Cytogenetics Program The Profession

Cytogenetics is a highly complex specialty area of the clinical diagnostic laboratory. Cytogenetic technologists study the hereditary material at the cellular level by examining the structure and behavior of chromosomes. Chromosomes are the condensed form of the genetic material. Inherited or acquired genetic disorders may occur when there is a change in the number or structural arrangement of the genetic material composing the chromosomes. Cytogenetic analysis is crucial for patient care in providing diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and follow-up for chromosomal genetic disorders.

The cytogenetic technologist examines many cells from an individual's specimen to determine the cytogenetic diagnosis. The patient specimen must contain living cells; the most frequently used tissue types are blood, skin, bone marrow, amniotic fluid, tumors and chorionic villi. Chromosomes, the condensed form of the genetic material, are visible only for a short time period during each cell's lifetime. The technologist performs cell culture, manipulations of the cell cycle, cell harvesting and chromosome banding techniques. This allows visualization and identification of the chromosomes so they can perform analysis using state-of-the-art light microscopes. A sophisticated computer imaging system is used to generate an image of the chromosomes from single cells and produce karyotypes.

Deviations from the normal chromosome banding pattern can be either present at birth (inherited/constitutional) or acquired later in life. A common constitutional anomaly is known as Down syndrome and occurs when an individual's cells contain an extra copy of chromosome #21. A common acquired anomaly is an exchange of specific genetic material between chromosomes #22 and #9 in specific cells of an individual's blood. This results in a specific cancer called chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML). Since any chromosome may be involved in anomalies, many less well-known disorders are routinely detected.

In addition to the classical microscopic analysis of chromosomes, many genetic diagnostic laboratories include a molecular unit. Cytogenetic technologists have been leaders in the development of probe technology, FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization), that is transforming modern diagnostic methods. DNA probes, hybridized to human chromosomes, provide information about gene location, deletion, rearrangement or amplification status. Additional techniques that may be used to examine genetic anomalies at the molecular level include Southern blot and PCR (polymerase chain reaction).

Description of the Program

Students are awarded either a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science with an area of specialization in Cytogenetics or a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Cytogenetics upon successful completion of the Cytogenetics Program.

The Cytogenetics Program requires eleven months for completion by full time students. The curriculum is composed of both didactic and clinical courses. The didactic courses (lectures, seminar, and student laboratories) are conducted primarily during the fall semester to provide facts, concepts and theories related to the techniques and procedures employed in cytogenetics laboratories. Coursework includes instruction in clinical correlations of both inherited and acquired chromosomal anomalies, techniques for the processing of peripheral blood, bone marrow, amniotic fluid, chorionic villus, skin, tumors and other solid tissue specimens, various staining techniques (G-, Q-, FISH, C-, etc.), chromosome analysis and future directions in clinical cytogenetics. The clinical courses dominate the spring and summer semesters. They are designed to follow the didactic course and give students the opportunity to apply theory and master the laboratory techniques as applied in the hospital, research or private laboratory setting. Students are assigned to cytogenetics laboratories throughout the state and nation during their clinical courses. The program concludes with a didactic course designed to integrate all aspects of the curriculum.

The Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Admission

The applicant must present official documentation of the following:

1. 90 semester credit hours including prerequisites or a baccalaureate degree in a natural or physical science
2. minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
3. the courses and credit hours specified below with a grade of "C" or better:
   1. BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE (genetics recommended) 16
   2. CHEMISTRY
   3. MATHEMATICS (statistics recommended) 3
4. original transcripts from all previous colleges attended
5. two letters of reference
6. International applicants who have completed part or all of their education at schools outside of the U.S. must:
   1. submit their foreign transcripts for a course-by-course descriptive evaluation through a university approved evaluation service
   2. submit a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-and-pencil examination or 213 (or higher) on the computer examination.

All documentation including official copies of the course-by-course descriptive evaluation and the TOEFL score must be submitted directly to the Registrar's Office from the service provider.

Curriculum

All Program students complete the following required courses:

Career Opportunities

Cytogenetic technologists are employed in private laboratories, laboratories associated with teaching hospitals, pediatric hospitals, genetics specialty clinics, gynecological high risk care groups, cancer treatment hospitals, research laboratories of universities and pharmaceutical or chemical industrial companies. They may also work as educators, in sales or marketing or other genetics-related occupations. Experienced cytogenetic technologists may be responsible for the management and operation of cytogenetic laboratories. The work is challenging, much like piecing together a complex jigsaw puzzle.

Salaries

Salaries of newly-graduated technologists vary considerably by geographic region. Generally, beginning salaries for program graduates are between $29,500-$45,000.

Median annual earnings of cytogenetic technologists, according to the most recent survey in 2001, were $41,600. The lowest 10 percent earned $31,990, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $57,075. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest number of cytogenetic technologists in 2001 were as follows:

• Hospitals $44,387.
• University $40,206.
• Private Lab $44,179.
• Commercial Lab $47,195.

Job Outlook

Employment is expected to increase faster than for the average as the volume of requested tests increases with population growth, development of new tests, increased recognition and acceptance of the role genetics plays in disease and with the aging of the population. There is a current 20+% shortage of technologists nationwide (2002).

Although significant, growth will not be the only source of opportunities. As in most occupations, many openings will result from the need to replace workers who are promoted within the profession, transfer to other occupations, retire or stop working for some other reason.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a certified cytogenetic technologist?

Cytogenetics Program graduates are eligible to take the National Credentialing Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel (NCA) certification examination which is offered by computer throughout the year. This certification is the only one available in cytogenetics, is recognized nationally and must be maintained by continuing education credits. Some employers require certification and some provide additional benefits to certified technologists. Some states require state licensure in addition to certification.

What is the application procedure?

Applications are accepted continuously throughout the year for admission to the Cytogenetics Program which admits a class in the fall semester only. The completed application and all supporting materials must be on file before the application can be processed. Successful applicants are notified by letter of their acceptance. Generally, applications received after July 15 cannot be processed in time for admission by the fall semester.

Application forms, reference forms, a list of transcript evaluation services and applications for the TOEFL exam are available from the Registrar's Office or online through Student Services.

Completed application forms, official transcripts from each college attended, references and all other supporting materials must be submitted directly to:

Allied Health Admissions
Office of the Registrar
UTHSCSA
7703 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78284-7702
(210) 567-2660

If an applicant is currently enrolled in college courses, an official transcript should be submitted showing courses in progress. An updated transcript should be sent upon completion of the courses. Conditional admission may be granted contingent upon satisfactory completion of courses in progress.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to verify University receipt of all documentation.

What is the cost of attending the Program?

Expenses for the three-semester program including tuition, fees, professional liability insurance, health insurance, books, laboratory coats and supplies are estimated to be approximately $9000.00 for in-state students. Living expenses, possible relocation expenses and the national certification examination fee of $195.00 are not included in this calculation.

©2002 UTHSCSA School of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
All rights reserved. Updated 1/3/2005.
For comments or questions about this Web site contact neuen@uthscsa.edu.