MLS Course Descriptions
CLSC 708 MCLS Biostatistics (3) – REQUIRED
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) – REQUIRED
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) – REQUIRED
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) – ELECTIVE
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 730 Research Methods (3) – REQUIRED FOR NON-UNC CLS GRADUATES*
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) – REQUIRED
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 750 Clinical Laboratory Administration (3) – REQUIRED FOR NON-UNC CLS GRADUATES*
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 765 Principles of Health Care Systems and Leadership for laboratory professionals (3) – ELECTIVE
This course provides a foundation in the health care system, public health, and leadership aspects of clinical laboratory administration. This course emphasizes the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary for successful leadership of a clinical laboratory within a health care setting. The primary goal of this course is to develop an awareness of the intersectionality of clinical laboratory management within the broader health care delivery system, including the interpersonal skills required for effective personnel management
CLSC 770 Educational Methods and Applications (3) – REQUIRED FOR NON-UNC CLS GRADUATES*
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.
CLSC 772 Education and Research in CLS (3) – REQUIRED FOR UNC CLS GRADUATES*
This course is restricted to students who are graduates of the UNC-Chapel Hill Clinical Laboratory Science program. It is designed to cover the content from CLSC 730 and CLSC 770 that was not addressed in the undergraduate research and education courses.
CLSC 775 MLS Education Practicum (3) – ELECTIVE
This course is designed to give students a practical experience as an educator in the clinical laboratory science profession. Students will work with a CLS Faculty member to provide instruction in an on-campus lecture, on-campus laboratory course, online course or a combination of those course formats. Students will evaluate their teaching effectiveness using learner feedback, learner performance on assessments and feedback from the CLS faculty member. (CLSC 770 or CLSC 772 is a pre- or co-requisite for this course.)
CLSC 780 Capstone I (3) – REQUIRED
Capstone I is the first course in a two course sequence representing the culmination of the MCLS-MLS degree. Students will use the information from all their MLS courses to address a problem or important issue in the clinical laboratory profession. In this course, students will design and begin working on a project in laboratory education, laboratory operations, or advanced laboratory practice. The student will submit a project proposal for approval a year prior to beginning Capstone I. The faculty advisor will work with the student during Capstone I to monitor their progress and evaluate milestones in the project.
CLSC 790 Capstone II (3) – REQUIRED
Capstone II is the second course in the Capstone series. Students will continue to work on their project and submit a deliverable by the end of the semester under the direction of their faculty advisor. The project will address a problem or important issue in the clinical laboratory profession in the areas of laboratory education, laboratory operations, or advanced laboratory practice.
*UNC CLS graduates are not required to take CLSC 730, 750, or 770. CLSC 772 plus an additional elective will be substituted.