MLAB 401: Foundations Medical Laboratory Science
Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in CHEM 301, BIOL 334, BIOL 334L, and BIOL 412.
Corequisites: MLAB 421C
Credit Hours: (14)
Students receive instruction to prepare them for clinical practice in Medical Laboratory Science. Instruction in laboratory operations and quality control, regulatory agencies and requirements, stages of clinical testing, and professionalism is included. Students focus on theory, application, and interpretation of normal and abnormal body processes to determine diagnoses, applicable testing methodologies, and treatment options.
Content
Students receive instruction to prepare them for clinical practice in Medical Laboratory Science. Instruction in laboratory operations and quality control, regulatory agencies and requirements, stages of clinical testing, and professionalism is included. Students focus on theory, application, and interpretation of normal and abnormal body processes to determine diagnoses, applicable testing methodologies, and treatment options.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Students engage in hands on clinical simulation experiences to ensure marriage of curricular content and skill development. These hands-on experiences are preceded by didactic instruction in testing theory, principles, and algorithms.
Students are frequently assessed on both recently discussed topics and cumulative instruction over the course of the semester. Written assessments are structured similarly to national certification exam to prepare students. Practical exams are administered at the midpoint and end of the course to assess competency in basic clinical laboratory skills. This repeat exposure to content allows for continuous interleaving of knowledge and understanding of the human body and its processes as a whole. Students learn disease progression and pathology in the context of expected clinical test results. Instruction focuses on pre- and post-analytical variables, as well as the actual analytical process, with emphasis on role of clinical laboratory in the healthcare team.
A mixture of traditional lectures, laboratory simulation exercises, textbook readings, presentation and discussion of case studies, and cooperative/group learning activities are used in this course.
Student Learning Outcomes
Successful students will:
Master the foundational principles of clinical laboratory science and testing, including
the pathological indications for performing specific laboratory tests
Understand system planning, including quality control and method validation
Assess a wide range of patient laboratory values and determine when values are abnormal
or potentially erroneous
Interpret and understand new protocols, technologies and advances in the field of
medical laboratory science specifically and medical science generally
Assessment Measures
Assessment strategies may include weekly quizzes, tests (online and in person), participation in and written reports following laboratory simulation exercises, classroom discussion participation, written and practical mid-term and final examinations.
Other Course Information
This course utilizes Brightspace D2L® as the learning management system.
This class may use Zoom, which is a web and video conferencing tool.
Regular attendance is required at scheduled lectures, simulations laboratory exercises, and class activities. Absences may be excused on a case by case basis and all absences should be communicated with program faculty as soon as is feasible.
Review and Approval
June, 2019
June 12, 2025
February 26, 2026