school of health professions 2018 - 2019 Catalog

Master of Science in Molecular Pathology (MP)

This program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

5600 N River Rd., Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
(773) 714-8880

Program Description

Developments in biotechnology in the past two decades have led to the clinical diagnostic laboratory entering a new phase of development and expansion. For the first time in the history of the diagnostic laboratory, molecular pathology is extending the range of information available to physicians, research scientists, and other health professions. Biotechnology, in all its forms, is the fastest-growing discipline in the modern clinical laboratory. The rapid growth of genomics and molecular techniques available to the healthcare professional is dramatically changing the detection, treatment, and assessment of disease. The diagnostic molecular scientist is a professional who is qualified by academic and applied education to provide service in the molecular diagnosis of acquired, inherited and infectious diseases. The goal of molecular diagnostics is to enhance the value of clinical laboratory services by providing an environment in which new tests based on the application of knowledge and new techniques at the most basic cellular level (i.e. molecular techniques) can be established, validated and applied to the testing of patient specimens.

The TTUHSC Molecular Pathology program culminates in the Master of Science degree in Molecular Pathology. To further molecular pathology among health professions, the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (BOC) has developed a national certification examination for the Certified Laboratory Technologist (ASCP) in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCP).

Special Features

The twelve-month program includes 39 credit hours of didactic (classroom and laboratory) experience and three credit hours of mentored, clinical molecular diagnostic experience including biomedical research (clinical preceptorship). The clinical experiences are structured to provide skill and practice in diagnostic techniques, quality assurance, and interpreting and reporting patient results. The clinical experience is an integral part of the curriculum and students pay regular tuition and fees for enrollment.

Essential Functions

A student admitted to the Molecular Pathology program must meet basic and essential requirements. To successfully complete didactic, laboratory, and clinical/fieldwork/preceptorship portions in the MP program, an individual must meet the following essential functions:

  1. Mobility: The student must have adequate gross mobility in order to maneuver in a timely and safe fashion throughout the department. The student must be able to lift his or her arms above shoulder height in order to place or remove items of ten pounds or less from shelves. The student must be able to bend over at the waist or squat (waist and knees) in order to place and remove items of ten pounds or less from drawers and cabinets.

  2. Manual Dexterity: The student must have adequate fine motor skills to be able to manipulate small objects in a safe and precise manner. Examples would include (but are not limited to) being able to operate a computer keyboard; dial a telephone; handle cuvettes, sample cups, pipette tips, and reagent vials; pick up glass slides from table top, manipulate tools and instruments used in the clinical laboratory (including a microscope and pipettes); collect specimens, and use a pen or pencil in order to communicate effectively in writing for coursework and clinical/fieldwork/preceptorship to ensure patient/client safety. 

  3. Auditory Acuity: The student must be able to hear well enough to respond to significant sounds in a clinical lab. Examples would include (but are not limited to) being able to hear signals generated from instrumentation that may indicate normal operating status, critical sample value, or equipment malfunction, and being able to hear and follow verbal instruction from a coworker or supervisor in order to ensure patient safety. (National Patient Safety Goals)

  4. Verbal Communication Skills: The student must be able to orally communicate professionally to persons on the telephone or other health care workers listening specifically, to the student in person to ensure patient safety. (National Patient Safety Goals)

  5. Visual Acuity to read, write, discern colors, and use a microscope: The student must have adequate eyesight such that he/she can recognize and distinguish gradients of color (such as on an ELISA assay), read numbers and words either on a video display screen, computer printout, or legible handwriting, and interpret lines and points on graphs and charts to ensure patient safety.

  6. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quality Skills: The student must possess the ability to develop and exhibit organizational problem solving skills. Specifically, the student must have the ability to measure, calculate, analyze, interpret, synthesize and evaluate data in a short period of time; have the ability to learn to perform duties and assignments  in a timely manner while under stress and in a variety of settings; exhibit the maturity to accept feedback and demonstrate professional conduct in the classroom, laboratory, and at the preceptorship site.

  7. Social Behavior Skills: Demonstrate respect for individual, social, and cultural differences in fellow students, faculty, staff, patients, clients, and patients’/clients’ families during clinical/fieldwork/preceptorship/and academic interactions. Demonstrate flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in academic and clinical/fieldwork/ preceptorship situations. Conduct oneself in an ethical and legal manner, demonstrating honesty, integrity, and professionalism in all interactions and situations.

Application Process

Applications are considered on a rolling basis for acceptance into the program. Applications must be received by February 1st to be considered for summer enrollment of that year.

The following is required for an individual to be considered for the MP program:

  • A cumulative and prerequisite grade point average of 2.75 or above (on a 4.0 scale) is necessary to qualify for admissions.
  • Graduate of a NAACLS accredited Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program (cumulative 2.75 GPA) with a national certification in clinical laboratory science OR Graduate of an accredited university with a bachelor’s degree in a science discipline (including the listed prerequisite courses below).

All qualified candidates selected by the MP admissions committee will be invited for an on-campus interview.

Prerequisite Course Requirements

Required Course
Semester Hours

College Algebra or higher

3

General Chemistry with laboratory

8

Microbiology

4

Biochemistry

3-4

Genetics

3-4

General Biology

8

Organic Chemistry                                                                 

8


Curriculum

The following courses are offered once each year in the semester listed and must be taken in sequence unless granted permission by the course director and Program Director.

Summer Semester Courses
Credit Hours

HPMP 5100      Issues in Molecular Pathology

1

HPMP 5400      Research Design & Statistical Analysis

4

HPMP 5406      Molecular Biology of the Cell           

4


Total Hours = 9 

Fall Semester Courses
Credit Hours       

HPMP 5309      Human Molecular Genetics

3

HPMP 5341      Graduate Research I

3

HPMP 5407      Pathophysiology/Clinical Laboratory

4

HPMP 5805      Applied Molecular Techniques I                

8


Total Hours = 18

Spring Semester Courses
Credit Hours       

HPMP 5102      Graduate Seminar

1

HPMP 5301      Management of Molecular Laboratory

3

HPMP 5342      Clinical Preceptorship

3

HPMP 5408      Applied Molecular Techniques II

4

HPMP 5441      Graduate Research II                                   

4


Total Hours = 15

  • HPMP 5098 Special Topics (1-6:0:1-6,H)

    Prerequisite: Permission from the Program Director. This course involves an independent project designed to meet the individual student's needs and/or interests. This may include, but is not limited to, a research project, or course/skill review.

  • HPMP 5100 Issues in Molecular Pathology (1:3:0,F)

    Presentation of current topics regarding the biomedical application of genetic information. Ethical issues and professionalism will also be discussed.

  • HPMP 5102 Graduate Seminar (1:1:0,F)

    Career preparation and independent study and prep for external certification in Molecular Pathology.

  • HPMP 5301 Management of the Molecular Laboratory (3:3:0,O)

    Business and management principles relative to laboratory management and administration will be presented. The purpose, function, and utilization of laboratory services, specimen procurement, patient education and consent, regulatory issues, and quality assurance are discussed. Specific requirements regarding accreditation of molecular pathology clinical laboratories will be reviewed and discussed. Co-requisite HPMP 5102.

  • HPMP 5309 Human Molecular Genetics (3:3:0,O)

    Advanced human molecular genetics with an emphasis on the causative factors and diagnosis of human disease. The fundamental principles of medical genetics, including basic Mendelian genetics, the molecular and biochemical basis of genetics, developmental genetics, genetics of complex diseases, cancer, and epigenetics will be studied. Genetic counseling, carrier screening and prenatal diagnosis will be discussed.

  • HPMP 5341 Graduate Research I (3:3:4,F)

    Prerequisite: HPMP 5400. Topics include the application of molecular techniques in the design and creation of clinical procedures, clinical essays, writing a scientific article, critical evaluation of scientific literature, and peer review. Writing intensive.

  • HPMP 5342 Clinical Preceptorship (3:0:40,F)

    Supervised advanced molecular clinical practicum in an affiliated laboratory with emphasis on patient testing, quality assurance, and case studies assessment. Co-Requisite HPMP 5102

  • HPMP 5400 Research Design and Statistical Analysis (4:6:4,F)

    Introduction to the process of basic and clinical research design. Critical evaluation of the scientific literature will be a focus, including writing a literature review paper on a topic in molecular pathology. Introduction to descriptive, parametric, and non-parametric statistics. Includes laboratory component covering fundamental laboratory skills, proper equipment usage, and laboratory math.

  • HPMP 5406 Molecular Biology of the Cell (4:6:0,F)

    Comprehensive survey course in eukaryotic molecular cell biology. Course covers the fundamental concepts of DNA and RNA structure and function, gene replication, transcription and expression, cell-cell communication and cell death in the eukaryotic system. A strong background in biology is assumed.

  • HPMP 5407 Pathophysiology (4:4:0,H)

    Presentation of the basis of human disease with regard to the major determinants of disease in human organ systems with discussion of normal anatomy and physiology. Survey of the clinical laboratory that includes common laboratory assays (Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, and Microbiology) addresses the purpose, function, and utilization of laboratory services. Specimen procurement, patient education and consent, and quality assurance are discussed.

  • HPMP 5408 Applied Molecular Techniques II (4:4:16,F)

    Co-requisite HPMP 5102 Prerequisite: AHMP 5805. Continuation of Applied Molecular Techniques I with advanced training and technical experience in the use of DNA and RNA technologies applied to the clinical setting.

  • HPMP 5441 Graduate Research II (4:1:0,F)

    Co-Requisite HPMP 5102 Prerequisite: AHMP 5341. Advanced research projects. Topics include a research project in molecular diagnosis and/or biomedical science. Project comprises of assay design and validation, and culminates in a public research presentation. Writing Intensive.

  • HPMP 5805 Applied Molecular Techniques I (8:4:16,F)

    Introduction to basic genetic testing techniques used in molecular and forensic pathology with discussion of quality laboratory practice including quality control, quality assurance, and quality improvement. Lab component will focus on the use of DNA technologies in clinical settings.