Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences (BS) Cytotechnology

Summary

Cytotechnology involves the microscopic study of cells for evidence of disease and cancer. Cytotechnologists are trained to accurately identify precancerous, malignant, and infectious conditions using cytological techniques. The “Pap test” (an evaluation of cells from the uterine cervix) is the best known test in this field. The four-year curriculum consists of three years spent at the university completing the required courses and the fourth year is a 32 credit internship spent in professional education. Agencies participating in the cytotechnology program include, but are not limited to: Mayo School of Health Sciences in Rochester, MN. Admission into the fourth year hospital clinical internship is competitive. Therefore, admission to the program does not ensure placement into the fourth year internship. The degree is awarded by the university after successful completion of the internship year. Graduates are then eligible to take the certifying examination. 

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Credits

72

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

Career Cluster

Health Science

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Program Requirements

Required General Education

Choose 9 Credit(s).

Study of biological processes at the suborganismal level including cell chemistry, metabolism, reproduction, genetics, and complex tissue physiology. Laboratory and discussion sessions stress problem solving and experimental design.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-03

Introduction to the basic principles of chemistry including atomic and molecular structure, bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, thermodynamics and states of matter. Laboratory will reinforce lecture concepts. Prereq: C or higher in MATH 112 or the equivalent; high school chemistry or C or higher in CHEM 104

Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in MATH 112 or the equivalent; high school chemistry or "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 104.

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03

Math requirement - Choose 4 Credit(s).

Concepts of algebra (real numbers, exponents, polynomials, rational expressions), equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices and determinants, conic sections, sequences and series, probability, and binomial theorem.

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.

Goal Areas: GE-04

This course will cover topics of precalculus mathematics. Topics covered will include functions, graphs of functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, conic sections, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices, trigonometric functions, circular functions, vectors and complex numbers, induction, series and probability.

Prerequisites: Satisfy Math Placement Table in this section, or grade of P in MATH 098.

Goal Areas: GE-04

Limits, continuity, the derivative and applications, transcendental functions, L'Hopital's Rule, and development of the Riemann integral.

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, MATH 115 or both MATH 112 and MATH 113 with "C" (2.0) or better.

Goal Areas: GE-04

Major Common Core

Study of biological processes at the organismal level including a survey of life forms (viruses, bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, and animals), their evolution, and ecology. Laboratory and discussion sessions stress problem solving and experimental design.

Prerequisites: none

Introduction to genetic analysis. Topics covered will include those of both classical and modern genetics: population genetics, molecular genetics, genetic manipulation of organisms and selection. Central to this course will be the primacy of the trait as the object of genetics and the development/refinement of the concept of the gene. Lab included.Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, and MATH 112

Systems and regional approach to the structure of the human body. Primary emphasis on gross anatomy supported by 3-dimensional models and animal dissections, with additional emphasis on cell and tissue-level anatomy supported by histological examination. The course is designed for students majoring in biology programs. Lab included.

Prerequisites: BIOL 105

Principles of functions of human cells, organs, and systems with an emphasis on organ/system interactions. This course is designed for students majoring in biology, chemistry, or related sciences, and medically-related areas. Includes a laboratory with a research and medical emphasis.

Prerequisites: BIOL 220, CHEM 104 or CHEM 106 or CHEM 111 or CHEM 201

Continuation of the basic principles of chemistry including properties of solutions, kinetics, acids and bases, equilibria, buffers, precipitation reactions, electron transfer reactions, electrochemistry, entropy and free energy. Laboratory will reinforce lecture concepts.

Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 201

Emphasis Common Core

An examination of eukaryotic cellular structure, organization and physiology. Lab included.

Prerequisites: BIOL 105 and BIOL 106, BIOL 211

This course is a comprehensive introduction to the structure, biochemistry, phylogeny, molecular biology, pathobiology, immunology, and ecology of microbes, with an emphasis on bacteria. Lab will include classical and contemporary techniques for the identification and characterization of bacteria.

Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, CHEM 201

Emphasis Restricted Electives

Introduction to organic nomenclature, structure, bonding, chemical reactivity, organic acid-base reactions, mechanisms and stereochemistry. IR, MS, and NMR spectroscopy will be introduced. The chemistry of alkanes, alkyl halides, alkenes, alkynes, and alcohols will be covered. Laboratory illustrates synthetic techniques and the preparation and reactions of functional groups discussed during lecture.

Prerequisites: CHEM 202, "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202.

Chemistry Support Courses - Choose 4 Credit(s).

Introduction to the principles of chemical analysis, with emphasis on classical methods of analysis. Lectures will stress the theory of chemical measurements and sample handling. Laboratory exercises will provide students with opportunities to explore calibration methods, method development, and established procedures for volumetric and gravimetric analyses. Basic atomic spectroscopy is also presented.

Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202

This course is a continuation Chem 322 and includes organic nomenclature, structure, bonding, chemical reactivity, organic acid-base reactions, and reaction mechanisms; the chemistry of ethers, aromatic and heterocyclic compounds, polyenes, ketones, aldehydes, amines, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, and alpha carbonyl compounds and synthetic transformations is covered.

Prerequisites: CHEM 322 with a "C" (2.0) or higher.

Laboratory will highlight common techniques including recrystallization, melting point determination, simple and fractional distillation, extraction, gas and thin layer chromatography, and chemical and spectroscopic qualitative analysis. Single and multi-step syntheses illustrating aromatic and carbonyl chemistry will be performed.

Prerequisites: CHEM 324

Analysis of the structure and metabolism of biologically important compounds. This intermediate-level course is designed for students in the medical technology, food science, chemistry education, chemistry and pre-professional health majors. The laboratory teaches basic biochemical techniques.

Prerequisites: CHEM 322. CHEM 324 is strongly recommended.

Biology Electives - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s).

Understanding the process of cell differentiation and development. Special emphasis will be placed on the genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms that direct the development of multicellular organisms. Course to include current areas of research and other timely topics.

Prerequisites: BIOL 100 or BIOL 105

Study of types, arrangements and special adaptations of human tissues. Lab included.

Prerequisites: BIOL 220

Fundamental principles of humoral and cell mediated immunity and the application of these principles. Current experimental work in the different areas of immunology will be discussed. Lab included.

Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, and BIOL 270

This course will cover both eukaryotic and prokaryotic molecular biology including: DNA and RNA structure, transcription, regulation of gene expression, RNA processing, protein synthesis, DNA replication, mutagenesis and repair, recombination, and insertion elements. A number of important techniques used in recombinant DNA technology will be discussed and practiced.

Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 211

Choose 32 Credit(s).

The clinical internship and training includes lectures, demonstrations, laboratory sessions, and clinical practicum in the area of cytotechnology. Instructor permission required.

Prerequisites: none

Continuation of Cytotechnology Clinical Internship I. The clinical internship and training includes lectures, demonstrations, laboratory sessions, and clinical practicum in the area of cytotechnology. Instructor Permission required.

Prerequisites: none

Continuation of Cytotechnology Clinical Internship II. The clinical internship and training includes lectures, demonstrations, laboratory sessions, and clinical practicum in the area of cytotechnology. Instructor Permission required.

Prerequisites: none

Continuation of Cytotechnology Clinical Internship III. The clinical internship and training includes lectures, demonstrations, laboratory sessions, and clinical practicum in the area of cytotechnology. Instructor Permission required.

Prerequisites: none

Policies

Students should contact the director of the Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences program early in their college career for academic and career counseling and for information on the process and standards for admission to the professional curriculum including registration procedures. Because enrollment in the fourth year is limited by the size of classes in the affiliated MLS schools, admission to the program does not ensure admission to the fourth year of the curriculum. Admission into the fourth-year clinical internship is competitive.

Advising: Students majoring in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences have an advisor from their area of interest assigned to them. Questions and concerns pertaining to advising and the assignment of advisors can be answered the CSET Advising Center (csetadvising@mnsu.edu).

Residency Requirement for the Major. At least 50% of courses 300 level and up that are required for the major, excluding internship credit, must be taken at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Graduation requirements. A GPA of 2.0 or above is required for graduation. Completion of the programs requires the completion of an internship.

P/N Grading Policy. All courses leading to a major or a minor in Biology must be taken for letter grades. Any exception to this policy must be approved by the chairperson of the department.