Cal State Channel Islands offers new emphasis

California State University Channel Islands will introduce a new emphasis in clinical lab sciences within the Bachelor of Science degree in biology beginning with the fall 2008 semester.

In August 2007, a research report commissioned by CSUCI's Office of Extended Education identified occupations in high demand in the region and statewide. The report indicated an immediate and long-term need in several healthcare areas, including clinical laboratory science.

Clinical laboratory professionals provide service and research in clinical labs and related settings in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare institutions. They conduct lab tests, collect and evaluate laboratory information, direct laboratory resources, serve as the analyst in making specimenoriented decisions and assist in clinical decision-making.

Licensed clinical lab scientists or public health microbiologists often work in hospitals/clinics and public health organizations. To be licensed, students need to take prescribed courses in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Once a student completes the degree and emphasis, he or she is eligible to apply for a clinical laboratory science or public health program, both of which are offered by various hospitals and professional institutions. The programs allow students to obtain further clinical training and licensure. Passing the California License Exam is necessary to become a practicing clinical laboratory science or public health professional.

To implement the program, the university has added new courses in medical mycology and hematology.

For more information, call ChingHua Wang, chair of the biology program at CSUCI, at (805) 4378870 or email chunghua.wang@csuci.edu.