The Faculty of MLS was established in May 1996 to meet a growing need for well trained medical laboratory scientists who are proficient at applying manual and automated methods of laboratory testing. We aspire to remain abreast of advances in the field of diagnostic testing, and of the challenges created by the demands of the health services community by constantly upgrading the curriculum.

Objectives:

The Faculty aims to qualify professional medical laboratory scientists who are:

1- Competent at offering cost-effective, quality laboratory testing service, mindful of high standards of ethical commitment and professionalism.

2- Able to conceptually assimilate, and effectively conduct manual and automated procedures; calibrate and standardize automated equipment, and correct operational faults within a framework of providing a premier service at a competitive cost.

3- Are efficient managers of laboratory operations including customer service, record keeping, human resources, and material supply maintenance; being mindful of environmental, occupational, public and personal safety.

There is a centralized registration in the Admissions Office and Registration. All medical laboratory sciences students will be required to sign an agreement that they will comply with the special regulations of the Faculty of Medical Sciences. All the students are also required to fill the student information sheet and return it to the Academic Office before allowed to start their studies. Minimum percentage to be admitted to the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences by Sudan School Certificate or (equivalent after evaluation) is 70%.

A full time four-year course (8 semesters) is offered. The type of teaching is a combination of both product-oriented and patient-oriented learning. The Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences offers a four-year professional degree programme. Other than the choice of the specialization subject offered at the beginning of the fourth year, all other subjects are compulsory. This fully integrated programme consists of three phases:

• Phase I (Basic Medical Sciences):

The major objective of Phase I (Semester 1 &2) is to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the normal form and function of the human body. There will be an increasing, ongoing application of what you are learning to examples of medical importance.

Semester 1: During this semester, the students will follow a programme of courses in Biology, Chemistry and Physics in the Preparatory College as well as a few basic sciences courses from the Faculty of MLS and Faculty of Computer Sciences. English courses will also be taken during this time.

Semester 2: The organs of the body work together in systems. You must learn what they are and how they function by understanding anatomy (form) and the biochemistry and physiology (function) of the system. Introductory/Foundation Courses are mainly in Semester 2, which are considered the building blocks for the Medical laboratory Sciences courses which follow.

• Phase II (Basic Medical Laboratory Sciences): The major objective of Phase II (Semesters 3, 4, 5 & 6) is to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the Medical Laboratory Sciences (Hematology, Chemical Pathology, Parasitology, Microbiology, plus others). There will be an increasing, ongoing application of what you are learning to examples of laboratory importance.

• Phase III (Specialized Medical Laboratory Sciences): The major objective of Phase III (Semesters 7 & 8) is to acquire a professional understanding in one of the major modules of the Medical Laboratory Sciences (Hematology, Chemical Pathology, Parasitology, Microbiology, and Histopathology & Cytology). Students will acquire knowledge and skills at an internationally acceptable standard. Also students will learn how to do research and to present it in a form of dissertation. This will be achieved through many courses (Research Methodology, Biostatistics, Laboratory Management, and presentation skills). The final year students are encouraged to do voluntary work in hospital laboratories during their vacation in order to familiarize themselves with the hospital laboratory activities.