Prerequisites for the Clinical Year

A strong basic science background is essential for a career in the clinical laboratory. Pre-professional study should be carefully planned with a Clinical Laboratory Sciences adviser.

All required courses must be completed prior to the clinical year. The minimum required cumulative GPA is 2.7. Admission is on a competitive basis.

The following coursework must be completed prior to starting the CLS Program. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.
Equivalent at UI
1.
 Two semesters of general biology for science majors, including lab
002:010 and 002:011
2.
 Two semesters of general chemistry for science majors, including lab
004:011 and 004:012
3.
 Two semesters of organic chemistry
004:121 and 004:122
4.
 One semester of biochemistry OR organic chemistry lab
004:141 and 004:141
5.
 One semester course in general microbiology (for science majors) with laboratory
061:057
6.
 One semester course in genetics
002:128
7.
 One semester course in immunology
061.147*
8.
 Mathematics through the pre-calculus level
22M:015 and 22M:009
9.
 Statistics
22S:025, 22S:101, 22S:102
Students seeking degrees from the University of Iowa must also complete all other degree requirements prior to starting the CLS Program. This includes all general education requirements of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, except for foreign language, which must be completed through second level proficiency only. See your adviser at UI to make sure all graduation requirements are being met.
*In order to enroll in 061:147, students must have completed a biology course containing a physiology component (2:010 and 2:011) and it is highly recommended to have completed or be enrolled in biochemistry. As an alternative to 061:147, students may enroll in an online immunology course offered by UNMC in the spring before they begin the CLS Program. Enrollment in this course will involve payment of tuition to UNMC.
Recommended Electives at UI

027:130 Human Physiology

027:053 Human Anatomy

026:102 Ethics

20E:103 Medical Terminology

 

06A:001 Introduction to Financial Accounting

06E:001 Principles of Microeconomics

029:011, 029:012 College Physics

061:159 Pathogenic Bacteriology

Any writing course beyond rhetoric

Students who intend to receive the BS degree in Clinical Laboratory Science must also complete all College of Liberal Arts and Sciences general education course requirements before beginning the clinical year. (Exception: only one year or equivalent of foreign language is required.)

To be eligible for enrollment in the certificate-only option, students must have or plan to receive a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution prior to enrolling in the CLS program. Alternatively, students who wish to use the CLS program clinical year as the fourth year toward a bachelor's degree at another institution may choose to enroll as a University of Iowa certificate-only student if their home institution formally agrees to award the bachelor's degree at the end of the CLS program. Certificate-only students do not receive academic credit from the University of Iowa and will not receive a bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa. If you have any questions about whether you qualify for certificate-only enrollment, please contact us at cls-program@uiowa.edu.

Suggested Track for University of Iowa Students

FRESHMAN:

First Semester SH Second Semester SH
Rhetoric 4 Rhetoric or 8G:1 3-4
Math for Bio Sci 22M:015 4 Principles of Chemistry II 4:012 4
Principles of Chemistry I 4:011 4 Principles of Bio I 2:10 4
Plus GERs to total 14-15 Plus GERs to total 14-15

SOPHOMORE:

First Semester SH Second Semester SH
Organic Chemistry 4:121 3 Gen Micro 61:157 5
Principles of Bio II 2:011 4 Organic Chemistry 4:122 2
Plus GERs to total 15 Plus GERs to total 15

Apply for Admission to CLS Program

JUNIOR:

First Semester SH Second Semester SH
Statistics 22S:101 or 102 4 Biochem 99:110 3
Genetics 2:128 4 Immunology 61:147 3
Plus GERs to total 15 Plus electives to total 15
Total semester hours at end of the junior year must equal at least 86

UNIVERSITY OF IOWA ADMISSIONS INFORMATION may be obtained from the UI Admissions Office, Calvin Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242-1396.

Specific Program course requirements and admission questions may be directed to the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program at 319-384-9617.

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