Research, development and managerial competence, Minimum extent 20 credits
Participates in development projects of health care and clinical |
| Metropolia Minno 1 |
| Metropolia Minno 2 |
| Basic Skills for Research and Development Work |
| Metropolia Minno 3 |
| Clinical Practice 2 at Health Care Laboratories |
| Sustainability in the Urban European Context |
| Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Social and Health Care |
| Planning of the Thesis Work |
| Implementation of the Thesis Work |
| Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test |
| Not grouped |
| Clinical Practice 3 at Health Care Laboratories |
ARENE 2022::UAS shared competences::Bachelor’s degree
Replaces the Metropolia's Generic Competences::Bachelor's Degree, UAS” -matrix.. Heidi Rontu/31.8.2022