B.S. Medical Laboratory Science
The Department of Medical & Health Sciences (MHS) utilizes a U.S.-based curriculum, state-of-the-art equipment, and dedicated faculty to:
- Provide high-quality academic instruction in the field of medical and health sciences
- Prepare students to lead their communities to a better future
- Improve the healthcare sector in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq
- Provide opportunities for faculty members and professionals in the community to address medical and health issues via research and scholarship.
The department currently offers a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS), which opened to students in 2018 and graduated the first cohort in Spring 2022.
Program Learning Objectives (PLO’s)
After successful completion of the AUIS MLS Program, graduates will be able to:
- Collect, prepare, store and transport human samples for analysis using appropriate preservation and handling methods.
- Follow prescribed procedures, and with adequate orientation, perform routine testing in chemistry, microbiology, immunology, immunohematology, hematology, hemostasis, and molecular diagnostics.
- Operate and calibrate clinical laboratory instruments or equipment after proper orientation.
- Recognize and correct basic instrument malfunctions. Refer serious instrument problems to a senior laboratorian or a supervisor when necessary.
- Prepare reagents or media from a prescribed procedure, including calculating necessary computations, using an analytical balance, and adjusting the pH if necessary.
- Evaluate media, reagents, and standards according to established criteria.
- Conduct established quality control procedures on analytical tests, equipment, reagents, media, and products; evaluate results of quality control and implement corrective action when indicated.
- Establish basic quality control procedures, confidence limits, and normal ranges for new procedures or methods.
- Perform comparison studies on new or existing procedures and report results according to conventional scientific formats.
- Assess the reliability of laboratory results through correlation of data with common physiological conditions.
- In prescribed instances, indicate the need for additional laboratory tests for definitive diagnostic information.
- Provide clinical orientation and supervision for students and new or less skilled laboratory personnel. Lecture or provide class demonstrations.
- Practice established safety measures.
- Inform superiors of activities including unusual patient data or results.
- Recognize and act on the need for continuing education to maintain and grow in professional competencies.
- Present effective in-service continuing education sessions when asked.
- Apply managerial/supervisory skills for completion of projects as assigned.
- Comply with applicable regulatory statutes.
- Practice quality assurance and performance improvement techniques for optimum laboratory analysis.
- Manage laboratory operations and human resources to ensure cost-effective, high-quality laboratory services.
- Communicate effectively with members of the healthcare team, external relations, and patients.
- Evaluate research and published studies to remain informed of new techniques and procedures.
- Utilize information management systems to provide timely and accurate reporting of laboratory data.
- Behave in a professional and ethical manner.
- Maintain focus on the patient to provide quality laboratory services.
Curriculum
| Category | Required Courses | Required Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | CSC 101 | 3 |
| ENG 101 | 3 | |
| CIV 101 | 3 | |
| 2nd | ENG 102 | 3 |
| MTH 133 | 3 | |
| 3rd | ENG 203 | 3 |
| CIV 203 | 3 | |
| STT 201 | 3 | |
| 4th | CIV 204 | 3 |
| Humanity Core | 3 | |
| Total | /30 credits |
3 credit core/general education eligible courses: ECO 201; ART, LIT, ENG, POL, HIST, PHI, or GEO - up to 300 level
Major Courses
| Suggested Semester | Course Code | Pre-requisite | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | General Biology I + Lab (BIO 102 + BIOL102) | None | 4 |
| Chemistry I + Lab (CHEM 232 + CHEML 232) | None | 4 | |
| 2nd | Biology II + Lab (BIO 203 + BIOL 203) | BIO/L 102 | 4 |
| Chemistry II + Lab (CHEM 233 + CHEML 233) | CHEM/L 232 | 4 | |
| 3rd | Physics for Life Science + Lab (PHYS 224 + PHYSL 224) PHYS/L 232 can also fulfill this requirement | MTH 133 | 4 |
| Clinical Laboratory Science Methods & Techniques (HSCI 201) | MLS Major Declaration | 2 | |
| 4th | Organic Chemistry + Lab (CHEM/L 241) | CHEM/L 233 | 4 |
| Human Anatomy + Lab (BIO/L 231) | BIO/L 203 | 4 | |
| 5th | Biochemistry + Lab (CHEM/L 351) | BIO/L 203, CHEM/L 241 | 4 |
| Human Physiology + Lab (BIO/L 341) | BIO/L 231, CHEM/L 232, PHYS/L 224 | 4 | |
| Microbiology + Lab (BIO/L 351) | BIO/L 203, CHEM/L 233 | 4 | |
| Bioethics (BIOE 301) | BIO/L 203 | 2 | |
| 6th | Genetics & Molecular Biology + Lab (BIO 362) | BIO/L 203, CHEM/L 241, STT 201 | 4 |
| Medical Microbiology + Lab (MEDS 322) | BIO/L 351, HSCI 201 | 4 | |
| Medical Immunology + Lab (MEDS 332) | BIO/L 341, BIO/L 351, HSCI 201 | 4 | |
| Medical Hematology + Lab (MEDS 342) | BIO/L 341, HSCI 201 | 4 | |
| 7th Clinical* | MLS Operation (MEDS 401) | HSCI 201, BIOE 301 | 2 |
| Public Health (HSCI 411) | MEDS 322, BIOE 301 | 3 | |
| Clinical Chemistry (MEDS 422) | BIO 362, CHEM 351, MEDS 332, BIOE 301 | 3 | |
| Clinical Laboratory Rotation I (CLP 411) | BIO 362, CHEM 351, MEDS 332, BIOE 301 | 6 | |
| Medical Laboratory Management | MLS Senior Status | 3 | |
| 8th Clinical* | Clinical Body Fluids Analysis (MEDS 423) | MES 322, MEDS 422, MEDS 401 | 2 |
| Medical Parasitology (MEDS 421) | MEDS 322, MEDS 332, HSCI 411 | 2 | |
| Transfusion Medicine (MEDS 445) | MEDS 322, MEDS 342, CLP 411 | 3 | |
| Clinical Laboratory Rotation II (CLP 442) | MEDS 322, MEDS 342, CLP 411 | 6 | |
| MLS Capstone Project (MEDS 450) | CLP 411 | 3 | |
| Total | /93 credits |
DEGREE TOTALS
| Core | 30 credits (10 courses) |
| Major | 93 credits (23 courses + 15 labs + 2 clinical rotations + 1 research project) |
| Total | 123 credits |
