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View our Virtual tourCourses - January 2026
Level 1
Course details
Anatomy and Physiology
ANAT1120
This course will introduce students to essential human anatomy and physiology, including a brief review of biochemistry, cellular biology, infectious processes, human tissues, and body systems. The primary emphasis will be on the system-by-system overview of the human body's anatomy and physiology. This course provides a foundation for health science students to understand the various medical tests, procedures, and drugs available for diagnosis and treatment. The fundamental concepts covered in this course will form the basis for further studies in allied health sciences
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Clinical Biochemistry 1
CHEM1080
- Hours: 28
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
College Reading & Writing Skills
COMM1085
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Conestoga 101
CON0101
- Hours: 1
- Credits: 0
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Professional Practice and Ethics
ETHS1030
Students will explore the concept of a health professional and examine the roles and expectations of a medical laboratory professional in the Canadian health system. Emphasis on career liabilities, along with an overview of the profession's professional bodies, regulatory and organizational structure, will be reviewed. Students will also evaluate commonly encountered ethical, legal, and professional challenges/opportunities in the workplace. Through course content, lectures, selected readings, and student discussions, ethical and legal theories will be examined, together with what constitutes professional behaviour, values, and practical wisdom
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Laboratory Mathematics and Procedures for MLA
MATH1365
This course will provide students with the skills to perform math calculations to ensure accurate patient results. It includes a review of basic mathematical principles; calculations associated with dilutions, solutions, molarity, and normality; calculations specific to clinical laboratory areas; basic statistical calculations associated with quality assurance and quality control; and a review of the application of Westgard principles. Students will also be introduced to essential descriptive statistics used within the MLA sector.
- Hours: 28
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Safety in the Workplace
OHS1320
- Hours: 14
- Credits: 1
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Medical Lab Techniques 1
SCIE1410
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Level 2
Course details
Clinical Microbiology 1
BIOL1100
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites: ANAT1120 AND SCIE1410
- CoRequisites:
Specimen Procurement A
SCIE1420
This course will provide students with a complete overview of the pre-analytical aspects of medical laboratory science specimen procurement, including the practice of phlebotomy. In addition, students will explore ethical, legal, and therapeutic elements associated with phlebotomy. Students will also learn to collect, store, and prepare blood and other samples for analysis and evaluate collection and handling methods for any types of body fluids and tissue samples. This course is co-taught with SCIE1420B, which comprises the laboratory section of specimen procurement
- Hours: 28
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites: SCIE1425
Specimen Procurement B
SCIE1425
This course will provide students with a complete overview of the preanalytical aspects of medical laboratory science specimen procurement, including phlebotomy practice. In addition, students will explore ethical, legal, and therapeutic elements associated with phlebotomy. Students will also learn to collect, store, and prepare blood and other samples for analysis and evaluate collection and handling methods for body fluids and tissue samples. This course is co-taught with SCIE1420A, which comprises the didactic elements of specimen procurement.
- Hours: 28
- Credits: 2
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites: SCIE1420
Medical Lab Techniques 2
SCIE1430
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites: SCIE1410
- CoRequisites:
Introduction to Immunology & Hematology
SCIE1440
This course introduces the fundamental knowledge associated with routine clinical hematology and immunology. In preparation for advanced study in hematology and immunohematology, topics will include an overview and introduction of routine hematology procedures; a review of basic cellular elements of blood, including red cells, white cells, and platelets; a review of the specific and non-specific mechanisms of immunity; and a review of basic molecules of immunity.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites: ANAT1120 AND SCIE1410
- CoRequisites:
Medical Lab Assistant/Technician Simulation
SCIE1500
This course requires students to apply their pre-requisite knowledge and skills in a simulated clinical laboratory setting. Using appropriate safety guidelines, students practice the preanalytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of the clinical specimens' testing process. Emphasis is on developing technical competence, use of quality assurance principles, and applying critical thinking skills to data interpretation and instrument troubleshooting. This course will prepare students to enter the clinical phase of the program at an affiliated hospital.
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites: ANAT1120 AND ETHS1030 AND MATH1365 AND SCIE1410
- CoRequisites:
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options
Level 3
Course details
Field Placement (Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technician)
FPLT1620
This course allows the student to develop technical competence while reviewing theoretical material from previous semesters. This four-week hospital rotation will emphasize clinical procedures and acquaint the student with the hospital operation and administration associated with preanalytical practice common within the MLA sector.
- Hours: 150
- Credits: 5
- Pre-Requisites: BIOL1100 AND OHS1320 AND SCIE1420 AND SCIE1425 AND SCIE1430 AND SCIE1440 AND SCIE1500
- CoRequisites:
Program outcomes
- Comply with the legal and ethical requirements of professional practice to protect the patient's right to a reasonable standard of care.
- Assess and verify sample data to ensure that appropriate specimens are collected and handled according to established protocols in preparation for laboratory analysis.
- Perform preanalytical clinical laboratory procedures and techniques in conformance with approved safety guidelines, established protocols and existing legislation.
- Practice and promote the principles of quality management systems to meet established policies, processes, and procedures.
- Interact with clients, patients and other healthcare professionals using effective communication, teamwork skills and inter professional collaboration to provide quality laboratory service.
- Assess information and question as needed, using critical and problem-solving strategies, to support a safe and efficient medical laboratory practice.
- Evaluate pertinent laboratory data to interpret, document and report preanalytical and point-of care laboratory findings.
- Respect patient diversity, dignity, and confidentiality to ethically contribute to health care, public education and patient welfare.