The Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science prepares graduates to work as laboratory professionals. Through the use of precision instrumentation, clinical laboratory scientists (also known as medical technologists), analyze blood, tissue, cells, and other body fluids to provide data critical to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. They work closely with pathologists, other physicians, and other laboratory professionals who specialize in clinical chemistry, microbiology, and other biological sciences.
The Curriculum
This 120-credit program consists of two phases of study.
- Phase one includes 88 credits of coursework in the preclinical sciences such as chemistry, biology, physics and math, plus the Liberal Studies requirements completed at the IUP main campus. All requirements in phase one must be completed before progressing to an affiliating school of clinical laboratory science.
- Phase two includes 32 credits in the twelve-month clinical year, during which students attend classes and clinical rotations at one of the many affiliating schools of clinical laboratory science located in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. The affiliate programs are fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS)
- Students are encouraged to earn at least a 2.5 grade point average in math and science courses in order to be competitive for admission to an affiliating school. IUP does not guarantee admission to the clinical program.
A typical plan of study:
Freshman Year
| Course Name |
Credits |
Course Name |
Credits |
| BIOL 111 Principles of Biology I |
4 |
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II |
4 |
| CHEM 111 General Chemistry I |
4 |
HIST 195 History: The Modern Era |
3 |
| ENGL 101 College Writing |
4 |
Health and Wellness Requirment |
3 |
| Fine Arts: Introduction to Art/Music |
|
MATH 217 Probability and Statistics |
3 |
| Theater/Dance |
3 |
BIOL 150 Human Anatomy |
3 |
|
15 |
|
16 |
Sophomore Year
| Course Name |
Credits |
Course Name |
Credits |
| PHYS 111 Physics I Lecture |
3 |
PHYS 112 Physics II Lecture |
3 |
| PHYS 121 Physics I Lab |
1 |
PHYS 122 Physics II Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 231 Organic Chemistry I |
4 |
CHEM 232 Organic Chemistry II |
4 |
| Social Science Elective |
3 |
*BIOL 250 Principles of Microbiology |
3 |
| ENGL 202 Research Writing |
3 |
Liberal Studies Elective |
3 |
|
14 |
|
14 |
| Students begin the clinical application process the second semester of their sophomore year. |
Junior Year
| Course Name |
Credits |
Course Name |
Credits |
| CHEM 351 Biochemistry |
4 |
BIOL 364 Immunology |
3 |
| BIOL 151 Human Physiology |
4 |
CHEM 323 Analytical Methods |
4 |
| Social Science Elective |
3 |
Social Science Elective |
3 |
| Free Elective |
2 |
Philosophy or Religious Studies Elective |
3 |
|
13 |
ENGL 121 Humanities Literature |
3 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Year
| Course Name |
Credits |
Course Name |
Credits |
| MEDT 495 Clinical Chemistry |
10 |
MEDT 494 Clinicial Microbiology |
8 |
| MEDT 497 Clinicial Immunohematology |
4 |
MEDT 496 Clinicial Hematology/Coagulation |
6 |
| MEDT 499 Clinical Seminar |
2 |
MEDT 498 Clinical Immunology/Serology |
2 |
|
16 |
|
16 |
| MEDT courses are taught off campus for one calendar year at an affiliate School of Medical Technology/Clinical Laboratory Science. |
* Students need permission to register for BIOL 250 from the chairsperson of the Biology Department in 143 Weyandt.
Non-western culture course: one required; may be fulfilled with a Social Science or Liberal Studies elective.
Synthesis course: not required
Writing Intensive Course: one course required; may be fulfilled with certain sections of courses that fulfill some graduation requirement categories.
- BIOL 263 Genetics: highly recommended and may also fulfill the writing intensive requirement.
Students may be eligible to earn minors in both biology and chemistry.
Graduates of the clinical laboratory science program are:
- Eligible to sit for a national certification examination which certifies them as a Medical Technologist MT(ASCP) registered with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist CLS(NCA) certified by the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel
- Prepared for graduate degrees in chemistry, biology, medicine, pathology, administration, and other areas
Career Information
Faster than average employment growth and excellent job opportunities are expected. Typically 100 percent of IUP's clinical laboratory science majors are employed soon after graduation. Job opportunities will continue to be excellent as the volume of laboratory tests increases with both population growth and the development of new types of tests. Traditionally clinical laboratory scientists work in hospital laboratories, but they are also employed in physicians' offices, private laboratories, clinics, government agencies, industry, pharmaceutical companies, private research institutions and in forensic science labs. Median annual earnings of clinical laboratory scientists were $49,700 in May 2006.
