Pre-Clinical Laboratory Science

  What is Pre-Clinical Laboratory Science?

Clinical laboratory technologists perform the laboratory tests that play a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Using microscopes, chemicals, complex precision instruments and computers, they conduct tests (e.g. serology, parasitology, toxicology, urinalysis, hematology, bacteriology) that inform patients and physicians about the nature and progress of health conditions. They also evaluate the effects which various physiological conditions may have on test results and monitor quality control within the laboratory.

  Success Factors

For information about success factors, see the bachelor's degree program offered at the UC College of Allied Health Sciences (35CLS).

  Career Possibilities

Many clinical laboratory technologists work in hospital laboratories, but growing opportunities exist in independent labs, physicians’ offices, clinics, pharmaceutical companies, research institutions and government health agencies. The increasing importance of laboratory tests for medical diagnosis and treatment is expected to further expand the need for medical laboratory technologists. Graduate education in one of the biological sciences or chemistry usually speeds advancement into supervisory positions in certain areas of laboratory work.

  Majoring in Pre-Clinical Laboratory Science

The two-year pre-clinical laboratory science program offered at Raymond Walters College (RWC) is designed for students who wish to earn an associate of arts degree and transfer to the baccalaureate program in clinical laboratory science at UC’s College of Allied Health Sciences. Successful completion of this program will also allow you to transfer to many other four-year colleges and universities and to enter directly into the junior year.

The fourth year of all clinical/medical technology programs is a hospital internship. Grade point average and residency requirements vary from college to college. Students should consult the baccalaureate college of their choice for specific information.

  Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the Course Applicability System (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

Prerequisites: High school chemistry and biology, algebra I and algebra II or plane geometry, all with grades of “C” or better.

FIRST YEAR

Fall Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
English Composition I	28ENGL101	3
Biology I	28BIOL101	5
First Year Chemistry I	28CHEM101	4
First Year Chemistry Lab I	28CHEM111	1
College-level math*		3
TOTAL		16

Winter Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
English Composition II	28ENGL102	3
Biology II	28BIOL102	5
First Year Chemistry II	28CHEM102	4
First Year Chemistry Lab II	28CHEM112	1
College-level math*		3
TOTAL		16

Spring Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Biology III	28BIOL103	5
First Year Chemistry III	28CHEM103	4
First Year Chemistry Lab III	28CHEM113	1
College-level math*		3
General education elective**		3
TOTAL		16

SECOND YEAR

Fall Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Bio-organic Chemistry	28CHEM204	4
Bioorganic Chemistry Lab	28CHEM214	1
Cell Structure and Function	28BIOL301	4
Anatomy and Physiology I	28BIOL201	4
General education elective**		3
TOTAL		16

Winter Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Intro to Biochemistry I	28CHEM205	4
Intro to Biochemistry Lab I	28CHEM215	1
Genetics	28BIOL302	4
Anatomy and Physiology II	28BIOL202	4
General education elective**		3
TOTAL		16

Spring Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Intro to Biochemistry II	28CHEM206	4
Intro to Biochemistry Lab II	28CHEM216	1
Ecology	28BIOL303	4
Anatomy and Physiology III	28BIOL203	4
Intermediate Composition	28ENGL289	3
TOTAL		16

* Acceptable sequences are College Algebra I, II and Trigonometry, Elementary Probability and Statistics I, II, III, or Finite Math and Calculus I, II, III.

** Select one course to meet the fine arts requirement, one course to meet the historical perspectives requirement, one course to meet the literature requirement, one or two courses to meet the humanities requirement, or one course to meet the social/behavioral science requirement. See UC general education program Web site (http://www.uc.edu/gened) for a list of acceptable courses.

  Special Programs

A solid foundation to build upon is important to achieving success in pre-cinical laboratory science. RWC's small classes and well-qualified, dedicated faculty will help you get a good start on your education and provide a firm basis for future learning.

  Admission Requirements

You may enroll in Raymond Walters College if you graduated from an accredited high school or preparatory school, or have a GED certificate (minimum composite score of 45). The college’s rolling admissions policy allows you to start any quarter: fall, winter, spring, or summer.

High school students who are considering RWC should take either the SAT or ACT college entrance examination for use in guidance and counseling. All students entering a degree program must also take the college’s placement test prior to registering for classes. This test is given on the RWC campus.

The RWC Admissions Office provides an application for admission and all the information you’ll need to enroll in the college.

  Transferring to UC Requirements

For transfer requirements, see the bachelor's degree program offered at the UC College of Allied Health Sciences (35PPT).

Transferring to Raymond Walters College

A student wishing to transfer to Raymond Walters College from another accredited college or university should be guided by the following statement of policy:

1. Transfer applications are individually reviewed, and acceptance is based on receipt of application materials, as well as official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. An official evaluation of transfer credit from other colleges will be processed after the student's file is complete.
2. Credits are accepted from any institution currently accredited by any of the six regional accrediting agencies. Enrollment Services shall have discretionary authority to accept credits from other institutions in consultation with program directors or department chairpersons.
3. Only grades of "C" or better are accepted. Special exceptions may be granted at the discretion of Enrollment Services in consultation with program directors or department chairpersons.
4. There is a 10-year expiration limit for acceptance of transfer credits. Exceptions can be made by Enrollment Services in consultation with the appropriate program directors or department chairpersons.
5. For all situations not covered by the above, the decision will be referred to the department involved when appropriate.

  Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Students changing majors from other programs or colleges within UC will be considered based on the same criteria as outside transfers.

  International Student Requirements

Students who did not graduate from a high school in the United States of America must take an ability-to-benefit test and achieve the minimum specified score to be eligible for admission to a degree or certificate program at Raymond Walters College. The scores will be used for placement in English courses and general advising for all courses.

  Application Deadlines

Students may enter the program during any quarter. Many courses are sequential, however, and are offered only one quarter per academic year. Entering during winter or spring may extend the length of the program.

  Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University of Cincinnati Raymond Walters College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.