The Labcorp School of 
Medical Laboratory
Science – Michigan

Enroll in a unique hands-on program to gain the skills needed for
working in a clinical diagnostic laboratory as a medical
laboratory scientist.

Our Curriculum

Experience our comprehensive learning environment.
Our program starts with an orientation period where you learn about our facilities and policies while getting to know the other student interns and our faculty. As part of your assigned coursework, you will spend approximately 40 hours/week in the program (8 hrs/day). Most courses include the following components: 

  • In-person lectures: You will learn the technical and clinical aspects of laboratory analysis, the laboratory sciences, behavioral sciences and educational concepts. Our lectures, discussions and structured activities are conducted by a variety of qualified health professionals. We also provide seminars, workshops, audio-visual programs and intern reports and projects to supplement your learning.

  • Clinical rotations: You will learn and practice basic laboratory skills and techniques—and progress to more advanced skills and responsibilities—as you rotate through different laboratory divisions at multiple clinical site locations. Each clinical rotation emphasizes quality assurance, quality control and safety procedures pertaining to a specific laboratory area as you get in-depth, real-world exposure to a large variety of specimens and procedures. Study questions, case studies, slides and audio-visual and computer programs will also enhance your laboratory experiences.
 
  • Special assignments and activities: To enhance your professional and personal development, customized assignments and activities can be added. Based on your interests and abilities, these assignments and activities vary but can include: clinical research projects; attendance at Labcorp or hospital sponsored seminar or conference; point-of-care testing shadowing; community service projects; clinical case studies and discussions; health professional job shadowing; mock certification exam; or attendance at professional state meetings.

Course Descriptions

* Note: Credit hours only pertain to student interns affiliated with Michigan Technological University. 

Body Fluids
1 credit hour*
Lecture: The physical, chemical and biological properties of human body fluids include cerebrospinal fluid, seminal fluid, synovial fluid, transudate, exudate and urine. Topics emphasize anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and clinical applications.

Clinical Rotation: Practical laboratory instruction is provided for each test method and instrument used. 

Clinical Chemistry
6 credit hours*
Lecture: A presentation of the theories and principles of clinical chemistry with emphasis on quality assurance, laboratory statistics, current clinical methodologies and instrumentation, pathophysiology and clinical applications.

Clinical Rotation: Laboratory instruction is provided for all current chemistry methods on state-of-the-art instrumentation. This module includes instruction in laboratory automation, quality control and quality assurance. 

Hematology/Coagulation
5 credit hours*
Lecture: A presentation of the concepts of hematopoiesis; the morphogenesis, physiology and pathophysiology or erythrocytes, leukocytes and thrombocytes; the principles of the cellular disease mechanisms; concepts of hemostasis and coagulation; and clinical applications.

Clinical Rotation: Practical instruction in blood cell counting, identification and differentiation in blood and body fluids is provided using both manual and automated methods. This rotation also features instruction on hematology automation equipment and updated instrumentation methods. Instruction in routine and specialized coagulation test methods is included. 

Microbiology
6 credit hours*
Lecture: Pathogenic bacteria, viruses and animal and mycological parasites of humans are presented in relation to pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical manifestation, infectious diseases, antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy. 

Clinical Rotation: Practical laboratory instruction in bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, parasitology and virology isolation techniques and identification methods is provided. 

Immunohematology
5 credit hours*
Lecture: The human immune system and genetic mechanisms in relation to blood groups with topics including principles of immunohematology; ABO, Rh and other blood group systems; HLA antigens and antibodies; components and donor selection; erythroblastosis; and clinical applications.

Clinical Rotation: Instruction in pretransfusion testing, antibody identification and special techniques is provided. An emphasis is placed on inventory control and immunohematology instrumentation including automation. Principles of current transfusion practice and component therapy are taught with an emphasis on quality assurance and problem-solving. 

Specialized Testing: Immunology, Serology, Molecular Diagnostics
5 credit hours*
Lecture: The human immune system in relation to principles of immunology, immuno-physiology, hypersensitivity, immunochemistry, immunities to infectious agents, disorders of the immune system and clinical applications. The course includes principles of current clinical molecular techniques, methodologies and instrumentation, result interpretation and clinical applications. 

Clinical Rotation: Laboratory instruction is provided for the following: cellular immunology including flow cytometry, molecular diagnostics, testing methods for evaluation of infectious and inflammatory disease states, and special chemistry tests including electrophoresis. 

Laboratory Operations: Management and Education
2 credit hours*
Lecture: A basic introduction to the principles and theory of management and education as related to the clinical laboratory. The special job responsibilities of the clinical laboratory scientist in areas such as phlebotomy and specimen processing, reference laboratories, laboratory information systems, point-of-care testing, critical pathways and interpretive laboratory algorithms, clinical research project methodologies, client services, customer service, safety and laboratory quality/performance improvement are included. 

Clinical Rotation Assignments

As a student intern, you will spend the same number of weeks in each rotation, but not necessarily in the same sequence or at the same laboratory facility. Clinical rotations are assigned in laboratories at different facilities, including:

  • Henry Ford St. John Hospital (Detroit, Grosse Pointe Woods)
  • Henry Ford Macomb (Warren)
  • Henry Ford Providence (Southfield)
Rotation assignments are as follows:

  • Phlebotomy (1 week)
  • Microbiology (9 weeks)
  • Immunohematology (6 weeks)
  • Rapid Response Laboratory (16 weeks) – includes chemistry, urinalyses, hematology, body fluids, coagulation and PM shift
  • Enrichment Assignments (4 weeks) – includes research project, case studies and special assignments
  • Specialized Testing (6 weeks) – includes immunology, molecular diagnostics, flow cytometry and electrophoresis 

Evaluation Methods

Evaluations are an integral part of the School of Medical Laboratory Science. In evaluating your performance, we consider your attitude, ability, technical performance, appearance, quantity and quality of work, initiative and professionalism. Instructional and professional objectives are provided to assist your learning process. Our evaluation tools are designed to measure the achievement of these objectives. In addition, we evaluate to help you recognize your strengths and weaknesses and constructively support your professional development. 
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