University of Texas at El Paso Academic Catalog

Academic Catalog

BS in Clinical Laboratory Science

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 databases, electronic charting, and sophisticated laboratory techniques such as flow cytometry, DNA, fingerprinting, PCR, and two-dimensional electrophoresis help ensure 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 (5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119).

Marketable Skills

  • Students will gain skills to perform diagnostic laboratory testing competently and ethically with the purpose contributing to the improvement of the population’s health and wellness.  
  • Students will have the opportunity to gain the necessary knowledge and experience to qualify for national MLS certification examinations.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate and apply their knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform, interpret, and report-out patient clinical laboratory test results as a clinical laboratory scientist.  
  • Students will gain experience through professional development offered through the program and UTEP EDGE experiences.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate entry-level medical laboratory science skills at or before the completion of didactic coursework prior to entering clinical rotations by achieving a minimum of 75% final grade on all classes.
  • Second year professional phase students will demonstrate entry-level skills at or before completion of their preceptorship in all three NAACLS enforced learning domains in 4 major areas (microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology) and 3 minors (serology, body fluids, coagulation) CLS core competency areas by achieving a minimum of 75%final grade on all preceptorship classes.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform, interpret, and report-out patient clinical laboratory test results as a clinical laboratory scientist by utilizing their skills and knowledge in community-based health fair capstone projects.

Students completing core and pre-professional courses must apply for the professional phase of the program in the spring semester. The application and application deadlines can be found on the Clinical Laboratory Science department webpage. All prerequisite courses must be completed before entering the professional phase of the program in the fall semester. Students are not allowed to take other courses concurrently with upper division, professional-phase CLS courses.  Applicants must have a minimum CGPA of 2.5 and a 2.75 GPA in math and sciences and must pass a drug screen and background check. University and clinical faculty may interview all applicants.

A limited number of clinical sites are available; therefore, students are selected in the spring semester to enter the professional phase once a year beginning in the Summer semester. Depending on the number of clinical affiliates available in any one year, a student might be required to attend clinical preceptorships outside the El Paso area at the student’s expense.

Students must complete all lower-division course work prior to enrolling in the professional Clinical Laboratory Science courses. Before enrolling in the clinical practicum, all students must show evidence of professional liability insurance, health insurance, current CPR certification, a recent physical examination, and current immunizations (titers), including hepatitis and influenza vaccinations. Some clinical affiliates may require students to provide proof of immunizations/titers for varicella, hepatitis B, measles, rubella, and rubeola, and twp-step TB proof of medical insurance.  To engage in clinical practicums, which are crucial to the curriculum, CLS students must undergo and pass a background check and drug screening. In addition, some clinical practicums require finger printing.

A grade of C (75%) or higher must be earned in each CLS class. If a student earns less than a C (75%), 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.  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 reserves 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 to take the national certification exam from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (BOC). Students passing the exam can use the initials MLS after their names.

Degree Plan

Required Credits: 133

University Core Curriculum
Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements.42
Clinical Lab Science Program Prerequisites
All CLSC courses require a C or better
Designated Core Courses: C
CHEM 1305
CHEM 1105
General Chemistry
and Laboratory for CHEM 1305
4
CHEM 1306
CHEM 1106
General Chemistry
and Laboratory for CHEM 1306
4
MATH 1411Calculus I4
Recommended Core:
PHIL 2306Ethics3
PSYC 1301Introduction to Psychology3
Program Prerequisites:
The courses below are also prerequisite courses requiring a C or better for other courses in the CLS degree plan
BIOL 1305
BIOL 1107
General Biology
and Topics in Study of Life I
4
BIOL 2313
BIOL 2113
Human Anat/Physiology II
and Human Anat/Physio Lab II
4
BIOL 3320Genetics3
CHEM 2324
CHEM 2124
Organic Chemistry
and Lab for Organic Chemistry 2324
4
CLSC 2210Intro to the Clinical Lab2
CLSC 2212Clinical Laboratory Statistics2
CLSC 3357Opportunist & Parasitic Infect3
MICR 2340
MICR 2141
General Microbiology
and Gen Microbiology Laboratory
4
Clinical Lab Science Core (Courses require a grade of C or better.)
Junior Year-Summer:
CLSC 3351Concepts in Immunodiagnostics3
Junior Year-Fall Semester:
CLSC 3153Body Fluids Lab1
CLSC 3155Clinical Chemistry I Lab1
CLSC 3161Serology Lab1
CLSC 3252Body Fluids2
CLSC 3257Hematology I Lab2
CLSC 3260Serology2
CLSC 3354Clinical Chemistry I3
CLSC 3356Hematology I3
Junior Year-Spring Semester:
CLSC 3164Clinical Chemistry II Lab1
CLSC 3167Infectious Dis Lab:Pre-Anal Op1
CLSC 3168Infec Dis Lab:Anal/Post-Ana Op1
CLSC 3269Immunohematology Lab2
CLSC 3364Hematology II3
CLSC 3365Clinical Chemistry II3
CLSC 3366Infectious Diseases3
CLSC 3368Immunohematology3
Senior Year - Summer
CLSC 4210Molecular Diagnostics2
CLSC 4111Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory1
Senior Year-Fall Semester:
CLSC 4471Preceptorship I4
CLSC 4472Preceptorship II4
CLSC 4273Clinical Education2
CLSC 4274Clinical Investigation2
Senior Year-Spring Semester:
CLSC 4100Ethics1
CLSC 4180Seminar1
CLSC 4275Clinical Lab Mgmt/Supervision2
CLSC 4476Preceptorship III4
CLSC 4478Preceptorship IV4
Total Hours133
C

Courses require a grade of C or better.

University Core Curriculum

The department may make specific suggestions for courses which are most applicable towards your major.

All courses require a C or better

I. Communication (six hours)

Courses in this category focus on developing ideas and expressing them clearly, considering the effect of the message, fostering understanding, and building the skills needed to communicate persuasively. Courses involve the command of oral, aural, written, and visual literacy skills that enable people to exchange messages appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience.
Select six hours of the following: 6
For students whose secondary education was in English:
Written and Oral Communication
Writing About Literature
Rhetoric & Composition I
Rhetoric & Composition 2
Rhetoric, Composition & Comm
For students whose secondary education was not in English:
Expos Engl Compos-Spkr Esl
Res & Crit Writng Spkr Esl
Total Hours6

II. American History (six hours)

Courses in this category focus on the consideration of past events and ideas relative to the United States, with the option of including Texas History for a portion of this component area. Courses involve the interaction among individuals, communities, states, the nation, and the world, considering how these interactions have contributed to the development of the United States and its global role.
HIST 1301History of U.S. to 18653
HIST 1302History of U.S. Since 18653
Total Hours6

III. Language, Philosophy & Culture  (three hours)

Courses in this category focus on how ideas, values, beliefs, and other aspects of culture express and affect human experience. Courses involve the exploration of ideas that foster aesthetic and intellectual creation in order to understand the human condition across cultures.
Select one of the following:3
Intro-African Amer Studies
Latina/o Presence in the U.S.
English Literature
English Literature
Intro to American Fiction
Intro to American Drama
Intro to American Poetry
Making of the "Other" Americas
World History to 1500
World History Since 1500
Introduction to Philosophy
Ethics
Introduct to Religious Studies
Seeing & Naming: Conversations
Introduction to Womens Studies
Global Feminisms
Total Hours3

IV. Mathematics  (three hours)

Courses in this category focus on quantitative literacy in logic, patterns, and relationships. Courses involve the understanding of key mathematical concepts and the application of appropriate quantitative tools to everyday experience.
Select one of the following:3
College Algebra
Trigonometry and Conics
Math in the Modern World
Math for Social Sciences I
Calculus I
Precalculus 1,2
Math for Social Sciences II
Statistical Literacy
Elementary Statistical Methods
1 A higher-level course in the calculus sequence can be substituted.
2 TCCN MATH 1314 will also satisfy this requirement.
Total Hours3

V. Life & Physical Sciences  (six hours)

Courses in this category focus on describing, explaining, and predicting natural phenomena using the scientific method. Courses involve the understanding of interactions among natural phenomena and the implications of scientific principles on the physical world and on experiences.
Select one of the following:1-4
Astronomy Lab I
Elem Astronomy-Solar System
Elem Astr Stars & Galaxies
Introductory Biology Lab
Human Biology Laboratory
Topics in Study of Life I
Organismal Biology Laboratory
Introductory Biology
Human Biology
General Biology
Organismal Biology
Human Anat/Physio Lab I
Human Anat/Physio Lab II
Human Anat/Physiology I
Human Anat/Physiology II
Laboratory for CHEM 1305
Laboratory for CHEM 1306
Intro General Chemistry Lab
Intro Organic & Biochem Lab
General Chemistry
General Chemistry
Intro to General Chemistry
Intro Organic & Biochemistry
Environmental Sci. Lab
Non-major Lab for ESCI 1301
Intro to Environment Science 2
Intro to Environmental Sci
Laboratory for GEOG 1306
Physical Geography
Lab for GEOL 1313
Lab for GEOL 1314
Principles of Earth Sci - Lab
Laboratory for Geology 1212
Principles of Earth Sciences
Principles of Earth Science
The Blue Planet
Natural Hazards
Intro to Physical Geology
Intro to Historical Geol
Fundamentals of Nutrition
Wellness Dynamics
Microorganisms and Disease
General Physics I
General Physics II
Laboratory for PHYS 2320
Laboratory for PHYS 2321
Introductory Mechanics
Introductory Electromagnetism
Total Hours 6

VI. Political Science  (six hours)

Courses in this category focus on consideration of the Constitution of the United States and the constitutions of the states, with special emphasis on that of Texas. Courses involve the analysis of governmental institutions, political behavior, civic engagement, and their political and philosophical foundations.
Required Courses:
POLS 2310Introduction to Politics3
POLS 2311American Gover & Politics3
Total Hours6

VII. Social and Behavioral Sciences  (three hours)

Courses in this category focus on the application of empirical and scientific methods that contribute to the understanding of what makes us human. Courses involve the exploration of behavior and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, and events, examining their impact on the individual, society, and culture.
Select one of the following:3
Intro-Phys Anth/Archeolog
Intro-Cultural Anthropology
Cultural Geography
Intro to Linguistics
Econ for Engrs & Scientists
Intro to Chicano Studies
Asian American Studies
Interpersonal Communication
Mass Media and Society
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Introduction to Ed Psychology
Action Research in Classrooms
Introduction to Linguistics
Cultural Geography
Community Service
An Intro. to Linguistics
Lang. Inside & Out: Sel Topics
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Cultural Geography
Total Hours3

VIII. Creative Arts (three hours)

Courses in this category focus on the appreciation and analysis of creative artifacts and works of the human imagination. Courses involve the synthesis and interpretation of artistic expression and enable critical, creative, and innovative communication about works of art.
Select one of the following:3
Art Appreciation
History of Art I
History of Art II
Chicana/o Fine Arts Appreciat
Dance Appreciation
Intro-Art of Motion Pict.
Music Appreciation
Jazz to Rock
Music, Culture, and Society
Introduction to Theatre
Total Hours3

IX. Component Area Option (six hours)

a. A minimum of 3 SCH must meet the definition and corresponding Core Objectives specified in one of the foundational component areas. b. As an option for up to 3 semester credit hours of the Component Area Option, an institution may select course(s) that: (i) Meet(s) the definition specified for one or more of the foundational component areas; and (ii) Include(s) a minimum of three Core Objectives, including Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, and one of the remaining Core Objectives of the institution's choice.
Intro to Global Business
Public Speaking
Business/Profession Comm
Intro-Computational Thinking
Computer Programming Sci/Engr
Eng Innovation and Leadership
Introduction to Leadership
Inquiry in Math & Science
Seminar/Critical Inquiry
Total Hours0
 

4-Year Sample Degree Plan

BS Clinical Laboratory Science (Starting with Pre-Calculus)

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
(Starting with Pre-Calculus)
FRESHMAN
Fall
CHEM 1305
CHEM 1105
General Chemistry
and Laboratory for CHEM 1305
4
MATH 1508Precalculus5
RWS 1301Rhetoric & Composition I3
or ESOL 1311 Expos Engl Compos-Spkr Esl
Component Core I3
Spring
BIOL 1305
BIOL 1107
General Biology
and Topics in Study of Life I
4
CHEM 1306
CHEM 1106
General Chemistry
and Laboratory for CHEM 1306
4
HIST 1301History of U.S. to 18653
MATH 1411Calculus I4
RWS 1302Rhetoric & Composition 23
or ESOL 1312 Res & Crit Writng Spkr Esl
or ENGL 1313 Writing About Literature
Summer
Component Core II
HIST 1302History of U.S. Since 18653
Social and Behavioral Sciences Core3
Creative Arts Core3
SOPHOMORE
Fall
BIOL 2313
BIOL 2113
Human Anat/Physiology II
and Human Anat/Physio Lab II
4
CHEM 2324
CHEM 2124
Organic Chemistry
and Lab for Organic Chemistry 2324
4
CLSC 2210Intro to the Clinical Lab2
MICR 2340
MICR 2141
General Microbiology
and Gen Microbiology Laboratory
4
POLS 2310Introduction to Politics3
Spring
BIOL 3320Genetics3
CLSC 2212Clinical Laboratory Statistics2
CLSC 3357Opportunist & Parasitic Infect3
POLS 2311American Gover & Politics3
Language, Philosophy, and Culture Core
Summer
CLSC 3351Concepts in Immunodiagnostics3
JUNIOR
Fall
CLSC 3252
CLSC 3153
Body Fluids
and Body Fluids Lab
3
CLSC 3260
CLSC 3161
Serology
and Serology Lab
3
CLSC 3354
CLSC 3155
Clinical Chemistry I
and Clinical Chemistry I Lab
4
CLSC 3356
CLSC 3257
Hematology I
and Hematology I Lab
5
Spring
CLSC 3167
CLSC 3168
Infectious Dis Lab:Pre-Anal Op
and Infec Dis Lab:Anal/Post-Ana Op
2
CLSC 3364Hematology II3
CLSC 3365
CLSC 3164
Clinical Chemistry II
and Clinical Chemistry II Lab
4
CLSC 3366Infectious Diseases3
CLSC 3368
CLSC 3269
Immunohematology
and Immunohematology Lab
5
Summer
CLSC 4210Molecular Diagnostics2
CLSC 4111Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory1
SENIOR
Fall
CLSC 4273Clinical Education2
CLSC 4274Clinical Investigation2
CLSC 4471Preceptorship I4
CLSC 4472Preceptorship II4
Spring
CLSC 4100Ethics1
CLSC 4180Seminar1
CLSC 4275Clinical Lab Mgmt/Supervision2
CLSC 4476Preceptorship III4
CLSC 4478Preceptorship IV4
Total133

BS Clinical Laboratory Science (Starting with Calculus)

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
(Starting with Pre-Calculus)
FRESHMAN
Fall
CHEM 1305
CHEM 1105
General Chemistry
and Laboratory for CHEM 1305
4
MATH 1411Calculus I4
RWS 1301Rhetoric & Composition I3
or ESOL 1311 Expos Engl Compos-Spkr Esl
Component Core I3
Spring
BIOL 1305
BIOL 1107
General Biology
and Topics in Study of Life I
4
CHEM 1306
CHEM 1106
General Chemistry
and Laboratory for CHEM 1306
4
HIST 1301History of U.S. to 18653
RWS 1302Rhetoric & Composition 23
or ESOL 1312 Res & Crit Writng Spkr Esl
or ENGL 1313 Writing About Literature
Summer
Component Core II3
HIST 1302History of U.S. Since 18653
Social and Behavioral Sciences Core 3
Creative Arts Core3
SOPHOMORE
Fall
BIOL 2313
BIOL 2113
Human Anat/Physiology II
and Human Anat/Physio Lab II
4
CHEM 2324
CHEM 2124
Organic Chemistry
and Lab for Organic Chemistry 2324
4
CLSC 2210Intro to the Clinical Lab2
MICR 2340
MICR 2141
General Microbiology
and Gen Microbiology Laboratory
4
POLS 2310Introduction to Politics3
Spring
BIOL 3320Genetics3
CLSC 2212Clinical Laboratory Statistics2
CLSC 3357Opportunist & Parasitic Infect3
POLS 2311American Gover & Politics3
Language, Philosophy, and Culture Core
Summer
CLSC 3351Concepts in Immunodiagnostics3
JUNIOR
Fall
CLSC 3252
CLSC 3153
Body Fluids
and Body Fluids Lab
3
CLSC 3260
CLSC 3161
Serology
and Serology Lab
3
CLSC 3354
CLSC 3155
Clinical Chemistry I
and Clinical Chemistry I Lab
4
CLSC 3356
CLSC 3257
Hematology I
and Hematology I Lab
5
Spring
CLSC 3167
CLSC 3168
Infectious Dis Lab:Pre-Anal Op
and Infec Dis Lab:Anal/Post-Ana Op
2
CLSC 3364Hematology II3
CLSC 3365
CLSC 3164
Clinical Chemistry II
and Clinical Chemistry II Lab
4
CLSC 3366Infectious Diseases3
CLSC 3368
CLSC 3269
Immunohematology
and Immunohematology Lab
5
Summer
CLSC 4210Molecular Diagnostics2
CLSC 4111Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory1
SENIOR
Fall
CLSC 4273Clinical Education2
CLSC 4274Clinical Investigation2
CLSC 4471Preceptorship I4
CLSC 4472Preceptorship II4
Spring
CLSC 4100Ethics1
CLSC 4180Seminar1
CLSC 4275Clinical Lab Mgmt/Supervision2
CLSC 4476Preceptorship III4
CLSC 4478Preceptorship IV4
Total133