Bachelor of Science in Cytogenetics
Cytogenetics Specialization
Students are awarded either a Bachelor of Science in Cytogenetics or a Post-Baccalaureate
Certificate in Cytogenetics upon successful completion of the Cytogenetics
Program.
The Cytogenetics Program requires eleven months for
completion by full time students. The curriculum is composed
of both didactic and clinical courses. The didactic courses
(lectures, seminar, and student laboratories) are conducted
primarily during the fall semester to provide facts, concepts
and theories related to the techniques and procedures
employed in cytogenetics laboratories. Coursework includes
instruction in clinical correlations of both inherited
and acquired chromosomal anomalies, techniques for the
processing of peripheral blood, bone marrow, amniotic
fluid, chorionic villus, skin, tumors and other solid
tissue specimens, various staining techniques (G-, Q-,
FISH, C-, etc.), chromosome analysis and future directions
in clinical cytogenetics. : Cytogenetic diagnostics are increasingly being made or supplemented using molecular techniques. The two molecular techniques that have been adopted in most labs are FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) and aCHG (array comparative hybridization). Many specimens require processing by all three techniques, classical cytogenetics, FISH and aCGH, to gather the most information for an accurate and precise diagnosis. Our Cytogenetics Program includes theory and basic techniques for these modalities. Further experience is gained during the clinical coursework. The clinical courses follow in the spring and summer semesters. They are designed to give students the opportunity to apply theory and 
master the laboratory techniques as
applied in the hospital, research or private laboratory
setting. Students are assigned to cytogenetics laboratories
throughout the state and nation during their clinical
courses. The program concludes with a didactic course
designed to integrate all aspects of the curriculum.
The Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).