Biomedical Laboratory Science
Biomedical Laboratory ScienceM.S. in Biomedical Laboratory Science
Clinical Laboratory Scientist Internship
Two graduate programs are offered by the Center for Biomedical Laboratory Science (CBLS). One leads to the Master of Science (M.S.) in Biomedical Laboratory Science. The other is a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Internship. CBLS also offers a non-credit 160-hour program (through the SFSU College of Extended Learning) for professional certification of phlebotomists.
By working closely with an adviser, the M.S. student can select courses which provide an emphasis in: clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, laboratory management, microbiology, clinical laboratory science education, or virology. For additional information regarding the master's program, please contact the director of CBLS at (415) 338-1696.
The 63-week Clinical Laboratory Scientist Internship prepares students for the State of California licensure examination for Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS), for the National Certification Agency for Clinical Laboratory Personnel's Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) examination, and for the Board of Registry examination for medical technology certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (MT-ASCP). For additional information regarding the CLS internship, contact the CLS program director at (415) 338-2332.
Graduates of the M.S. tend to be employed in biotechnology companies, work in research laboratories, or continue to other advanced degrees. The job opportunities are primarily in hospital and reference laboratories, but students are well prepared for careers as laboratory supervisors, research technicians, laboratory consultants, industrial technical representatives, marketing specialists for laboratory products, etc. There is a widespread shortage of training opportunities for clinical laboratory scientists and biomedical laboratory specialists. Consequently, the long term career outlook for graduates of CBLS's programs is excellent.
Graduate Advisers—Bigler, Blackwood, Chen, Romeo, Smith
Students must have a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Clinical Science, or the equivalent. Individuals with related degrees who are working in biomedical laboratory science research or industry may be admitted. A detailed description of the program is available in the Policies and Procedures Manual at the CBLS office.
Level One: must be completed by passing the Graduate Essay Test (GET). The GET is administered by the university Testing Center in the month before the start of each semester. Students must pass GET or the assigned English course(s) by the end of their second semester. Level Two: requires approval of a written research proposal by the faculty committee that supervises the student's research.
Online course descriptions are available.
| Program | Units | |
| BIOM 801 | Biomedical Laboratory Science Literature | 1 |
| BIOM 802 | Biomedical Laboratory Science Research Design | 1 |
| BIOM 703 | Biostatistics and Quality Control | 2 |
| Foundation graduate lecture course on advisement | 2-3 | |
| Graduate laboratory course on advisement | 2-3 | |
| BIOM 880 | Reading and Presenting Clinical Science Papers (2) or | 1-2 |
| BIOM 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887 | ||
| Plan A | ||
| Upper division or graduate elective courses selected with the approval of student's advisory committee | 14-17 | |
| BIOM 896 | Directed Reading | 1 |
| BIOM 897 | Research | 0-1 |
| BIOM 895 | Research Project | 3 |
| and Preliminary Oral Examination | ||
| and Oral Comprehensive Examination | ||
| Minimum total | 31 | |
| Plan B | ||
| Upper division or graduate elective courses selected with the approval of student's advisory committee | 9-13 | |
| BIOM 896 | Directed Reading | 1 |
| BIOM 897 | Research | 2-6 |
| BIOM 898 | Master's Thesis | 3 |
| and Preliminary Oral Examination | ||
| and Oral Defense of Thesis | ||
| Minimum total | 31 | |
Examination. An oral examination may be repeated once at the discretion of the committee.
Graduate Advisers—Albee, Howe, Rogers, Seman
Eight semester units (BIOM 703, 705, 708, 710) of the 30-unit program may be counted toward completion of SFSU's Master of Science in Biomedical Laboratory Science degree program.
Prerequisites are: (1) admissibility as a SFSU graduate student, (2) the science course preparation of the SFSU Bachelor of Science in Clinical Science degree or the equivalent, (3) an active CLS-Trainee's license from the State of California Department of Health Services, (4) completion of the application forms available at CBLS, including letters of reference, and (5) interviews at CBLS at SFSU and at affiliated teaching laboratories. The department is available to advise applicants about these admissions procedures. Classes start in July and January.
Students enroll for fifteen units each semester and for an Extended Learning Intersession course for the non-semester periods of the program.
| First Semester | Units | |
| BIOM 9000 | CBLS Intersession | 0 |
| BIOM 701 | On-Campus Laboratory Internship | 11-13 |
| BIOM 703 | Biostatistics and Quality Control | 2 |
| BIOM 708 | Laboratory Instrumentation and Electronics | 2 |
| BIOM 710 | Contemporary Clinical Science Issues | 1 |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIOM 702 | Off-Campus Clinical Laboratory Internship | 11-13 |
| BIOM 705 | Laboratory Administration | 2 |
| Minimum total | 30 | |