Traditional MLT & Biotechnology Option - Blended Curriculum

Would you to like have the choice of working in either a clinical lab or a biotechnology lab?

The biotechnology program at Allegany College of Maryland is an option of the Medical Laboratory Technology program. It can be used in conjunction with the traditional, clinical MLT degree to increase the employment opportunities of graduates. The blended option provides a way to broaden the preparation of the laboratory worker for environmental, epidemiological, industrial and research laboratories in addition to the patient-focused clinical laboratory.

Courses provide students with experience in such areas as immunoassay, DNA and RNA isolation, RFLP, blotting, cell preparation and transformation in addition to preparing the graduate to be eligible for national certification as a Clinical Lab Technician/Medical Lab Technician. If the graduate chooses to locate to an area without Biotechnology industry, the clinical laboratory would be an option for employment.

Having the MLT traditional background knowledge and skills are invaluable in the medical biotechnology industry. The laboratory skills such as pipetting, infection control measures, aseptic technique, quality control/assurance procedures and record keeping skills of the clinical laboratory provide a great background for any laboratory working environment. Some of our MLT graduates have found employment in the biotechnology sector without the biotechnology courses. By completing both the AAS in traditional MLT and by adding either the Biotechnology certificate or degree, the graduate certainly has the skills and background that biotechnology employers seek.

The student can choose either to:

Complete both the Traditional MLT sequence, then the Biotechnology Certificate Option as a post-degree certificate.  This would allow tremendous flexibility in employment setting to include the clinical laboratory as well as any laboratory setting.  The employment possibilities are truly diverse. This student would complete the clinical laboratory sequence of courses as well as the hospital internship, the Biotechnology lecture/lab courses, but would not elect to take the Biotechnology internship. With an traditional MLT AAS degree and the biotechnology skills, graduates are employable in many different types of laboratory settings. This option can be completed in 2 years plus one Fall semester or 2 years plus a summer semester rotating in a clinical lab. The curriculum is listed below. This is the fastest way to gain the biotechnology skills in addition to clinical lab degree.

Complete both the Traditional MLT sequence resulting in an Associate of Applied Science degree (AAS) and also the Biotechnology Degree Option. The graduate will be awarded 2 AAS degrees. The only difference between this option and the above option combining the MLT Traditional AAS and the Biotechnology certificate is that the Biotechnology internship is required for the AAS degree in the Biotechnology. This would allow tremendous flexibility in employment setting to include the clinical laboratory as well as any laboratory setting.  The employment possibilities are truly diverse. This option can be completed in 3 years. This curriculum is also listed below.

Biological technicians assist scientists who conduct medical research work in pharmaceutical companies, investigate infectious organisms, analyze organic substances, examine criminal investigation evidence, or manufacture biological supplies.

Environmental technicians perform laboratory as well as field tests to monitor environmental resources and determine the sources of contamination/pollution.

The Clinical Laboratory technician works in a clinical laboratory in a physician office, hospital, clinic, or reference laboratory setting. 

Go to the Clinical Laboratory career page or the Biotechnology career page to learn more.

Sample Curriculum Sequence

Blended Traditional MLT & Biotechnology Certificate Option (1 AAS degree and 1 certificate awarded)

Sample Curriculum Sequence

Traditional MLT & Biotechnology Degree Option - (2 AAS degrees awarded)

For more information or to make an appointment, please contact:

Molly Saunders-Bloom, Program Director
301-784-5548
msaunders@allegany.edu

Stacey Rohrbaugh, Associate Professor
301-784-5547
srohrbaugh@allegany.edu