The MLS program encompasses 134 credit hours that are spread over eight semesters and could be completed in four years. The following distribution of courses by semester facilitates students’ normal progression through the study plan.

The courses offered by the Medical Laboratory Sciences program are designated as (0501ABC), where ABC represents the year, term and sequence as described in the College Section.

Mandatory Core Courses

The required core courses offered by the Medical Laboratory Sciences program are described below. 

Prerequisite:0500150–Biology.

This course focuses on the basic microbiology concepts to MLT, with emphasis on the general characteristics of prokaryotic cell, general properties of microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Methods of antiseptic and microbial growth and antibiotic sensitivity. Students in practical sessions will experience preparation of bacterial culture media, sterilization and antiseptic techniques and an antibiotic sensitivity test. 

Prerequisite: 0500150- Biology.

This course focuses on the study of microscopic structure of the human body. The course will introduce the structure of human cells, basic tissues types and organization including epithelial, connective, muscular and nervous tissues. This is followed by the study of the microscopic structure of major organs and systems of the human body. The relationship between structure and function is addressed. The practical part of this course focuses on the microscopic examination of tissues within different organs of the human body. 

This course will examine the molecular basis of cellular processes, with emphasis on gene structure and function, DNA replication, transcription and translation, gene expression and regulation, genetic engineering and genetic diseases which will be studied in theory and in the practical laboratory sessions. Laboratory experiments are designed for the students to become familiar with micro pipettes and reagent preparation for use in the preparation of agarose gels to identify human DNA and RNA, plasmids after bacterial cell transformation, PCR products and DNA that has been manipulated by restriction enzymes and ligase for use in Southern blots. 

Prerequisite: 0500160 – Human Anatomy and Physiology.

Introduction to the basic concepts of immunology, types of immunity, the immune response, the immune system, structure and function of antigens and antibodies, immunopathology and clinical applications of the immunological techniques in the modern diagnostic serology laboratory. Serologic laboratory sessions will focus on principles of antigen-antibody reaction, and the principles of serological procedures. Clinical serological analyses include examples of basic techniques and correlation with disease and immunity.

Prerequisite: 0501254 – Histology.

Introducing the concepts and basics of different techniques used in tissue preparation and staining procedures essential for microscopic detection, recording and quantification of human cells and tissues in the histology/pathology work. The practical part includes a thorough grounding in all aspects of histological techniques used in tissue preparation for microscopic examination. These include fixation, processing, embedding, using microtome to cut tissue slices and then staining and examination of samples. Alternative methods in tissue preparation such as frozen sections are also introduced.

Prerequisite: 0501253 – Medical Microbiology.

This course focuses on the principle of different methods of Lab diagnosis of microorganisms as smear and wet methods, culture, biochemical, and serological molecular diagnostic methods. Practical sessions will cover laboratory methods of isolation and identification of pathogenic microorganisms. Major emphasis is on the collection and preparation of specimens and using rich, selective and differential media. Other biochemical and serological methods for lab diagnosis will also be used. General investigations will be carried out for urine, stool and body fluids. 

Prerequisite: 0500150 – Biology.

The course aims at familiarizing students with the basic concepts of parasitology, types of animal associations, adaptations to parasitic mode of life and evolution of parasitism. Parasites’ life-cycles, infection, transmission, pathology, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and control of medically and economically important parasites are the main emphasis of this course. The laboratory sessions are designed to expose the students to the morphology of the different developmental stages of medically and economically important parasites as well as introducing the skills of proper laboratory procedures for collecting, handling, diagnosing and identifying parasitic organisms.

Prerequisite: 0501260 – Biochemistry.

This course is designed to introduce the students to the various analytical techniques and methods used in the measurement of various parameters in the blood and other body fluids, and to gain technical skills and knowledge of interpretation of test results in health and disease states. The course mostly covers routine laboratory investigations related to disorders of plasma proteins and amino acids, kidney function, liver function, carbohydrate disorders, lipids and lipoprotein abnormalities, pancreatic function, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Prerequisite: 0500160 – Human Anatomy and Physiology.
Blood composition, hematopoiesis and its requirement, erythrocytes and their disorders, hemoglobin and leukocytes structure and function are closely examined. Students are expected to gain sufficient skills and knowledge in per- forming procedures and laboratory techniques (manual and automated) used in the investigation and diagnosis of various blood disorders.

Co-requisite: 0501370 – Hematology (1).

The aim of this course is for students to gain sufficient technical skills in blood collection. Students will be exposed to the different techniques and different tools used in blood collection, and to the various types of containers used in the clinical laboratory. Specimen handling, safety measures, and blood collection complication are closely introduced. 

Prerequisite: 0501370 – Hematology (1).

Introduces the student to malignant and non-malignant disorders of leukocytes with emphasis on etiology, classification, and lab investigation of leukemias. Major emphasis will also be on the mechanisms of hemostasis, coagulation, and fibrinolysis in health and disease states. Routine and special procedures in hematology and coagulation will be described and applied during the practical part of the course.

Prerequisite: 0501254 – Histology.

The goal of this course is to develop an understanding of the causes and mechanisms of human diseases and associated alterations of structure and function of tissues. This involves first, the general pathology during which cell injury, adaptation, cell death, repair, inflammation, and neoplasia are introduced. Then, diseases and tumors of general interest affecting different body systems such as digestive, respiratory and female genital system and breast are studied.

Prerequisite: 0501359 – Clinical Chemistry (1).

This course, which is a continuation of Clinical Chemistry (1), is designed to introduce the students to more advanced topics in clinical chemistry, including blood gases and acid-base balance, electrolytes, clinical endocrinology, tumor markers, porphyrins, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and other subjects. Students are expected to gain sufficient skills and knowledge in performing and interpreting test results related to subjects covered in this course. 

Pre-requisite: 0501262 – Immunology and Serology.

The ABO, Rh, and other blood group systems and their clinical significance in relation to blood donor selection and in preparation of blood components are closely described. Technical procedures and investigations conducted in blood banks such as blood donor selection, blood group typing, antibody screening, cross matching and other procedures will be described fully in the practical session of the course.

Prerequisite: 0501359 – Clinical Chemistry (1).

This course deals with various types of body fluids and their composition in health and disease states. Emphasis will be focused on sample collection, processing and preservation as well as on routine and special tests performed on these fluids for the diagnosis of many diseases. Body fluids studied in this course include urine, CSF, synovial, serous, amniotic and others.

Prerequisite: 0501370 – Hematology (1).

Students will work in affiliated hospital laboratories in order to acquire technical and practical experience in the various disciplines of Hematology and Coagulation. Students’ activities and training performance will be evaluated by academic and training supervisors. 

Prerequisite: 0501359 – Clinical Chemistry (1).

Allocated time of clinical hours will be spent by students in affiliated hospital laboratories in order to acquire technical and practical experience in the various disciplines of Clinical Chemistry. Students’ activities and training performance will be evaluated by academic and training supervisors.

Prerequisite: 0501264 – Histopathological Techniques.

Allocated time of clinical hours will be spent by students in affiliated hospital laboratories in order to acquire technical and practical experience in the field of Histopathology. Students’ activities and training performance will be evaluated by academic and training supervisors. 

Prerequisite: 0501265 – Diagnostic Microbiology.

Students will work in affiliated hospital laboratories in order to acquire technical and practical experience in the various disciplines of Microbiology. Students’ activities and training performance will be evaluated by academic and training supervisors. 

Prerequisite: 0501262 – Immunology and Serology.

Allocated time of clinical hours will be spent by students in affiliated hospital laboratories in order to acquire technical and practical experience in the field of diagnostic Serology. Students’ activities and training performance will be evaluated by academic and training supervisors. 

Prerequisite: 0501364 – Clinical Chemistry (2).

This is an integrated course of both laboratory management and quality assurance in the clinical lab. The course describes the fundamental principles and practices of management and supervision of clinical laboratory including management of organizations, human resources, financial resources, and laboratory operations. Concerning quality assurance, the course covers subjects related to quality concepts and terminology, tools of quality monitoring and assessment, data interpretation, and appropriate actions in response to QC results. 

Prerequisite: 0501365 – Blood Banking.

Allocated time of clinical hours will be spent by students in affiliated hospital laboratories in order to acquire technical and practical experience in the various field of Blood Banking. Students’ activities and training performance will be evaluated by academic and training supervisors.

Prerequisite: 0501253 – Medical Microbiology.

The course introduces the basic principles of virology including definitions, structure, nomenclature, classifications, modes of viral infection, viral diseases and viral vaccines.

Prerequisite: 0501253 – Medical Microbiology.

Survey of infectious diseases caused by fungi including their etiology, epidemiology, histopathology, diagnosis, and treatment. Host-parasite interactions and the environmental and molecular factors that contribute to establishment of fungal disease in humans and animals will also be discussed.

Prerequisite: 0500450 – Introduction to Research.

Introducing students to the instructions and guidelines used when a research project is conducted, and exposing them to the proper methods used in writing and presenting a scientific paper. Research projects in the field of clinical laboratory will be carried out independently by students under the guidance and supervision of faculty members.