UIS Graduate and Undergraduate Catalog
Academic Year 2004 - 2005

CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
Bachelor of Science

Faculty Wayne Gade, Paula Garrott, James Veselenak
Emeritus Faculty William Bloemer
Adjunct Faculty Kim Garcia, Robbin Killam, Fritz Lower, Gilma Roncancio-Weemer, Kim Stahl, Judy Sutherland

Contact: (217) 206-6589
cls@uis.edu or www.uis.edu/clinicallabscience/

Degree offered
The clinical laboratory science program offers the B.S. degree to students interested in careers in clinical laboratory science. Such careers require competence in the performance, analysis, and interpretation of clinical laboratory procedures and the ability to function in problem-solving situations. The curriculum features both broad-based and selective learning experiences encompassing theory and practice in all areas of clinical laboratory science.

Completion of the program leads to eligibility for certification by the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathology and/or the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel. The UIS clinical laboratory science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Entrance Requirements/Advising
The clinical laboratory science program provides for the continuing education of students who have completed the first two years of lower-division work (preferably with the A.A. or A.S. degree).

Prerequisite courses required for admission include 1) 90 quarter hours or 60 semester hours of lower-division courses, including the UIS general education requirements detailed in the admissions section of this catalog; 2) two semesters of general chemistry; 3) one semester of organic chemistry; 4) two semesters of biological sciences, preferably at least one semester of anatomy and physiology; 5) one semester of statistics or higher mathematics; and 6) one semester of microbiology with lab.

Recommended courses include genetics, a second semester of organic chemistry, and computer software use (word processing, spreadsheets). Normal time of entry into the program is the fall semester of the junior year; however, midyear part-time status is possible.

Since program enrollment is limited, admission to UIS does not guarantee admission to the clinical laboratory science program. In addition to completing the UIS application process, interested applicants should contact the program for a program application. Applicants must also forward a written statement of their academic and professional goals and the names and addresses of two college science instructors (preferably one biology and one chemistry) for use as references to the clinical laboratory science program director. A personal interview may be required.

UIS Requirements
Students are required to complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of UIS requirements in the areas of liberal studies colloquia, public affairs colloquia, and applied study. These hours must include at least four hours in each of at least two of these areas.

Program Features/Requirements
The clinical laboratory science program requires 60-66 credit hours of upper-division work. Interdisciplinary and problem-oriented, with emphasis on the basic sciences and standards of contemporary clinical laboratory science, the program includes academic and clinical experiences.

Academic work during the junior year is designed to provide a strong background in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and immunology. The summer and fall terms of the senior year provide theory and laboratory experience in clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, and hemostasis. During the balance of the senior year, the student's clinical education encompasses rotations through the various clinical specialty areas of affiliated hospital laboratories. The program is affiliated with Memorial Medical Center and St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Methodist Medical Center in Illinois in Peoria, and Decatur Memorial Hospital in Decatur.

The applied study term is incorporated in the clinical experience, which is under the joint supervision of faculty at the University of Illinois at Springfield and practicing professionals in affiliated hospital laboratories. Clinical education is coupled with didactic courses offered at UIS.

Recognizing the importance of communication in allied health professions, faculty in all CLS courses emphasize development of effective oral and written communication skills. Consequently, completion of CLS required courses constitutes successful demonstration of effective communication skills.

Since the program includes laboratory work done under professional supervision, the degree candidate not only must satisfy the customary expectations of academic work but also must meet the high-quality standards demanded of a professional medical technologist/clinical laboratory scientist. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00. Clinical laboratory science students are required to maintain a grade of C or better in all required courses.

Individual professional liability insurance is required of each student. Evidence of current coverage must be submitted before engaging in clinical course work.

As a closure requirement for graduation, students must pass a comprehensive examination covering all aspects of clinical laboratory science.

Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) --
Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) Articulation
Special opportunities are available for individuals who have completed an associate degree medical laboratory technician program. Through advising and planned academic and clinical course work, medical laboratory technicians are provided a unique opportunity to complete the baccalaureate degree without repeating areas in which they are already proficient. Medical laboratory technicians interested in this articulation opportunity should contact the program director to discuss curriculum planning based on their previous academic and clinical experiences.

Sample Curriculum/Program Guide
First semester, junior year
CHE 321 Chemical Analysis 3 Hrs.
CHE 322 Laboratory Techniques 1 Hr.
CLS 321 Seminar in Clinical Laboratory Science 1-2 Hr.
CLS 447 Medical Mycology/Parasitology/Virology 1-4 Hrs.
Elective 1-4 Hrs.
Public Affairs/Liberal Studies Colloquium 4 Hrs.
11-18 Hrs.

Second semester, junior year
CHE 418 Biomedical Laboratory Methods 2 Hrs.
CHE 433 Physiological Chemistry 4 Hrs.
CLS 405 Introduction to Urinalysis 1-2 Hrs.
BIO 347 Medical Bacteriology 4 Hrs.
CLS 448 Introduction to Immunology 4 Hrs.
10-16 Hrs.

Summer, senior year
CLS 401 Introduction to Clinical Chemistry 1-2 Hrs.
CLS 403 Introduction to Immunohematology 1-2 Hrs.
CLS 404 Introduction to Hemostasis 1 Hr.
CLS 454 Advanced Concepts in Clinical Chemistry 2 Hrs.
6-8 Hrs.

First semester, senior year
CLS 402 Introduction to Hematology 1-2 Hrs.
CLS 451 Advanced Concepts in Immunohematology 2 Hrs.
CLS 452 Advanced Concepts in Hematology 2 Hrs.
Clinical Courses (see below) 1-10 Hrs.
6-16 Hrs.

Second semester, senior year
CLS 411 Clinical Education/Management 3 Hrs.
CLS 456 Clinical Correlations 2 Hrs.
Clinical Courses (see below) 1-10 Hrs.
6-15 Hrs.

Clinical Courses
Students are assigned a number of the following courses in the fall and spring semesters of the senior year. All of the clinical courses should be completed by the end of the senior year.
CLS 421 Clinical Chemistry Laboratory 1-4 Hrs.
CLS 422 Clinical Hematology Laboratory 1-3 Hrs.
CLS 423 Clinical Microbiology Laboratory 1-3 Hrs.
CLS 424 Clinical Immunohematology Laboratory 1-2 Hrs.
CLS 431 Special Topics in Clinical Laboratory Science 1-2 Hrs.
Total Clinical 6-14 Hrs.
Total 60-66 Hrs.