UB Programs At-A-Glance

Medical Technology

Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences

School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
26 Cary Hall
South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214-3005

Phone: 716.829.3630
Fax: 716.829.3601
Web: www.smbs.buffalo.edu/cls
Email: DOHERTYL@buffalo.edu

Paul J. Kostyniak
Chair

Robert L. Klick
Program Director

Leah Doherty
Undergraduate Program Advisor

About the Program

Medical technology, also known as clinical laboratory science, deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disease. It is a field of applied biology and chemistry and is appropriate for students interested in the delivery of health-care services. The course of study is interdisciplinary, drawing heavily upon the resources of both the natural sciences and the health sciences faculties. Once admitted into the program, students spend three academic semesters at the university taking program courses covering the areas of biochemistry, immunology, instrumentation, clinical chemistry, microbiology, blood banking, hematology, coagulation, parasitology, mycology, urinalysis, biomolecular techniques, medical genetics, and management. The last semester of the senior year is spent rotating through laboratories in area hospitals with which the program has affiliation agreements.

About Our Degrees

Medical technology, also known as clinical laboratory science, deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disease. It is a field of applied biology and chemistry and is appropriate for students interested in the delivery of health-care services. The course of study is interdisciplinary, drawing heavily upon the resources of both the natural sciences and the health sciences faculties. Generally, medical technologists perform complex medically-related laboratory tests--chemical, biological, bacteriological, and microscopic.

Acceptance Criteria

Completion of all prerequisite science and math courses (some exceptions considered).
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in prerequisite science and math courses.
Submission of a departmental application and a current copy of the UB DARS report to the department.

Acceptance Information

Application deadline is February 1st. This date may be extended based on space availability. Applications are available at the department office, 26 Cary Hall, South Campus, or online at www.smbs.buffalo.edu/cls. Up to thirty-five full-time students are admitted each fall semester; part-time study is also available.

Degree Requirements

See the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Courses

The curriculum for the program in Medical Technology is very structured. Students spend three academic semesters at the university taking program courses covering the areas of biochemistry, immunology, instrumentation, clinical chemistry, microbiology, blood banking, hematology, coagulation, parasitology, mycology, urinalysis, biomolecular techniques, medical genetics, education, and management. The last semester of the senior year is spent in guaranteed rotations in area hospital laboratories with which the program has affiliation agreements.

The typical size of lecture classes for required program courses is 25-60 students, with a smaller number in each associated laboratory section. Hospital rotations usually have an instructor/student ratio of 1/1.

In the medical technology program, what do teaching assistants (TA's) do?
TA's in required program courses assist professors in laboratory teaching and preparation. Some may present several lectures in their specialty. All teaching assistants are required to have weekly office hours for student assistance.

Suggested introductory courses:


For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Faculty

The UB program in Medical Technology is ranked among the top 15 medical technology programs in the nation in terms of faculty research productivity. Faculty research interests include measurement of oxidative stress, methods evaluation protocols, environmental pollutants and disease outcomes in humans, carbohydrate immunology, cellular and molecular biology of erythropoiesis, and organ and tissue donation. The faculty also excels at teaching and has received several student, university, and state-wide teaching awards. The undergraduate advisor schedules individual advising meetings on the South Campus by appointment only.

See a list of our undergraduate faculty.

Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities

Undergraduate Research and Practical Experience

Internships
Hospital internships completed during the final semester of the senior year are a guaranteed part of the program. Placement is made by the clinical education coordinator. Below is a listing of hospital and clinical affiliates.

Buffalo Medical Group
Catholic Health System (Sisters of Charity Hospital and Mercy Hospital of Buffalo)
Erie County Medical Center, including the Public Health Lab
Kaleida Health System (Buffalo General Hospital, Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, Millard Fillmore Health System)
Lifetime Health
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
UB Student Health Services
United Memorial Hospital (Batavia, New York)
Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System
Wyoming County Community Hospital (Warsaw, New York)

Honors, Awards, and Scholarships

Scholarships are available from the national, state, and local chapters of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS). Students must be members of the organization. The Sara Marie Cicarelli Memorial Scholarship is available to a full-time student entering the senior year of the program. The Mary Cecina Riforgiato Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a senior upon completion of the program.

Extracurricular Activities

Every fall semester the department hosts an introductory pizza party for all faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students.

An awards banquet is held in the spring semester to recognize graduating seniors.

See the UB Student Association.

Complementary Programs and Courses

Career Information and Further Study

Opportunities for medical technologists are extremely varied, and employment is available in both the public and private sectors.

Career Choices

  • Graduate school: Scientific specialty, forensics, computer science, business
  • Hospital or private laboratories
  • Instrument manufacturers
  • Laboratory management
  • Management or regulatory affairs
  • Professional school: Medical, dental, chiropractic, optometry, veterinary, physician’s assistant
  • Research or industrial laboratory careers
  • Sales or technical representation
  • Scientific writing or editing

Links to Further Information About This Program


Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:12 EST