UIS Graduate and Undergraduate Catalog
Academic Year 2006 - 2007

CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
Bachelor of Science

Faculty  Wayne Gade, Linda McCown, James Veselenak
Emeritus Faculty  William Bloemer, Paula Garrott
Adjunct Faculty  Mary McCallister, Kim Stahl

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

Degree offered
A B.S. degree in clinical laboratory science provides exciting opportunities for individuals with an interest in science who wish to pursue a career in a health/medical profession or other laboratory-related field. Clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists analyze human blood and other body fluids using a variety of methods and precision instruments. The results of these analyses are used to determine the presence or absence of disease, help determine appropriate treatment, monitor therapy, and assess health. In addition to performance and interpretation of laboratory procedures, clinical laboratory scientists may be involved in the selection of lab methods or analyzers, as well as training, supervision, and consultation with other health care professionals. A CLS education provides an excellent preparation for medical and graduate schools and also prepares one for employment opportunities outside the hospital setting. Diverse job opportunities include employment in public health, research, forensic, industrial, and veterinary laboratories; pharmaceutical companies; fertility centers; laboratory computer specialization; education; and laboratory consulting.  

Knowledge, accuracy, and problem-solving skills are required and depend on a firm foundation in biology, chemistry, and math followed by education in the clinical areas of hematology, chemistry, immunohematology, (blood banking), microbiology, and immunology. In addition, familiarity with the use of computers and good organizational skills are required.

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), 8410 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, IL 60631; phone 773/714-8880. 

Entrance Requirements/Advising
The formal CLS program encompasses the last two years of study plus one summer semester. 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.

Students are encouraged to apply in the fall of their sophomore year. Normal time of entry into the program is the fall semester, junior year; however, midyear, part-time status is possible.

Four-year students are encouraged to meet with a CLS adviser before initial registration in order to prepare a plan to ensure that all requirements are met in the minimum amount of time.

The transfer option 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 to the CLS program 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 and a second semester of organic chemistry.

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. In CLS, these requirements are fulfilled by completion of one PAC or LSC, and the clinical laboratory courses fulfill the requirement for at least six hours of applied study courses. 

Program Features/Requirements
The clinical laboratory science program requires 59-62 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 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 clinical experience 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.

CLS students must also be able to meet the Health and Essential Requirements outlined in the CLS Student Handbook.

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/CLT) -- Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) Articulation
Special opportunities are available for individuals who have completed an associate degree medical/clinical laboratory technician program and who have passed a recognized national certification examination. 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. 

CLS Required Courses  (61 Hrs.)
BIO 347 Medical Bacteriology  4 Hrs.
CHE 321 Chemical Analysis  3 Hrs.
CHE 322 Laboratory Techniques  1 Hr.
CHE 433 Physiological Chemistry  4 Hrs.
CHE 418 Biochemical Laboratory Methods  2 Hrs.
CLS 321 Seminar in CLS  2 Hrs.
CLS 447 Mycology/Parasitology/Virology  4 Hrs.
CLS 448 Immunology   4 Hrs.
CLS 405 Urinalysis   2 Hrs.
CLS 401 Introduction to Clinical Chemistry  2 Hrs.
CLS 402 Introduction to Hematology  2 Hrs.
CLS 403 Introduction to Immunohematology  2 Hrs.
CLS 404 Hemostasis  1 Hr.
CLS 454 Advanced Clinical Chemistry  2 Hrs.
CLS 451 Advanced Immunohematology  2 Hrs.
CLS 452 Advanced Hematology  2 Hrs.
CLS 411 Clinical Education/Management  3 Hrs.
CLS 456 Clinical Correlations  2 Hrs.
CLS 421 Clinical Chemistry Lab  5 Hrs.
CLS 422 Clinical Hematology Lab  4 Hrs.
CLS 423 Clinical Microbiology Lab  4 Hrs.
CLS 424 Clinical Immunohematology Lab  3 Hrs.
CLS 431 Special Topics  1-4 Hrs. 

Students must also complete UIS graduation requirements to earn a bachelor of science degree. Most CLS majors also qualify for a minor in chemistry.  

Four-Year Sample Curriculum/Program Guide: See the CLS website at http://www.uis.edu/clinicallabscience/ 

CAP Honors Sample Curriculum/Program Guide: Contact the CLS CAP adviser. 

Transfer Sample Curriculum/Program Guide
Fall semester, junior year
CLS 448 Introduction to Immunology   4 Hrs.
CHE 322 Laboratory Techniques  1 Hr.
CLS 321 Seminar in Clinical Laboratory Science  2 Hrs.
CLS 447  Medical Mycology/Parasitology/Virology  4 Hrs.
Public Affairs/Liberal Studies Colloquium  4 Hrs.

Total  15 Hrs.

Spring semester, junior year
CHE 418 Biomedical Laboratory Methods  2 Hrs.
CHE 433 Physiological Chemistry   4 Hrs.
CLS 405 Introduction to Urinalysis   2 Hrs.
BIO 347 Medical Bacteriology  4 Hrs.
Elective (optional)  3-4 Hrs.

Total  15-16 Hrs.

Summer, senior year
CLS 401 Introduction to Clinical Chemistry  2 Hrs.
CLS 402 Introduction to Hematology  2 Hrs.
CLS 403 Introduction to Immunohematology  2 Hrs.
CLS 454 Advanced Concepts in Clinical Chemistry  2 Hrs.

Total  8 Hrs.

Fall semester, senior year
CLS 404 Introduction to Hemostasis  1 Hr.
CLS 451 Advanced Concepts in Immunohematology  2 Hrs.
CLS 452 Advanced Concepts in Hematology  2 Hrs.
Clinical Courses (see CLS website) 1‑10 Hrs.

Total   6‑15 Hrs.

Spring semester, senior year
CLS 411 Clinical Education/Management  3 Hrs.
CLS 456 Clinical Correlations  2 Hrs.
Clinical Courses (see CLS website)  1‑10 Hrs.

Total   6‑15 Hrs.