Medical Laboratory Science

Introduction to the basic issues and laboratory techniques in the clinical laboratory science field such as laboratory safety, ethics, professionalism, phlebotomy, and introduction to clinical microbiology techniques. Co-requisite: MEDLS 391.

Practical introduction to medical microbiology emphasizing specimen collection, susceptibility testing, laboratory safety, microbiology media, staining techniques, and basic methods of identification of microbes that are commonly encountered in the clinical laboratory.

Assessment of blood clotting mechanisms in health and disease; hemorrhagic disorders of coagulation and fibrinolysis; routine and special coagulation procedures; monitoring of anticoagulant therapy; instrumentation and quality assurance in hemostasis. Co-requisite: MEDLS 391.

Classification, morphology, and function of human erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes; laboratory diagnosis of anemias, leukemias, and other hematologic disorders; instrumentation and quality assurance including pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical causes of variation in hematology. Corequisite: MEDLS 391.

The human immune system, including principles of humoral and cellular immunity, autoimmune responses, defects in the immune system, and AIDS; theory and methodology of diagnostic serology procedures commonly performed in the laboratory, with emphasis on serological diagnosis of infectious disease; introduction to molecular diagnostic techniques, and quality assurance.

Genetics of blood groups, antigen-antibody reactions within different blood group systems, and related immunology principles; focus on techniques of blood typing, compatibility testing, antibody screening, antibody identification, and quality assurance; donation, storage, and transfusion of blood and its components; AABB guidelines for operating the Blood Bank. Co-requisite: MEDLS 392.

Application of material studied in MEDLS 301, 310, and 320. Conducted at affiliate hospitals.

Application of material studied in MEDLS 340. Conducted at affiliate hospitals.

Biochemical and microscopic findings in urine and body fluids during health and disease states; diagnostic significance of laboratory results on cerebrospinal, amniotic, pleural, synovial, seminal, and peritoneal fluids; quality assurance.

Principles of management and supervision in the clinical laboratory; includes interpersonal communications, governmental regulations, computer applications, problem solving, education methodologies, employee safety, quality assurance, and performance improvement.

Principles and methods of measuring proteins, enzymes, electrolytes, and other analytes of human serum includes molecular diagnostics, spectra techniques, pre-analytical/analytical/postanalytical causes of variation, chromatography, mass spectrometry, immunological techniques, and electrochemistry. Laboratory automation and statistics are also included.

An overview of the physiology and pathophysiology aspects of clinical chemistry to include acid-base balance, liver function, pancreatic function, cardiac function, lipid metabolism, bilirubin metabolism, heme synthesis, and endocrinology. Correlation of clinical chemistry results with healthy and pathological states is emphasized. Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is also included. Co-requisites: MEDLS 492

Theory and technologies of culture, isolation, and identification of pathogenic bacteria commonly encountered in clinical practice. Morphology, staining, biochemical characteristics, disease correlations, uses of selective media, and quality assurance are emphasized. Prerequisite: MEDLS 302. Co-requisite: MEDLS 491.

Theory and techniques of identification of pathogenic spirochetes, Chlamydia, Rickettsia, Mycobacterium, and Nocardia. Mycology, parasitology, and virology are also included. Prerequisite: MEDLS 461.

Application of materials studied in MEDLS 302 and MEDLS 461. Conducted at affiliate hospitals.

Application of material studied in MEDLS 330, 400, 451, 452.Conducted at affiliate hospitals and affiliate Molecular Pathology Laboratory.

Structured review of selected Medical Laboratory Science courses: immunohematology, hematology, hemostasis, immunology and serology, and microbiology. Preparation for licensure examination and professional practice. Prerequisite: Successful completion with a final grade of B or above in MEDLS 400, 451, and 461.