1Have a clinically relevant working knowledge and mastery of laboratory skills related to erythrocytes (red blood cells) of common domestic and exotic species covered in this course. This includes the ability to: A. Describe, or identify from questions, features of RBC production, function and circulation as described in lectures and labs; B. Correctly describe and identify from photomicrographs or microscopy the morphology of normal and abnormal RBCs; C. Define anemia and classify anemia by mechanisms and RBC indices; D. Accurately perform laboratory analysis of blood samples to produce relevant erythrocyte data for an erythrogram.

2Have a clinically relevant working knowledge and mastery of laboratory skills related to leukocytes (white blood cells) of common domestic and exotic species covered in this course. This includes the ability to: A. Describe, or identify from questions, features of WBC production, function and circulation as described in lectures and labs; B. Correctly describe and identify from photomicrographs or microscopy the morphology of normal and abnormal WBCs; C. Accurately describe abnormal leukograms using proper medical terminology and categorize the clinical significance of these abnormalities (e.g., inflammation, stress, excitement, neoplasia, etc.); D. Accurately perform laboratory analysis of blood samples to produce relevant leukocyte data for a leukogram.

3Have a clinically relevant working knowledge and mastery of laboratory skills related to platelets (thrombocytes) of common domestic and exotic species covered in this course. This includes the ability to: A. Describe or identify from questions features of platelet production, function and circulation as described in lectures and labs; B. Correctly describe and identify from photomicrographs or microscopy the morphology of normal and abnormal platelets/thrombocytes; C. Define thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis and describe major mechanisms for each; D. Accurately perform laboratory analysis of blood samples to provide accurate estimates of platelet numbers.

4Have a clinically relevant working knowledge and mastery of laboratory skills related to analysis of urine. This includes the ability to: A. Accurately perform a complete urinalysis including the physical, chemical and sediment examination; B. Identify normal and abnormal urine elements by microscopy, gross visual examination and photographs.

5Have a clinically relevant working knowledge and mastery of laboratory skills related to diagnostic cytology. This includes the ability to: A. Collect and process fluids, skin and subcutaneous samples, and vaginal cytologic preparations; B. Correctly classify cytologic preparations as normal, malignant or inflammatory; C. Recognize and describe normal and abnormal leukocytes in cytologic preps. This includes visual recognition and/or description of the following features: macrophage activation, neutrophil degeneration, lymphocyte reactivity; D. Recognize and distinguish between bacteria & fungal organisms; E. Classify stages of the reproductive cycle based on vaginal cytology from dogs and cats.

6Correctly associate specific clinical chemistry tests with their primary organ of involvement (e.g., kidney, liver, etc.), process (e.g., acid-base) or class of analyte (e.g., electrolytes).

7Have a clinically relevant working knowledge and mastery of the physiology of hemostasis and how that relates to common laboratory tests for hemostasis disorders. This includes the ability to: A. Correctly categorize the role of key elements of hemostasis into primary hemostasis, secondary hemostasis, anticoagulation or fibrinolysis; B. Select appropriate tests to assess disorders of primary hemostasis, secondary hemostasis, anticoagulation or fibrinolysis.

8Have a clinically relevant working knowledge and mastery of in-house serologic testing. This includes the ability to: A. Explain/describe the process of antigen or antibody-based testing with ELISA SNAP systems; B. Perform SNAP testing with correct interpretation of results.

9Have a clinically relevant working knowledge and mastery of laboratory management skills including appropriate use of sample collection tubes, application of quality assurance and quality control practices, use of laboratory calculations and statistics as covered in classes and labs.