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

CategoryRequired CoursesRequired Credits
1stCSC 1013
ENG 1013
CIV 1013
2ndENG 1023
MTH 1333
3rdENG 2033
CIV 2033
STT 2013
4thCIV 2043
Humanity Core3
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 SemesterCourse CodePre-requisiteCredits
1stGeneral Biology I + Lab (BIO 102 + BIOL102)None4
Chemistry I + Lab (CHEM 232 + CHEML 232)None4
2ndBiology II + Lab (BIO 203 + BIOL 203)BIO/L 1024
Chemistry II + Lab (CHEM 233 + CHEML 233)CHEM/L 2324
3rdPhysics for Life Science + Lab (PHYS 224 + PHYSL 224)
PHYS/L 232 can also fulfill this requirement
MTH 1334
Clinical Laboratory Science Methods & Techniques (HSCI 201)MLS Major Declaration2
4thOrganic Chemistry + Lab (CHEM/L 241)CHEM/L 2334
Human Anatomy + Lab (BIO/L 231)BIO/L 2034
5thBiochemistry + Lab (CHEM/L 351)BIO/L 203, CHEM/L 2414
Human Physiology + Lab (BIO/L 341)BIO/L 231, CHEM/L 232, PHYS/L 2244
Microbiology + Lab (BIO/L 351)BIO/L 203, CHEM/L 2334
Bioethics (BIOE 301)BIO/L 2032
6thGenetics & Molecular Biology + Lab (BIO 362)BIO/L 203, CHEM/L 241, STT 2014
Medical Microbiology + Lab (MEDS 322)BIO/L 351, HSCI 2014
Medical Immunology + Lab (MEDS 332)BIO/L 341, BIO/L 351, HSCI 2014
Medical Hematology + Lab (MEDS 342)BIO/L 341, HSCI 2014
7th
Clinical*
MLS Operation (MEDS 401)HSCI 201, BIOE 3012
Public Health (HSCI 411)MEDS 322, BIOE 3013
Clinical Chemistry (MEDS 422)BIO 362, CHEM 351, MEDS 332, BIOE 3013
Clinical Laboratory Rotation I (CLP 411)BIO 362, CHEM 351, MEDS 332, BIOE 3016
Medical Laboratory ManagementMLS Senior Status3
8th
Clinical*
Clinical Body Fluids Analysis (MEDS 423)MES 322, MEDS 422, MEDS 4012
Medical Parasitology (MEDS 421)MEDS 322, MEDS 332, HSCI 4112
Transfusion Medicine (MEDS 445)MEDS 322, MEDS 342, CLP 4113
Clinical Laboratory Rotation II (CLP 442)MEDS 322, MEDS 342, CLP 4116
MLS Capstone Project (MEDS 450)CLP 4113
Total /93 credits 

DEGREE TOTALS

Core30 credits (10 courses)
Major93 credits (23 courses + 15 labs + 2 clinical rotations + 1 research project)
Total123 credits