Molecular Diagnostics

The Profession

At the beginning of the 21st century, the clinical diagnostic laboratory is entering into a new phase. Biotechnology, in all its forms, is the fastest-growing discipline in the modern laboratory, whether it be clinical, research or forensic. As in the past, the volume of research being done is translating to a growing list of new diagnostic tests for the patient oriented clinical laboratory.

Molecular biology has developed more than any other science in the last ten years. Until this time, the laboratory had been descriptive in nature. It could measure events that were currently going on by evaluating the chemistry, hematology or anatomical pathology. Molecular biology allows the laboratory to become predictive in nature. Now statements can be made about events that may occur to a patient in the future. This new technology returns results that give an indication that the patient may be at risk for the disease long before it becomes symptomatic disease.

Students entering the program in Molecular Diagnostics will acquire advanced education and training in the skills and background necessary to participate in this revolutionary aspect of modern medicine. The basic process consists of a semester of intense didactic course work followed by two semesters of diverse hands-on experience in the laboratory. Upon completion of the Molecular Diagnostics Program, the student is qualified for the certification examination as a Clinical Laboratory Specialist in Molecular Biology (CLSpMB) by the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) or Technologist in Molecular Pathology, MP (ASCP) by the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Description of the Program

The Molecular Diagnostics Program requires one full calendar year for completion. The curriculum is composed of both didactic and clinical courses. The didactic courses (lecture, discussion, demonstration and student laboratories) are conducted during the fall semester to provide facts, concepts, and theories related to the techniques and procedures employed in clinical molecular diagnostic laboratories. Courses include introductory instruction in molecular biology theory and techniques. Other courses introduce the student to various aspects of the clinical laboratory and include introductory courses in genetics, hematology, basic clinical laboratory and management. An advanced course in molecular diagnostics is a major part of the fall semester and gives the student the necessary skills and understanding to perform molecular testing at the professional level in the laboratory. The spring and summer semesters are spent in various laboratories where the student develops the technical skills and professional experience necessary for success in the field of molecular diagnostic testing.

A BS degree or post-baccalaureate certificate in Molecular Diagnostics is awarded upon successful completion of the program.

Certification

Molecular Diagnostic Program graduates are eligible to take the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) examination leading to certification as a Clinical Laboratory Specialist in Molecular Biology. The examination is offered several times each year. The certification once obtained must be maintained by continuing education credit.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the post-baccalaureate program applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in a natural science (biology, microbiology, clinical laboratory science, etc.) or a physical science (chemistry, physics, etc.). Applicants must show satisfactory completion of prerequisite credit hours in specified areas.

The applicant must present official documentation of the following:

1. A baccalaureate degree in a natural or physical science or 90 hours including prerequisite courses and core curriculum requirements
2. Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
3. A grade of C must be attained in each of the prerequisite science courses listed below
4. Official 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 the U.S.:
   1. must submit their foreign transcripts for a course-bycourse descriptive evaluation through a Universityapproved evaluation service
   2. must have a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-and-pencil examination or 213 on the computerized TOEFL examination.

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

Curriculum

UTHSCSA
Allied Health Admissions
Mail Code 7702
Office of the Registrar
7703 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900
(210) 567-2660

©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.