UMUC

School of Undergraduate Studies

Laboratory Management

Students who have completed an Associate of Applied Science degree in a biology- or chemistry-related field from a community college with which UMUC has an articulation agreement for this major may seek an academic major in laboratory management. Students should consult an advisor before electing this major. The major in laboratory management is based on collaborative arrangement between UMUC and specific Maryland community colleges. Students with a similar degree from another institution may be considered for this program only based on an institutional articulation agreement with UMUC.

Major in Laboratory Management

The need for employees with both management and scientific skills is great. UMUC’s unique major in laboratory management, the only one of it’s kind in Maryland and one of just two available nationwide, will prepare you for a rewarding career.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a major in laboratory management will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of basic principles in the natural sciences.
  • Perform standard laboratory procedures employed in academic, industry, and government laboratories.
  • Develop comprehensive laboratory management strategies.
  • Demonstrate skills in critical thinking, problem solving, project management, and team building.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in laboratory management requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework from UMUC and the collaborating community college, including 36 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 43 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 18 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Laboratory Management Major - Course Requirements

Coursework for a major in laboratory management includes the following lower-level coursework taken as part of an appropriate Associate of Applied Science degree program at a collaborating community college:

  • Foundation courses (15 credits, at least 12 of which should be in laboratory science coursework): Chosen from biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology courses
  • Additional required related science coursework (15–22 credits), which may be applied anywhere in the bachelor’s degree.

Coursework for a major in laboratory management also includes the following:

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BTPS in laboratory management (if the student selects appropriate courses as part of the articulated degree program from the community college). Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡

Required Courses from Community College

  • ‡ Lower-level coursework in biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology (15)
  • Additional required science coursework (14–22) (should also fulfill requirements in biological and physical sciences)

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits at UMUC if not brought in transfer)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

  • LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
  • WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
  • MATH 107 College Algebra (3) or a higher-level math course

Introductory and General Education Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

  • IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3) or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
  • WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing requirement
  • GVPT 170 American Government (3) or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first behavioral and social sciences requirement
  • PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or a foreign language course or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, or literature course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement
  • STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics (3)
  • PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3) or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other course to fulfill the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)
  • HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3) or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
  • SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3) or WRTG 390 Writing for Managers or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing or speech requirement
  • IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3) or other course to fulfill the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement
  • ANTH 344 Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics (3) or SPCH 482 Intercultural Communication (recommended elective)

Required Upper-Level Courses for Major (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

  • WRTG 393/393X Technical Writing (3) (fulfills the communications/upper-level intensive writing requirement)
  • ‡ BIOL 400 Life Science Seminar (3)
  • ‡ BMGT 364 Management and Organization Theory (3)
  • ‡ COMM 300 Communication Theory (3)
  • ‡ NSCI 301 Laboratory Organization and Management (3) or ENMT 322 Occupational Health and Safety
  • ‡ BMGT 317 Problem Solving for Managers (3) or other supplemental major course

Internship for Major (to be taken in the last 30 credits)

  • ‡ Internship through Cooperative Education (6)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (22–30)

Total credits for BTPS in laboratory management 120