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:
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
Expand allStudents will observe and access sample and quality control data, procedures, and equipment.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will explain the principles underlying clinical laboratory testing. This includes the pathological indications for performing specific laboratory tests.
- Critical thinking is an essential skill for laboratory personnel. Students must have the intellectual capacity to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate, and synthesize information from various modalities to effectively perform laboratory tests.
- Students must be able to integrate and relate laboratory data while making judgments about discrepancies, confirm abnormal results, verify quality control procedures, and develop solutions to problems concerning the generation of laboratory data.
- Students must be able to accept and learn through a variety of teaching modalities. This includes classroom lectures and discussions, cooperative learning, small group activities, laboratory exercises and demonstrations, individual and group presentations, and the use of technology assisted learning.
Student will demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.
- Students will communicate laboratory test results clearly and accurately.
- Students will work effectively as a team member or independently as required to accomplish the goals of the work unit (laboratory).
- Students will display professionalism in communication and dress. They'll show respect for colleagues and superiors.
Students will demonstrate the sensory and motor skills necessary to perform laboratory tests on body fluids, cells, and products.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to perform a wide variety of laboratory tests from low to high complexity.
- Students will demonstrate safe working practices. They'll comply with all applicable compliance regulations and safety guidelines and procedures.
- Students will be able to perform preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments.
Students will demonstrate emotional stability to be able to exercise good judgment and promptly complete all responsibilities in a laboratory setting.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to perform work efficiently and accurately under the pressure of time constraints and be able to multitask.
- Students will show tolerance and establish effective working relationships with others from diverse backgrounds, including age, race and gender, or sexual orientation.
- Students will demonstrate ethical standards in all matters related to medical information, patient care, and research data.
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
Virtual Information Sessions
The Office of Admissions is conducting virtual information sessions for those who are interested in College of Health Professions programs.