PROGRAM COORDINATOR: Gail Ackall, Interim

Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences

The Clinical Laboratory Science Program (CLS), formerly Medical Technology, is designed to prepare graduates to function as professional members of the health care team. Their services are utilized in hospitals, clinics, and private laboratories, as well as in business and industry. Clinical Laboratory Scientists perform a variety of immunological, biochemical, molecular, and microbiological procedures that aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Computerized data bases, electronic charting, and sophisticated laboratory techniques such as DNA, PCR, and isoelectric focusing help insure the accuracy and precision of their work. The University of Texas at El Paso's Clinical Laboratory Science Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

Students completing approximately 60 semester hours of prerequisite courses must apply for the professional phase of the program in the spring semester. Applicants must have an overall GPA of 2.0 and a 2.5 GPA in math and sciences. All applicants will be interviewed by University and clinical faculty. A limited number of clinical sites are available; therefore, twenty students will be selected to enter the professional phase of the program. Students begin the professional phase once a year in the fall semester.

All lower division course work must be completed prior to enrolling in the professional Clinical Laboratory Science courses. All students beginning the professional courses will be required prior to the clinical practicum to show evidence of professional liability insurance, current CPR certification, a recent physical examination, and current immunizations, including a Hepatitis B vaccination.

A grade of "C" or higher must be earned in each CLS class. If a student earns less than a "C," the student must withdraw from the program and reapply the following year.

All students must perform within limits of safe practice. Students who are deemed unsafe by faculty will be dropped and will receive an "F" in the clinical course. The Safe Practice and Procedure Policy for students is posted on the Official Bulletin Board in the College and in the Clinical Laboratory Science Department. All work performed by students during the clinical practicum is under the direct supervision of clinical faculty and countersigned by them.

As a professional, the student must exhibit a commitment to the welfare of patients. The faculty in the program reserve the right to refuse the opportunity of a student to perform tests or procedures on patients if the student gives evidence of unsafe and/or ineffective laboratory techniques.

Students graduating from The University of Texas at El Paso are eligible for two national certification examinations. One examination is administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists from Chicago, IL. and successful candidates may use the initials MT (ASCP) after their name. A second examination for which students are eligible is administered by the National Certification Agency from Washington, DC and if passed, graduates may use CLS (Clinical Laboratory Scientist) after their name.

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Degree Requirements (140 semester hours)

Lower-Division Preprofessional Courses (73 hours)

English 3111 , 3112 (6 hours)
History 3101 , 3102 (6 hours)
Political Science 3210 , 3211 (6 hours)
Fine Arts (3 hours)
Cultural Diversity (3 hours)
Humanities (3 hours)
Economics (3 hours)
Interdisciplinary Technology and Society (3 hours)
Biology 3105 -1107 , 3211 -1211 , 3213 -1213 (12 hours)
Chemistry 3105 -1105 , 3106 -1106 , (16 hours) 3324 -1324 , 3325 -1325
Mathematics 4110 ; Statistics 3280 , 1282 (8 hours)
Microbiology 4240 (4 hours)

Clinical Laboratory Science 1401 , 1406 , 1414 , 2311 , 3301 , 3303 , 3306 , 3308 , 3400 , 3401 , 3402 , 3404 , 3406 , 3410 , 3414 , 3415 , 4301 , 4406 ,4408 , 7406 , and 7407

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