Degree Structure
College
Health Sciences
Department
Medical Laboratory Sciences
Level
Undergraduate
Study System
Courses
Total Credit Hours
134 Cr. Hrs.
Duration
4 Years
Intake
Fall and Spring
Language
English
Study Mode
Full Time
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Degree Overview
The program is designed to meet the objectives of the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences. A student undertaking this program should complete a total of 134 credit hours distributed as follows:
BSc. in Medical Laboratory Sciences | ||||
UR | CR | PR | Total | |
Mandatory Credits | 18 | 24 | 86 | 128 |
Elective Credits | 6 | - | - | 6 |
Total | 24 | 24 | 86 | 134 |
What You Will Learn
Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) strives to equip students with competence in the performance, analysis, and interpretation of clinical laboratory procedures.The program encompasses theoretical and practical learning experiences that are based on the biology of humans and focuses on specific areas such as clinical chemistry, medical microbiology, hematology, histology, immunology, and molecular biology. Students spend most of their senior year on clinical placements in local hospitals. Some graduates may choose to pursue graduate training and enter a career in biomedical research. The MLS program has been approved by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and found equivalent to the U.S. Bachelor degree. Accordingly, our graduates are eligible to sit for the ASCP international certification exam (ASCPi) without transcript equivalency or evaluation.
University Requirements
College Requirements
Degree Requirements
Program Requirements
The MLS requires the 86 credit hours of mandatory courses listed in the table below.
Course # | Title | Cr Hrs. | Prerequisite |
0501253 | Medical Microbiology | 4 | 0500150 |
0501254 | Histology | 3 | 0500150 |
0501258 | Molecular Genetics | 4 | 0500150 |
0501260 | Biochemistry | 3 | 1426155 |
0501262 | Immunology and Serology | 4 | 0500160 |
0501264 | Histopathological Techniques | 3 | 0501254 |
0501265 | Diagnostic Microbiology | 4 | 0501253 |
0501372 | Clinical Parasitology | 3 | 0500150 |
0501359 | Clinical Chemistry (1) | 4 | 0501260 |
0501370 | Hematology (1) | 4 | 0500160 |
0501371 | Phlebotomy Lab | 1 | Co: 0501370 |
0501362 | Hematology (2) and Coagulation | 4 | 0501370 |
0501363 | Pathology | 3 | 0501254 |
0501364 | Clinical Chemistry (2) | 4 | 0501359 |
0501365 | Blood Banking | 3 | 0501262 |
0501366 | Urinalysis and Body Fluids | 2 | 0501359 |
0501454 | Practicum in Hematology | 3 | 0501370 |
0501451 | Practicum in Microbiology | 3 | 0501265 |
0501452 | Practicum in Serology | 2 | 0501262 |
0501453 | Lab Management and Quality Assurance | 3 | 0501364 |
0501460 | Practicum in Clinical Chemistry | 3 | 0501359 |
0501461 | Practicum in Histopathology | 2 | 0501264 |
0501462 | Practicum in Blood Banking | 3 | 0501365 |
0501463 | Medical Virology | 2 | 0501253 |
0501464 | Medical Mycology | 2 | 0501253 |
0501465 | Student Project | 3 | 0500450 |
1426217 | Organic Chemistry for HS | 4 | 1426155 |
1440163 | Calculus 1 for Health Sc. | 3 | - |
Course Description
The courses offered by the Medical Laboratory Sciences program are designated as (0501ABC), where ABC represents the year, term, and sequence as described in the College Section.
Mandatory Core Courses
The required core courses offered by the Medical Laboratory Sciences program are described below.
0501253 | Medical Microbiology | 3-3-0:4 |
Prerequisite: 0500150 - Biology. This course focuses on the basic microbiology concepts to MLT, with emphasis on the general characteristics of prokaryotic cell, general properties of microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Methods of antiseptic and microbial growth and antibiotic sensitivity. Students in practical sessions will experience preparation of bacterial culture media, sterilization and antiseptic techniques and an antibiotic sensitivity test. |
0501254 | Histology | 2-3-0:3 |
Prerequisite: 0500150 - Biology. This course focuses on the study of the microscopic structure of the human body. The course will introduce the structure of human cells, basic tissue types, and organization including epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous tissues. This is followed by the study of the microscopic structure of major organs and systems of the human body. The relationship between structure and function is addressed. The practical part of this course focuses on the microscopic examination of tissues within different organs of the human body. |
0501258 | Molecular Genetics | 3-3-4:0 |
Prerequisite: 0500150 - Biology. This course will examine the molecular basis of cellular processes, with emphasis on gene structure and function, DNA replication, transcription and translation, gene expression and regulation, genetic engineering, and genetic diseases which will be studied in theory and in the practical laboratory sessions. Laboratory experiments are designed for the students to become familiar with micropipettes and reagent preparation for use in the preparation of agarose gels to identify human DNA and RNA, plasmids after bacterial cell transformation, PCR products, and DNA that has been manipulated by restriction enzymes and ligase for use in Southern blots. |
0501262 | Immunology and Serology | 3-3-0:4 |
Prerequisite: 0500160 - Human Anatomy and Physiology. Introduction to the basic concepts of immunology, types of immunity, the immune response, the immune system, structure and function of antigens and antibodies, immunopathology, and clinical applications of the immunological techniques in the modern diagnostic serology laboratory. Serologic laboratory sessions will focus on the principles of antigen-antibody reaction, and the principles of serological procedures. Clinical serological analyses include examples of basic techniques and correlation with disease and immunity. |
0501264 | Histopathological Techniques | 2-3-0:3 |
Prerequisite: 0501254 - Histology. Introducing the concepts and basics of different techniques used in tissue preparation and staining procedures essential for microscopic detection, recording, and quantification of human cells and tissues in the histology/pathology work. The practical part includes a thorough grounding in all aspects of histological techniques used in tissue preparation for microscopic examination. These include fixation, processing, embedding, using microtome to cut tissue slices and then staining and examination of samples. Alternative methods in tissue preparation such as frozen sections are also introduced. |
0501265 | Diagnostic Microbiology | 3-3-0:4 |
Prerequisite: 0501253 - Medical Microbiology. This course focuses on the principle of different methods of Lab diagnosis of microorganisms as smear and wet methods, culture, biochemical, and serological molecular diagnostic methods. Practical sessions will cover laboratory methods of isolation and identification of pathogenic microorganisms. Major emphasis is on the collection and preparation of specimens and using rich, selective and differential media. Other biochemical and serological methods for lab diagnosis will also be used. General investigations will be carried out for urine, stool, and body fluids. |
0501372 | Clinical Parasitology | 2-3-0:3 |
Prerequisite: 0500150 - Biology. The course aims at familiarizing students with the basic concepts of parasitology, types of animal associations, adaptations to parasitic mode of life, and evolution of parasitism. Parasites' life-cycles, infection, transmission, pathology, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and control of medically and economically important parasites are the main emphasis of this course. The laboratory sessions are designed to expose the students to the morphology of the different developmental stages of medically and economically important parasites as well as introducing the skills of proper laboratory procedures for collecting, handling, diagnosing, and identifying parasitic organisms. |
0501359 | Clinical Chemistry (1) | 3-3-0:4 |
Prerequisite: 0501260 - Biochemistry. This course is designed to introduce the students to the various analytical techniques and methods used in the measurement of various parameters in the blood and other body fluids, and to gain technical skills and knowledge of interpretation of test results in health and disease states. The course mostly covers routine laboratory investigations related to disorders of plasma proteins and amino acids, kidney function, liver function, carbohydrate disorders, lipids and lipoprotein abnormalities, pancreatic function, and gastrointestinal disorders. |
0501370 | Hematology (1) | 3-3-0:4 |
Prerequisite: 0500160 - Human Anatomy and Physiology. Blood composition, hematopoiesis and its requirement, erythrocytes and their disorders, hemoglobin and leukocytes structure and function are closely examined. Students are expected to gain sufficient skills and knowledge in performing procedures and laboratory techniques (manual and automated) used in the investigation and diagnosis of various blood disorders. |
0501371 | Phlebotomy Lab | 0-3-0:1 |
Co-requisite: 0501370 - Hematology (1). The aim of this course is for students to gain sufficient technical skills in blood collection. Students will be exposed to the different techniques and different tools used in blood collection, and to the various types of containers used in the clinical laboratory. Specimen handling, safety measures, and blood collection complication are closely introduced. |
0501362 | Clinical Pathology | 2-3-0:3 |
Prerequisite: 0501370 - Hematology (1). Students will be trained on the concepts of common and non-common diseases, and how to identify abnormal laboratory findings related to the patients' disease and health. Training will be provided on evaluating the laboratory results and comparing them with the normal ranges to identify and interpret any abnormal findings. These will cover the major laboratory tests such as the complete blood count, reticulocyte count, peripheral blood smear, urinalysis, stool examination, and other tests that may be used to diagnose and manage diseases. |
Specialized Core Courses
The following courses are specialized core courses offered by the Medical Laboratory Sciences program.
0501373 | Clinical Biochemistry (2) | 3-3-0:4 |
Prerequisite: 0501359 - Clinical Chemistry (1). This course focuses on the advanced study of clinical chemistry with a major emphasis on specific test procedures for the diagnosis of endocrine disorders, tumor markers, trace elements, and vitamins. Students will be trained to understand and analyze the effect of various physiological and pathological conditions on the biochemical profile of body fluids. |
0501374 | Clinical Hematology (2) | 3-3-0:4 |
Prerequisite: 0501370 - Hematology (1). This course is designed to provide advanced knowledge and skills in the field of hematology including advanced techniques in the study of blood diseases and disorders. Major focus will be on the examination and interpretation of bone marrow samples, identification of various blood cell abnormalities, and advanced diagnostic procedures used for diagnosing hematological disorders. |
0501375 | Clinical Microbiology | 3-3-0:4 |
Prerequisite: 0501253 - Medical Microbiology. This course includes the detailed study of microbiological techniques and methods used in the diagnostic microbiology laboratory. Emphasis is on the identification and differentiation of pathogenic microorganisms, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and quality control procedures. Practical sessions will include a thorough grounding in diagnostic techniques used in the clinical laboratory. |
Elective Courses
The following courses are electives available to students in the Medical Laboratory Sciences program.
0501377 | Special Topics in Medical Laboratory Sciences | 3-0-0:3 |
Prerequisite: Approval of the Department Head. This course provides an opportunity for students to explore specialized topics and current issues in the field of medical laboratory sciences. The specific content of the course may vary from semester to semester depending on the needs and interests of the students and advancements in the field. |
0501378 | Quality Assurance and Laboratory Management | 3-0-0:3 |
This course provides an overview of quality assurance, laboratory management, and operational aspects of running a medical laboratory. Topics include laboratory safety, regulatory compliance, quality control and assurance, risk management, and the role of management in the clinical laboratory. |
0501379 | Laboratory Research Techniques | 2-3-0:3 |
Prerequisite: Approval of the Department Head. This course offers practical experience in research techniques used in medical laboratory sciences. Students will learn various research methodologies, data analysis, and presentation skills. This course is designed to prepare students for conducting independent research projects and contribute to the advancement of the field. |
Career Path
Graduates of the Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program are highly sought after globally, with a multitude of career pathways available, including:
- Clinical laboratory generalists in hospitals, clinics, or private laboratories, and clinical lab supervisors or managers.
- Clinical laboratory specialists in areas such as microbiology, hematology, chemistry, molecular biology/DNA, histocompatibility, immunology, and blood banks or stem cell/bone marrow labs.
- Quality assurance/quality specialists in hospitals or industries (e.g., pharmaceutical quality operations).
- Technical representatives, sales representatives, or research and development specialists in laboratory industries.
- Research technologists or research supervisors/coordinators in academic medical centers.
- Infection control officers in hospitals or clinics.
- Educators for employee training programs or formal academic programs
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