Academic Programs Catalog

The Master of Arts degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science is administered by the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program. The program is designed to enhance the student’s knowledge base and broaden their perspectives across the profession. In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Natural Science, students must meet all requirements specified below.

 

Admission

Regular admission to the Master of Arts degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science requires completion of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, with a grade-point average that is indicative of success in the program, including the following course work:

1. Completion of 16 credits of biological science including one semester of microbiology.
2. Completion of 16 credits of chemistry including organic chemistry and/or biochemistry.
3. Completion of 3 credits of statistics.

Applicants must:

1. Submit official transcripts.
2. Submit three letters of recommendation on official letterhead paper from professional references such as supervisors, professors, or project leaders, people who have overseen your work and can speak to your ability to think critically, work independently, and succeed in graduate work. The letter must include the recommender's credentials and contact information.
3. Submit a letter of intent or purpose statement that addresses why you want to enter graduate education, including career goals and educational goals. Highlight exceptional achievements or explain low performance or withdrawal from undergraduate courses.
4. Submit a brief resume.
5. Submit General Record Examination (GRE) scores. The GRE exam score can be waived in lieu of a professional credential. 
6. Submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if English is not the first language.
7. Scholastic record, experience, personal qualifications and career goals will be taken into consideration to determine the applicant’s acceptability.

Applicants who fail to meet the criteria for regular admission, may apply for provisional admission if they have demonstrated a high probability of success and will be provided other options to obtain a post-baccalaureate clinical laboratory education.

For additional information on admission, contact the Graduate Program Director, 322 North Kedzie Hall, 354 Farm Lane, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science

The program is available online and only under Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete a total of 30 credits from the following:

1.	All of the following courses (10 or 11 credits):
	BLD	801	Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Seminar				2
	BLD	805	Communication in the Sciences				2
	BLD	811	Fundamentals of Scientific Research				1
	BLD	890	Selected Problems in Clinical Laboratory Science				2 or 3
	PHM	830	Experimental Design and Analysis				3
2.	Complete at least 14 credits from the following courses:
	BLD	815	Cell Biology in Health and Disease I				2
	BLD	816	Cell Biology in Health and Disease II				2
	BLD	821	Advanced Clinical Laboratory Practice				1
	BLD	830	Concepts in Molecular Biology				2
	BLD	831	Clinical Application of Molecular Biology				2
	BLD	832	Molecular Pathology Laboratory				2
	BLD	835	Hemostasis, Thrombosis and Effective Resource Management				3
	BLD	836	Adverse Transfusion Outcomes: Detection, Monitoring and Prevention				2
	BLD	837	Transfusion Service Operations and Management				1
	BLD	838	Clinical Context of Blood Product Management				1
	BLD	842	Managing Biomedical Laboratory Operations				2
	BLD	844	Topics in Biomedical Laboratory Operations				1
	BLD	846	Decision Processes for Biomedical Laboratory Operations				2
	BLD	850	Concepts in Immunodiagnostics				2
	BLD	851	Clinical Application of Immunodiagnostic Principles				2
	BLD	852	Immunodiagnostics Laboratory				2
	BLD	853	Advanced Flow Cytometry				2
	BLD	861	Emerging Infections, Emerging Technology				2
	BLD	870	Clinical Mass Spectrometry Theory				2
	BLD	871	Applied Clinical Mass Spectrometry				2
	BLD	872	Clinical Mass Spectrometry Laboratory				2
3.	Complete 5 credits of electives as approved by the guidance committee.
4.	Successfully complete a capstone project.

The graduate program in clinical laboratory sciences leads to the Master of Science degree. The program emphasizes the multidisciplinary nature of the laboratory sciences, encourages research that crosses traditional laboratory disciplines, and promotes innovative thinking.
The curriculum is customized to the student's interests and to supporting the project each student identifies. Students may conduct research projects with both resident and adjunct faculty.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Natural Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Regular admission to the Master of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences requires completion of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, with a grade-point average that is indicative of success in the program, including the following course work:

1. Completion of 16 credits of biological science including one semester of microbiology.
2. Completion of 16 credits of chemistry including organic chemistry and/or biochemistry.
3. Completion of 3 credits of statistics.

Applicants must:

1. Submit official transcripts.
2. Submit three letters of recommendation on official letterhead paper from professional references such as supervisors, professors, or project leaders, people who have overseen your work and can speak to your ability to think critically, work independently, and succeed in graduate work. The letter must include the recommender's credentials and contact information.
3. Submit a letter of intent or purpose statement that addresses why you want to enter graduate education, including career goals and educational goals. Highlight exceptional achievements or explain low performance or withdrawal from undergraduate courses.
4. Submit a brief resume.
5. Submit General Record Examination (GRE) scores. The GRE exam score can be waived in lieu of a professional credential.
6. Submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if English is not the first language.

Certification as a medical technologist/clinical laboratory scientist is preferred, but not required for admission. Scholastic record, experience, personal qualifications and career goals will be taken into consideration to determine the applicant’s acceptability.
For additional information on admission, contact the Graduate Program Director, 322 North Kedzie Hall, 354 Farm Lane, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences

A total of 30 credits is required for the degree under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis).  The student's program of study must be approved by the student's academic advisor.

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B:
1.	All of the following courses:
	BLD	801	Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Seminar				2
	BLD	805	Communication in the Sciences				2
	BLD	811	Fundamentals of Scientific Research				1
2.	At least 4 credits of 800-level Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics courses approved by the student's academic advisor.
3.	One course in biochemistry or cell biology as approved by the guidance committee.
4.	One 400-level or 800-level course in statistics as approved by the guidance committee.
5.	Not more than 9 credits in 400–level courses. All 400-level courses must be approved by the guidance committee.
Additional Requirements for Plan A:
	BLD	899	Master's Thesis Research				7
Additional Requirements for Plan B:
	BLD	890	Selected Problems in Clinical Laboratory Science				3

The master’s degree program in biomedical laboratory operations is designed for individuals with previous clinical laboratory experience who seek career advancement as managers, administrators, researchers, entrepreneurs and policymakers in the field. The core of this program resides in three major components: science, management and practice. The science component focuses on post-baccalaureate courses planned to develop a high level of competence within the student’s chosen biomedical laboratory discipline. The management component provides a solid foundation in general business including resource management, communication skills, organizational structures, decision making, and essential aspects of working in a regulated industry. The degree is intended to expose individuals to real-life problems with an expectation of generating positive, realistic solutions.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and the College of Natural Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Regular admission to the Master of Science degree in Biomedical Laboratory Operations requires completion of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, with a grade-point average that is indicative of success in the program, including the following course work:

1. Completion of 16 credits of biological science including one semester of microbiology.
2. Completion of 16 credits of chemistry including organic chemistry and/or biochemistry.
3. Completion of 3 credits of statistics.
4. A minimum of two years’ experience in a clinical laboratory setting beyond the clinical internship.

Applicants must:

1. Submit official transcripts.
2. Submit three letters of recommendation on official letterhead paper from professional references such as supervisors, professors, or project leaders, people who have overseen your work and can speak to your ability to think critically, work independently, and succeed in graduate work. The letter must include the recommender's credentials and contact information.
3. Submit a letter of intent or purpose statement that addresses why you want to enter graduate education, including career goals and educational goals. Highlight exceptional achievements or explain low performance or withdrawal from undergraduate courses.
4. Submit a brief resume.
5. Submit General Record Examination (GRE) scores. The GRE exam score can be waived in lieu of a professional credential. 
6. Submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if English is not the first language.

Scholastic record, experience, personal qualifications and career goals will be taken into consideration to determine the applicant’s acceptability.

For additional information on admission, contact the Graduate Program Director, 322 North Kedzie Hall, 354 Farm Lane, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Operations

The student must complete 31 credits under Plan B (without thesis). The specific program of study includes competence in statistics and completion of a project in Biomedical Laboratory Operations as determined in consultation with the student’s guidance committee. The final oral examination, which covers both course work and research, is administered by the student’s guidance committee.

1.	The following courses (9 credits):
	BLD	801	Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Seminar				1
	BLD	805	Communication in the Sciences				2
	BLD	811	Fundamentals of Scientific Research				1
	BLD	842	Managing Biomedical Laboratory Operations				2
	BLD	844	Topics in Biomedical Laboratory Operations				1
	BLD	846	Decision Processes for Biomedical Laboratory Operations				2
2.	Complete a minimum of 13 credits in courses with a science focus.
3.	Complete a minimum of 3 credits of BLD 895 Projects in Biomedical Laboratory Operations. The project will be determined in consultation with the student's guidance committee.
4.	Complete 6 credits of electives as approved by the guidance committee.
5.	Pass a final oral examination.