CLS Degree
General Education Requirements
Pre-professional Classification
Pre-professional Course Requirements
Admission to the Professional Programs in Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS)—Medical Technology and Cytotechnology
CLS—Medical Technology
CLS—Cytotechnology
Retention in the Professional Program
Accreditation
Professional Organizations
Suggested Study Program for PCL
Professional Program in Clinical Laboratory Science—Cytotechnology Option
Courses
CLS Medical Technology: 6175 Medical Sciences Center, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706; 608/262-2085; www.clsmedtech.wisc.edu
CLS Cytology: Room 255, 465 Henry Mall, Madison, WI 53706; 608/262-2802; www.slh.wisc.edu/cytology
Professors Ehrmeyer (CLS/MT director), Kurtycz, Wiebe; Emeritus Professor Westgard; Associate Professors Darcy (CLS/MT medical director); Clinical Assistant Professors Shalkham (CT director), Weiss; Adjunct Assistant Professor Borgh; Lecturer Foreback; Associate Lecturers Schindler, Tonn, Walz; Clinical Instructor Smith; Adjunct Instructors Prevost, Schmitz
Clinical laboratory scientists have expertise in clinical laboratory medicine. They generate vital information used by clinicians for diagnosis and treatment. The two professional programs (Medical Technology and Cytotechnology) in CLS require students to have a strong basic science background and develop expertise in clinical science and laboratory procedures.
Medical technologists are responsible for performing complex biological and chemical analysis on blood and other body fluids to provide accurate and reliable laboratory test data to clinicians. Medical technologists know proper utilization of laboratory tests for diagnosis and treatment of disease, how to obtain appropriate specimens following sampling protocols, ways to use and maintain automated analytical systems, procedures for quality assurance and quality control testing, and interpretation and correlation of test results with disease states.
Cytotechnologists examine cell samples under the microscope to differentiate normal cells from abnormal alterations that are signs for cancer or other diseases. They work closely with pathologists to arrive at a final diagnosis. While many CLS professionals work in hospitals, clinics, and reference laboratories, they also find career opportunities in biotechnology, medical research laboratories, laboratory instrument sales, medical data processing, and public health organizations. A degree in clinical laboratory science (CLS) provides an excellent background for medical school, graduate study in other medical science fields, and areas such as law or business where knowledge of health care is useful. Program faculty and staff are available for advising about career opportunities. Graduates from the CLS program at UW-Madison are eligible to take national board certification examinations.
The SMPH Health Professions Programs undergraduate CLS degree leads to a bachelor of science with options in either medical technology or cytotechnology. Both programs consist of two years of academic, pre-professional courses and two years of professional courses. The pre-professional curriculum provides the background in physical and biological sciences essential for the courses in the professional program. The professional programs provide clinical information and hands-on experience in preparation for board certification as a medical technologist/clinical laboratory scientist or cytotechnologist.
Students completing the pre-professional course work can apply to either professional program. The final year of the CLS Cytotechnology degree is a 12-month internship that includes a summer session. The CLS Medical Technology degree can be completed in four years.
It is recommended that prospective clinical laboratory science students have high school preparation in: chemistry, physics, biology, algebra, trigonometry, foreign language, English grammar and composition. All students must satisfy the general admissions requirements of UW-Madison and all students who matriculated at any college or university in summer 1996 or later must satisfy the UW-Madison general education requirements.
General education requirements are included in the suggested plan of study for CLS majors. Students should check with an advisor for recently approved courses that meet the general education requirements. The general education requirements are fulfilled for clinical laboratory science major as follows:
Communication A—English 100 or exemption by placement examination satisfies the Communication A requirement. Alternative Communication A courses, designated in the "ge" column of the Timetable by "a," also fulfill this requirement.
Communication B—Certain humanities and social studies courses satisfy the Communication B requirement. Those courses may be counted for humanities or social studies as well as Communication B. Communication B courses are designated in the "ge" column of the Timetable by "b."
Quantitative Reasoning A—Math 112 and 113 or 114, or exemption by placement examination is required for the major. Those course(s) fulfill the requirement for Quantitative Reasoning A.
Quantitative Reasoning B—Some program electives meet the Quantitative Reasoning B requirement. Quantitative reasoning courses are designated in the "ge" column of the Timetable by "r."
First-year students entering the university directly from high school and intending to follow the CLS curriculum may indicate, on the application to the university, their desire to be classified as a Clinical Laboratory Science major. They will be admitted to the program as Pre-Clinical Laboratory Science (PCL) students.
Both degree options complete the same PCL curriculum. Effective fall 1999, the following courses or their equivalents must be completed before beginning either professional program. (See additional information about English and mathematics requirements below.)
Communication A, unless exempt, 0-3 credits
Math 112, 113 or 114, 5 cr
CLS 102, 1 cr
Humanities, 6 cr
Social Studies, 6 cr
Ethnic Studies, 3 cr—may also fulfill 3 credits of humanities or social
studies
Transfer students who have fulfilled their humanities and social studies requirements before enrolling at UW-Madison are exempt from the ethnic studies requirement
Chem 103 (4 cr), 104 (5 cr), 341 (3 cr), or 343 and 345 (6 cr)
Microbio 101 (3 cr), 102 (2 cr)
Zool 101 (3 cr), 102 (2 cr), or 151 (5 cr), and 152 (5 cr)
Physiol 335 (5 cr)
MM&I 341 (3 cr)
Path 404 (3 cr)
Two courses from the following:
Physics 103, 104 or 201, 202, or 207, 208
Statistics 201, 224, 301, or 371
Comp Sci 302
Mathematics 211, 213, or 221, 222
Genetics 466
Chemistry 342 or 344
Mathematical competence in algebra and trigonometry (Math 112 and 113 or 114) is required for this major. Each entering first-year or transfer student without previous college mathematics must take placement examinations before registration. Placement in the appropriate mathematics course is made by the Department of Mathematics on the basis of placement scores and high school record.
Students are expected to have proficiency in writing. Those students who are exempt from English 100 by earlier placement examination have fulfilled the English requirement for this major. Students who entered a college or university in summer 1996 or after and are exempt from English 100, by placement examination, will have to fulfill only the Communication B requirement. Help with grammar and composition is available from the Writing Center located in Helen C. White Hall.
The PCL classification does not guarantee entry into the professional program. Space limitations may prevent the program from accepting all students who apply for the final two years of academic study. The Admissions and Retention Committees for each program select students annually. Available spaces are assigned to eligible students with the best academic records as reflected by the cumulative grade point averages.
Program staff continually advise students as to their progress. The CLS/Medical Technology Professional Program can accommodate a limited number of part-time students. The CLS/Cytotechnology Professional Program cannot accommodate part-time students during the 12-month, clinical internship. Application forms for CLS/Medical Technology are available from the CLS/MT Web site under Admissions or in 6175 Medical Sciences Center, 1300 University Avenue.
Applications for CLS/Cytotechnology are available online and at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, 465 Henry Mall.
To be considered for professional program admission, UW-Madison students and transfer applicants must meet the following requirements:
Students selected into the two-year professional program complete advanced science and bioscience courses along with clinical laboratory science/medical technology courses. Most of these CLS courses include clinical testing as part of the laboratory activities. Students also have the opportunity for additional clinical experiences at UW Hospital and Clinics, the Wisconsin State Hygiene Laboratory, UW Vet Lab, local clinics, and biotechnology companies.
Upon satisfactory completion of the required courses of the professional program and a minimum of 120 credits, UW-Madison awards the Bachelor of Science-Clinical Laboratory Science degree, Medical Technology.
Students selected into the cytotechnology program complete campus science and CLS courses in the first year of the professional program and specific CLS/Cytology courses during the 12-month clinical internship, in the second year of the professional curriculum. This internship begins summer session between the first and second year of the cytotechnology professional program. Applications for the cytotechnology option must be submitted to that program by March 1 in order to be considered for admission into the professional program for the following fall semester.
Upon satisfactory completion of the required courses of the professional program and a minimum of 126 credits, UW-Madison awards the Bachelor of Science-Clinical Laboratory Science degree, Cytotechnology. The cytotechnology program issues a certificate for completion of the professional program.
All students are expected to adhere to the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior. Professional student records are reviewed by the Program Retention Committee at the end of each semester. A minimum grade of C is required in each professional course and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for graduation. Students who earn less than a C in a professional course may be subject to dismissal from the program, or may be allowed to continue after repeating the course and earning a satisfactory grade. Both the original grade and the grade earned in the repeated course are used in the calculation of the cumulative GPA. Reentry is allowed on a space-available basis. Students waiting to repeat a course, who are in good standing with the university, may take courses with a Pre-Clinical Laboratory (PC) classification.
The National Accrediting Association (NAACLS, 8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, IL 60631; 773/714-8880) accredits the Clinical Laboratory Sciences/Medical Technology Program. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the American Society of Clinical Pathologists' MT (ASCP) certifying examination and the National Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel's, CLS (NCA) certifying exam.
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAHEA, 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1970, Chicago, IL 60601-2208) accredits the Cytotechnology Professional Program. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the American Society of Clinical Pathologists' CT (ASCP) certifying examination.
Clinical Laboratory Science majors are eligible for student membership in the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the Wisconsin Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, and the Madison Area Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.
Cytotechnology professional students are eligible for student membership in the American Society of Cytopathology, the Wisconsin Society of Cytology, The American Society for Cytotechnologists, and the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.
Preparation varies; students should plan their own sequences of study with the assistance of a Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology or Cytotechnology advisor.
English 100/Communication A or elective if exempt, 3 cr
*Chem 103 General Chemistry, 4 cr
**Zool 101 Animal Biology, 3 cr
**Zool 102 Animal Biology Laboratory, 2 cr
Math or Humanities, 3 cr
CLS/Med Tech 102, 1 cr
*Chem 103 is open to students who place beyond Math 112.
**The requirement for general zoology may be fulfilled by Zool 101/102, (5 cr) or Zool 151 and 152, (10 cr), but not by Zool 151 alone.
Communication B or elective, 3 cr
Chem 104 General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis, 5 cr
Microbio 101 General Microbiology, 3 cr
Microbio 102 General Microbiology Laboratory, 2 cr
Mathematics or Social Studies, 2-3 cr
Physiol 335, 5 cr
Humanities/Social Studies, 6 cr
*** The requirement for organic chemistry may be fulfilled by Chem 341, or Chem 343 and 345 (6 cr). Chem 343 alone does not fulfill the lecture requirement.
CLS 310 Introduction to CLS Procedures, 2 cr
Chem 345 (if Organic Chemistry series 343/345 has been selected), 3 cr
Pathol 404, 3 cr
Program Electives, 2-5 cr
MM&I 341 Introduction to Immunology, 3 cr
Humanities/Social Studies/Electives, 6 cr
Professional Program in Clinical Laboratory Science-Medical Technology Option
CLS 535 Laboratory Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases I, 3 cr
CLS 515 Clinical Hematology I, 3 cr
Chem 327 Analytical Chemistry, 4 cr
Program electives, 2-6 cr
BMolChem 503 Biomolecular Chemistry Lecture, 3 cr
BMolChem 504 Biomolecular Chemistry Lab, 2 cr
CLS 514 Hemostasis and Coagulation, 2 cr
CLS 536 Laboratory Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases II, 3 cr
CLS 404 Principles of Clinical Laboratory Instrumentation, 3 cr
Electives, 3 cr
CLS 575 Clinical Field Work Practice
CLS 525 Clinical Chemistry I, 3 cr
CLS 550 Clinical Immunohematology, 3 cr
CLS 560 Clinical Immunology, 3 cr
*CLS 620, Seminar, 1 cr
**CLS 575 Fieldwork Practicum, 1-6 cr
Electives, 3-6 cr
CLS 516 Clinical Hematology II, 3 cr
CLS 526 Clinical Chemistry II, 3 cr
CLS 520 Selection, Evaluation and Control of Laboratory Methods, 3 cr
CLS 570 Molecular Technologies, 2 cr
*CLS 640 Seminar, 1 cr
**CLS 575 Fieldwork Practicum, 1-6 cr
Electives, 3 cr
*Seminars include management/education and current issue topics, etc.
**A variety of fieldwork practicum experiences are offered. Credits range from 1-6, allowing students participation in multiple experiences. Practicum experiences are required to sit for national certification exams.
CLS 535 Laboratory Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases I, 3 cr
CLS 515 Clinical Hematology I, 3 cr
Zool 570 Cell Biology, 3 cr
Electives, 5 cr
CLS 536 Laboratory Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases II, 3 cr
Anatomy 328, 3 cr
Zool 572 Cell Biology Lab, 3 cr
Electives, 5 cr
CLS 410 Basic Cytology and Laboratory Procedures, 1 cr
CLS 540 The Female Genital System, 8 cr
CLS 541 Clinical Practice I, 1 cr
CLS 543 The Respiratory System, 3 cr
CLS 544 The Breast, 1 cr
CLS 545 The Genitourinary System, 2 cr
CLS 546 The Gastrointestinal System, 3 cr
CLS 547 Effusions, 2 cr
CLS 548 The Central Nervous System, 1 cr
CLS 549 Miscellaneous Systems, 2 cr
CLS 573 Applied Cytology, 1 cr
CLS 610 Seminar in Clinical Cytogenetics, 1 cr
CLS 510 Advanced Laboratory Procedures, 1 cr
CLS 630 Seminar in Clinical Cytology, 1 cr
CLS 625 Seminar in Lab Operations and Quality Control, 1 cr
CLS 574 Applied Cytology II, 1 cr
CLS 558 Advanced Clinical Practice, 8 cr