Clinical Laboratory Science

Degree: Bachelor of Science


What is Clinical Laboratory Science?

Clinical laboratory scientists apply scientific background and skills to supervision and performance of diagnostic procedures to determine presence or absence of disease and to monitor reponse to treatment.

Good communication skills are important because clinical laboratory scientists may work as a team within the laboratory and also interact with doctors, nurses, patients, and research scientists. Often, clinical laboratory scientists have management responsibilities and specialize within the clinical laboratory in areas such as hematology, toxicology, clinical chemistry, virology, or bacteriology.

This major prepares students to be certified as clinical laboratory scientists by the National Certification Agency or as medical technologists by the American Society for Clinical Pathology.


What are the features of Miami's program?

Combined programs: Miami offers two baccalaureate degree programs resulting in eligibility for national registry examinations. The 3+1 program involves three years at Miami, followed by an internship (clinical year) to receive a B.S. in clinical laboratory science. The 4+1 program involves four years at Miami to earn an A.B. or B.S. in chemistry, or microbiology, or zoology, followed by the clinical year.

Internship: Both baccalaureate degree programs (see above) include a 12-month, 32-credit clinical laboratory internship to be completed at an affiliated training hospital.

Excellent preparation: In the past 12 years, Miami graduates' rate of passing the national board certification exam is 100 percent; the national average is about 70 percent.

Well-rounded education: Miami students develop communication and management skills through the Miami Plan for Liberal Education, skills essential for working with physicians, patients, nurses, and other labs.


Are there special admission requirements?

There are no additional admission requirements for this program.


What courses would I take?

Both programs involve an interdisciplinary blend of classes in chemistry, microbiology, and zoology. The 3+1 program requires courses in general microbiology, pathogenic microbiology, and immunology, a year of general chemistry and a year of organic chemistry (or organic chemistry and biochemistry), one year of general biology; a course in mathematics, competency in computer usage; and completion of a foreign language at second-year level. The 4+1 program involves fulfillment of all departmental, Arts and Science, and Miami Plan requirements in addition to a year of general chemistry, a year of organic chemistry (or organic chemistry and biochemistry), a year of introductory biology, and one course in mathematics and general microbiology.


What can I do with this major?

After becoming certified, clinical laboratory scientists (CLS) or medical technologists (MT) generally work in hospital laboratories, in private laboratories, clinic laboratories, industrial laboratories, public health agencies, health maintenance organizations, research institutions, teaching institutions, and in medical programs sponsored by groups such as the Peace Corps and Project Hope.


Who can I contact for more information?

For general information about Miami University, please contact:

Office of Admission
301 S. Campus Ave.
Miami University
Oxford, OH 45056-3434
513-529-2531 (v/t)
www.muohio.edu/requestinfo

For specific information on the Clinical Laboratory Science major, please contact:

Dr. Marcia Lee, Program Director
Department of Microbiology
32 Pearson Hall
Miami University
Oxford, OH 45056
513-529-5422
leemr@muohio.edu
www.cas.muohio.edu/micro