Medical Biochemistry is a division of the laboratory medicine that is generally concerned with analysis of bodily fluids, which are useful for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes Many of clinical decisions are made based on laboratory test results, the majority of which are Biochemistry In 1971 King Saud University ( established the Medical Biochemistry Unit at the College of Medicine The unit, which is a part of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, offers an excellent diagnostic service for the patients at King Saud University Medical City (KSU MC) Hospitals using fully automated analyzers Amino acid Analyzer for amino acid analysis, Gas Chromatogram with Mass Spectrometer (GC/ for urine organic acids analysis, HPLC for vitamins and catecholamines, ICP MS for trace metals analysis, BIORAD for HbA 1 C analysis, BN Prospect for serum proteins and Apo lipoproteins and SEBIA electrophoresis system for serum protein electrophoresis to mention but a few Moreover, a variety of courses is offered, including medical biochemistry,molecular biology and genetics, for both undergraduate and postgraduate medical students These courses emphasize on recent findings and relevant fundamental background information The Clinical Biochemistry Unit laboratories at KSU MC analyzes close to 4,2 million tests per year making about 70 of the pathology laboratory s total workload employing advanced laboratory automation The Routine Biochemistry unit consists of the following subunits with the average volume of tests they execute per year are as follows the Routine Chemistry lab, 3,697,757 tests, endocrine lab, 338,465 tests, the TDM and toxicology, 33,510 tests, and urine chemistry bench, 54,596 tests The Special Biochemistry Laboratory and the Inherited Metabolic Disease Laboratory ( together executed about 63,812 tests per year In addition to the academic, diagnostic and research activities, the unit also offers annual training courses and workshops in different branches of medical biochemistry, in which the most recent knowledge of medical and clinical biochemistry are presented Under the umbrella of Vice Deanship of Postgraduate and Research at the college of medicine, which is directly supervised by the Postgraduate Medical Education Centre, a diverse group of postgraduate boards is available for graduated medical doctors KSU Board in Medical Biochemistry is one of these boards The Board will be conducted at the clinical biochemistry laboratories at College of Medicine KSU and the clinical biochemistry laboratories at King Saud University Medical City ( in collaboration with other units of the pathology department and laboratory medicine at:

• King Abdul Aziz Medical City, National Guard Hospital.
• King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center.
• Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Hospital.
  The four institutions agreed to provide all facilities available, with regard to: Training Program Committee and other member s by request from Hematology, Immunology, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Cytogenetics units.
  The KSU Board in Medical Biochemistry is the only Board currently offered in the Kingdom for medical graduates.

Vision:
In compliance with the vision of the College of Medicine, the graduates from the KSU Board in Medical Biochemistry will lead the field with major impact on the healthcare of the Saudi community and contribute significantly to the practice of the Laboratory Medicine 

Mission:

1. To help in the interpretation and follow up of clinical biochemistry laboratory results
2. To establish and maintain clinical quality standards
3. To liaise with physicians to customize the laboratory services according to the physicians needs
4. To educate and train undergraduate students, postgraduate candidates and staff

• To prepare a highly qualified medical biochemist
• To provide residents with knowledge and skills for laboratory services and management
• To encourage initiation and participation in scientific research

The detailed objectives for each of the four academic years of the program are discussed with program structure

Residents will abide by the rules and regulations of KSU Board in medical fields
The Board requires successful completion of 4 years

1. Training :will include formal lectures, seminars and practical sessions carrying out a research project during the third year of training to be completed before the end of the fourth year and the attendance of the relevant scientific meetings
2. Evaluation: Residents will be evaluated in theoretical and practical skills by continuous assessments and final examination at the end of every year In addition, an oral examination will be held at the end of the each year

3. Examinations :As detailed in the general policies for the KSU Board in Pathology In short :

   A.R1 , R2 Examinations: Will be assessed as following:

• Written Exam (MCQs and SAQs) 60%
• Rotation assessment 20%
• Oral Exam 15%
• Activities 5%
  B.R4 Exam: At the end of the fourth year of the board consists of the following:
• Written Exam (MCQs and SAQs) 50%
• Research 15%
• Rotation assessment 15%
• Oral Exam 15%
• Activities 5%

Promotion years R2 to R3 (junior to senior level), and R4 (graduate)

4. The candidates have to pass with a score not less than 70 in each part of the examination However, the resident has to score a total of at least 70 in the whole examination in order to be considered as pass
5. Academic degree The residents who have successfully completed the training program will be awarded a certificate from KSU entitled KSU Board in Medical Biochemistry and will be eligible to obtain a license as senior registrar in Medical Biochemistry from the Saudi Council for Health Specialties
6. The KSU Board in Medical Biochemistry has great similarity to the topics and subjects covered by FRCPath (Chemical Pathology)

According to the Postgraduate Medical Education Center guidelines, leave eligibility and stipulations applicable to the residents in the Board:

1. A total of 30 days vacation leaves per year, which may be split into 2 parts depending on the training requirements
2. Only One Eid holiday per year
3. Study leave (for conferences or preparing for an exam)
4. Residents may apply individually for 5 days of study leave per year after approval from the Program director or deputy
5. If the interruption is due to sickness, a medical report should be submitted to the TPC committee
6. Leave without pay and carry over of leave days to the next year are NOT allowed

Note:other guidelines/ updates released by the Postgraduate Medical Education Center should be followed

Department of Pathology and Medical Laboratories, College of Medicine, King Saud University,
P.O. Box 2925 (30), Riyadh 11461 KSA Telephone:+966-11-8066558
Fax:+966-11-4672462
Email:pathdept@ksu edu sa

Dr Khalid Somily MBBS,

• Director, KSU Board in Medical Biochemistry
• Associate Professor & Consultant Medical Biochemistry
• Email: kusmaily@ksu edu sa