During the past few decades, clinical and healthcare laboratories have expanded from small sections with simple equipment and traditional physio-chemical methods to grand centers with highly advanced devices operating in various branches of science. These dramatic, rapid changes require the recruitment of personnel with updated knowledge and ability to use the complex electronic and computer equipment and devices by adopting new diagnostic and molecular approaches. Therefore, there is a clear prospect regarding the market place for the efficient and skilled experts of laboratory sciences in the present and future, considering the progress in the clinical and healthcare laboratories, as well as the factories, production companies and distributors of laboratory tools and devices.
General Goals:
The main goal of the educational agenda for the bachelor's degree of laboratory sciences is to train students who are able to offer laboratory services with the highest efficacy. Moreover, the agenda includes general and specific educational contents for the students in order to raise their awareness of human culture and environment and increase their ability to perform initial and common tests in clinical and healthcare laboratories.
Role of Graduates:
Graduates of the bachelor's degree in laboratory sciences are expected to acquire scientific thinking skills, in addition to carry out clinical research tests and other related services as a experts in the following centers:
1. Clinical laboratories in private- and public-sector hospitals
2. Laboratories at healthcare centers
3. Private-sector clinical-diagnostic laboratories
4. Research and education institutions
5. Factories and manufacturing centers of laboratory devices and materials
6. Distributing companies of biological and laboratory products
7. Forensics laboratories
8. Laboratories at the Blood Transfusion Center
Executive Strategies of the Program:
The educational program for the continuous bachelor's degree of laboratory sciences has been codified so as to attain the following goals:
1. Meet the needs of the society in terms of clinical laboratory services
2. Provide the required laboratory services in the healthcare centers of the country to preserve health and prevent diseases
3. Apply the new methods and techniques of teaching and theory-practical learning in the apprenticeship period
4. Enable graduates to cover the needs of the society in various aspects, including laboratory research, education, production and services
5. Increase the adaptability of graduates with new technologies considering the rapid and constant changes in laboratory methods
Student Admission Method:
Students will be admitted based on the results of the national entrance exam for universities.
Similar Fields Abroad:
Many countries offer similar courses entitled "Medical Laboratory Sciences" and "Clinical Laboratory Sciences".
Educational Prospect:
Graduates of the bachelor's degree in laboratory sciences will be able to continue education in various branches related to this field at the master's degree or PhD, including biochemistry, hematology, immunology, bacteriology, parasitology, virology, mycology, toxicology and biotechnology.
Laboratory Sciences
Laboratory sciences is a branch of medical sciences, which focuses on the laboratory analysis of the blood, fluids and tissues of human body for disease diagnosis, treatment follow-up and preservation of health in the community.
History of the Major and Current Progress:
This field is offered in various universities across the world under the title "Medical Technology". In 1976, Credentialing Agency National changed the name of the major to Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS). Presently, the major is recognized as "Medical Laboratory Sciences" or "Clinical Laboratory Sciences". In the viewpoint of many experts, the new titles are more specific on the responsibilities and duties of the professionals in this major, who are known as "Clinical Laboratory Sciences Officers" (MLSO).
In Iran, the continuous bachelor's level of laboratory sciences was initiated since 1968 in the universities of Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Tabriz and Ahvaz, converted into apprenticeship and intermittent bachelor's level after the cultural revolution.
Parallel to the advancements in medical sciences, diagnostic techniques by laboratory equipment have expanded as well, such that employees in this field exploit automatic and electronic devices with high accuracy and precision to perform laboratory tests.
Medical Laboratory Sciences (BSc)
Individuals who enjoy science, like solving puzzles and working with people, may find medical laboratory sciences rewarding as a career option, which will provide life-long mobility, flexibility and opportunity. Modern medicine would be impossible without medical laboratory professionals. The medical laboratory sciences program has been offered by the School of Health Sciences. A medical laboratory scientist is a member of the healthcare team, trained to perform a wide variety of scientific fact-finding tests in the clinical laboratory. These tests encompass the areas of clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematology, clinical urinalysis, immunology, immunohematology, and molecular diagnostics. The results of these tests are used in the diagnosis, treatment, and, in some cases, prevention of diseases. An abundance of employment opportunities exists in hospital laboratories, commercial reference laboratories, private laboratories, public health laboratories, clinics, and research centers. After acquiring adequate experience within the field, there are opportunities for advancement into management, information technology, consulting and teaching positions. Furthermore, industries offer opportunities in the areas of sales, public relations, research and development, while there are channels for continued academic specialization and advanced degrees that in turn bring further employment opportunities and benefits as well. A degree in medical laboratory sciences can be a stepping stone to becoming a pathologist assistant, physician assistant or medical school.
Introduction- Objectives & Perspective:
Perspective of the Educational Curricula in the Training of Human Workforce:
From small laboratories with a few simple devices and traditional physical-chemical methods, clinical and health laboratories have turned into large centers with highly advanced equipment and numerous branches within the past few decades. These rapid and dramatic changes requires the staff to upgrade their knowledge, be able to use sophisticated electronic and computer laboratory devices and perform new diagnostic and molecular methods. Therefore, the market and career prospect is promising for the qualified and skilled experts of this field in the present and future for employment in clinical and health laboratories, factories and other production units of laboratory materials.
Overall Goals:
The BSc curricula of laboratory sciences aim to train students for offering laboratory services. These educational plans also include general and specialized trainings for students, so that they would acquire a better understanding of the dominating culture and environment that might affect performing primary and routine tests in clinical and health laboratories.