Bachelors of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science

Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science

Clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists perform the laboratory tests on which physicians rely for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists are highly skilled health team members who use a battery of sophisticated procedures and instruments in their work and who possess specialized knowledge and skills acquired through completion of a formal program of academic and clinical study. The Clinical Laboratory Science Program (CLS) at the University is a 3 + 1 program offered in cooperation with the University of Iowa (Division of Associated Medical Sciences).

In a clinical laboratory setting, CLS's may:

The 4-year degree program opens options at the supervisory level that a Medical Technician (2-year certificate program) cannot offer.

General Requirements:

The CLS program is a 3 + 1 (3 years of prerequisite and general education coursework followed by a clinical year) professional program that grants a certificate and/or a baccalaureate degree. Alternatively, students must possess or be eligible for a baccalaureate degree upon completion of the clinical year. In their first three years of study at AU, students complete a program of study in biology, chemistry, and mathematics, in addition to fulfilling general education requirements for the baccalaureate degree. Students complete their senior year of study at the University of Iowa

Clinical Laboratory Science Program at Iowa City (contingent upon their admission to the program), devoted to clinical laboratory studies.

Core Courses and Specifics:

BIO 103 Principles of General Biology I
BIO 104 Principles of General Biology II
BIO 201 Microbiology
CHE 151 General Chemistry I
CHE 152 General Chemistry II
CHE 301 Organic Chemistry I
CHE 302 Organic Chemistry II OR
CHE 309 Biochemistry
MAT 332 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
MAT 227 Pre-Calculus
BIO 205 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO 206 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
BIO 342 Genetics and Immunology
Optional or recommended:
PHY 201 College Physics I
PHY 202 College Physics II
BIO 340 Cell Biology

Students who plan to pursue a graduate degree, enter medical or dental school, or are considering a science undergraduate major other than Clinical Laboratory Science should take the second semester of Organic Chemistry either in place of or in addition to Biochemistry. In addition, those students should also add the two-semester sequence of College Physics and the Cell Biology course.

Residency requirements at Ashford University:

Transfer students must earn at least 30 semester hours of credit from the University before attending the affiliate school's Clinical Laboratory Science program.

Major Course Requirements at University of Iowa:

41 hours would transfer back to Ashford University for BS in CLS

(Note: Students must gain admission to the CLS program at University of Iowa before this phase of the program can be completed. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 at Ashford University and strong academic performance in the courses above are required for admission. Furthermore, Science division advisors are in the position to gauge a student's ability in advising sessions and would be in a position to recommend students into the CLS program at University of Iowa. Declaration of a major is required at the end of the sophomore year, and advisors would be in the position to determine whether a student would proceed into the program.)

The professional (clinical) program consists of a minimum of 12 months of didactic and practical instruction and successful completion of 41 semester hours. The first summer session and fall semester are devoted to lectures, laboratory experience, demonstrations, short generalist rotations, and seminars covering theory and technique in clinical laboratory science. During the last semester, students have the opportunity to rotate through the clinical laboratory facilities of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and other hospitals in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, Iowa.