Master of Laboratory Animal Science Program
About the Program
Master of Laboratory Animal Science (MLAS): 48.0 semester credits
The MLAS program is designed for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree in animal science or a related field and who are seeking advanced career positions in laboratory animal science and laboratory animal facility management. Graduates of the MLAS degree program can hold supervisory positions in biotechnology, pharmaceutical companies, and institutions of higher learning. The MLAS degree is also a powerful means to boost students' credentials for admission to veterinary medical school.
Additional Information
Erin Vogelsong
Academic Administrator, Assistant Professor
Drexel University College of Medicine
Office of Professional Studies in the Health Sciences
245 N. 15th St., Room 15305
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215.762.7968
Erin.Vogelsong@DrexelMed.edu
Drexel College of Medicine also maintains a Master of Laboratory Animal Science website.
Admission Requirements
Candidates for admission must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. In addition to the completed application, applicants must submit three letters of recommendation (two from past science professors, one from a veterinarian or past employer), a statement of goals, and official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
Applicants must also submit official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
The deadline for submission of applications is the second Friday in July of the year the student seeks admission.
Contact Information:
Erin Vogelsong
Academic Administrator, Assistant Professor
Drexel University College of Medicine
Office of Professional Studies in the Health Sciences
245 N. 15th St., Room 15305
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215.762.7968
Erin.Vogelsong@DrexelMed.edu
Julian E. Mesina, DVM, PhD, MPH
Director, Animal Science Programs
245 N. 15th Street
Mail Stop 344
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: 215-762-8407
Fax: 215-762-8803
jmesina@drexelmed.edu
Richard B. Huneke, DVM, MPH, diplomat ACLAM
Associate Director, MLAS
Phone: 215-762-7970
Fax: 215-762-7449
richard.huneke@drexelmed.edu
Plan of Study
The MLAS degree can be completed full-time in two years and one summer practicum, or part-time in four or less years. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 48 credit hours for graduation. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required for graduation as well as grades of "C" or better.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Required Courses | ||
| MSPA 580S | Medical Microbiology I | 4.0 |
| MLAS 510S | Clinical Orientation In Laboratory Animal Facilities | 1.0 |
| MLAS 523S | Organizational Management | 3.0 |
| MLAS 536S | Animal Models for Biomedical Research | 1.0 |
| Electives | ||
| GRADUATE PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| GRADUATE PHARMACOLOGY | ||
| Term Credits | 9.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| MLAS 520S | Financial Mgmt In Lab Anim Sci | 3.0 |
| MLAS 535S | Biology & Care Of Lab Animals | 4.0 |
| MLAS 529S | Molecular Genetics | 2.0 |
| Term Credits | 9.0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| MLAS 525S | Animal Anatomy | 2.0 |
| MLAS 531S | Embryology | 3.0 |
| MLAS 606S | Clinical Laboratory Techniques and Concepts | 1.0 |
| MLAS 610S | Diseases of Laboratory Animals | 3.0 |
| Electives | ||
| GRADUATE PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| GRADUATE PHARMACOLOGY | ||
| Biochemical Basis of Disease (Upenn) | ||
| Hematopoiesis (Upenn) | ||
| Fundamentals of Histology | ||
| Term Credits | 9.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| MLAS 501S | Laboratory Animal Seminar | 2.0 |
| MLAS 521S | Arch Eng & Plan For Anim Fac | 4.0 |
| MLAS 530S | Biostats In Vet Science | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 9.0 | |
| Summer | ||
| Required Course | ||
| MLAS 801S | Laboratory Animal Practicum | 12.0 |
| Term Credits | 12.0 | |
| Total Credit: 48.0 | ||
| * | This is a course taught at the University of Pennsylvania. (Students can take elective courses at the University of Pennsylvania within the University's veterinary curriculum. See the MLAS Program Director for a complete list of courses.) |
Courses
MLAS 501S Laboratory Animal Seminar 2.0 Credits
This course is open to second year MLAS students. The seminar allows students to network with other laboratory animal professionals in preparation for their career in the field. Each week, a different guest speaker will present information about state-of-the art equipment, animals and techniques.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: MLAS 530S, MLAS 610S (Can be taken Concurrently)MLAS 535S
MLAS 505S Microbiology with Lab 4.0 Credits
MLAS 505S presents the basic biology of the major microbial pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites) of laboratory animals and humans in lecture format. Their structure, physiology, virulence factors, epidemiology, host immune response, treatment and prevention of diseases emphasized. Basic techniques (Gram staining, aseptic techniques, disinfection) are covered in the lab.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is LAS.
MLAS 510S Clinical Orientation In Laboratory Animal Facilities 1.0 Credit
Two hours per week of hands-on experience working in the university's laboratory animal facilities. Students do most of the daily work performed by the animal technicians, such as cage washing, placing animals into new cages, environmental sanitation, treatments (if necessary), tuberculosis testing of primates and the like. Species usually housed include rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, primates, swine, etc. The goal of the course is to provide the necessary skills and exposure to allow students to become familiar with many of the examples that will be used in later courses by their instructors. It also provides an introduction to the Practicum experience of the second year.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is LAS.
MLAS 512S Diseases Mechanisms - Patholog 3.0 Credits
Provides the background for understanding how diseases affect the mammalian body. The course focuses on pathophysiology and concepts more than specific diseases.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is LAS.
MLAS 513S Biochemical Basis of Disease (Upenn) 2.0 Credits
Lecture at the University of Pennsylvania veterinary school. Biochemical and molecular basis of disease. In-depth biochemical examination of specific aspects of selective diseases.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: MLAS 512S and PHGY 503S
MLAS 514S Hematopoiesis (Upenn) 1.5 Credit
Lecture at the University of Pennsylvania veterinary school. Correlates clinical and basic science in comparative hematology. Recent developments in clinical medicine and basic research of disorders of blood cells. A paper on a hematology topic makes up part of the grade.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is LAS.
MLAS 515S Microbial Pathogenesis 1.5 Credit
College/Department: COM School of Biomedical Sciences & Professional Studies
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
MLAS 520S Financial Mgmt In Lab Anim Sci 3.0 Credits
Animal facility managers and veterinarians must understand more about financial management than they realize. It is not unusual for budgets and cost-accounting methods to be poorly understood, and therefore left to others. The manager is at the mercy of somebody else's numbers, yet he or she may be held responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars.. The instructor, an animal facility manager with an M.B.A. degree, gives a strong background in many aspects of financial management, not just those that are core to animal facility and veterinary practice management.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is LAS.
MLAS 521S Arch Eng & Plan For Anim Fac 4.0 Credits
The course of instruction, presented by one of the nations leading architectural and engineering firms, encompasses general design considerations, working with architects and engineers, reading and producing drawings, proximity considerations, control systems, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, etc. The goal is to give the student a unique background, not only in facility design and engineering, but also in understanding why things are the way they are. Students are expected to develop and present a floor plan.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: MLAS 535S (Can be taken Concurrently)MLAS 510S
MLAS 523S Organizational Management 3.0 Credits
Organizational management provides the theoretical background necessary for the practical application of managerial skills especially in laboratory animal facilities.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
MLAS 525S Animal Anatomy 2.0 Credits
An introductory independent study course that will provide a background in gross animal anatomy. Students will learn comparative anatomy by comparing the anatomical structures in several species of laboratory animals using synthetic models.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is LAS.
MLAS 529S Molecular Genetics 2.0 Credits
In the past and for the foreseeable future, animals will continue to be used in biomedical research, and the majority of these animals will likely be genetically modified rodents (usually transgenic and knockout animals). The focus of this course is to expose students to "cutting edge" molecular genetic concepts as they apply to laboratory animal science.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is LAS.
MLAS 530S Biostats In Vet Science 3.0 Credits
This course will cover biostatistical methods and principles and their application in the field of veterinary science-both in clinical setting and in research. The application of biostatistics in veterinary epidemiology will also be discussed.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
MLAS 531S Embryology 3.0 Credits
Embryology is the study of anatomy from the time of fertilization through the time of birth. The course discusses the ?hows? and in part the ?whys? concerning the development of the morphology and structure of the body. Knowledge of embryology is essential for understanding gross anatomy and the developments of birth defects.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
MLAS 535S Biology & Care Of Lab Animals 4.0 Credits
Many specialists in laboratory animal science teach this course. Part of this course is devoted to discussions of the ethics of using animals in biomedical research. The remainder of this team taught course discusses the care, use and husbandry of rodents, lagomorphs, primates, farm animals, carnivores, etc., as well as presentations on sanitation and other pertinent subjects. The primary goal is to provide the student with the information needed to properly care for the physical and psychological needs of laboratory animals.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: MLAS 510S
MLAS 536S Animal Models for Biomedical Research 1.0 Credit
In this course university investigators will discuss their research using animal models, emphasizing why they chose the animal model they are using and how the model helps them understand basic biological processes. Grading is based on a single term paper.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is LAS.
MLAS 545S Fundamentals of Histology 2.0-3.0 Credits
Integrates histology and cell biology to provide a better background for anatomy, pathology, physiology, and a general understanding of cell structure and function.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is LAS.
MLAS 546S Special Topics in Anatomy 4.0 Credits
Cross listed course given concurrently with students from other programs. This course is mostly human oriented. MLAS students who have gone on to veterinary school have commented on how valuable it was. It provides a systemic review of the entire body. Human prosections are included in the course work.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is LAS.
MLAS 547S Special Topics in Anatomy Lab 2.0 Credits
Discussions on and gross anatomical dissections of common laboratory animals. Comparisons with human anatomy.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is LAS.
Prerequisites: MLAS 546S
MLAS 606S Clinical Laboratory Techniques and Concepts 1.0 Credit
Hands-on and theoretical laboratory work. Teaches animal handling and injections, serological testing, microbiology techniques, hematology and urinalysis. There is an emphasis on correct specimen handling and preparation as part of a quality control program. Your instructors will expect you to do independent reading and be able to extrapolate your knowledge to various case reports.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is LAS.
MLAS 610S Diseases of Laboratory Animals 3.0 Credits
Reviews the major diseases of laboratory animals, and provides information on surgery, anesthesia and radiology. Unlike clinical veterinary medicine where a common objective is to make a sick animal healthy, in laboratory animal medicine the objective is to prevent a healthy animal from becoming sick. The goal of the course is to have the student understand means of disease prevention and recognition. This course will be taught, as much as possible, in a modified problem based learning format.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is LAS.
Prerequisites: MLAS 535S
MLAS 800S Registered for Degree 0.0 Credits
College/Department: COM School of Biomedical Sciences & Professional Studies
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
MLAS 801S Laboratory Animal Practicum 3.0-15.0 Credits
The practical application of what was learned in class. The entire final MLAS semester is spent in one of many animal facilities in the Philadelphia area or around the nation. To the extent possible, time is divided between basic animal care, management, laboratory techniques, and research. S/U grading.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
MLAS 999S Special Topics 3.0 Credits
College/Department: COM School of Biomedical Sciences & Professional Studies
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
