B.S. in Biomedical Sciences (Clinical Laboratory Sciences)

Course Description

The changes in the human body that may be biological, physical, chemical or anatomical which induce disease or an abnormal process are discussed. The etiology and pathogenesis of altered body systems is emphasized. How change can significantly reduce normal function of body systems is also identified.
Fall, 3 credits

This course reviews the usefulness of computers for home or business. Students learn the current Microsoft Office Programs (Word, Excel, Power Point, and Access) and the utilization of an online course management system (i.e. Blackboard or WebCT). Extensive “hands-on” computer use is involved for the completion of this course. Cross-referenced courses: HIM 53 and HPA 20, and CLA 6.
Fall, 3 credits

This course describes the selection and evaluation of Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) to coordinate and interface departments of Clinical and Anatomical Pathology in the hospital setting. Problems concerning needs analysis, cost, value of the system and communication through computer technology are addressed. The usefulness of computer operations in charting, graphing, database analysis and on-line Internet services is also presented. Students identify criteria to be considered to evaluate the success of LIS systems, quality management and their competency.
Prerequisite: BMS 40. Spring, 1 credit

This course introduces students to safety principles, quality control and laboratory math and the analysis, quantitation, physiologic and pathologic assessment of the serum and urine specimen. Emphasis is based on the clinical correlations and analytical procedures commonly performed on serum to determine the quantity of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, and non-protein nitrogen substances and to assess cardiac, liver, renal, pancreatic and gastrointestinal function. Analysis of the physical, chemical and microscopic examination of urine (urinalysis) is also presented along with the disease processes that hinder kidney function.
Prerequisites: CHM 21 or CHM 25.
Spring, 4 credits

The study of drugs or poisons and their effect to correct abnormal body function is presented. Emphasis is placed on the use of drugs to therapeutically treat disease and the consequence or expectation of body changes possible with their continued use. The Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacology and Pharmodynamics of drugs, in common use to treat disorders, is also discussed.
Prerequisite: CHM 22 or CHM 71.
Spring, 3 credits

This course is an introduction to the methodologies, instrumentation and OSHA regulations within a clinical hematology lab. Collection and preservation of blood specimens, description of all formed cellular elements, analysis of blood smears and classification of hematological disorders, such as the anemias and leukemias are discussed. The clinical significance of sedimentation rates and reticulocyte counts and proper phlebotomy techniques and theory are also identified. Safety regulations for blood collection, universal precautions and patient preparation ethics, confidentiality and patient rights are addressed. Practice and competency in phlebotomy is required for course completion.
Prerequisite: BIO 8.
Spring, 3 credits

The course includes an overview of forensic science laboratory techniques. The subject introduces the student to information collected and chain of custody followed at the crime scene; photography; physical evidence and its properties (trace evidence, fingerprints; firearms; fibers; paint; documents examination). This subject includes principles of microscopy; serology (blood identification procedures); origin determination; semen identification procedures; other biological substances of interest; hair comparison; drugs and toxicology; casework interpretation; quality control, proficiency testing and accreditation; and recent criminal cases. Lectures, demonstrations and basic laboratory exercises are used to present the subject matter. Two-hour lecture and three-hour laboratory.
Fall and Spring, 3 credits

This course is an introduction to Immunology and Immunochemistry. The structures, reaction and biological effects among antigens, antibodies and complement in the body (in vivo) and in vitro are discussed. Cells of the immune and inflammatory responses, their structure, functions and inter-relationships in normal individuals and in disease states are also presented.
Prerequisite: BIO 8.
Fall, 3 credits

In addition to reviewing the cells and tissues of the immune system, specific and non-specific mechanisms of the immune response, the major histo-compatibility complex, hypersensitivities and tumor surveillance of the immune system, this course emphasizes immunologic techniques in the serologic identification of antigens and antibodies. Emphasis is made on measurement of the immune product or reaction which can yield significant information in the clinical differential diagnosis or monitoring the progress of a disorder / disease.
Prerequisite: BMS 80.
Spring, 3 credits

This course is required for all medical biology majors and health related majors including those students seeking graduate study in the biological sciences and those seeking admission into professional schools. The course introduces the principles of clinical microbiology and characteristics of microorganisms, host-parasite relationships, resistance, immunity, hypersensitivity, public health, epidemiology as well as applied, medical and industrial microbiology; includes clinical diagnostic methods such as culture, control, identification, sterilization, microbiological techniques and concepts; emphasizes those techniques specifically employed in the clinical microbiological laboratory.
Fall and Spring, 4 credits.

Viral structure, mode of infection of human cells, replication and classification are discussed. The DNA and RNA viruses associated with human diseases as well as the resultant clinical syndromes; diagnostic procedures used to collect and detect viral antigens in clinical specimens; viral serology; viral culture and storage are also presented.
Co-requisite: BMS 80.
Fall, 1 credit

Junior and seniors can undertake an independent research project under the direction of a faculty member in the area of the student's principles interest. Permission of the Department is required to register for this course.
1 or 2 credits

Junior and seniors can undertake an independent research project under the direction of a faculty member in the area of the student's principles interest. Permission of the Department is required to register for this course.
1 or 2 credits

This Management, Supervision and Teaching seminar identifies the five components of Management in Laboratory Medicine: duties and responsibilities including problem solving-decision-making processes; concepts of managerial leadership: communication skills; process of personnel administration: evaluation of employee performance; effective laboratory operations and principles of laboratory finance: cost containment. Additionally, information about teaching, professionalism, supervision, regulatory agency requirements, laboratory information systems, and the importance of continuing medical education are discussed. Case study assignments reflect typical laboratory problems encountered. Teaching principles include writing of objectives: Educational Methodology. This course is typically taught off campus at a hospital affiliate.
Spring, 2 credits

This Clinical Chemistry Course is a sequel of BMS 50. It presents topics addressing endocrinology, electrolyte and acid/base balance, porphyrins, vitamins and nutrition status, therapeutic drug monitoring, toxicology and identification of tumor markers. The clinical correlations, analytical methods commonly performed on serum or urine are discussed with an emphasis on evaluating the patient's health care status. The principles of operating instrumentation used in clinical chemistry laboratories including point of care testing devices are also presented.
Prerequisite: BMS 50.
Fall, 4 credits

The formed elements of the peripheral blood, their precursors, function and structure including basic methodologies for quantitation of cells and cellular components are discussed. Normal and abnormal cellular morphologies, their clinical relevance in both the quantitative and qualitative assessment of disease in blood is also emphasized. Other body fluids are also addressed: cerebrospinal, synovial, pericardial, peritoneal, pleural, amniotic fluids and seminal fluid in terms of normal and abnormal findings, methods of collection and assessment.
Prerequisite: BMS 63.
Fall, 3 credits

The mechanism of Blood Coagulation/Hemostasis is discussed including evaluation of bleeding disorders and thrombosis. Case studies identify the diagnostic evaluation of normal and disease states.
Prerequisite: BMS 63.
Fall, 2 credits

Theoretical aspects of immunohematology (blood banking) with emphasis on laboratory techniques used in blood banking are presented. Students completing this course perform techniques in actual use in the characterization of blood in hospital blood banks.
Prerequisite: BMS 87.
Fall, 4 credits

The study of the bacteria that are medically important to man with emphasis on identification of clinically significant pathogens distinguished from members' of the normal flora are described. Methods of isolation, identification and characterization of bacteria are integral components of this course.
Prerequisites: BMS 90 or its equivalent and BMS 97.
Fall, 3 credits

This course introduces the student to the science of Mycology and Parasitology. It addresses the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and laboratory diagnosis of medically important fungi and parasites. Emphasis is given to the differential characteristics in the identification and clinical diagnosis of mycotic and parasitic diseases. The laboratory component of this course introduces students to various diagnostic techniques used to identify these eukaryotic organisms.
Prerequisite: BMS 90.
Spring, 3 credits

This course extends a student's comprehension of disease processes by presenting the molecular, biochemical and metabolic events which identify a disease or disease process affecting several body systems.
Prerequisite: BMS 20.
Spring, 3 credits

The student comprehends the magnitude of changes that occur in diseased cells and tissues of the human body that are diseased. Emphasis is on major changes observed in tissues undergoing pathologic processes such as: Inflammation, degenerations, necrosis, growth disorders; those changes that occur that influence the health and function of normal tissues within various body systems. Examination of pathology slides is an essential course requirement.
Prerequisites: Bio 7 and 8.
Fall, 3 credits

This course is designed to provide senior CLS students with the appropriate experiences in answering ASCP and NCA certification examination questions and in case study analysis. Review questions in the major categories of hematology, chemistry, immunology, immunohematology (blood bank), and microbiology are addressed. The review sessions are team-taught by program faculty. The seminar culminates in a mock exam which contributes to the determination of the final grade for the course. This course extends into the summer session.
Spring, 1 credit

This course serves as the culminating experience for students in the Biomedical Technology degree program. Students select a mentor to pursue a hands-on laboratory research project which investigates a Biomedical problem or question. They are then expected to analyze the data obtained and submit to the department and the mentor a written copy of the research project in a format consistent with that of a scientific publication/thesis. Department consent is required to register for this course.
Spring, 4 credits

This course addresses computational techniques used to study three-dimensional structures and orientation of macromolecules within biological systems. The subject enables students to work on a research life science problems and develop applications employed computerized biological images. Both areas of interest rely on proficiency in the use of the World Wide Web data. Training in bioinformatics is a prerequisite to the comprehension of information regarding the function of genes, proteins, and numerous cellular components. Comprehension about bioinformatics enhances the qualification of graduates in biomedical sciences by allowing them to meld computer skills with current information about the special relationships of biomolecules in living systems. Prerequisites: BMS 40 or its equivalent and BMS 49; Co-requisite: MTH 19 or BIO 141.
Fall, 3 credits

Molecular diagnostics is the application of methods in biotechnology to assist in the diagnosis of disease at the cellular level. Biotechnology involves techniques used in molecular biology that are applied to the study of abnormal cells. Techniques used in biotechnology are: cell culture, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunohistochemistry, cloning and genetic probes. Formal lectures are followed by experiments in a laboratory equipped to perform some of the aforementioned techniques. Additionally, the use of the internet will be demonstrated as a means of accessing databases.
Prerequisites: BMS 80.
Spring, 4 credits

This subject provides a detailed introduction to, and history of, forensic molecular techniques and applications, and covers relevant principles from genetics and biochemistry. This subject includes principles of forensic DNA profiling and repetitive DNA in the human genome; individualization versus identification; how genetic polymorphisms arise and are maintained; continuous versus discrete allele systems; DNA isolation methods; RFLP (Restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis methods; short tandem repeat (STR) markers; PCR-based typing systems; automated systems and DNA databases; applications of mitochondrial DNA analysis; linkage, pedigree analysis, and reverse paternity; introductory applied statistics for forensic laboratories. Three-hour lecture and four-hour laboratory.
Prerequisites: BMS 256. Fall, 4 credits

The student works at the laboratory bench in clinical chemistry under the direct supervision of a certified clinical laboratory scientist and receives review of routine and specialized procedures. The assessment of results obtained from clinical specimens and their diagnostic significance regarding the patient/client health status is determined. Maintenance and operation of relevant instrumentation in chemistry is also addressed. (This course is eight hours/day, five days/week for six weeks=240 hrs. total practicum time.)
Spring, 3 credits

The student works at the laboratory bench in Hematology and Coagulation under the direct supervision of a certified clinical laboratory scientist and receives review of routine and specialized procedures. This course also reviews a routine urinalysis, other body fluid analyses, automated instrumentation in hematology and phlebotomy techniques. (This course is eight hours/day, five days/week for six weeks=240 hrs. total practicum time.)
Spring, 3 credits

This course provides the culminating experience for the Forensic Science degree. Students are expected to critically employ evidence collected at a crime scene, analyze the results which may include: document collection, chemistry and toxicological evidence, serology, photography, and microscopy and report their assessment of the findings to determine how the crime was committed. Students will be given pieces of evidence to assemble and describe the possible circumstances that have occurred which led to the crime. A final report of the internship work is required. Internship placements are internal (on-campus) or external at an approved forensic facility. External placements are dependent on availability and with the approval of the Clinical Director. Two hundred hours are expected for this supervised practical internship.
Prerequisites: BMS 71, BMS 256 and CHM 39.
Every Semester, 2 Credits

The student works at the laboratory bench in Immunohematology (Blood Banking) under the direct supervision of a certified clinical laboratory scientist and receives review of blood banking techniques/ procedures and serologic methods used for clinical diagnosis of principle disorders. This course also reviews routine instrumentation use and its standardization in performing blood banking methods. (This course is eight hours/day, five days/week for six weeks=240 hrs. total practicum time).
Spring, 3 credits

The student works at the laboratory bench in Microbiology under the direct supervision of a certified clinical laboratory scientist and receives review of clinical bacteriology, clinical virology, mycology and parasitology techniques/ procedures used for the clinical specimen isolation, cultivation and identification for diagnosis of disease. Utilization of equipment and instrumentation used in Microbiology is also presented. (This course is eight hours/day, five days/week for six weeks=240 hrs. total practicum time.)
Spring, 3 credits

Degree Requirements

Continued enrollment in the B.S. in Biomedical Sciences: Clinical Laboratory Science is contingent upon:

• Maintaining an overall grade-point average of 2.33
• Maintaining a grade- point average of 2.67 in the Clinical Laboratory Science major
• Grades of C- and below are unacceptable toward continuation in the major and may result in dismissal from the program.
• Acceptance into the clinical rotations is competitive and based on GPA and an interview conducted by the Program Director. Students who are not accepted into the clinical rotations have the option of repeating courses in the major and re-applying the following year.

The pre-requisite courses for the major in Clinical Laboratory Sciences are:

• 8 semester hours in the Biological Sciences (including courses in Anatomy and Physiology)
• 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) in Chemistry (Inorganic/General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and/or Biochemistry)
• 1 semester of college Mathematics

The technical (non-academic) standards established by the programs in this department are evidence of the “essential functions” that students must be able to accomplish in the program. Essential functions include requirements that students be able to engage during educational and training activities so that they will not endanger other students, the public at large, or patients.

• Vision Standard —The student must be able to read charts and graphs, read instrument scales, discriminate colors, read microscopic materials, and record results.
• Speech and Hearing Standard — The student must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively in order to assess non-verbal communication and be able to adequately transmit information to all members of the health care team.
• Fine Motor Functions Standard —The student must possess all skills necessary to carry out diagnostic procedures, manipulate tools, instruments and equipment. The student must be able to perform phlebotomy safely and accurately.
• Psychological Stability Standard —The student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of the applicant’s intellectual abilities. The student must be able to recognize emergency situations and take appropriate actions.

A criminal conviction and/or the use of illegal drugs may impede or bar your entry into your chosen field of study. Clinical and hospital sites may reject a student, or remove a student from their site if a criminal record is found or if a positive drug test is noted. Inability to gain clinical or field work will result in the inability to meet program objectives and outcomes. Inability to meet objectives and outcomes may result in your failure to complete the program requirements, thus requiring your withdrawal from the program. In addition, the presence of a criminal conviction may also prevent your completion of the required state or federal licensure, certification or registration process.

Some individuals with appropriate profession-related work experience may be eligible to pursue life experience credit for required course work through the Life Experience Credit route. Eligibility for credits is based on successful completion of proficiency examinations and/or extensive documentation of experiences. Students should apply for Life Experience Credits upon completion of their first 6 credits of study at LIU Post, but before beginning their final 32 credits (residency requirements). Life Experience applications will not be accepted once students have begun their senior residency. All proficiency examinations must be completed prior to the final 32 credits of undergraduate study.

For more information contact the Life Experience Program at 516-299-2445.

The final 32 credits (9 credits in the major) toward the baccalaureate degree must be taken at LIU Post. Life Experience Credits (see above) or transfer credits from other colleges may be applied toward the bachelor's degree requirements, but they cannot substitute for the residency requirement.

Typical Sequence

Professional Plan (128 credits)