28AS-PMLS (Pre-Medical Laboratory Science)

Department of Chemistry, UCBA

Program Assessment Plan

1. Program Overview
Medical laboratory scientists with a bachelor of science degree and professional certification are
allied health professionals who participate in patient care by performing laboratory procedures that
assist in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The analysis performed by medical
laboratory scientists may be in the areas of chemistry, microbiology, hematology, immunology,
toxicology, and blood banking. Laboratory scientists perform manual and automated procedures
and utilize laboratory information computer systems to analyze and transmit patient data. Medical
laboratory scientists are also responsible for the quality control and quality assurance procedures in
the laboratory. The education of a medical laboratory scientist combines a curriculum common to
most undergraduate majors in the medical field with a clinical program designed to produce
individuals who possess a high level of technical proficiency.

The Pre-Medical Laboratory Science program is a two-year Associate of Science (AS) degree
designed for students who wish to transfer into the third year of specific clinical laboratory science
courses at the University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Sciences. During this third year,
students who wish to complete the BS degree in Medical Laboratory Science must apply for
admission into the final, clinical year of the program. The clinical portion of the program for the
senior year is 12 months in length. Further information about the BS requirements can be found
at: http://www.cahs.uc.edu/departments/dads/programs/mls/about.aspx

Graduates with a bachelor degree are generally able to choose from several entry-level technologist
positions. Medical Laboratory Scientists can obtain employment in a variety of settings, including
hospital laboratories, independent laboratories, clinics and physicians' offices, research and
development laboratories, public/government health agencies, forensics laboratories, and
pharmaceutical companies. Advanced certification is available in each laboratory area for those
who choose to pursue a higher level of training. Graduate training in one of the laboratory
disciplines will allow individuals to advance to supervisory positions and intermediate level research
positions.

The Pre-Medical Laboratory Science program is well suited for students with a strong background
and interest in science. The program provides for extensive laboratory work; therefore, the
enjoyment of hands-on laboratory work is important. Students in this program also learn to observe
critically and record what happens in the laboratory; they analyze data and apply chemical
knowledge learned in the classroom to draw conclusions about their observations.
2. Program Outcomes
1. Students will demonstrate proficiency in written communication, producing rhetorically
effective texts that are appropriate for various audiences and purposes. (This is aligned with the
Effective Communication undergraduate general education core competency.)
2. Students will be able to locate, evaluate, use and document information responsibly. (This is
aligned with the Information Literacy undergraduate general education core competency.)
3. Students will analyze, synthesize and evaluate information and ideas from multiple perspectives.
(This is aligned with the Critical Thinking undergraduate general education core competency.)

3. Curriculum/Program Map
Outcome Introduced Developed Assessed
1 CHEM 1040L CHEM 2030 CHEM 2030
CHEM 1041L CHEM 2031 CHEM 2031
CHEM 2031L CHEM 2031L
2 INTR 1020 CHEM 2030 CHEM 2030
CHEM 2031 CHEM 2031
CHEM 2031L
3 CHEM 1040 CHEM 2030 CHEM 1041
CHEM 1040L CHEM 2030L CHEM 2030
CHEM 1041 CHEM 2031 CHEM 2031
CHEM 1041L CHEM 2031L CHEM 2031L

4. Methods/Measures
a. Data Source: Outcomes 1, 2 and 3 will be assessed (summative) using a student group
presentation in both of the required CHEM 2030 Survey of Biochemistry I and CHEM 2031
Survey of Biochemistry II courses during the 2nd year of the program. This involves preparing
and presenting a PowerPoint presentation on the structure and function of a protein (1st
semester) and a topic in metabolism (2nd semester). A five-point scale rubric for scoring this
student group presentation includes written and verbal communication, information literacy,
scientific depth, and critical thinking that align with the three learning outcomes above.
Outcomes 1, 2 and 3 will also be assessed (summative) using a formal written laboratory report
in the required CHEM 2031L Survey of Biochemistry Laboratory II course at the end of the 2nd
year of the program. This involves preparing a written laboratory report that includes a
literature review/introduction, material & methods, results, discussion & conclusions section. A
five-point scale rubric for scoring this assignment includes written communication, information
literacy, and critical thinking. Outcome 3 will initially be assessed (summative) using a critical
thinking PTA (five-point scale) in the required CHEM 1041 General Chemistry II course. This PTA
 involving the relationship between structure, function, and properties is incorporated into the
final exam for CHEM 1041 at the end of the 1st year of the program.

b. Standards: Given that a C– or better is required in CHEM 2030 and CHEM 2031 in order to use
this course towards the Pre-Medical Laboratory Science degree, our performance goals for the
student group presentations are that 70% of our students achieve at least a 3 on a 1 – 5 scale for
each of the criteria in the rubric in CHEM 2030 and that 90% of our students achieve at least a 3
on a 1 – 5 scale for each of the criteria in the rubric in CHEM 2031. Given that a C– or better is
required in CHEM 1041 in order to use this course towards the Pre-Medical Laboratory Science
degree, our performance goal for critical thinking PTA in CHEM 1041 is that 90% of our students
achieve at least a 3 on a 1 – 5 scale for each of the criteria in the rubric. Given that a C– or
better is required in CHEM 2031L in order to use this course towards the Pre-Medical Laboratory
Science degree, our performance goals for the formal written laboratory report are that 90% of
our students achieve at least a 3 on a 1 – 5 scale for each of the criteria in the rubric in CHEM
2031L.

5. Assessment Infrastructure
The instructor (Dr. Tremain) teaching CHEM 2030, CHEM 2031, and CHEM 2031L will submit data to
the department’s Academic Assessment Committee representative at the end of each semester that
it is taught. The instructors teaching CHEM 1041 will submit data to the department’s Academic
Assessment Committee representative at the end of each semester that it is taught. The Academic
Assessment Committee representative will work with the department head (Dr. Denton) to compile
the results, complete the report, and discuss change recommendations.

6. Findings
2013-2014 will be the first year that data are formally collected specifically on these outcomes.

7. Use of Findings
The faculty in the Department of Chemistry will meet annually before the Fall semester to discuss
assessment results. In this meeting, they will plan changes in pedagogical approach and/or
curriculum as necessary.