Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Biological Science B.S./M.S. Clinical Laboratory Sciences


University of Houston-Clear Lake College of Science and Engineering and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston have signed an agreement for a collaborative Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences-Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences degree program. Students enrolled in this program will be required to first attend UHCL for approximately three (3) years, completing a minimum of 92 semester credit hours of undergraduate coursework, including the UTMB-CLS program prerequisite course requirements. Following successful completion of the required curriculum at UHCL, the student will be admitted to the UTMB-CLS Program, contingent upon the following:

  • A grade of “C” or better in all required prerequisite courses.
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above for all courses taken in the three-year curriculum at UHCL.
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above for all required science courses.
  • A positive recommendation by the UTMB Program’s Admissions Committee.
  • A positive record of ethical behavior during enrollment at UHCL.
  • Three positive letters of recommendation: one from the Chair of Biological Sciences at UHCL, one from a full-time biology faculty member at UHCL, and one from a full-time chemistry faculty member at UHCL. Both UHCL faculty members must have taught the student in their sophomore year or later.

Upon successful completion of the first year of the UTMB-CLS program coursework, the student will be awarded a B.S. in Biological Sciences from UHCL. Upon successful completion of the CLS degree requirements at UTMB the student will be awarded the M.S. in Clinical Laboratory Sciences from UTMB. In total, this is approximately a five-year degree program.

For more information on this collaborative degree program please contact the Biology Program Chair.

Specialization Requirements


Students must complete at least 30 semester credit hours through instruction offered by UHCL to fulfill Southern Association of Colleges and Schools residency requirements. A minimum of 12 semester credit hours must be upper level (3000 or 4000 level courses) in the BIOL rubric at UHCL.

The university requirement to complete the final 30 semester hours of 3000 and 4000 level coursework in residence at UHCL will be waived upon acceptance into the UTMB Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program.

Students in this degree specialization must apply for admission to the UTMB Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program in the spring of the third year at UHCL.

Admission decisions to the UTMB Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program are made solely by UTMB and are subject to all applicable UTMB rules and regulations. However, successful admission to the program will be guaranteed for students meeting all the combined plan requirements.

Minimum two-hour specialization elective taken at UHCL. Choose from BIOL 3335 , BIOL 4289 , BIOL 4253 , BIOL 4332 , BIOL 4371 , BIOL 4389 , BIOL 4391 .

To be completed at UTMB (28 hours)


Required Courses


  • CLLS 3200
  • CLLS 3405
  • CLLS 4325
  • CLLS 3544
  • CLLS 3417
  • CLLS 4417
  • CLLS 5319
  • MSHP 5302