About the Medical Biotechnology Program

SUNY Upstate College of Health Professions (CHP) is an upper-division, transfer college specializing in health care careers. Students applying to the Bachelor of Science in Medical Biotechnology program take the prerequisite courses (minimum of 60 semester hours) at another college, then complete their junior and senior years at SUNY Upstate CHP.

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Biotechnology takes two years (five semesters) and begins in the fall. The program of study includes 70 credits, as well as 60 prerequisite credits.

Junior Year

The junior year of the program provides a strong foundation in medically related science courses such as molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, and genetics.

Senior Year

In the senior year, medical biotechnology students spend time in internships, in which they gain research experience under the supervision of a faculty research mentor in an academic or industrial laboratory. Internships may take place in research laboratories at SUNY Upstate Medical University or at one of our affiliate institutions (see Student Internships tab).

Student Internships

During their senior year, medical biotechnology students spend time in internships. They gain research experience with a faculty research mentor in an academic or industrial laboratory.

Internships take place in one or more of our clinical affiliate institutions:

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College of Graduate Studies, SUNY Upstate Medical University

Upstate’s College of Graduate Studies offers graduate-level degree programs. They conduct research in six different areas: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, and Physiology (http://www.upstate.edu/grad/). Undergraduates in the Medical Biotechnology program may spend their senior internship in an academic research laboratory at Upstate directed by the College of Graduate Studies faculty.

In addition, the College of Graduate Studies holds one slot per year in the PhD program. This is reserved for an undergraduate College of Health Professions student. This student will have demonstrated a strong interest in the biomedical sciences and have previous research experience.

To qualify, the student must:

Meet the basic course requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies
Have an overall GPA and combined verbal and quantitative GRE score greater than or equal to the mean of the previous year’s incoming class
Obtain satisfactory letters of recommendation from faculty
Receive a strong endorsement letter from the College of Health Professions Dean before January 15 of the year of entry into the PhD program.

Ichor Life Sciences

Ichor Life Sciences is a pre-clinical biotechnology company located in rural LaFayette, NY, 12 miles south of Syracuse. The company has several research programs that focus on the development of next-generation therapies for age-related diseases, including macular degeneration. Ichor Life Sciences engages in research projects involving laboratory automation, stem cell biology, animal husbandry, and more. Each intern works with staff researchers to design and complete an independent project in an area of the intern’s choosing.

Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI), Utica, NY

This is a private research laboratory conducting studies related to cardiac diseases. Scientists at MMRI are involved in studies dealing with pharmacologic effects, molecular biology, genetic screening, and stem cell research related to cardiac disorders.

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., Rochester, NY

This company is involved in the development of immunodiagnostic laboratory tests and instrumentation for use in the clinical laboratory.

Mission & Goals

The primary mission of the Clinical Lab Science program is to effectively teach state-of-the-art clinical laboratory sciences to undergraduate and graduate medical technology and medical biotechnology students and other health professionals.

The BS Degree in Medical Biotechnology is committed to:

Effectively teaching state-of-the-art clinical laboratory sciences to undergraduate and graduate medical technology and medical biotechnology students and other health professionals.
Providing high-quality, cost-effective, compassionate clinical service to the Central New York Community.
Advancing knowledge in the clinical laboratory sciences through research, community service, continuing education, and contributions to the professional community.
Supporting professional growth and development for our faculty, staff, and students.
Supporting the academic community through active participation in university life.

Student Learning Outcomes

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Observation and Analysis: Students will observe and access sample and quality control data, procedures, and equipment. (OA) Student will:

Learning Outcomes

Explain the principles underlying clinical laboratory testing, including the pathological indications for performing specific laboratory tests.
Utilize quality management practices, including quality control, method validation, quality assurance, preventative and corrective actions as applied to the laboratory setting.
Analyze a wide array of patient laboratory values, relating laboratory findings to disease states and note when values are abnormal or erroneous.
Recognize factors that affect procedures and results, and taking appropriate actions within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated.

Communication: Student will demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills. (COM) Students will:

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills. Demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care professionals, and with the public.

Sensory and Motor Function: Students will demonstrate the sensory and motor skills necessary to generate laboratory test results on body fluids, cells, and products. (SM) Student will:

Learning Outcomes

Execute a wide variety of laboratory tests, from low to high complexity.
Apply principles of safe working practices, complying with all applicable compliance regulations, safety guidelines and procedures.
Perform preventative and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments.

Behavioral and Social Attributes: Students will demonstrate the emotional stability to be able to exercise good judgment and promptly complete all responsibilities in a laboratory setting. (BSA) Students will:

Learning Outcomes

Perform work efficiently and accurately under the pressure of time constraints and be able to multitask.
Uphold ethical standards in all matters related to medical information and patient care.
Perform work effectively as a team member or independently as required to accomplish the goals of the work unit.
Uphold professionalism in communication and dress and show respect for colleagues and superiors.

Have Questions

Need more specifics about the program? Questions about admissions requirements? Contact the College of Health Professions Admissions Counselor:

Wendy Meyer
Senior Assistant Director of Admissions
Undergraduate Admissions Advisor

Request Advisement

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