MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE (MLS)

 

 

See College of Science and Allied Health,  p. 79.

 

Associate Professor: McCoy (Program Director); Assistant Professors: Scheuermann, Uphoff.

 

Medical Laboratory Science Major —

(Science and Allied Health)

 

Pre-professional requirements —

The following courses are required for admission to the professional curriculum: BIO 105*, BIO 306 or MIC 416; BIO 312, 313; MIC 230, 406, 407; CHM 103, 104, 300 (or 303, 304, and 305); CHM  325 or CHM 417 and 418; MTH 150 or higher.

 

(Satisfies college core requirements.)

 

Professional curriculum —

 

Preclinical phase — 33 credits, including MLS 380, 390, 395, 400, 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, 435, and 449.

 

Clinical phase — 31 credits, including MLS 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475, 492, 493, and 499. The following courses are not curriculum requirements, but may be taken for additional studies: MLS 495 and 496.

 

 

MLS       380                                                                                                                                     Cr. 2

Professional Issues in Medical Laboratory Science

A course which provides teamwork, leadership and interpersonal skills needed by health care professionals. Current issues in medical laboratory science will also be covered, including ethics, regulations, and point-of-care testing. Prerequisite: admission to MLS program. Offered Summer session.

  

MLS       390                                                                                                                                     Cr. 2

Quality Systems in the Clinical Laboratory

Concepts of management of quality in a clinical laboratory. Topics include pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of laboratory testing, safety, statistical methods for monitoring quality control; regulatory requirements, diagnostic instrument function and verification, preventive maintenance, method validation, evaluation, and comparison, as well as risk management. The laboratory sessions will include phlebotomy skills and application of the principles covered in the lectures. Lect. 1, Lab. 3. Prerequisite: admission to MLS program. Offered Sem. I.

 

MLS       395                                                                                                                                     Cr. 2

Body Fluids

Concepts related to the formation, distribution, and function of body fluids and their chemical, physical, and cellular composition in health and disease. Laboratory focus on performing and interpreting results of clinical laboratory procedures related to the formation of body fluids and their chemical, physical, and cellular composition in health and disease. Lect. 1, Lab. 3. Prerequisite: admission to MLS program. Offered Sem. II.

 

MLS       400                                                                                                                                     Cr. 3

Clinical Immunology

Course in the application of immunologic and serologic techniques used in the specific diagnosis and monitoring of immunodeficiency and immunoproliferative diseases, autoimmune disorders, hypersensitivity states and infection by specific microbial pathogens. Laboratory sessions will offer practical exercises in techniques and methods for detection of antigens and antibodies in patient specimens. Lect. 2, Lab. 3. Prerequisites: MIC 406 and admission to the MLS program or permission from the instructor. Offered Sem. II.

 

MLS       405                                                                                                                                     Cr. 4

Clinical Chemistry

The physiology of body anolytes and organ systems with emphasis on the corresponding clinical laboratory procedures and human disease states. Discussion of areas unique to the clinical chemistry laboratory and related to professional performance. The laboratory section covers skills necessary to the performance of clinical chemistry test procedures. Manual and automated methods, use of various instruments, computers and other equipment will be used to perform the procedures. Lect. 3, Lab. 3. Prerequisites: MLS 390 and admission to MLS program. Offered Sem. II.

 

MLS       410                                                                                                                                     Cr. 4

Clinical Hematology/Hemostasis

Hematopoietic system of the human body from the unique viewpoint of the clinical laboratory. Emphasis is placed on the relationship of hematological disease states to their diagnostic features. Topics covered include erythrocyte disorders, leukocyte disorders, blood and bone marrow cellular morphology, theory and disorders of hemostasis, and instrumentation applications specifically related to the clinical hematology and hemostasis laboratories. Focus on clinical hematology and coagulation laboratory techniques including methods of patient blood specimen preparation, erythrocyte, leukocyte, and thrombocytic identification and enumeration both microscopically and electronically using diagnostic instrumentation. Complete blood counts, Hemoglobin S screening, coagulation testing, and special test and stains will also be performed. Lect. 3, Lab. 3. Prerequisites: MLS 390 and admission to MLS program. Offered Sem. I.

 

MLS       415                                                                                                                                     Cr. 5

Diagnostic Medical Microbiology

Course in  bacterial, mycoplasmal, rickettsial, chlamydial, viral, parasitic, and mycotic diseases of humans.  Topics include clinical signs and symptoms of these diseases; proper methods of collecting, transporting, and processing appropriate clinical specimens, modes of transmission, and state of the art laboratory methods that are used for the identification of these pathogens and diagnosis of the diseases they cause.  In the laboratory component, students will process blood, cerebral spinal fluid, sputum, urine, throat swabs, and stool specimens.  Emphasis will be placed on isolation with identification, selection of appropriate antibiotic therapy, quality assurance, and safety. Lect. 3, Lab. 6. Prerequisites: MLS 390 and admission to MLS program. Offered Sem. II.

 

MLS       420                                                                                                                                     Cr. 3

Immunohematology

Course covers the general aspects of the Blood Group System, red cell types and group systems, antibody screening, compatibility testing, blood donor service, selection of donors, blood drawing, storage, and preservation, components, records, and regulations for blood banks.  The laboratory section includes performance of blood bank procedures, donor processing, compatibility testing, component preparation, antibody screening, and antibody identification. Lect. 4, Lab. 6. Prerequisites: MLS 390 and admission to MLS program. Offered summer session.

 

MLS       425                                                                                                                                     Cr. 3

Molecular Pathology

A course on the composition, structure, function, and characteristic of DNA.  Emphasis will be placed on clinical laboratory methods used to isolate, amplify, manipulate, and analyze DNA sequences in order to integrate theory and practice. Lect. 3, Lab. 6. Prerequisites: admission to MLS program and senior standing. Offered summer session.

 

MLS       430                                                                                                                                     Cr. 2

Medical Laboratory Management and Education

A course designed to introduce the medical laboratory science student to the principles of laboratory administration. The seminar-format course will focus on human resource management, financial management, operations management and education methodologies appropriate for the supervisor and laboratory and multidisciplinary manager.  Prerequisite: admission to MLS program or permission of the program director. Offered summer session.

  

MLS       435                                                                                                                                     Cr. 1

Research Design and Methods in Medical Laboratory Science

Applies scientific method to clinical laboratory research problems, systematic applications of hypothesis formation and decision making through research design principles. Research proposal writing and the process of institutional review board approval and informed consent will also be covered. This course is part one of the capstone experience. Prerequisites: admission to MLS program. Offered Sem. II.

 

MLS       449                                                                                                                                     Cr. 2

Clinical Correlation I

Part I of course triad which will prepare student to function effectively in assisting the physician in selection of the most effective tests in both cost and outcome to the diagnosis and treatment of the patient. This course will be a simulated clinical laboratory in which students will assume varying roles and responsibilities. This course prepares the student for the clinical rotations. Prerequisite: admission to MLS program, completion of pre-practicum courses, and senior level. Pass/Fail grading.  Offered Sem. I — one week.

 

MLS       450                                                                                                                                     Cr. 5

Clinical Chemistry Practicum

Rotation  which  applies the principles of clinical chemistry in laboratories at affiliated clinical sites. The course is designed to utilize and build upon theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in the previous didactic courses: MLS 390 and MLS 405 and apply it to the performance of analytical procedures and management of the clinical chemistry laboratory. Prerequisites: MLS 390 and 405, admission to MLS program, and senior standing. Five-week rotation.

 

MLS       455                                                                                                                                     Cr. 5

Clinical Hematology/Hemostasis Practicum

A rotation which extends the learning to the clinical hematology, hemostasis and body fluids laboratories. Students will gain experience processing and analyzing patient specimens with a wide variety of complex procedures as well as instrumentation. Students will also expand their identification and diagnostic skills on microscopic analysis of hematology and body fluid specimens. Prerequisites: MLS 395, 410, admission to MLS program, and  senior standing. Five-week rotation.

 

MLS       460                                                                                                                                     Cr. 5

Clinical Immunohematology Practicum

Rotation which extends the concepts and skills learned in MLS 420  to the blood bank setting for the performance of antibody identification techniques, hemolytic disease problems, quality assurance management, solving of patients’ blood compatibility problems and histocompatibility techniques. Prerequisite: MLS 420, admission to MLS program, and senior standing. Five-week rotation.

 

MLS       465                                                                                                                                     Cr. 3

Clinical Immunology Practicum

Rotation which extends the concepts and skills learned in MLS 400. Using patient specimens, students will gain experience in the clinical immunological techniques, methods and management of antigen-antibody reactions and identify the relationship to disease states. The rotation also includes the performance and interpretation of Flow Cytometry testing. Prerequisites: MLS 400, admission to MLS program, and senior standing. Three-week rotation.

 

MLS       470                                                                                                                                     Cr. 6

Diagnostic Microbiology Practicum

A rotation which applies the principles of diagnostic microbiology. Students will process a variety of patient specimens in the microbiology laboratory and gain experience with a wide variety of state-of-the-art procedures and equipment for the isolation and identification of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths, and viruses. Prerequisites: MLS 415 and 425, admission to MLS program, and senior standing. Six-week rotation.

 

MLS       475                                                                                                                                     Cr. 1

Advanced Applications Practicum

Selected study in one aspect of the practices of medical laboratory science such as ancillary testing coordination, laboratory information system, primary care laboratory,  management, molecular biology, or industry. Rotation and lecture included. Prerequisites: enrollment in clinical rotation courses, and senior standing. One-week rotation.

 

MLS       492                                                                                                                                     Cr. 2

Clinical Correlation II

Part II of course triad, using a disease-oriented approach topics on disorders of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, gastro-intestinal, hepatobiliary, endocrine, reproductive and neurological systems will be presented. Students will expand knowledge base to be able to promote to the practitioner, the most effective manner of utilizing the laboratory for the diagnosis and treatment of the patient. Prerequisites: admission to MLS program, completion of pre-practicum courses, and senior level. Offered Sem. I.

 

MLS       493                                                                                                                                     Cr. 2

Clinical Correlation III

Part III of course triad, using a disease-oriented approach topics on Hematologic Disorders, Immune System-Immunologic Disorders, Tumor Markers, Infectious Disease, Nutritional and Metabolic Disorders, Toxicology and Drug Monitoring, the Neonate and Geriatrics will be presented. Students will expand knowledge base to be able to promote to the practitioner, the most effective manner of utilizing the laboratory for the diagnosis and treatment of the patient. Prerequisites: admission to MLS program, completion of pre-practicum courses, and senior level. Offered Sem. II.

 

 MLS       495                                                                                                                                     Cr. 1-3

Independent Study in Medical Laboratory Science

Individual reading or research under the guidance of a CLS instructor. Prerequisite: admission to MLS program and approval of program director and instructor. Repeatable for credit — maximum 6.

 

MLS       496                                                                                                                                     Cr. 1-3

Special Topics in Medical Laboratory Science

Workshop or seminar on selected topics in the practice of medical laboratory science.  Student may select seminar based upon objectives and needs. Prerequisites: admission to MLS program and approval of program director. Repeatable for credit — maximum 6.

MLS       499                                                                                                                                     Cr. 2

Advanced Clinical Studies

A capstone research project required for satisfactory completion of the medical laboratory science program. Student will complete a research project under the supervision of a mentor for this capstone course culminating in a major paper and presentation. Area of emphasis will be in one of the speciality or subspeciality areas included in the medical laboratory practice. Prerequisites: admission to MLS program, and senior standing. Offered Sem. II.