Master Program in Medical Laboratory Sciences

The program aims to:

1. Improve the level of local medical laboratory services through qualified graduates of this program who are trained and specialized in different fields of Medical Laboratory Sciences with emphasis on hematology and diagnostic microbiology and immunology fields.
2. Develop scientific research in medical laboratory sciences through qualified graduates capable of applying scientific research in problem solving approach to challenging medical laboratory issues important to local and international communities.

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Successful applicants should fulfill the following criteria:

1. B.Sc. degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences or its equivalent with a rank “Good” or higher. The program committee will evaluate each application separately and may ask applicants to enroll in some remedial courses.
2. Should have been in touch with the field since graduation.
3. Must pass the personal interview.
4. Must dedicate sufficient time to study and research.
5. Must be fluent in both English and Arabic languages.
6. Must fulfill all other general requirements as indicated by the admission regulations of Al-Quds University.

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Students must successfully complete 36 credit hours in order to be eligible for the M.Sc. degree in MLS. The courses include required courses common for the two tracks of the program as well as required and elective courses specific for each track/subspecialty.

First: Required courses common for the two tracks

1. Theoretical courses (14 C.H.)

#	Course name	C.H.	Course number
1	Molecular Biology	3	8026510
2	Advanced Biochemistry	3	8026513
3	Advanced Biostatistics	2	8026511
4	Research Methods	3	8026514
5	Laboratory Management & Quality Assessment	2	8026515
6	Seminar in Medical Laboratory Sciences	1	8026521

 

2. Research courses (6 C.H.)

The student can choose to conduct a research project and prepare a M.Sc. thesis (Thesis track) or to study two graduation projects’ courses (non-thesis track). The choice of the thesis or non-thesis track needs approval from the program committee. Each of the two tracks must be completed in two academic semesters. If the student chose the non-thesis track, he/she must set for a comprehensive exam.

#	Course name	C.H.	Course number
1	Thesis 1	3	8026599
2	Thesis 2	3	8026599
3	Graduation project 1	3	8026598
4	Graduation project 2	3	8026598

 

(C) Comprehensive exam: If the student choses the non-thesis track, then student must register for and set for a comprehensive exam. A prerequisite for the comprehensive exam is that the student must successfully study and pass all the courses required for the M.Sc. in MLS (36 C.H.).

#	Course name	C.H.	Course number
1	Comprehensive exam	0	8026777

 

Second: Specialization courses: include track-specific compulsory and elective courses.

Track 1: Diagnostic Microbiology & Immunology

1. Required courses (10 C.H.)

#	Course name	C.H.	Course number
1	Advanced Diagnostic Microbiology	3	8026516
2	Advanced Clinical  Immunology	3	8026517
3	Antimicrobial Agents	2	8026523
4	Immunity to Microbes	2	8026525

 

2. Elective specialization courses (6 C.H.)

#	Course name	C.H.	Course number
1	Special Topics in Medical Virology	1	8026519
2	Special Topics in Medical Mycology	1	8026520
3	Special Topics in Medical Parasitology	1	8026518
4	Cytokines	1	8026524
5	Industrial Microbiology	2	8026526
6	Serology and Tissue Culture	2	8026527
7	Bacterial Physiology and Pathogenesis	1	8026528
8	Clinical Epidemiology	2	8026529
9	Methods in Medical  Laboratory Sciences	2	8026512
10	Instrumental  Analysis	2	8026522
11	Bioinformatics	2	8026540
12	Advanced Genetics	2	8026537
13	Special Topics in Medical Laboratory Sciences	1	8026542
14	Special Topics in Medical Laboratory Sciences	2	8026543

 

Track 2: Hematology

1. Required specialization courses (10 C.H.)

#	Course name	C.H.	Course number
1	Advanced Hematology 1	3	8026530
2	Advanced Hematology 2	3	8026531
3	Blood Hemostasis and Coagulation	2	8026536
4	Advanced Blood Banking	2	8026534

 

(B) Elective specialization courses (6 C.H.)

#	Course name	C.H.	Course number
1	Malignant Blood Diseases	1	8026533
2	Morphological Hematology	1	8026535
3	Clinical Epidemiology	2	8026529
4	Methods in Medical  Laboratory Sciences	2	8026512
5	Instrumental  Analysis	2	8026522
6	Bioinformatics	2	8026540
7	Advanced Genetics	2	8026537
8	Special Topics in Medical Virology	1	8026519
9	Special Topics in Medical Laboratory Sciences	1	8026542
10	Special Topics in Medical Laboratory Sciences	2	8026543

Molecular Biology 8026510 (3 Credit hours): The course discusses the importance of molecular biology applications across the spectrum of biomedical sciences. It combines recent sequencing of the human genome to gain new insight into disease processes and novel approaches to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The course also covers the regulation of DNA replication and transcription, gene structure and function as well as epigenetic factors that are involved in regulation of gene expression.

Advanced Biostatistics 8026511 (2 credit hours):  The course focuses on applied statistics utilizing SPSS computer analysis of data with a revision of essential statistical tests, selection of appropriate statistical tests and output interpretation.

Methods in Medical Laboratory 8026512 (3 credit hours): The course discusses modern and classical methods related to Medical Laboratory Sciences research and diagnosis. The course also discusses the development of current methods used for analysis of cell structure, cellular proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and enzymes as well as method comparison techniques.

Advanced Biochemistry   8026513 (3 credit hours): The course deals with biochemical basis and amino acid structure of proteins and their functions. The course also covers the structure and function of enzymes, hemoglobin as well as other proteins involved in cell structure. The course discusses the structure and function of carbohydrates and lipids and disorders associated with them. Additionally the course discusses the properties of intermediary metabolites, the structure and function of biological macromolecules, the logic of metabolic pathways (both degradative and biosynthetic) and enzymatic activities.

Research Methods  8026514 (2 credit hours): This course is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to conduct research, to consider questions being asked, to select appropriate measurement tools and types of data to be collected, sampling methods and data management. Ethical considerations in conducting population research are covered. The course also includes critical analysis of recent literature to reveal strength and weakness of research. Students will be trained in scientific writing and handling of research projects.

Laboratory Management and Quality Assessment 8026515 (2 credit hours):  The ultimate goal of this course is to teach students how to operate the clinical laboratory safely and efficiently. The course will study the managerial functions of administrators and first line supervisors including planning, organization, staffing, quality control, cost effectiveness, purchasing, implementation of new methods, decision making, and problem solving. Also, it discusses the principles and the implementation of quality assessment as part of the total quality management in medical laboratories

Advanced Diagnostic Microbiology 8026516 (3 credit hours):  An advanced course on current diagnostic research in the microbiology of infectious disease based on recent research literature and the importance of following up the literature and its useful applications. The course also deals with progress in diagnostic process and challenges arising from antimicrobial resistance and relevant methods of detection and control.

Advanced Clinical Immunology 8026517 (3 credit hours): This course aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the cellular and molecular aspects of the innate and adaptive human immune responses, and to relate current knowledge of these responses to clinical situations such as infectious disease. It aims to develop a comprehensive appreciation of the current views on the underlying immunological mechanisms involved in a number of immunological disorders and to critically evaluate selected immunodiagnostic techniques relevant to the diagnosis and monitoring of immunologic disorders.

Special Topics in Parasitology 8026518 (1 credit hour): This course focuses on biology, physiology and basic biochemistry of parasites that infect man, the relationships between hosts and parasites, and spreading of parasitic diseases.  The course also focuses on recent advances in parasitology.

Special Topics in Medical Virology 8026519 (1 credit hour): Survey of viruses that infect bacteria, plants, and animals, emphasizing the basic principles of virus structure, classification and transmission. Examination of molecular mechanisms involved in virus replication and virus-host interactions using specific examples of human and animal viruses.

Special Topics in Mycology 8026520 (1 credit hour):This course covers current topics in areas such as taxonomy, physiology and genetics of fungi, along with pathogenesis, epidemiology, immunity, and nucleic acid diagnosis of systemic, subcutaneous and superficial mycotic infections.

Seminar in Medical Laboratory Sciences 8026521 (1 Credit hour): The student will discuss a recently published scientific article in the area of student’s specialty. The student will analyze and evaluate the results of recent articles. In this course, students shall implement the skills and knowledge gained in the research methods course

Instrumental Analysis 8026522 (2 Credit hours): The course covers the principles of operation of analytical instruments used in medical laboratory sciences such as spectrophotometry, mass spectroscopy, chromatography, and new instruments. The course also discusses selected applications of these instruments.

Antimicrobial Agents 8026523 (2 Credit hours): The course introduces the scientific principles in applying antimicrobial agents and its rationalization. In depth understanding of the mechanism of action of the major antibiotic classes and evaluation of  new approaches to microbial therapy.

Cytokines 8026524 (1 credit hour): A survey of cytokines, discussion and analysis of recent scientific articles in this rapidly evolving field. The course is designed to highlight the interdisciplinary nature of cytokine research by addressing the structure and function of cytokines, their genes, receptors, mechanisms of signal transduction and clinical applications.

Immunity to Microbes 8026525 (2 credit hours): This courses focuses on immunity to bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses, cellular and molecular mechanisms of humoral and cellular immunity, phagocytic cells and constitutive host defenses, cytokines, immunomodulation by microbes, microbial products and other factors (e.g. stress, nutrition), adjunctive and vaccine development.

Industrial Microbiology 8026526 (2 credit hours): The course deals with microorganisms of industrial importance, principles of screening and strain preservation, fermentation processes for production of primary and secondary metabolites and other microbial products at laboratory, pilot and industrial scales. The course also discusses the implications of use of microorganisms in industrial processes and their use in biological control.

Serology and Tissue Culture 8026527 (2 credit hours): The course deals with the principles and clinical applications of serological techniques for the diagnosis of human diseases. The course also discusses the fundamentals of animal cell and tissue culture, generation of cell lines, cell culture media and production of hybridoma cell lines and monoclonal antibodies.

Bacterial Physiology and Pathogenesis 8026528 (1 credit hour): The course deals with the molecular aspects of biochemical and cellular functions in bacteria. The course also discusses the behavior of bacterial cells, sporulation, coccoid formation, germination as well as bacterial toxins and their mode of action and relevant control methods.

Clinical Epidemiology 8026529 (2 credit hours): The course deals with the methods of epidemiological investigation in a specific population, collection of data associated with disease development, documentation of  changes, analysis of the source and causative agents of the disease and the relevant control methods.

Advanced Hematology 1, 8026530 (3 credit hours):  The course covers hematopoiesis, hematopoietic stem cells development and manipulation. The course also discusses the analysis and diagnosis of anemia due to iron, B12 and folic acid deficiencies as well as anemia due to bone marrow failure and aplastic anemia. Additionally, the course analyses hematological changes associated with systemic diseases.

Advanced Hematology 2, 8026531 (3 credit hours): This course discusses advanced concepts in inherited and acquired hemolytic anemias. The analysis and diagnosis of the following disorders will be discussed: immune and non-immune hemolytic anemias, genetic disorders of hemoglobin such as hemoglobinopathies (or qualitative defects of hemoglobin) and the different types of anemia (quantitative defects of hemoglobin). The course also deals with hematological changes associated with human development.

Malignant Blood Diseases 8026533 (2 credit hours): This course deals with the molecular biology of the different types of malignant blood diseases including the genetic defects that contribute to the development of malignancy (leukemias, Hodgkin’s lymphomas and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma). The course also discusses the recent methods for classification and diagnosis of hematological malignancies as well as their treatment.

Advanced Blood Banking 8026534 (2 credit hours): This course deals with advanced concepts in red cell antigens, white cell antigens, platelet antigens and their corresponding antibodies as well as their importance in blood transfusion. The course also discusses the modern methods in phenotyping of red cell antigens and identification of unexpected antibodies. The course deals with advanced concepts in blood collection, preservation, processing, testing for transfusion transmitted diseases and hemotherapy as well.  Furthermore, blood compatibility testing and hemolytic diseases of new born and fetus are discussed.

Morphological Hematology 8026535 (1+1 credit hours theory and practice): this course deals with morphological changes in blood cells associated with hematological diseases (anemias and hematological malignancies) and their microscopic examination. The course focuses on the identification of different blood cells both normal and abnormal based on their morphological characteristics. In the laboratory sessions of this course, a large number of blood films corresponding to normal and abnormal cases of hematological diseases  are examined and illustrated using microscopy and audiovisual aids.

Coagulation and Hemostasis 8026536 (2 credit hours): The course deals with advanced concepts in bleeding disorders such as defects in coagulation factors especially factor 8 and 9, as well as inherited and acquired platelet defects and thrombophilia. The course focuses on modern methods for diagnosis of bleeding disorders.

Bioinformatics 8026538 (2 credit hours): The course discusses the different internet resources for scientific and biologic data and the different software for analysis of nucleic acids, proteins, and others (omics).

Advanced Genetics 8026537 (2 credit hours): The course deals with advanced concepts in genetics, molecular biology of inherited diseases as well as the modern methods for the study and diagnosis of genetic diseases.

Special Topics in medical Laboratory Sciences 8026542 (1 credit hour): This course includes the in depth analysis of a selected topic in the field of medical laboratory sciences. The topic of this course is selected by the Master program committee based on the need for the course and the availability of required resources.

Special Topics in medical Laboratory Sciences 8026542 (2 credit hour): This course includes the advanced and in depth analysis of a selected topic in the field of medical laboratory sciences. The topic of this course is selected by the Master program committee based on the need for the course and the availability of required resources.

Comprehensive Exam 8026777 (zero credit hours): This exam aims to test and evaluate the knowledge and skills that the student has gained from the different courses studied in the program (Thesis tract students are exempt from this exam).

Graduation Project 1, 8026598 (3 credit hours): In this course the student will be asked to work on a theoretical research project in his subspecialty/track. The student shall review the different scientific resources for the research topic and prepare an in-depth analysis scientific report of the topic. The report shall be presented in a seminar and evaluated by a committee assigned by the program committee.

Graduation Project 2, 8026598 (3 credit hours): In this course the student will be asked to work on a theoretical or practical research project (different from that topic completed in Graduation Project 1) in his field of specialization/track. The student shall review the different scientific resources for the research topic and prepare a scientific report that includes an in-depth analysis of the topic. The report shall be presented in a seminar and evaluated by a committee assigned by the program committee.

Master Thesis 1, 8026599 (3 credit hours): The student will select a scientific problem, design proper research experiments to answer specific questions that have not been answered yet.

Master Thesis 2, 8026599 (3 credit hours): The student will continue research work, write and defend the thesis.