Curriculum

 

The curriculum for the BMLO Program uses a combination of preexisting courses with an array of courses specifically designed to allow focused development of problem-solving skills pertinent to the biomedical laboratory using basic management and scientific principles. A wide variety of courses can be used to satisfy the majority of curricular requirements. This flexible approach allow for the custom construction of course requirements to meet the interest and needs of the individual student.

 

The student must complete a minimum of 31 credits hours. The maximum number of credit hours which can be applied to determination of a final GPA is 36. In addition, the student must complete the requirements to acquire a Certificate in Basic Management and Communications (BMC). This program is offered by the faculty of the Colleges of Business and Communication Arts and Sciences. At least 11 credits must be taken which have a management/business focus. This does not include the BMC program. At least 17 credits must have a science focus. There is also a requirement for completion and defense of a industrial/clinical project (minimum of 3 credit hours).

The exact courses needed to fulfill the management and science requirements are variable. Specific course requirements are established by the students guidance committee. This is intended to allow for the creation of curriculums to meet the individual career goals of students. However, all curriculum will include three BMLO courses (five credit hours) that directly address the business aspects of operating a biomedical laboratory.

 

The curriculum has 3 major areas of emphasis; management, science and the BMLO courses. The only required courses within this curriculum are the BMC certificate program, three BMLO management courses, and the Industrial/Clinical project. Additional curriculum requirements are established by the student's guidance committee. Below are courses that can be taken into consideration when establishing a curriculum. However, other courses may be considered.

 

Management Courses (minimum of 6 credits within this focus)

In addition to this, all students must take the BMC certificate program. Suggested courses include:

Course
Name
Credits
MGT 813
Human Resource Training
3
MGT 824
Management and Organizational Behavior
3
EC 498
Economics of Health Care
3
UW MT 520
Method Validation, Quality Control, and Quality Planning
Offered through distance education by University of Wisconsin
3
UIC BHIS 510
Health Care Information Systems
Offered through distance education by University of Illinois Chicago
4

 

Science Courses (minimum of 17 credits within this focus)

Suggested courses include:

Course
Name
Credits
MT 830/831/831L
Molecular Laboratory Diagnostics Certificate Program
6
PTH 542
Basic Principles of Pathology
2
PTH 851
Advanced General Pathology
3
STT 421/422
Biostatistics
6
BMB 461/462
Biochemistry
6
EPI 810
Introduction to Descriptive and Analytical Epidemiology
3
BMB 521
Medical Biochemistry
5
MMG 431
Microbial Genetics
3
MMG 461
Molecular Pathogenesis
3
MMG 851
Immunology
MMG 833
Microbial Genetics
3
BMB 831
Physiologic Biochemistry
4
BMB 801
Molecular Biology
3
BMB 802
Metabolic Regulation and Signal Transduction
3
BMB 825
Cell Structure and Function
3
BMB 523
Genetics for Medical Practice
1
MT 812
Advanced Clinical Chemistry
2
MT 820
Advanced Hematology
2
MT 860
Advanced Microbiology
2

 

BMLO Courses

These courses are required.

Course
Name
Credits
MT 842
Managing Biomedical Laboratory Operations (Required)
2
MT 844
Topic in Biomedical Laboratory Operations (Required)
1
MT 846
Decision Processes for Biomedical Laboratory Operations (Required)
2

 


Master's Project

Course
Name
Credits
MT 895
Industrial/Clinical Project (Required)
3 - 6


Below is a sample curriculum with an emphasis in infectious disease. The following assumes the entering student has satisfied prerequisites in their undergraduate curriculum.

Fall 1

BMC Certificate Program

PTH 542 (2)

BMB 521 (5)

MT 842 (2)

Spring 1

BMC Certificate Program

MT 830 (2)

MT 844 (1)

MGT 824 (3)

MMG 461 (3)

Summer 1

MT 831 (2)

MT 831L (2)

MT 860 (2)
Fall 2

MMG 833 (3)

MT 846 (2)

EC 498 (3)

Spring 2

MT 895 (3)

This curriculum has a total of 35 credits plus the BMC program. The minimum number of credits needed to graduate is 31. As indicated above, the actual number needed will be dependent on the course requirements established by the advisory committee. In this example, 6 credits are at the 400 level or below. Of these 32 credit hour, 21 are science, 14 are non science. Similar curriculums can be established with other emphasis. The time-line goal for completion is 5 semesters. The minimum number of credit hours to complete this program is 31.