University of Balamand

MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES AT UOB

The Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. The Bachelor of Sciences in Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) is a three-year competency-based program. The multidisciplinary nature of the Program allows students to cover a broad range of subjects. Students are exposed to a multiphase curriculum that provides knowledge in basic sciences, clinical pathology, microbiology, hematology, clinical chemistry, humanities, management, principles of research, and epidemiology and biostatistics. In addition to the clinical training, students are trained to analyze laboratory tests as an essential step in the process of diagnosis and patient care.

Driven by the continuous growth of the Medical care field, the Department offers a Master degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences with three tracks: Molecular Biology; Infectious Disease and Immunology; and a Professional Master in Laboratory Management.

The Program is available at the Dekwaneh Campus in partnership with Mont Liban Hospital and St. George Hospital University Medical Center; at Souk El Gharb Campus; and at Kurah Campus, where students conduct their training in collaboration with hospitals located in the Chouf and north of Lebanon regions.

WHY STUDY MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCES?

The Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) Program offers students high quality education in the field of diagnostic clinical laboratory disciplines by mixing an in-depth theoretical understanding of different subjects with hands-on laboratory experiences in leading hospitals in Lebanon. It gives the students the opportunity to explore conventional and new methods in the field of Medical Laboratory Sciences.

The MLS major has been taught at UOB since 1996. The curriculum equips students with theoretical and experiential learning about the different laboratory medicine department sections. The Program trains students to develop professional conduct and the highest standards of ethics.

As an MLS graduate, you will meet international standards in acquiring all knowledge and skills to perform the duties and responsibilities of a laboratory scientist. You will develop problem solving skills, critical thinking skills, and research skills in the field of applied health sciences.

The University of Balamand was founded as an independent non-profit institution of higher education. The University of Balamand holds the view that thought without application and relevance to human needs is incomplete; hence it offers its students hands-on application of theories, and relevant training and practical knowledge in their respective fields.

WHAT WILL YOU STUDY?

The Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) Program at UOB combines theoretical background with clinical training to ensure that you are adequately skilled to promptly fit with the market needs and the higher education field.

The Program focuses on enhancing the critical thinking and analytical skills of its graduates. It combines basic sciences courses, including: organic, analytical chemistry, human physiology, biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, and core courses. The spectrum of major courses encompass the field of clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology, bacteriology, parasitology, virology, immunology, toxicology, molecular biology and quality assurance.

The professional internship allows you to experience real-time operational settings, to function as a member of a team, and to appreciate the dynamics within the context of the host organization. Students will be exposed to tasks and activities performed by practitioners that revolve around budgeting, financing, human resources management, and marketing in laboratory management settings. You will be involved in decision-making and administrative processes, where you can develop interpersonal skills.

MLS students have the opportunity to expand their professional and social networks, and develop more evident perspectives of their needs, interests, and concerns.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Getting a degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) leads you to many directions. This career combines an aptitude for science, with the desire to help others and to continuously grow.

Laboratory Science graduates are well prepared to pursue the following careers:

| Medical Laboratory professionals in hospitals or private clinical laboratories
| Laboratory managers
| Clinical researcher
| Biomedical scientists in pharmaceutical industries
| Sales representatives for laboratory equipment
| Laboratory supervisors in universities offering allied health degrees
| Teaching opportunities
| Research assistants
| Quality assurance officers

They are also well prepared to pursue the following graduate programs:
| Medicine
| Forensic sciences, criminology
| Molecular Biology, Clinical toxicology, infectious disease, Immunology, Hematology cytogenetics, pharmacology
| Public Health: Community Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics; health care management; etc.
| Bridging between Medical Laboratory field and Chemical Engineering

Jessica Hanna

Current Student
Medical Laboratory Sciences

My experience in Medical Laboratory Sciences far exceeded my expectations. With all the mentoring available and the rich program provided, I became more confident in the knowledge that I have learned and built my career path leading me to where I am today. You will find endless career possibilities, from biotech companies to hospital clinical settings, even research! I can safely say that I am a proud student and humble ambassador of this school.
Nadine El Hajj

Current MS Student
Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Being passionate about the topics of healthcare, science, and medicine since a very young age, I needed a place that can help me elevate my knowledge by pursuing my higher education. The Medical Laboratory Sciences Program at the University of Balamand was one of the few places that could offer interesting discourses and hands-on lab trainings. Beyond that, the Faculty of Health Sciences also gave me the opportunity to meet incredible mentors, lifetime friends, and curious colleagues that will never be forgotten.
Joseph El Hawly

Medical Laboratory Sciences Graduate (Graduated AY2018-2019)
Currently Med II Student

If I was asked about the best time of my life, I would recall my pre-med years as a Medical Laboratory Sciences student at the Faculty of Health Sciences, at the Main Campus, Al-Kurah.

I can write pages about the academic and educational benefits I received from the diverse and clinically-oriented curriculum, where I derived the foundations of my knowledge of basics sciences, the human body, and its ailments. The various classes (Physiology, Microbiology, Immunology, Pathology, Hematology) in addition to the clinical rotations are highly medical and in-depth. I have to admit the material I accumulated made my life easier in Medical School.
However, I would like to also focus on the holistic aspect of the experience. The Faculty members are responsive and down-to-earth, the instructors are friendly and approachable, and the camaraderie among students is inspiring.
Overall, the Faculty is a beautiful environment to grow and I am grateful for this fruitful and diverse experience.
Georges Ghandour

Medical Laboratory Sciences Graduate (Graduated AY2019-2020)
Currently Med I Student

Since I was a kid, I always had the dream of becoming an exceptional surgeon in order to make a change in the world. My parkour began as a Medical Laboratory Sciences Student at Balamand and I can say I could not have chosen a better BS for medical school. A big advantage of the Program was the numerous clinical trainings in the hospital that provided a great amount of exposure to the medical field. Also, it taught me skills such as culturing bacteria, withdrawing blood at the blood bank, analyzing hematological slides, learning how to stain them, and many more. These skills are crucial for future research as an important portion of medical researches requires such abilities. After being accepted in medical school, I realized how helpful my BS was because I already had knowledge of a big part of the information, for example in immunology and microbiology. I thank everyone for pushing me to start my career as a Medical Laboratory Sciences student, and I highly advise all future medical students to do so. The Program is fruitful and so much worth it.

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CHAIRPERSON’S MESSAGE

Abir Abdelrahman, MPH, PhD
Abir.Abdelrahman@balamand.edu.lb

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the vibrant family and team of the University of Balamand, Medical Laboratory Sciences (UOB-MLS). UOB is a prime regional provider of higher education delivered at the highest American standards—ultimately conferring internationally recognized credentials upon you as UOB graduates. Recognizing that one of its primary objectives is to exercise its leadership in defining and supporting excellence in higher education, the University has invested a lot in developing and expanding the academic policies governing its programs, such that these policies more fully reflect the great emphasis UOB places on superior academic achievement. By enrolling in the MLS Program, you have chosen to walk the path of devoted hard work towards excellence and innovative thinking.

The MLS undergraduate program offers students a Bachelor of Science with two tracks-- a regular track and a pre-med track. The latter necessitates the completion of additional courses that are required for medical school application. The graduate program offers a thesis-based Master of Science and it also offers a Professional Masters in Laboratory Management.

The MLS Program aims at educating and graduating resourceful, multidisciplinary, competent, and ethical clinical laboratory scientists, with the needed experience and training to serve as medical laboratory science professionals, immediately after graduation. Additionally, it provides pre-med students with a valuable hands-on experience in a hospital setting prior to their medical studies, an asset not provided by most pre-med academic programs, in addition to academically preparing them to excel in the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Therefore, the MLS Program is distinguished by the acceptance rate of its students to medical schools. Lastly, at the graduate level, the Program is also committed to contributing to the field of basic and laboratory sciences through research and scientific investigation.

The MLS program provides you with substantial hands on experience and practical knowledge through its internships in reputable and leading hospitals across Lebanon. Students from all over the country have seen the value of the MLS Program as evident by the number of students currently enrolled in this program (352), which makes the MLS the largest Department at FHS.

We look forward to getting to know you all and helping you expand your potentials so as to reach the highest of goals and become exceptional professionals in your field of study.

Abir Abdelrahman, MPH, PhD
Assistant Professor
Chair, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences
Email: abir.abdelrahman@balamand.edu.lb
Faculty-Email: fhs@balamand.edu.lb
Tel: + 961 1 495 833/933 ext. 5129

PROGRAMS & TRACK

Pre-Medical Track
Students who consider the option of a medical career can choose to enroll in the Pre-Medical Track. This is among the most valuable programs that gives students the opportunity to complete the BS in Medical Laboratory Sciences by taking additional premedical courses within three years (101 credits), receive the appropriate training for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and be eligible to apply to Medical School. In addition, students will be well equipped to handle the medical curriculum due to their solid background in the fields of Microbiology, Hematology, and Immunology; in addition to genetics and Molecular Biology.

BS in Medical Laboratory Sciences - Regular Track
The mission of the Program (94 credits) is to improve the health of the community by educating students to become resourceful, multidisciplinary, competent, and ethical individuals. The Program is committed to educational excellence by providing students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to fulfill current and future professional roles and leadership positions as members of the healthcare team. Students are prepared to pursue advanced studies and careers in academia and different industries. In addition, the Program is dedicated to expanding knowledge and improving scientific thinking through research and investigation.

MS in Clinical Laboratory Sciences-Infectious Disease and Immunology
This is a two-year graduate program leading to a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences. The Program provides an advanced level of education and training for candidates with a background in medical laboratory sciences, basic science, or biomedical sciences. The Program offers two tracks of specialization: Infectious Disease and Immunology, and Diagnostic Molecular Biology.

Professional Master Degree in Laboratory Sciences
This is a two-year graduate program leading to a Professional Master degree in Laboratory Sciences, with a Laboratory Management focus. Students develop enhanced problem-solving abilities and capacities by being exposed to supervised professional training in an actual laboratory setting. The internship provides the students with managerial and leadership skills, in addition to hands-on training in lab financing and budgeting, quality management, and database and information systems.

FACILITIES

The Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) laboratories at the Dekwaneh Campus and the Main Campus are managed by a strong and diverse team, with experience in the following areas: Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Infectious Disease, Cell Biology, Clinical Chemistry, Immunology, Toxicology, and Biotechnology. Teaching laboratory sessions are an integral part of basic, as well as clinically oriented courses.

At FHS Dekwaneh campus, the Faculty has 3 multidisciplinary laboratory facilities: the Biology laboratory, the Chemistry laboratory, and the Cell Culture Unit. Each laboratory facility offers controlled conditions in which lab courses and scientific research may be performed. The laboratories in the Faculty and the Saint Georges Hospital University Medical Center are multidisciplinary; they are designed and equipped to deal with all the experiments that are carried out as part of the MLS curriculum. The settings meet the needs of essential laboratory research work. On the Main campus, the creation of two new FHS multidisciplinary laboratories (Biology and Chemistry) ensures the implementation of all MLS laboratory sessions. In addition, these multidisciplinary laboratories are available to all graduate students in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, to complete their research projects.

Undergraduate students benefit from laboratory sessions associated with different courses such as biology, infectious disease, phlebotomy, bacteriology, parasitology, clinical chemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, clinical genetics, basic chemistry, and organic chemistry.

Graduate students benefit from the following equipment and utilities to conduct their research: Thermal cycler and RT-PCR machine, Refrigerated centrifuges, Distilled Water Supply System, Spectrophotometers such as Nanodrop, Protein Blotting unit, Multi-plate Reader, Shaker Incubator, cell disruption unit, Air Clean workstation, Cryopreservation unit, Autoclave machine, anaerobic chamber, PFGE for infectious disease analysis. Graduate students can also conduct in vitro experiments in the Cell culture unit.