Clinical Lab Sciences, Clinical Science Option

The Clinical Sciences option prepares students with life long career skills in the biomedical sciences. Students take a core of laboratory science courses in Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Hematology, Clinical Immunology, and Clinical Microbiology and laboratory specialization electives. Through Directed Study and Senior Research courses, students work with department faculty to gain skills in both library and clinical laboratory research.

The academic program includes scientific and clinical knowledge using current methodology, instrumentation and techniques relevant to the biomedical laboratory. Students can elect to enroll in the five-year BS/MS program and take courses in their senior year that will count toward the master's degree.

The teaching faculty is doctorally prepared in various science disciplines and nationally certified with teaching, clinical, and research experience. Many of the faculty are nationally recognized in their respective fields. Students have the opportunity to participate in cutting edge biomedical research projects. Many students have presented their research results at state, regional and national science meetings and have been co-authors of papers published in respected science journals.

The program has recently upgraded its equipment and acquired state-of-the-art laboratory instrumentation for all of the student laboratories and the research laboratories. Students receive further in-depth experience with laboratory instrumentation during their directed study and senior research courses. Students can elect to be involved in research projects at various clinical institutions affiliated with the department.

Career Opportunities

The Clinical Sciences program prepares entry-level biomedical scientists who are able to:

1. Select and provide analytical and evaluative laboratory services based on scientific theory.
   
   
2. Effectively assess the results of their efforts.
   
   
3. Possess leadership skills of accountability, delegation, education, and supervision.

Students are prepared for a variety of careers in the biomedical sciences. Nearly 100% percent of program graduates are successfully employed in various jobs such as sales representatives, R & D scientists, clinical research associates, technical field representatives, regulatory affairs personnel, and quality control personnel in the biomedical device, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries. Graduates are also employed in research laboratories at various universities and medical schools. All of these opportunities are available locally and regionally.

Finally, many graduates of this program have gone on to graduate school and received Masters or Ph.D.s in various science disciplines such as Microbiology, Biochemistry, Nutrition, Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Work Environment (Occupational Health).  Others have earned master's in Education, master's in Business Administration (MBA) or Health Administration (MHA). Graduates have also gone to Medical School and to other medically advanced degrees.

Degree Requirements

All students must complete a basic core of science courses in Anatomy and Physiology, Physiological Chemistry, and Basic Clinical Microbiology. These courses, along with the General Education courses in Social Sciences and Arts and Humanities, must be completed prior to the Junior year. After completing the core courses required in the upper division, students select laboratory specialization courses in various biomedical disciplines.
The program requires a total of 120 credits and completion of the required courses leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Clinical Sciences option.

Additional Information, Including Course Descriptions

For the latest course information please visit the UMass Lowell on-line Academic Catalog.