2013-2014 Course Catalog

Medical Technology

Michael Minnick (Professor of Microbiology), Advisor

Medical Technology or clinical laboratory sciences is a combined study of chemistry, physiology and microbiology (see http://www.umt.edu/medtech/). A medical technologist performs chemical, microscopic, and microbiological procedures used in the diagnosis, study and treatment of disease, under the supervision of a qualified physician or lab director.  Medical technologists are in high demand in hospital labs, clinical labs, research institutions and government health departments.  Although certification is required for clinical practice, individuals with a B.S. degree in Medical Technology are qualified microbiologists and can obtain positions in research labs as technicians.  The degree is also an excellent foundation for students planning to attend professional schools in the health sciences or graduate school in the molecular biosciences.

Four years are required to earn a B. S. degree in Medical Technology. The curriculum is devoted to development of a sound foundation in chemistry, biology, microbiology and clinical methods. The student is also encouraged to obtain an understanding of social science and cultural subjects.

To be certified by the Board of Registry, a student, after satisfying the minimum course requirements, serves a clinical internship of at least 12 consecutive months in an approved school of medical technology endorsed by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) of the American Medical Association. After completing a clinical internship and passing the Registry exam, the student receives a diploma from the Board of Registry with the professional designation of Medical Technologist M.T. ASCP.

The University of Montana has two coursework options for the medical technology degree:

Option A is a 4+1 curriculum in which the student completes the B.S. degree and subsequently does a one-year clinical internship if desired.  Students who choose the 4+1 curriculum may do a clinical internship by applying in the fall of their senior year.  Details and application forms can be obtained online at the following: http://www.umt.edu/Medtech/. Internship applications are typically due in the fall for enrollment the following summer. 

Option B is a 3+1 curriculum designed to fast-track students who definitely want to become medical technologists.  The first three years are completed at UM.  The fourth year is applied and incorporates both classroom learning and a clinical internship at one of our affiliates (e.g. the Montana Medical Laboratory Science Training Program) in cooperation with several clinical sites located in Montana and the Midwest.  Internship information is available online at http://www.umt.edu/medtech/. The B.S. degree and certification are granted after successful completion of the fourth year.

High School Preparation: In addition to the general University requirements for admission, it is recommended that high school preparation include algebra, geometry, trigonometry, chemistry, and a foreign language.

Special Degree Requirements

Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog. See index.

In addition to the General Education requirements, the following courses are required for either option leading to a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology: Thirty or more credits (300-level or above) in biology, biochemistry and microbiology including BIOM 360-361 (MICB 300/301), BIOH 405 (MICB 309), BIOB 410 (MICB 410), BIOM 402/403 (MICB 412/413), BIOM 435 (MICB 420), BCH 380 (BIOC 380);  BIOB 260, 272 (BIOL 221, 223), BIOH 365 (BIOL 312), BIOM 427/428 (BIOL 400/401); CHMY 141N, 143N, 221/222 (CHEM 161N-162N, 221/223) and M 162 or 171 (MATH 150 or 152) and STAT 216 (MATH 241).  The 4+1 option also requires CHMY 223/224, 311 (CHEM 222/224,341); BIOM 407-408 (MICB 406-407); and BIOB 411 (MICB 411); and  PHSX 205N/206N, 207N/208N (PHYS 111N/113N, 112N/114N).  The 3+1 option also requires 37 credits of BIOM 498 (MICB 490) (Med Tech Internship).

Upper-Division Writing Expectation:  To meet the Upper-Division Writing Expectation for the major, medical technology 4+1 students take BIOB 410 (MICB 410) and BIOB 411 (MICB 411); 3+1 students take BIOB 410 (MICB 410), BIOM 402 (MICB 412), and one class chosen from:  BCH 482 (BIOC 482), BIOB 411 (MICB 411), or BIOM 499 (MICB 499).

Suggested Course of Study

Option A (4+1)

Suggested Course of Study

Option B (3+1)