Diagnostic Science Major (B.S.)
The Diagnostic Science program aims to develop the next generation of diagnostic professionals who demonstrate innovation and compassion to advance healthcare. Through interdisciplinary education and a commitment to critical inquiry, our graduates will become pioneers in identifying and solving complex health challenges, driving better outcomes for individuals and communities.
This is the pre-clinical option for students who wish to have a background in diagnostic science but whose goals are to work in roles outside of the clinical laboratory.
Graduates from this program are prepared for a variety of careers due to the clinical laboratory and quality control/assurance principles learned through this curriculum. Additionally, the knowledge gained in quality control and assurance provides graduates of this option with ample skills needed in varying industries.
Degree Requirements
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Foundation Courses | ||
| CHEM 403 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 404 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 545 & CHEM 546 | Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| BIOL 528 | Applied Biostatistics I | 4 |
| Bioscience Core Courses | ||
| BMS 503 & BMS 504 | General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory | 5 |
| BIOL 411 | Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular | 4 |
| BMS 507 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BMS 508 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BMCB 658 & BMCB 659 | General Biochemistry and General Biochemistry Lab | 5 |
| GEN 604 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
| Diagnostic Science Core Courses | ||
| MCBS 401 | Professional Perspectives in Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences | 1 |
| BMS 560 & BMS 561 | Body Fluids and Body Fluids Laboratory | 4 |
| BMS 602 & BMS 603 | Pathogenic Microbiology and Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory | 5 |
| BMS 642 & BMS 643 | Clinical Immunology and Serology and Clinical Serology Laboratory | 4 |
| BMS 644 & BMS 645 & BMS 646 | Clinical Hematology and Clinical Hematology Laboratory and Clinical Hemostasis | 6 |
| BMS 650 | Molecular Diagnostics | 4 |
| BMS 656 & BMS 657 | Immunohematology and Blood Banking Laboratory | 4 |
| BMS 658 & BMS 659 | Medical Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| BMS 720 & BMS 721 | Mycology, Parasitology, and Virology and Mycology, Parasitology, and Virology Laboratory | 5 |
| Major Electives | ||
| Select a minimum of 16 credits from the below list of approved electives for the major. | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 97 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Approved Elective Courses | ||
| BMS 610 | Biomedical Lab Management 1 | 4 |
| BMS 623 | Histology: Microscopic Cellular Structure and Function | 4 |
| BMS 640 | Phlebotomy Theory 1 | 2 |
| BMS 641 | Phlebotomy Clinical Internship | 1 |
| BMS 702 | Endocrinology | 4 |
| BMS 704 | Pathologic Basis of Disease | 4 |
| BMS 711 | Toxicology | 4 |
| BMS 719 | Host-Microbe Interactions | 4 |
| BMS 740 | Human Microbiome | 4 |
| BMS 749 | Case Studies in Hematology and Immunology | 2 |
| BMS 750 | Case Studies in Microbiology | 2 |
| BMS 751 | Advanced Clinical Microbiology Internship 2 | 5 |
| BMS 752 | Advanced Hematology Internship 2 | 5 |
| BMS 753 | Advanced Immunohematology Internship 2 | 5 |
| BMS 754 | Advanced Clinical Chemistry Internship 2 | 5 |
| BMS 790 | Undergraduate Teaching Experience 3 | 1 |
| BMS 799H | Senior Honors Thesis 4 | 1 |
| BMS 799 | Senior Thesis 4 | 1 |
| BMCB 760 | Pharmacology | 4 |
| GEN 706 | Human Genetics | 4 |
| SOC 635W | Medical Sociology | 4 |
- 1
Required for Clinical Internship Courses.
- 2
Students must complete this course to be eligible for MLS (ASCP) examination.
- 3
To be considered a capstone, students must complete two semesters of this course after acquiring 90 credits and senior status.
- 4
Students must complete a minimum of 4 credits for this course to count as an elective.
Sample Degree Plan
This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| MCBS 401 | Professional Perspectives in Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences | 1 |
| BIOL 411 | Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular | 4 |
| BMS 507 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
| CHEM 403 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BMS 508 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| CHEM 404 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| BIOL 528 | Applied Biostatistics I | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BMS 503 & BMS 504 | General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory | 5 |
| GEN 604 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
| Discovery Course (Writing Intensive) | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BMS 602 & BMS 603 | Pathogenic Microbiology and Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory | 5 |
| BMS 560 & BMS 561 | Body Fluids and Body Fluids Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 545 & CHEM 546 | Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| Major Elective | 2-4 | |
| Credits | 16-18 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BMS 650 | Molecular Diagnostics | 4 |
| BMCB 658 & BMCB 659 | General Biochemistry and General Biochemistry Lab | 5 |
| BMS 644 & BMS 645 & BMS 646 | Clinical Hematology and Clinical Hematology Laboratory and Clinical Hemostasis | 6 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BMS 642 & BMS 643 | Clinical Immunology and Serology and Clinical Serology Laboratory | 4 |
| BMS 720 & BMS 721 | Mycology, Parasitology, and Virology and Mycology, Parasitology, and Virology Laboratory | 5 |
| Major Elective | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BMS 658 & BMS 659 | Medical Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| BMS 656 & BMS 657 | Immunohematology and Blood Banking Laboratory | 4 |
| Major Elective | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| Major Elective | 4-5 | |
| Elective | 4-5 | |
| Elective | 4-5 | |
| Elective | 4-5 | |
| Credits | 16-20 | |
| Total Credits | 131-137 | |
- Demonstrate an understanding of foundational knowledge in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and clinical science
- Apply scientific and statistical methods to critically evaluate and draw conclusions from experimental evidence or clinical data
- Use evidence-based strategies to troubleshoot unexpected experimental outcomes or problem solve in clinical scenarios
- Evaluate the reliability of laboratory results using pertinent quality control and quality assurance data
- Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate scientific and clinical data
- Correlate clinical and laboratory data to patient diagnosis and prognosis
- Perform procedures routinely completed in clinical laboratories within acceptable limits of precision and accuracy.
- Exhibit attitudes, behaviors, and ethics expected of entry-level medical professionals