The Master of Science degree program curriculum
provides students with advanced course work in biotechnical and biomolecular
sciences. Graduates are prepared for positions in research and industrial R&D
laboratories or in sales/technical representation in biotechnology, chemical
or pharmaceutical companies. A research project resulting in a thesis must be
completed in the laboratory of one of the program faculty, or, by special
arrangement, with faculty in other departments who are affiliated with the
Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences. It should be
emphasized that the University at Buffalo offers many different courses, and a
program of study can be arranged to fit individual interests with regards to
careers in biotechnology.
Core Curriculum for All Students
All students need the latest scientific knowledge
regardless of their area of specialty; therefore the following courses are required of ALL
students.
BCH 503 - BIOCHEMICAL PRINCIPLES (4). Survey of
basic principles of biochemistry for students whose program of study requires
only a single semester of biochemistry.
MT 501 - METHODS OF ANALYSIS (4). Special
laboratory methods, including spectrophotometry, fluorometry, automation, atomic
absorption spectroscopy, chromatography, and radioisotopes. Individual
laboratory work is emphasized.
MT 503-504 - SEMINAR (1, 1).
Presentation and critical evaluation of current
literature; participation in group discussion. Must be taken each semester that
the student is registered.
MT 505 - METHOD EVALUATION AND COMPARISON (2). The
various aspects of evaluating new procedures for the clinical laboratory will be
discussed. Laboratory work involves setting up and testing a selected method,
including comparison with an established procedure.
MT 515 - LABORATORY MANAGEMENT (1).
Clinical and classroom instructional design, evaluation
strategies, statistical tools, and teaching skills
MT 517 - LABORATORY EDUCATION (1). Managerial
theory and practice, resume writing and interviewing, influence of regulatory
agencies, and current issues affecting health care.
MT 522 - BIOMOLECULAR TECHNOLOGY AND DIAGNOSIS (2,1). Discusses
the basic biochemistry needed to understand Mendelian genetics, basic techniques
used in molecular biology, practical uses of molecular biotechnology in
diagnosis, research and industry, and ethical issues surrounding the use of
biotechnology. Laboratory consists of hands-on and demonstration exercises
illustrating techniques used in biomolecular technology and diagnosis.
MT 532 -
Introduction to Medical Genetics (1). Discussions of the basic
principles of medical genetics, including basic Mendelian genetics, the
molecular and biochemical basis of genetics, developmental genetics, genetics of
complex diseases, genetics of cancer, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.
MT 599 - SUPERVISED TEACHING (1). Attend lectures
pertaining to education (Fall semester); participate in teaching of an
undergraduate course at least one semester. May elect to present lectures,
develop teaching materials.
MT 650 - RESEARCH -
Minimum 6 credits required. Guided research.
STA 527 - STATISTICS FOR THE BIOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL
SCIENCES (3). Statistical methods are presented to aid graduate students in
the biological, health, and medical sciences during the experimental design,
data collection, and data analysis phases of their graduate research.
Departmental Elective Courses
Electives should be selected in relation to interests and career goals in
consultation with the advisor. Below is a list of departmental electives that
may be of interest to students. In addition, the Graduate Catalog should be
consulted as many other courses outside the department are also appropriate.
MT 500 - INDEPENDENT STUDY (Var). Method and equipment
evaluations or other short-term projects, arranged in consultation with
individual faculty members.
MT 502 - FUNDAMENTALS OF IMMUNOLOGY (3,1). Functions and
mechanisms of the human immune system; antigen-antibody reactions and their
application to serological testing. Autoimmune diseases, syphilis, hepatitis,
AIDS, infectious mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus infections and toxoplasmosis are
among the disease states that are studied.
MT 506 - RESEARCH ROTATION IN CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE (1).
One semester rotation through various faculty laboratories to help students
decide the direction of their future research.
MT 507 - CLINICAL CHEMISTRY (6). Discusses pathological and
physiological implications of electrolytes, blood gases, metabolites, enzymes,
hormones, and drugs. Emphasizes developing technical competencies in analytical
methods and computer-based data reduction and interpretation. Covers
introductory methods of evaluation, quality control and basic statistical
decision-making procedures.
MT 509 - CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY (3,2). Comprehensive study of
the classification, etiology, pathogenicity, laboratory identification,
diagnosis, and treatment of bacterial infections. Emphasizes techniques and
methods used to identify and isolate bacterial pathogens. Overview of the
classification and pathogenicity of viral infections. Laboratory consists of
microscopic, biochemical and immunological procedures to identify pathogens from
clinical specimens.
MT 511 - CLINICAL HEMATOLOGY (4). Comprehensive study of
clinical hematology. The lecture focuses on the components of blood and their
specific role, hematopoiesis, and the incidence, etiology, diagnosis and
treatment of hematologic disorders. The laboratory complements the lecture and
provides the opportunity to develop a working knowledge of the basis for
hematologic laboratory testing, the development of the technical skills for the
performance of a variety of laboratory procedures and the interpretation of
laboratory results.
MT 516 - CLINICAL PARASITOLOGY (1). Clinical parasitology.
MT 520 - CLINICAL CORRELATIONS (1). Discusses case studies
using problem-solving techniques to analyze and interpret relevant clinical and
laboratory data; comprehensive examination covering all program coursework.
MT 521 - CLINICAL URINALYSIS & BODY FLUIDS (1). Theoretical and
applied aspects of urinalysis and body fluids.
MT 526 -TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION FOR SCIENTIFIC PROFESSIONALS
(2).
This course covers many types of communication skills required by the scientific
professional. These include preparation of abstracts, press releases,
manuscripts, posters, reports to regulatory agencies, oral reports, QA/QC
reports, resumes, and curriculum vitae. Additional lectures include avoiding
common errors in grammar and usage, accessing library resources, and preparing
for a job interview.
MT 528 - FORENSIC SCIENCE (3). Introduces the field of forensic
science, including the general areas of forensic serology, DNA analysis,
chemistry/drug analysis, firearms/tool marks, arson, and trace evidence.
MT 529 - CLINICAL MYCOLOGY (1). Comprehensive study of the
classification, etiology, pathogenicity, diagnosis and treatment of fungal
infections. Emphasizes techniques and methods used to isolate and identify
fungal pathogens. Laboratory consists of microscopic and biochemical procedures
to identify molds and yeasts from clinical specimens.
MT 530 - Bioseparation Techniques (2). Lectures are
presented to introduce the biochemistry of selected laboratory experiments
designed to provide the student experience with common analytical techniques
associated with the isolation, quantification and characterization of
biomolecules with an emphasis on instrumentation. Multiple bioseparation
techniques including thin layer, classical column, high performance liquid and
gas chromatography as well as electrophoretic separations are practiced.
Automated and semi-automated chemistry systems are also employed.
MT 531 - CLINICAL HEMOSTASIS (2). Comprehensive study of
hemostasis including an in depth examination of the components of coagulation
and fibrinolytic systems and related disorders. Emphasizes the clinical and
diagnostic features of the disorders of coagulation and fibrinolysis and the
selection and performance of appropriate laboratory tests.
MT 534 - Cell and Tissue Culture Techniques (4). Lectures
are presented to introduce the concepts of cell and tissue culture, with
specific laboratory exercises designed to expose the student, through the use of
primary and established cell lines, to sterile technique, media preparation,
quality control and cell line validation, passaging of nonadherent and adherent
cells, cryopreservation, and microscopy and digital photography.
Cellular assays for viability, proliferation,
invasion, and apoptosis will be performed.
MT 535 - CLINICAL IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY (3). Human blood group
antigens and antibodies; compatibility testing for blood transfusions and
problem solving involving case studies.
MT 540 - TUMOR IMMUNOLOGY (3). In depth study of current
clinically used tumor markers, current research on tumor markers and student
presentation of a research project concerning the past, present and future of
particular tumor antigens.
