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
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
University Core Curriculum | ||
Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. | 42 | |
Clinical Lab Science 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 1411 | Calculus I | 4 |
Recommended Core: | ||
PHIL 2306 | Ethics | 3 |
PSYC 1301 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
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 3320 | Genetics | 3 |
CHEM 2324 & CHEM 2124 | Organic Chemistry and Lab for Organic Chemistry 2324 | 4 |
CLSC 2210 | Intro to the Clinical Lab | 2 |
CLSC 2212 | Clinical Laboratory Statistics | 2 |
CLSC 3357 | Opportunist & Parasitic Infect | 3 |
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 3351 | Concepts in Immunodiagnostics | 3 |
Junior Year-Fall Semester: | ||
CLSC 3153 | Body Fluids Lab | 1 |
CLSC 3155 | Clinical Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
CLSC 3161 | Serology Lab | 1 |
CLSC 3252 | Body Fluids | 2 |
CLSC 3257 | Hematology I Lab | 2 |
CLSC 3260 | Serology | 2 |
CLSC 3354 | Clinical Chemistry I | 3 |
CLSC 3356 | Hematology I | 3 |
Junior Year-Spring Semester: | ||
CLSC 3164 | Clinical Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
CLSC 3167 | Intectious Dis Lab:Pre-Anal Op | 1 |
CLSC 3168 | Infec Dis Lab:Anal/Post-Ana Op | 1 |
CLSC 3269 | Immunohematology Lab | 2 |
CLSC 3364 | Hematology II | 3 |
CLSC 3365 | Clinical Chemistry II | 3 |
CLSC 3366 | Infectious Diseases | 3 |
CLSC 3368 | Immunohematology | 3 |
Senior Year - Summer | ||
CLSC 4111 | Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory | 1 |
Senior Year-Fall Semester: | ||
CLSC 4210 | Molecular Diagnostics | 2 |
CLSC 4471 | Preceptorship I | 4 |
CLSC 4472 | Preceptorship II | 4 |
CLSC 4273 | Clinical Education | 2 |
CLSC 4274 | Clinical Investigation | 2 |
Senior Year-Spring Semester: | ||
CLSC 4100 | Ethics | 1 |
CLSC 4180 | Seminar | 1 |
CLSC 4275 | Clinical Lab Mgmt/Supervision | 2 |
CLSC 4476 | Preceptorship III | 4 |
CLSC 4478 | Preceptorship IV | 4 |
Total Hours | 133 |
- 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
Communication (six hours)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
The objective of the communication component is to enable the student to communicate effectively in clear and correct prose or orally in a style 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 Hours | 6 |
American History (six hours)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
The objectives of the history component are to expand students’ knowledge of the origin and history of the U.S., their comprehension of the past and current role of the U.S. in the world, and their ability to critically evaluate and analyze historical evidence. U.S. history courses (three hours must be Texas history) include: | ||
HIST 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
Total Hours | 6 |
Language, Philosophy & Culture (three hours)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
The objective of the humanities component is to expand students' knowledge of the human condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas, and values expressed in works of human imagination and thought. Through study in disciplines such as literature and philosophy, students engage in critical analysis and develop an appreciation of the humanities as fundamental to the health and survival of any society. | ||
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 Hours | 3 |
Mathematics (three hours)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
The objective of the mathematics component is to develop a quantitatively literate college graduate. Every college graduate should be able to apply basic mathematical tools in the solution of real-world problems. | ||
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 Hours | 3 |
Life & Physical Sciences (six hours)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
The objective of the study of the natural sciences is to enable the student to understand, construct, and evaluate relationships in the natural sciences, and to enable the student to understand the bases for building and testing theories. The courses listed are for non-majors; the major courses in the discipline can be substituted for the non-major sequence. A minimum of two semesters of lecture and one semester of laboratory associated with one of the courses, or two semesters of combined (3 credit) lecture-laboratory courses (Only six hours apply toward the required 42.): | ||
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 |
Political Science (six hours)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
The objectives of the political science component are to expand students’ knowledge of the origin and evolution of the U.S. and Texas political systems, focusing on the growth of political institutions, and on the constitutions of Texas and the United States; and to enhance their understanding of federalism, states rights, and individual civil liberties, rights, and responsibilities. | ||
Required Courses: | ||
POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
Total Hours | 6 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (three hours)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
The objective of the social and behavioral science component is to increase students' knowledge of how social and behavioral scientists discover, describe, and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events, and ideas. Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles they play in addressing the issues facing humanity. | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Intro-Phys Anth/Archeolog | ||
Intro-Cultural Anthropology | ||
Cultural Geography | ||
Intro to Linguistics | ||
Econ for Engrs & Scientists | ||
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 Hours | 3 |
Creative Arts (three hours)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
The objective of the visual and performing arts component is to expand students' knowledge and appreciation of the human imagination as expressed through works of visual art, dance, music, theatre and film. Through study in these disciplines, students will form aesthetic judgments and develop an appreciation of the arts as fundamental to the health and survival of any society. | ||
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 Hours | 3 |
Component Area Option (six hours)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
The objective of the institutionally designated option component is to develop the critical thinking skills and academic tools required to be an effective learner. Special emphasis is placed on the use of technology in problem-solving, communications, and knowledge acquisition. | ||
Select two of the following: | 6 | |
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 Hours | 6 |
4-Year Sample Degree Plan
BS Clinical Laboratory Science (Starting with Pre-Calculus)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
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 1508 | Precalculus | 5 |
RWS 1301 | Rhetoric & Composition I | 3 |
or ESOL 1311 | Expos Engl Compos-Spkr Esl | |
UNIV 1301 | Seminar/Critical Inquiry | 3 |
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 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
MATH 1411 | Calculus I | 4 |
RWS 1302 | Rhetoric & Composition 2 | 3 |
or ESOL 1312 | Res & Crit Writng Spkr Esl | |
or ENGL 1313 | Writing About Literature | |
Summer | ||
COMM 1301 | Public Speaking | 3 |
HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
Visual & Perf. Arts Core | 3 | |
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 2210 | Intro to the Clinical Lab | 2 |
MICR 2340 & MICR 2141 | General Microbiology and Gen Microbiology Laboratory | 4 |
POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
Spring | ||
BIOL 3320 | Genetics | 3 |
CLSC 2212 | Clinical Laboratory Statistics | 2 |
CLSC 3357 | Opportunist & Parasitic Infect | 3 |
POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
Language, Philosophy, and Culture | ||
Summer | ||
CLSC 3351 | Concepts in Immunodiagnostics | 3 |
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 | Intectious Dis Lab:Pre-Anal Op and Infec Dis Lab:Anal/Post-Ana Op | 2 |
CLSC 3364 | Hematology II | 3 |
CLSC 3365 & CLSC 3164 | Clinical Chemistry II and Clinical Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
CLSC 3366 | Infectious Diseases | 3 |
CLSC 3368 & CLSC 3269 | Immunohematology and Immunohematology Lab | 5 |
Summer | ||
CLSC 4111 | Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory | 1 |
SENIOR | ||
Fall | ||
CLSC 4210 | Molecular Diagnostics | 2 |
CLSC 4273 | Clinical Education | 2 |
CLSC 4274 | Clinical Investigation | 2 |
CLSC 4471 | Preceptorship I | 4 |
CLSC 4472 | Preceptorship II | 4 |
Spring | ||
CLSC 4100 | Ethics | 1 |
CLSC 4180 | Seminar | 1 |
CLSC 4275 | Clinical Lab Mgmt/Supervision | 2 |
CLSC 4476 | Preceptorship III | 4 |
CLSC 4478 | Preceptorship IV | 4 |
Total | 133 |
BS Clinical Laboratory Science (Starting with Calculus)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
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 1411 | Calculus I | 4 |
RWS 1301 | Rhetoric & Composition I | 3 |
or ESOL 1311 | Expos Engl Compos-Spkr Esl | |
UNIV 1301 | Seminar/Critical Inquiry | 3 |
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 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
RWS 1302 | Rhetoric & Composition 2 | 3 |
or ESOL 1312 | Res & Crit Writng Spkr Esl | |
or ENGL 1313 | Writing About Literature | |
Summer | ||
COMM 1301 | Public Speaking | 3 |
HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
Visual & Perf. Arts Core | 3 | |
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 2210 | Intro to the Clinical Lab | 2 |
MICR 2340 & MICR 2141 | General Microbiology and Gen Microbiology Laboratory | 4 |
POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
Spring | ||
BIOL 3320 | Genetics | 3 |
CLSC 2212 | Clinical Laboratory Statistics | 2 |
CLSC 3357 | Opportunist & Parasitic Infect | 3 |
POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
Language, Philosophy, and Culture | ||
Summer | ||
CLSC 3351 | Concepts in Immunodiagnostics | 3 |
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 | Intectious Dis Lab:Pre-Anal Op and Infec Dis Lab:Anal/Post-Ana Op | 2 |
CLSC 3364 | Hematology II | 3 |
CLSC 3365 & CLSC 3164 | Clinical Chemistry II and Clinical Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
CLSC 3366 | Infectious Diseases | 3 |
CLSC 3368 & CLSC 3269 | Immunohematology and Immunohematology Lab | 5 |
Summer | ||
CLSC 4111 | Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory | 1 |
SENIOR | ||
Fall | ||
CLSC 4210 | Molecular Diagnostics | 2 |
CLSC 4273 | Clinical Education | 2 |
CLSC 4274 | Clinical Investigation | 2 |
CLSC 4471 | Preceptorship I | 4 |
CLSC 4472 | Preceptorship II | 4 |
Spring | ||
CLSC 4100 | Ethics | 1 |
CLSC 4180 | Seminar | 1 |
CLSC 4275 | Clinical Lab Mgmt/Supervision | 2 |
CLSC 4476 | Preceptorship III | 4 |
CLSC 4478 | Preceptorship IV | 4 |
Total | 133 |