This course teaches the key components of quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) and will help students to understand the need to produce sound scientific data using appropriate standards and controls, written procedures and method validation no matter what field they are employed in. This course will offer a generic description of what is required in the formation of a quality system in any laboratory. This will be achieved by describing the key principles in any QA/QC program with reference to the FDA, EPA and ISO guidelines, together with specific examples from different specializations in those particular fields.
Because of the broad application of QA/QC in various fields, this course is intended as a foundation for everybody working or entering a quality work environment and will focus on the following areas:
- Illustrating the general principles of workplace safety, educational requirements, and leadership responsibilities
- Distinguishing between method validation and instrument calibration as applicable to most laboratory environments
- Designing and executing standard operating procedures essential to consistent work operations
- Optimizing work operations and evaluating laboratory needs to conduct specific analysis and procedures based on client needs
- Ensuring inspections and audits are conducted and executed in a manner consistent with regulatory agency requirements.
All analytical laboratory environments are regulated by either professional organizations or regulatory bodies such as the FDA or EPA. It is therefore essential for each person working with or in such an environment to gain a basic understanding of implementation, administration, and execution of quality assurance and control procedures. Though there are specific requirements, depending on the regulatory framework set forth a few elements are common to all analytical laboratories including: method validation, article tracking, standard operating protocols and procedures, reporting, and compliance enforcement. At the end of the course, students will be able to effectively communicate core requirements with various stakeholders and apply this knowledge to recognize essential tasks and take appropriate actions to ensure quality in their work environment.
Please review our recommended course order.
|Module 1||Introduction to QA/QC|
|Module 2||Key Elements of a QA/QC Program|
|Module 3||Personnel and Training|
|Module 4||Validation of Analytical Procedures|
|Module 6||Test Article Tracking|
|Module 7||Standard Operating Procedures|
|Module 8||Study Protocols|
|Module 9||The Final Report|
|Module 10||Archiving, Archivist, Storage and Retrieval|
|Module 12||Inspection and Compliance|
Group discussion forums, interactive animations, and individual e-mail contact between student and instructor. Students will be required to submit written essay assignments.
No Textbooks are required for this class.
Distance Education and UF Online Students enjoy the same library privileges as on-campus students. To utilize the University of Florida Library System, click here!