Histotechnologists perform a variety of diagnostic and research procedures in the anatomic sciences. During the clinical internship, students learn histological techniques that involve processing, sectioning and staining of tissue specimens that have been removed from humans or animals by biopsy, surgical procedures or autopsy. Advanced techniques include muscle enzyme histochemistry, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and immunoenzyme procedures, molecular pathology techniques including in situ hybridization and image analysis, and medical photography. Techniques in education methodology, management, research, technical writing and presentation of scientific information are also included in the curriculum.
Students may apply for specialization standing in histotechnology after completing the Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences core curriculum. Application to the hospital-based internship is typically made during the winter semester of the sophomore year. Students will be informed of acceptance in June and begin the internship in August of the next calendar year. Application for specialization standing and internship usually coincide for histotechnology.
The junior year consists of the prescribed professional course requirements at Oakland University. The senior year consists of a 12-month internship at the Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, School of Histotechnology. Acceptance into the internship program is competitive and based on grade point average, personal interview and letters of recommendation.
Histotechnology specialization professional course requirements
Students in the histotechnology specialization must complete the following courses
BIO 3140 - Histology (4)
BIO 3141 - Histology Laboratory (1)
CDS 4000 - Medical Genetics (4)
CDS 4010 - Human Pathology (4)
CDS 4020 - Molecular Diagnostics (3)
CDS 4140 - Hematology/Hemostasis I (3)
CDS 4250 - Medical Biochemistry (4)
CDS 4300 - Clinical Microbiology (4)
CDS 4350 - Clinical Parasitology, Mycology, Virology (3)
CDS 4360 - Clinical Parasitology, Mycology, Virology Lab (1)
HT 4010 - Basic Histotechnique and Histochemical Staining Methods (12)
HT 4020 - Basic Electron Microscopy (3)
HT 4030 - Immunohisto-Cytochemistry (5)
HT 4040 - Special Techniques (4)
And nine elective credits from the following courses:
BIO 1300 - Biology II (4)
BIO 4620 - Advanced Human Physiology (4)
BIO 4622 - Endocrinology (4)
CDS 4050 - Pharmacology (3)
CDS 4929 - Directed Readings (1 TO 3)
EHS 4450 - Introduction to Ergonomics (3)
MTH 1441 - Precalculus (4)
MTH 1554 - Calculus I (4)
NTR 2500 - Human Nutrition and Health (3)
NTR 3000 - Nutrition Research Methods (3)
PHY 1080 - Principles of Physics I (4)
PHY 1090 - Principles of Physics II (4)
PSY 2250 - Introduction to Life-Span Developmental Psychology (4)
WHP 3250 - Issues in Women’s Health (4)
or additional electives as approved