Overview
Studying in the Medical Laboratory Science Department is a four-year program (1+3) followed by a 12 months internship. During the first academic year (pre-professional year) students acquire a strong foundation in biology and chemistry with additional coursework in (math), statistics, English, and computer skills. The second and third academic year (four semesters) is for the general requirements for both tracks. The last academic year (almost two semesters) are designed to meet the vision of each track.
Tracks
General Track:
Choosing this track allows students to learn how lab tests are best applied to diagnose and monitor human disease. They are generalists, skilled in all areas of the medical laboratory. They work with medical laboratory scientists in hospital laboratories to apply knowledge and skills in hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunohematology, immunology, molecular diagnostics, research, and laboratory management. Courses in each of the disciplines mentioned are presented in both lecture and laboratory format.
The Medical Genetics Track:
Specialization in medical genetics needs a wide range of clinical skills, as genetic disorders can affect people of all ages and involve all body systems. During this specialization track, a medical geneticist is trained in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for patients with genetically-linked diseases. This specialist uses modern cryptogenic, radiologic, and biochemical testing to assist in specialized genetic counseling, implement needed therapeutic interventions, and provide prevention through prenatal diagnosis. The medical geneticist plans and coordinates large-scale screening programs for inborn errors of metabolism, hemoglobinopathies, chromosome abnormalities, and neural tube defects.
Why MLS Program
Health care and related biomedical fields are among the fastest growing industries because of large populations, expanded health care coverage, and technological advances. Recognizing this, the number of MLS programs here in the kingdom has rapidly increased in the last few years to meet this concept. Unfortunately, despite the much growing specialties and subspecialties within this field, most if not all MLS programs offered one track; professional Medical (Clinical) Laboratory Technologists. Most recently, the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) offered many specialties and subspecialties for the Medical Laboratory Technologists; so, MLS programs should offer many tracks to meet this progress.
The most popular tracks offered by many international universities are DNA biotechnology, histopathotechnology, medical laboratory science, each leads to the bachelor of MLS degree.
Furthermore, the design of this program opens the door for further subspecialty if it is needed to meet the requirements of medical laboratories professionals such as Medical Genetic track.
Internship
Internship is a 12 months comprehensive clinical training program (Required for professional registration) for recent graduates to prepare them for high-quality service in the profession. The graduate must complete all academic requirements to be qualified for the internship program. The intern will rotate under supervision through clinical areas within the respective department in the hospital. The intern is awarded the Bachelor of Science degree after successful completion of all clinical rotations, competencies and objectives.
Students are eligible for 2-week vacation; however, these two weeks should not be in the same rotation (division). Moreover, the vacation should be approved by the assigned faculty member and arranged with the preceptor at the clinical site.
Suggested Internship Program Outline
|
No. of Weeks |
Division |
|
|
2 weeks |
Main specimen collection/preparation
|
|
|
3 weeks |
Phlebotomy
|
|
|
7 weeks |
Microbiology
|
|
|
6 weeks |
Biochemistry
|
|
|
6 weeks |
Hematology
|
|
|
6 weeks |
Blood bank
|
|
|
6 weeks |
Serology and immunology
|
|
|
6 weeks |
Histo and cyto pathology
|
|
|
6 weeks |
Molecular diagnostics
|
|
|
4 weeks |
Elective
|
|
|
52 |
Total No. of Weeks |
|
|
No. of Weeks |
Division |
|
|
2 weeks |
Main specimen collection/preparation
|
|
|
8 weeks |
Cytogenetics
|
|
|
8 weeks |
Molecular Diagnosis
|
|
|
8 weeks |
Biochemical genetics
|
|
|
8 weeks |
Prenatal diagnosis & fetal dysmorphology
|
|
|
6 weeks |
Molecular hematological disorders
|
|
|
6 weeks |
Molecular pathology
|
|
|
6 weeks |
Molecular microbiology and immunology
|
|
|
52 |
Total No. of Weeks |
|
Study Plan for Medical Laboratory sciences Program
General Track and Medical Genetics Track
2nd Year – Level 3
|
Course Code in English |
Course Code in Arabic |
Course Title |
Credits Distribution |
Prerequisite |
||||
|
English |
Arabic |
Lecture |
Lab |
Tutorial |
Credit |
|||
|
MLS 232 |
232 مخت |
Principles of Physiology |
أساسيات علم وظائف الأعضاء |
1 |
2 |
|
2 |
BIOL-106 |
|
MLS 231 |
231 مخت |
Principles of Anatomy |
أساسيات التشريح |
1 |
2 |
|
2 |
BIOL-106 |
|
MLS 233 |
233 مخت |
Basics Biochemistry |
كيمياء حيوية اساسية |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
CHEM-106 |
|
MLS 234 |
234 مخت |
Basics Microbiology |
علم الأحياء الدقيقة العامة |
3 |
2 |
|
4 |
BIOL-106 |
|
MLS 237 |
237مخت |
Emergency Care |
عناية الطوارئ |
1 |
2 |
|
2 |
|
|
SLM 101 |
سلم 101 |
Islam 101 |
Islam 101 |
2 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
Total Credit Hours |
15 |
|||||||
2nd Year – Level 4
|
Course Code in English |
Course Code in Arabic |
Course Title |
Credits Distribution |
Prerequisite |
||||
|
English |
Arabic |
Lecture |
Lab |
Tutorial |
Credit |
|||
|
SLM 102 |
سلم 102 |
Islam 101 |
Islam 101 |
2 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
MLS 241 |
241 مخت |
Hematology-1 |
علم الدم-1 |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
MLS 232 |
|
MLS 242 |
242 مخت |
Histology |
علم الأنسجة |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
MLS 231 |
|
MLS 243 |
243 مخت |
Clinical Bacteriology I |
علم البكتيريا الإكلينيكية 1 |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
MLS 234 |
|
MLS 244 |
244 مخت |
Basics Immunology |
أساسيات المناعة |
1 |
2 |
|
2 |
MLS 234 |
|
MLS 245 |
245 مخت |
Analytical Chemistry |
كيمياء تحليلية |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
CHEM-105 |
|
ARAB 102 |
عرب 102 |
Arabic 102 |
Arabic 102 |
2 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
Total Credit Hours |
33 |
|||||||
3rd Year – Level 5
|
Course Code in English |
Course Code in Arabic |
Course Title |
Credits Distribution |
Prerequisite |
||||
|
English |
Arabic |
Lecture |
Lab |
Tutorial |
Credit |
|||
|
SLM 103 |
سلم 103 |
Islamic culture 103 |
Islamic culture 103 |
2 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
MLS 351 |
351 مخت |
Clinical Biochemistry 1 |
كيمياء حيوية إكلينيكية 1 |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
MLS 233 |
|
MLS 352 |
352 مخت |
General Pathology |
علم الأمراض العام |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
MLS 242 |
|
MLS 353 |
353 مخت |
Histotechnology |
تقنية الأنسجة |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
MLS 242 |
|
MLS 354 |
354 مخت |
Clinical Parasitology |
علم الطفيليات السريرية |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
MLS 243 |
|
MLS 355 |
355 مخت |
Hematology-2 |
علم الدم-2 |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
MLS 241 |
|
Total Credit Hours |
50 |
|||||||
3rd year – Level 6
|
Course Code in English |
Course Code in Arabic |
Course Title |
Credits Distribution |
Prerequisite |
||||
|
English |
Arabic |
Lecture |
Lab |
Tutorial |
Credit |
|||
|
MLS 363 |
363 مخت |
Clinical Bacteriology II |
علم البكتيريا الإكلينيكية 2 |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
MLS 243 |
|
MLS 364 |
364 مخت |
Pathophysiology |
علم وظائف الأعضاء المرضي |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
MLS 352 MLS 353 |
|
MLS 362 |
362 مخت |
Clinical mycology & virology |
علم الفطريات والفيروسات الإكلينييكة |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
MLS 243 |
|
MLS 365 |
365 مخت |
Clinical Immunology and Serology |
مناعة سريرية وأمصال |
1 |
2 |
|
1 |
MLS 244 |
|
MLS 366 |
366 مخت |
Clinical Biochemistry 2 |
كيمياء حيوية إكلينيكية 2 |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
MLS 351 |
|
Total Credit Hours |
63 |
|||||||
4th Year – Level 7
|
Course Code in English |
Course Code in Arabic |
Course Title |
Credits Distribution |
Prerequisite |
||||
|
English |
Arabic |
Lecture |
Lab |
Tutorial |
Credit |
|||
|
ETH 455 |
455 ايث |
Ethics |
Ethics |
2 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
MLS 471 |
471 مخت |
Cellular and Molecular Pathology |
علم الأمراض الخلوي والجزيئي |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
MLS 364 |
|
MLS 472 |
472 مخت |
Epidemiology |
علم الوبائيات |
2 |
0 |
|
2 |
MLS 363 |
|
MLS 473 |
473 مخت |
Immuno-haematology |
مناعة دموية |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
MLS 365 |
|
MLS 474 |
474 مخت |
Urinanalysis and body fluids |
تحاليل البول وسوائل الجسم |
1 |
2 |
|
2 |
MLS 351 |
|
MLS 475 |
475 مخت |
Principles of Scientific research |
أساسيات البحث العلمي |
2 |
0 |
|
2 |
|
|
MLS 476 |
476 مخت |
Gene technology |
البيولوجيا الجزيئية وتقنية الجينات |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
|
|
Total Credit Hours |
80 |
|||||||
4th year – Level 8
|
Course Code in English |
Course Code in Arabic |
Course Title |
Credits Distribution |
Prerequisite |
||||
|
English |
Arabic |
Lecture |
Lab |
Tutorial |
Credit |
|||
|
MLS 481 |
481 مخت |
Applied Clinical Microbiology & Immunology |
الأحياء الدقيقة السريرية التطبيقية |
2 |
4 |
|
4 |
MLS 354 MLS 355 MLS 362 MLS 363 |
|
MLS 482 |
482 مخت |
Applied Clinical Biochemistry |
كيمياء حيوية سريرية تطبيقية |
1 |
4 |
|
3 |
MLS 474 |
|
MLS 483 |
483 مخت |
Analytical Laboratory Automation |
التحليل الآلي المخبري |
1 |
2 |
|
2 |
MLS 474 |
|
MLS 484 |
484 مخت |
Applied Hematology & blood bank |
علم االدم التطبيقي وبنوك الدم |
1 |
4 |
|
3 |
MLS 473 |
|
MLS 485 |
485 مخت |
Graduation Project |
مشروع التخرج |
1 |
4 |
|
3 |
|
|
- |
- |
Elective course |
مقرر اختياري |
2 |
- |
|
2 |
|
|
Total Credit Hours |
97 |
|||||||
The Medical Genetics Track: 4th Year – Level 7
|
Course Code in English |
Course Code in Arabic |
Course Title |
Credits Distribution |
Prerequisite |
||||
|
English |
Arabic |
Lecture |
Lab |
Tutorial |
Credit |
|||
|
ETH 455 |
455 ايث |
Ethics |
Ethics |
2 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
MLS 471 |
471 مخت |
Cellular and Molecular Pathology |
علم الأمراض الخلوي والجزيئي |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
MLS 364 |
|
MLS 472 |
472 مخت |
Epidemiology |
علم الوبائيات |
2 |
0 |
|
2 |
|
|
MLS 475 |
475 مخت |
Principles of Scientific research |
أساسيات البحث العلمي |
2 |
0 |
|
2 |
|
|
MLS 476 |
476 مخت |
Gene technology |
البيولوجيا الجزيئية وتقنية الجينات |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
|
|
MLS 477 |
477 مخت |
Cytogenetic |
وراثة خلوية |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
|
|
MLS 478 |
478 مخت |
Biochemical genetics |
وراثة بيوكيميائية |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
|
|
Total Credit Hours |
115 |
|||||||
The Medical Genetics Track: 4th Year – Level 8
|
Course Code in English |
Course Code in Arabic |
Course Title |
Credits Distribution |
Prerequisite |
||||
|
English |
Arabic |
Lecture |
Lab |
Tutorial |
Credit |
|||
|
MLS 486 |
486 مخت |
Clinical Practice of cytogenetic diagnosis |
الوراثة الخلوية السريرية |
1 |
4 |
|
3 |
MLS 477 |
|
MLS 487 |
487 مخت |
Clinical Practice of molecular diagnosis |
البيولوجيا الجزيئية السريرية |
2 |
4 |
|
4 |
MLS 476 |
|
MLS 488 |
488 مخت |
Clinical Practice of biochemical genetic diagnosis |
الوراثة البيوكيميائية السريرية |
1 |
4 |
|
3 |
MLS 478 |
|
MLS 489 |
489 مخت |
Clinical Practice of prenatal diagnosis & fetal dysmorphology |
الممارسة السريرية ماقبل الولادة وتشوهات الجنين |
1 |
2 |
|
2 |
MLS 471 |
|
MLS 485 |
485 مخت |
Graduation Project |
مشروع التخرج |
1 |
4 |
|
3 |
|
|
Total Credit Hours |
130 |
|||||||
