Medical Laboratory Science

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 31 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 31 k / Year(s)  
StudyQA ranking:3100 Duration:

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Description

The Medical Laboratory Science program prepares students for an exciting career, for which employment prospects are significant.

What is Medical Laboratory Science?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics defines Medical Laboratory Science as follows:
Clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory technologists, also referred to as clinical laboratory scientists or medical technologists, and clinical laboratory technicians, also known as medical technicians or medical laboratory technicians, perform most of these tests.

An Exciting and Demanding Career

The work is exciting and demanding. The University's curriculum will prepare you to assume significant responsibility in this fast-growing and ever-changing field of professional service.
You will learn how to examine and analyze body fluids, and cells. They look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms; analyze the chemical content of fluids; match blood for transfusions; and test for drug levels in the blood that show how a patient is responding to treatment. Technologists also prepare specimens for examination, count cells, and look for abnormal cells in blood and body fluids. They use microscopes, cell counters, and other sophisticated laboratory equipment. They also use automated equipment and computerized instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously. After testing and examining a specimen, they analyze the results and relay them to physicians.

A Growing Opportunity

There is an acute workforce shortage in Medical Technology in the state of Connecticut and the nation. The University has secured commitment from a regional hospital to serve as a clinical site for students in the program.
In a December 2007 article entitled, “ASCP Teams Up With State Pathology Society to Address the Workforce Shortage” the American Society for Clinical Pathology argued,

The statistics are alarming: the profession needs 15,000 new practitioners per year, yet education programs graduate approximately 5,000 students per year. Declining interest in laboratory medicine as a career over the past two decades has led to training program closures. As a result, the number of NAACLS accredited medical technology programs dropped from 709 in 1975 to 222 in 2007.

The article further argued that “it is clear that new training programs must be established if we are to meet the future demand for laboratory personnel.” In Connecticut, recent BLS data shows that 2,310 Medical Technologists work 0.137% of the overall workforce with an average mean wage of $59,090 per year.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will:

  • Be proficient in performing the full range of clinical laboratory tests in areas such as hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, urinalysis, molecular, and other emerging diagnostics.
  • Be able to participate in the development and evaluation of test systems and interpretive algorithms, hold diverse.
  • responsibilities in areas of analysis and clinical decision-making, regulatory compliance with applicable regulations, education, and quality assurance/performance improvement wherever laboratory testing is researched, developed or performed.
  • Possess basic knowledge, skills, and relevant experiences in consultative interactions with members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education; financial, operations, marketing, and human resource management; information management, and; research design/practice sufficient to evaluate published studies as an informed consumer.
  • Be proficient in maintaining necessary operations for the general functions of the clinical laboratory, including specimen collection.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline July 1 is the last date to apply for the Fall Semester which begins late August/early September;November 1 is the last date to apply for the Spring Semester which begins mid-January Tuition fee
  • USD 30965 Year (National)
  • USD 30965 Year (International)
Start date September 2015 Languages Take an IELTS test
  • English
Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Full-time More information Go To The Course Website

Course Content

A B.S. degree in Medical Laboratory Science provides exciting opportunities for individuals with an interest in science who wish to pursue a career in a health/medical profession or other laboratory-related field. Medical Technologists, also called Clinical Laboratory Scientists and most recently Medical Laboratory Scientists, analyze human blood and other body fluids using a variety of methods and precision instruments. The results of these analyses are used to determine the presence or absence of disease, help determine appropriate treatment, monitor therapy, and assess health. In addition to performance and interpretation of laboratory procedures, clinical laboratory scientists may be involved in the selection of lab methods or analyzers, as well as training, supervision, and consultation with other health care professionals.

The program is currently licensed by the state of CT to offer a program and pending national program accreditation, completion of the degree will lead to eligibility for optional certification by the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathology as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.

Granting of the degree/certificate is not contingent on passing any type of external certification or licensure examination.

The UB Medical Laboratory Science program is pursuing formal national accreditation through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119 (773) 714-8880

Program Requirements and Features

Completion of the Medical Laboratory Science degree requires 28 weeks of supervised clinical work in a hospital laboratory, provided by our clinical affiliates.

Since the curriculum includes laboratory work done under professional supervision, the degree candidate not only must satisfy the customary expectations of academic work but also must meet the high-quality standards demanded of a professional medical laboratory scientist. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.50. MLS students are required to maintain a grade of C or better in all required courses. MLS students must pass a comprehensive pre-clinical examination prior to pursuing their clinical rotations.

Individual professional liability insurance is required of each student and can be purchased through American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS).

Criminal background checks and/or drug screening may be required before clinical rotations. A background check that is not “clear” may preclude rotations at some hospitals and prevents employment at most healthcare facilities.

As a closure requirement for graduation, students must pass a comprehensive department examination covering all aspects of clinical laboratory science. However, issuing of the degree is not contingent on passing any type of external certification or licensure examination.

Pre-Physician Assistant and Health Professional Options

The Medical Laboratory Science Major meets all pre-requisites for UB’s Physician Assistant program, including 500 hours of clinical experience. Successful graduates of the Medical Technology program are also highly competitive for other medical, health, and research oriented graduate programs.

Medical Laboratory Science MINOR Option

Biology majors wishing to obtain a minor in Medical Laboratory Science must take BIOL 102, BIOL 320, BIOL 332, BIOL 441,BIOL 443 CHEM 360, CHEM 380, and at least two 300 level MLS courses. Students interested in this program should contact the Medical Laboratory Science Program Director. A minor in Medical Laboratory Science will not lead to eligibility for certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.

Medical Laboratory Certificate:

A categorical certificate option for people already possessing a BS degree and meeting the necessary ASCP pre-requisites is available and requires a customized plan of study, please see the program director for further information and a consultation.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test : 80

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test.

Requirements

Entrance Requirements and Advising

Incoming Freshman who have met the following criteria: (a) SAT scores of 530 verbal and 520 math, and 480 writing or composite ACT score of 22; (b) Grade point average of B (3.0) or better; (c) Three years of mathematics and two lab sciences in high school can declare a MLS major at any time during the first two years of study.

The formal medical laboratory science curriculum encompasses the last two years of study. All prospective MLS majors, including transfer students will be evaluated prior to the fall semester of the junior year to determine whether all the necessary pre-requisites have been met or are in progress. To continue into the junior year of the program all MLS majors must complete a minimum 61 semester hours including all UB general education requirements, except Capstone, and all science foundation courses. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.50. MLS majors are required to maintain a grade of C or better in all science foundation courses.

TOEFL scores

Paper-based: 550

Computer-based: 213

Internet-based: 80

We also accept the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and require an Overall band score of 6.5 and no part score lower than 6.0

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

  • Academic Excellence Scholarship

    "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

  • Alumni Study Travel Fund

    Scholarships for students who are already attending the University of Reading.

  • Amsterdam Merit Scholarships

    The University of Amsterdam aims to attract the world’s brightest students to its international classrooms. Outstanding students from outside the European Economic Area can apply for an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship.

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