Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science
Working behind the scenes, medical laboratory scientists use sophisticated instruments to analyze blood and other body tissue and fluids. They provide the essential information used to make diagnoses and plan treatment. The University of Kansas's one-of-a-kind program offers advanced training and technology combined with real-world experience for students interested in clinical laboratory science. Students can learn in an innovative program featuring diagnostic molecular science and medical laboratory science concentrations.
Students interested in clinical laboratory science should contact an advisor early in their college work. This program requires two years of preparatory college course work and two years of professional course work in the CLS program at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Students with a bachelor's degree who have completed the prerequisites are also encouraged to apply.
This program requires two years of preparatory college study and two years of professional course work in clinical laboratory science. Interested students should contact the department at KU Medical Center for advising as early as possible in their college careers (advising is also available through Jayhawk Academic Advising on the Lawrence campus).
Applications are available online. The program begins each fall semester. The priority deadline for applications is December 15 of the year before the anticipated start date. Also required: complete college transcript(s), a resume, and three letters of recommendation, two of which should be from college science instructors.
Admission Requirements
An applicant to the program must have completed, or be on track to complete, the required college preparatory course work, with a minimum grade of C- in each prerequisite course, before entering the program in the fall. The student must have earned a 2.70 GPA overall and must also have earned a 2.70 science GPA.
International students, or those for whom English is a second language, may have additional requirements relative to language proficiency, residency, and citizenship status. See: information for international students
Good physical and mental health is essential. Minor physical handicaps are not considered deterrents to admission. Physical examinations are required before registration in CLS course work. The admissions committee requires a personal interview with the applicant.
A background check and documentation of a shadowing experience are also required. Prospective students should review the program requirements, including prerequisite course work, and complete list of eligibility requirements.
Prerequisites
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English | ||
| ENGL 101 | Composition | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Reading and Writing | 3 |
| or BUS 305 | Business Writing | |
| Mathematics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-5 | |
| MATH 101 | College Algebra: _____ | 3 |
| MATH 104 | Precalculus Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH 115 | Calculus I | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| MATH 107 | Introductory Statistics: _____ | 3 |
| BIOL 370 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 4 |
| PSYC 210 | Statistics in Psychological Research | 3 |
| Biology | ||
| BIOL 150 | Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 350 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| BIOL 246 | Principles of Human Physiology | 3 |
| BIOL 544 | Comparative Animal Physiology | 3 |
| BIOL 546 | Mammalian Physiology | 3 |
| Microbiology | ||
| BIOL 400 | Fundamentals of Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOL 402 | Fundamentals of Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 130 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM 135 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| CHEM 330 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 331 | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 2 |
| Communication Studies | ||
| Communication course | 3 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | ||
| One humanities course | 3 | |
| One social sciences course | 3 | |
| One Global Culture Course | 3 | |
| One US Culture Course | 3 | |
| Recommended Elective | ||
| CLS 210 | Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Sciences (recommended) | 1 |
The following courses are included during the first year (junior year) of the professional program. Students with credit for equivalent courses do not need to enroll in them if they earned a C- or better in the course:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CLS 538 | Immunology | 3 |
| CLS 600 | Introductory Biochemistry | 3 |
Following 2 years of preparatory undergraduate study, students enter the program as juniors. A clinical concentration and molecular biotechnology concentration are available. Until the second semester of the senior year, students in both concentrations take the same course work. Also during the senior year, students rotate through 14 to 16 weeks of practicum experience at collaborating affiliates.
A new course of study, categorical concentration, has been developed for science majors who already hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and are currently working in a clinical laboratory in hematology, chemistry, or microbiology.
Clinical Concentration Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core 34 General Education (34 hours) | ||
| The Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science has a deviation of the Core 34 for students admitted to this program. For these students, the Core 34 consists of the following requirements: English (6), Communications (3), Math & Statistics (3), Natural & Physical Sciences with lab (10), Social & Behavioral Sciences (3), Arts & Humanities (3), US Culture (3), and Global Culture (3) | 21 | |
| MATH 101 | College Algebra: _____ | 3 |
| or MATH 104 | Precalculus Mathematics | |
| or MATH 115 | Calculus I | |
MATH 101 College Algebra is the "math pathway" course. This course will fulfill your Core 34 Math and Statistics requirement. | ||
| CHEM 130 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM 135 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| Additional Admissions Requirements | ||
| Math | ||
| MATH 107 | Introductory Statistics: _____ | 3 |
| or BIOL 370 | Introduction to Biostatistics | |
| or PSYC 210 | Statistics in Psychological Research | |
| Biology | ||
| BIOL 150 | Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 350 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
| BIOL 246 | Principles of Human Physiology | 3 |
| or BIOL 544 | Comparative Animal Physiology | |
| or BIOL 546 | Mammalian Physiology | |
| Microbiology | ||
| BIOL 400 | Fundamentals of Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOL 402 | Fundamentals of Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 330 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 331 | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 2 |
| Recommended Elective | ||
| CLS 210 | Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Sciences This course is recommended. | 1 |
| Major Requirements | ||
Taken after admission to the program | ||
| CLS 520 | Phlebotomy | 1 |
| CLS 530 | Clinical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CLS 531 | Clinical Chemistry, Urinalysis, and Body Fluids Laboratory | 2 |
| CLS 532 | Clinical Microbiology I | 3 |
| CLS 533 | Clinical Microbiology I Laboratory | 2 |
| CLS 536 | Hematology I | 3 |
| CLS 537 | Hematology I Laboratory | 2 |
| CLS 538 | Immunology | 3 |
| or BIOL 503 | Immunology | |
| CLS 539 | Fundamental Techniques and Clinical Immunology Laboratory | 3 |
| CLS 540 | Clinical Chemistry II | 2 |
| CLS 541 | Professional Development | 2 |
| CLS 542 | Clinical Microbiology II | 2 |
| CLS 543 | Clinical Microbiology II Laboratory | 2 |
| CLS 544 | Immunohematology I | 3 |
| CLS 545 | Immunohematology I Laboratory | 2 |
| CLS 546 | Hematology II | 3 |
| CLS 547 | Hematology II Laboratory | 2 |
| CLS 600 | Introductory Biochemistry | 3 |
| or BIOL 600 | Introductory Biochemistry, Lectures | |
| CLS 605 | Introduction to Molecular Diagnostics I | 1 |
| CLS 607 | Introduction to Molecular Diagnostics I Laboratory | 1 |
| CLS 638 | Clinical Competency Review | 0 |
| CLS 639 | Urinalysis | 1 |
| CLS 640 | Clinical Chemistry III and Immunology II | 2 |
| CLS 641 | Clinical Chemistry and Immunology Practicum | 3 |
| CLS 642 | Clinical Microbiology III | 2 |
| CLS 643 | Clinical Microbiology Practicum | 3 |
| CLS 646 | Hematology III | 2 |
| CLS 644 | Immunohematology II | 1 |
| CLS 645 | Immunohematology Practicum | 2 |
| CLS 647 | Hematology Practicum | 3 |
| CLS 650 | Clinical Laboratory Science Review | 0 |
| CLS 661 | Management Principles in Health Care | 2 |
| Total Hours | 124 | |
Molecular Biotechnology Concentration Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core 34 General Education (34 hours) | ||
| The Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science has a deviation of the Core 34 for students admitted to the program. For these students, the Core 34 consists of the following requirements: English (6), Communications (3), Math & Statistics (3), Natural & Physical Sciences with lab (10), Social & Behavioral Sciences (3), Art & Humanities (3), US Culture (3), and Global Culture (3) | 21 | |
| MATH 101 | College Algebra: _____ | 3 |
| or MATH 104 | Precalculus Mathematics | |
| or MATH 115 | Calculus I | |
MATH 101 College Algebra is the "math pathway" course. This course will fulfill your Core 34 Math and Statistics requirement. | ||
| CHEM 130 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM 135 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| Additional admissions requirements | ||
| Math | ||
| MATH 107 | Introductory Statistics: _____ | 3 |
| or BIOL 370 | Introduction to Biostatistics | |
| or PSYC 210 | Statistics in Psychological Research | |
| Biology | ||
| BIOL 150 | Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 350 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
| BIOL 246 | Principles of Human Physiology | 3 |
| or BIOL 544 | Comparative Animal Physiology | |
| or BIOL 546 | Mammalian Physiology | |
| Microbiology | ||
| BIOL 400 | Fundamentals of Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOL 402 | Fundamentals of Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 330 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 331 | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 2 |
| Recommended Elective | ||
| CLS 210 | Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Sciences | 1 |
| Major Requirements | ||
Taken after admission to the program | ||
| CLS 520 | Phlebotomy | 1 |
| CLS 530 | Clinical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CLS 531 | Clinical Chemistry, Urinalysis, and Body Fluids Laboratory | 2 |
| CLS 532 | Clinical Microbiology I | 3 |
| CLS 533 | Clinical Microbiology I Laboratory | 2 |
| CLS 536 | Hematology I | 3 |
| CLS 537 | Hematology I Laboratory | 2 |
| CLS 538 | Immunology | 3 |
| or BIOL 503 | Immunology | |
| CLS 539 | Fundamental Techniques and Clinical Immunology Laboratory | 3 |
| CLS 540 | Clinical Chemistry II | 2 |
| CLS 541 | Professional Development | 2 |
| CLS 542 | Clinical Microbiology II | 2 |
| CLS 543 | Clinical Microbiology II Laboratory | 2 |
| CLS 544 | Immunohematology I | 3 |
| CLS 545 | Immunohematology I Laboratory | 2 |
| CLS 546 | Hematology II | 3 |
| CLS 547 | Hematology II Laboratory | 2 |
| CLS 600 | Introductory Biochemistry | 3 |
| or BIOL 600 | Introductory Biochemistry, Lectures | |
| CLS 605 | Introduction to Molecular Diagnostics I | 1 |
| CLS 607 | Introduction to Molecular Diagnostics I Laboratory | 1 |
| CLS 608 | Introduction to Advanced Biotechniques | 0 |
| CLS 609 | Introduction to Advanced Biotechniques Laboratory | 0 |
| CLS 610 | Advanced Biotechniques Lecture | 3 |
| CLS 611 | Advanced Biotechniques Laboratory | 2 |
| CLS 621 | Biotechnology Methodologies Practicum | 4 |
| CLS 622 | Problems in Molecular Diagnostics | 2 |
| CLS 623 | Molecular Genetics Practicum | 4 |
| CLS 633 | Special Topics Practicum | 4 |
| CLS 655 | Molecular Biotechnology Review | 0 |
| CLS 661 | Management Principles in Health Care | 2 |
| Total Hours | 124 | |
This is a sample plan of student for students completing the Clinical Concentration. For information about the plan of study for the bachelors of science in clinical laboratory science, please contact a CLS advisor. Advising and campus visits are available Monday-Friday by appointment. Please email clsed@kumc.edu for information.
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| ENGL 101 (Core 34: English (SGE))010 | 3 | ENGL 102 (Core 34: English (SGE))010 | 3 | ||
| CHEM 130 (Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE)))040*** | 5 | BIOL 150 | 3 | ||
| MATH 101, 115, or 104 (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE))030 | 3 | CHEM 135 (Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE))040*** | 5 | ||
| Social Science elective (Core 34: Social and Behavioral Sciences (SGE))050 | 3 | Humanities elective (Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE))060 | 3 | ||
| CLS 210 (Elective - Can be taken once during any of the first 4 semesters) | 1 | ||||
| 15 | 14 | ||||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| CHEM 330 | 3 | BIOL 350 or BSCI 350 | 4 | ||
| CHEM 331 | 2 | Communications Course (Core 34: Communications (SGE))020 | 3 | ||
| BIOL 400 or BSCI 400 | 3 | MATH 365, BIOL 370, or PSYC 210 | 3 | ||
| BIOL 402 or BSCI 401 | 2 | Global Culture elective (Core 34: Global Culture (SGE))070 | 3 | ||
| US Culture elective (Core 34: US Culture (SGE))070 | 3 | ||||
| BIOL 246, 544, 546, or BSCI 546 | 3 | ||||
| 16 | 13 | ||||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| CLS 520 | 1 | CLS 530 | 3 | CLS 605 | 1 |
| CLS 536 | 3 | CLS 531 | 2 | CLS 607 | 1 |
| CLS 537 | 2 | CLS 532 | 3 | CLS 661 | 2 |
| CLS 538, BIOL 503, or BSCI 503 | 3 | CLS 533 | 2 | ||
| CLS 539 | 3 | CLS 546 | 3 | ||
| CLS 600, BIOL 600, or BSCI 600 | 3 | CLS 547 | 2 | ||
| 15 | 15 | 4 | |||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| CLS 540 | 2 | CLS 639 | 1 | ||
| CLS 541 | 2 | CLS 640 | 2 | ||
| CLS 542 | 2 | CLS 641 | 3 | ||
| CLS 543 | 2 | CLS 642 | 2 | ||
| CLS 544 | 3 | CLS 643 | 3 | ||
| CLS 545 | 2 | CLS 644 | 1 | ||
| CLS 638 | 0 | CLS 645 | 2 | ||
| CLS 646 | 2 | ||||
| CLS 647 | 3 | ||||
| CLS 650 | 0 | ||||
| 13 | 19 | ||||
| Total Hours 124 | |||||
The Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science has been approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to have a deviation from the standard Systemwide General Education requirements to modify where some of the hours are now distributed. This program also has an approved requirement of 124 total student credit hours for completion. The adjustments were made in the following discipline areas:
- Natural & Physical Sciences - increased from 4-5 hours to 10 hours
- Social & Behavioral Sciences - decreased from 6 hours to 3 hours
- Arts & Humanities - decreased from 6 hours to 3 hours
* - This course is a Required major course and is also part of Core 34: Systemwide General Education. If this course is not taken to fulfill the Core 34:SGE requirement, it must be taken in place of elective hours.
** - This course is a Recommended Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This specific course is not required but is recommended by the program’s faculty.
*** - This course is a Required Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This program is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to require this specific Core 34:Systemwide General Education course. If a student did not take this course it must be taken in addition to other degree requirements.
Upon graduating from the KU Med BS in Clinical Laboratory Science programs, individuals will:
- Possess theoretical knowledge and technical skills in the areas of clinical chemistry, hematology/hemostasis, immunology, immunohematology/transfusion medicine, microbiology, urine and body fluid analysis, laboratory operations, molecular, and other emerging diagnostics; ILG1, ILG3
- Evaluate and monitor methods of collection, transport, and handling of various specimen types for laboratory analysis; ILG3
- Integrate and interpret data, and participate in the development and evaluation of test systems and interpretive algorithms; ILG1, ILG3
- Apply safety and governmental regulations and standards, and practices of administration and supervision, as applicable to clinical laboratory science; ILG5, ILG6
- Apply principles and practices of professional conduct and recognize the significance of continuing professional development; ILG5
- Support the needs of patients, the public, and members of the health care team through effective communication; IGL2
Technical Standards are the abilities and expectations for students admitted to KU's clinical laboratory science program. Graduates of the clinical laboratory science program must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical, research and industrial laboratory settings. The abilities and expectations that must be met by all students in the program are identified here.