MDS Course Descriptions | Clinical Laboratory Science

CLSC 705L Clinical Laboratory Methods (2)

This course covers the basic knowledge and laboratory skills specific to the practice of clinical laboratory science. The information covered provides the student with the fundamental skills to solve common laboratory mathematical problems and to interpret quality assessment. Topics include: laboratory calculations, specimen processing, quality control, pipetting, assay performance, and laboratory safety. The laboratory session covers basic laboratory skills necessary for performance of clinical diagnostic testing.

CLSC 708 MCLS Biostatistics (3)

This course is intended to provide Masters of Clinical Laboratory Science students with a foundation to both prepare and be critical consumers of scientific publications describing clinical research – particularly the statistical means used to draw conclusions from research. Topics covered include: organization and quality of data, types of research studies, frequency distributions, summary statistics, random and discrete variables, probability distributions, statistical inference, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, parametric vs. non-parametric tests, descriptive statistics, drawing inferences from and comparing means, correlation and regression analysis, and the analysis of proportions. A core goal of this course is to ensure students possess the statistical skills required to complete the CLSC 730 Research Methods course and evaluate the data collected from their applied research or capstone project.

CLSC 710 Principles of Molecular Diagnostics (3)

This course covers the fundamental principles of molecular technology and techniques used in clinical and research laboratories. Topics include: an overview of nucleic acid chemistry, molecular genetics & cytogenetics; nucleic acid extraction and hybridization; target, signal and probe amplification; sequencing, microarrays, and in-situ hybridization techniques. Techniques will be addressed in the context of the different areas of the laboratory that use molecular technology to include genetics, oncology, infectious disease, and identity testing both for forensic purposes and transplantation.

CLSC 720 Molecular Genetics and Disease (3)

This course offers an overview of molecular genetics in relation to human variation and disease. Basics of disease are discussed, and diagnosis and treatment explored. Molecular techniques are addressed in context of different areas of the laboratory that use molecular technology to include: inherited disease, oncology, infectious disease, and identity testing. By the end of the course, students will better understand molecular causes of many diseases and disorders that are investigated using molecular diagnostics.

CLSC 722 Molecular Diagnostic Science Applications (3)

This course covers the performance of basic and advanced techniques used in molecular testing, to include nucleic acid extraction, quantitation, hybridization, amplification, and analysis. Interpretation and quality control techniques are emphasized throughout the course. Students will learn about the different applications of molecular diagnostic testing in the clinical laboratory setting and understand how this testing is used to help patients.

CLSC 722L Molecular Diagnostic Science Applications Laboratory (2)

This course covers the performance of basic laboratory techniques used in molecular diagnostic testing, to include nucleic acid extraction, quantitation, hybridization, amplification, and electrophoresis. Students will apply the knowledge learned in their Molecular Diagnostic Science Applications didactic course (CLSC 722) to laboratory exercises that they will perform in the student teaching laboratory. Students will practice various molecular methods and techniques, interpretation of test results, quality control techniques, and troubleshooting.

CLSC 730 Research Methods (3)

This course provides students with an overview of the knowledge of research design and methods commonly used in the clinical research arena. It prepares students to be critical consumers of published research and potential investigators in research activities. Major topic areas to be addressed include: the concept of research and how theory and ethics impact choices, measurement issues that affect research and clinical practice, the broad scope of experimental, exploratory and descriptive research designs, the application of statistical procedures using a conceptual approach, and the communication issues of research, from the inception of a research project to the dissemination of results. A primary aim of this course is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to critically examine professional literature, as well as the methodical and ethical considerations that influence research design.

CLSC 735 Method Evaluation (3)

This course provides students with the information and tools necessary to determine whether a particular molecular test is useful in a clinical diagnostic setting and if so, the steps that must then be followed to bring a new assay into the molecular diagnostic laboratory. Students will learn how to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a new test as well as the clinical value of that test. The economics evaluation of a new test will also be discussed. Students will learn to write up procedures for laboratory procedure manuals following guidelines specified by various accrediting agencies and organizations.

CLSC 740L Molecular Diagnostic Science Clinical Rotation (7)

This course is a supervised rotation in a clinical molecular laboratory. The student will work with clinical instructors to perform molecular assays, apply quality control, interpret results and correlate results with the clinical condition. Students will learn to perform preventive and corrective maintenance on instruments and equipment used in the molecular laboratory. The course requires students to complete an independent master’s degree project in collaboration with the laboratory director and clinical instructors.

CLSC 741L

CLSC 741L is the first in a three-semester series of courses (CLSC 741L, 742L, and 743L) that will provide the student with training on current molecular test methods in the setting of a clinical molecular laboratory. The course is offered during the fall semester of the second year for MCLS-MDS students enrolled in Route 3. In this course, the student will develop skills related to molecular-based test methods and gain competency in performing testing in the areas of microbiology/infectious disease, genetics/inherited disease, and oncology. The rotation will allow the student to perform molecular assays, apply quality control, interpret the results and correlate them with the clinical condition, and perform preventive and corrective maintenance on instruments and equipment used in the molecular laboratory.

CLSC 742L

CLSC 742L is the second in a three-semester series of courses (CLSC 741L, 742L, and 743L) that will provide the student with training on current molecular test methods in the setting of a clinical molecular laboratory. The course is offered during the spring semester of the second year for MCLS-MDS students enrolled in Route 3. The student will develop skills related to those test methods and gain competency in performing molecular-based testing in the areas of microbiology/infectious disease, genetics/inherited disease, and oncology. This rotation will allow the student to perform molecular assays, apply quality control, interpret the results and correlate them with the clinical condition, and perform preventive and corrective maintenance on instruments and equipment used in the molecular laboratory.

CLSC 743L

CLSC 743L is the third in a three-semester series of courses (CLSC 741L, 742L, and 743L) that will provide the student with training on current molecular test methods in the setting of a clinical molecular laboratory. This course is offered during the fall semester of the third year for MCLS-MDS students enrolled in Route 3. The main focus of this course will be completion of an independent Master’s/Research Project, done under the direction of the Laboratory Director. This rotation will allow the student to spend time developing the project proposal, organizing the project, performing the testing, and collecting the data to support completion of the project.

CLSC 750 Clinical Laboratory Administration (3)

This course provides a foundation in the technical and non-technical aspects of supervising and managing clinical laboratory testing services within the current health care delivery system. Topics covered in this course include: clinical laboratory testing within the context of the current health care delivery system, the influence of other aspects of society, financing of clinical laboratory testing, regulation of clinical laboratories, accreditation of laboratories, financial management, information systems management, management of the quality of clinical laboratory testing, the role and responsibilities of a supervisor, personnel management, leadership and communication skills, and ethics in the clinical laboratory testing environment. The emphasis of the course is on the knowledge, skill, and attitudes needed to work successfully in a health care setting at the entry-level and beyond. The primary goal of this course is the development of awareness of non-technical issues and functions important to the oversight of clinical laboratory services in the current health care delivery system.

CLSC 770 Educational Methods and Applications (3)

This course provides an overview of educational issues and methods in order to prepare students for future roles as educators in the clinical laboratory profession. Course topics and assignments address the major educational responsibilities of clinical laboratory professionals including continuing education, competency assurance, certification and accreditation. Students will use the educational methods to prepare, present, and evaluate a continuing education presentation.