The development of a post-baccalaureate certificate program in molecular diagnostics

A post-baccalaureate certificate program in diagnostic molecular sciences t vas created in 1995 by the Diagnostic Genetic Sciences Program in the Schoo l of Allied Health at the University of Connecticut, The required on-campus lecture and laboratory courses include basic laboratory techniques, health care issues, cell biology, immunology, human genetics, research, managemen t, and molecular diagnostic techniques and laboratory in molecular diagnost ics. These courses precede a 6-month, full-time practicum at an affiliated full-service molecular laboratory. The practicum includes amplification and blotting methods, a research project, and a choice of specialized elective s including DNA sequencing, mutagenesis, in situ hybridization methods, or molecular diagnostic applications in microbiology. Graduates of the program are immediately eligible to sit for the National Credentialing Agency exam ination in molecular biology to obtain the credential Clinical Laboratory S pecialist in Molecular Biology (CLSp(MB). This description of the Universit y of Connecticut program may assist other laboratory science programs in cr eating similar curricula.