Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science
As “illness investigators,” 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' one-of-a-kind program offers cutting-edge training and technology combined with real-world experience for students interested in clinical laboratory science. Students learn in a innovative dual-track program featuring molecular biotechnology and the traditional clinical 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, Kan. The program also is open to students with a bachelor's degree and having completed the prerequisites.
This program requires two years of preparatory college study (57 hours minimum) 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 in the Undergraduate Advising Center on the Lawrence campus).
Applications are available online. The program begins each fall semester. Applications should be submitted by December 15 of the year before the anticipated start date. Also required: complete college transcript(s) and three letters of recommendation, two of which should be from college basic 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 in the following courses: chemistry, biology, and math.
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 shadow experience is 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 | |
College Algebra: _____ | ||
Precalculus Mathematics | ||
Calculus I | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Elementary Statistics | ||
Introduction to Biostatistics | ||
Statistics in Psychological Research | ||
Biology | ||
BIOL 150 | Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology | 3 |
BIOL 350 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
Principles of Human Physiology | ||
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 (one course that fulfills KU Core Goal 2.2) | 3 | |
Liberal Arts and Sciences | ||
Humanities elective (1 course that meets KU Core Goal 3H) | 3 | |
Social sciences elective (1 course that meets KU Core Goal 3S) | 3 | |
Electives | ||
Elective that meets KU Core Goal 4.1 | 3 | |
Elective that meets KU Core Goal 4.2 | 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 previous credit for these courses or equivalents do not need to enroll in them if they earned a C or better in the course:
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
BIOL 503 | Immunology | 3 |
or CLS 538 | Immunology | |
BIOL 600 | Introductory Biochemistry, Lectures (or equivalent) | 3 |
or CLS 600 | Introductory Biochemistry |
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 |
---|---|---|
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 |
Molecular Biotechnology Concentration Curriculum
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
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 |