Clinical Laboratory Science
See Also: 2006 Pre-Health Guide | 2004 Pre-Health Guide | 2003 Pre-Health Guide
Medical laboratory workers develop data on the blood, tissues, and fluids in the human body by using precision instruments such as microscopes and automatic analyzers. Medical technologists assume responsibility for, and are held accountable for, accurate results. They establish and monitor quality control programs and design or modify procedures as necessary. Medical technologists perform and supervise tests and procedures in the clinical laboratory center in several major areas: hematology, bacteriology, serology, immunology, clinical chemistry, blood banking, urinalysis, mycology, and parasitology.
Students who successfully complete the program will receive a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in clinical laboratory science from the College of Arts and Sciences. The curriculum requires a minimum of 90 hours of credit—which include the Basic Skills and Distribution requirements of the college and the University General Education Requirement—prior to application for admission to a final year of study at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville (UTMCK).
After you complete your course of study, UTMCK will award you a Certificate of Laboratory Training. You will then be eligible for examination by either the American Society of Clinical Pathologists’ Board of Registry or the National Credentialing Agency to earn certification as either a clinical laboratory scientist or a medical technologist. Keep in mind that admission to the clinical year is at the discretion of the admissions committee of the clinical laboratory science program at the UT Medical Center. Admission to and successful completion of the program does not ensure that you will be admitted to the clinical phase of the clinical laboratory science program.