Graduate Diploma of Laboratory Quality Analysis and Management
LQAM19DPV1
| Minimum number of credit points at 800 level or above | 32 |
| Completion of other specific minimum requirements as set out below |
In order to graduate students must ensure that they have satisfied all of the general requirements of the award.
Specific minimum requirements:
Credit points
800 level
or
TOTAL CREDIT POINTS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROGRAM
| AQF Level | Level 8 Graduate Diploma |
| CRICOS Code | 083762D |
| Overview and Aims of the Program | This program is primarily designed to cater for practising analytical chemists, laboratory supervisors and/or laboratory mangers who would like to gain understanding of advanced analytical techniques, the current requirements for laboratory accreditation, particularly in the area of quality assurance and laboratory management. A unique feature of the program is the continuing collaboration between Macquarie University and two authoritative organisations in Australia, The National Measurement Institute and The National Association of Testing Authorities, in developing lecture materials for two core units of study in the program. |
| Graduate Capabilities | The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows: Interpersonal or social capabilities |
| Program Learning Outcomes | By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to: 1. apply, both at theoretical and practical level, a set of advanced analytical techniques to real-life analytical problems (K, T, P) 2. research, develop and validate new techniques and methods of analysis (K, T, P) 3. plan a validation program by identifying critical aspects of a given method of analysis (K, T, P) 4. estimate the uncertainty for a given set of analytical results (K, T, P) 5. design, implement and manage a Quality Management System in any analytical testing laboratory (K, T, P) 6. develop and critically evaluate a quality control scheme for any given type of measurement (K, T, P) 7. understanding at an advanced level the application of Reference Materials for calibration in analytical validation methods (K, T, P) 8. communicate chemical knowledge by appropriately documenting the essential details of procedures undertaken, key observations, results and conclusions, and present information with articulate arguments and conclusions, in a variety of modes, to diverse audiences, and for a range of purposes (K, T, P, C) 9. express your understanding of the place and importance of chemistry in the local and global community including that chemistry is a creative endeavour involved in acquiring and applying knowledge, playing an essential role in society by underpinning industrial, technological and medical advances (K, T, P, C, E, J). |
| Learning and Teaching Methods | There is a mix of teaching methods used in the program including: • face-to-face lectures • practical laboratory sessions in chemistry-based units • collaborative laboratory work - students are to work in teams during laboratory sessions • research projects in many chemistry-based units • students in some units of study will be engaged in "lectorial" incorporating discussion, problem solving and engaging in the application of lecture materials to real-life problems • students will be engaged in self-assessment tasks in some of the units of study. |
| Assessment | Teaching begins with predetermined learning outcomes and the purpose of assessment is to realise whether these outcomes have been attained. For you, the student, assessment acts both as a guide to your learning and also as a means of determining whether you have acquired the skills and expertise necessary to function as a future personnel in laboratory quality analysis and management. Assessment in this program thus serves to ensure both theoretical and practical competency has been achieved. Across the units, there are three commonly used modes of assessment: • assignments - a mix of quantitative and descriptive tasks based on lecture materials • laboratory reports - a mix of written reports and oral presentations • final exams. In many units, students are also required to complete a research project and students are to submit a written report and also orally present the work in front of the class. This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules, visit: http://mq.edu.au/policy/ |
| Recognition of Prior Learning | Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy (see www.mq.edu.au/policy) and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit. Information can be found at: https://mq.edu.au/rpl |
| Support for Learning | Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus. |
| Program Standards and Quality | The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability | Most of the students enrolled in this program are current employees of various organisations including biotechnology companies, environmental testing laboratories, medical and pharmaceutical testing laboratories. In the program, students gain comprehensive understanding of the theoretical principles of many advanced analytical techniques, in addition to hands-on experience in applying these techniques to analysis of real-life samples. Students are required to statistically evaluate the results obtained as part of the validation procedure of analytical techniques. The program is also supported by a list of relevant subjects. Graduates of this program are likely to be senior laboratory supervisors. |
| Assessment Regulations | This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
| Accreditation | This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification. To be accredited with The Royal Australian Chemical Institute in 12 months. |
Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course or program necessary for a student to successfully achieve the core learning outcomes of a course or program. Students must meet the inherent requirements to complete their Macquarie University course or program.
Inherent requirements for Macquarie University programs fall under the following categories:
Physical: The physical inherent requirement is to have the physical capabilities to safely and effectively perform the activities necessary to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.
Cognition: The inherent requirement for cognition is possessing the intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative capabilities to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.
Communication: The inherent requirement for communication is the capacity to communicate information, thoughts and ideas through a variety of mediums and with a range of audiences.
Behavioural: The behavioural inherent requirement is the capacity to sustain appropriate behaviour over the duration of units of study to engage in activities necessary to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.
For more information see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/inherent-requirements