Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences
Historical Background
The Department of Medical Laboratory Science was established in [2021-2022] as a vital academic unit within the Faculty of Health Sciences at Catholic University in Erbil. Its creation was driven by the growing need for qualified laboratory professionals to support the expanding healthcare infrastructure in Erbil, Iraq. The Department has grown substantially over the years. In [2021-2022], the department introduced a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science program, aligned with national educational standards and health sector needs.
Over time, the department has expanded its academic offerings, upgraded laboratory equipment, and attracted qualified teaching staff with expertise in various clinical disciplines, including hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, and immunology. Strategic partnerships with teaching hospitals and diagnostic centers have also strengthened the clinical training of students. Today, the Department of Medical Laboratory Science continues to uphold its commitment to excellence in education, research, and service. It remains a cornerstone in the preparation of competent, ethical, and innovative medical laboratory professionals capable of addressing current and future healthcare challenges.
The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) department equips students with the knowledge, technical skills, and teamwork collaboration needed to perform accurate and safe laboratory testing and support quality patient care by applying the essential methods, techniques, technologies, and basic research skills for the screening and identification of diseases in order to prepare students for real-world clinical challenges while considering ethical principles and cultural diversity.
The MLS Department envisions becoming a globally engaged academic unit through partnerships with leading international universities, research centers, and healthcare institutions. We aim to promote knowledge exchange, joint research, and cross-cultural training programs that empower students and faculty to contribute to global health security and scientific advancement.
- Develop a sound scientific knowledge foundation for the relevant scientific theories and principles of clinical laboratory practices and protocols, patient care, laboratory tests, research, and diagnostics.
- Demonstrate laboratory skills and technical proficiency to perform routine and advanced medical laboratory tests with accuracy and precision to assist in diagnosing and monitoring diseases.
- Apply principles of laboratory quality control, quality assurance, and biosafety in compliance with professional standards and maintaining medical devices records.
- Exhibit professional behavior and ethical conduct in accordance with medical laboratory science codes and national healthcare regulations and communicate effectively with healthcare professionals and demonstrate teamwork in a clinical laboratory environment.
- Possess the basic skills to effectively engage in research and lifelong learning to improve laboratory practice and adapt to technological advancements.
The Medical Laboratory Department is committed to providing students with enriching academic and practical experiences that extend beyond the classroom. We are excited to offer several credit-bearing opportunities designed to enhance students’ professional development. These include organized scientific trips to public health laboratories, media diagnostic centers, and regional food factories, where students can observe real-world laboratory practices, advanced techniques, and modern equipment while engaging with professionals in the field; participation is supervised and requires a reflective report or presentation for academic credit. Additionally, third-stage students will undertake summer internships involving structured laboratory sessions to build essential diagnostic and analytical skills, operate laboratory instruments, and follow biosafety protocols under expert supervision. Fourth-stage students may participate in faculty-guided graduation projects, contributing to departmental research or public health efforts through data collection, analysis, and scientific writing, with academic credit awarded based on performance and submission of a final project report.
First Year
| First term | M Code | Module Title | ECTS |
| 1 | EN1106 | General English (I) | 5.00 |
| 2 | IR1104 | Academic Debates | 4.00 |
| 3 | IR1105 | Kurdistan Studies | 5.00 |
| Kurdish Language | |||
| 4 | IT1106 | Computer skills | 6.00 |
| 5 | ML1101 | Organic Chemistry | 7.00 |
| 6 | ML1102 | Cell Biology | 3.00 |
| Total | 30.00 | ||
| Second term | M Code | Module Title | ECTS |
| 1 | ML1201 | General Bacteriology | 7.00 |
| 2 | ML1202 | General English (Terminology) | 4.00 |
| 3 | ML1203 | General Parasitology & Mycology | 5.00 |
| 4 | ML1204 | Analytical Chemistry | 5.00 |
| 5 | ML1205 | General Virology | 4.00 |
| 6 | ML1206 | General Histology | 5.00 |
| Total | 30.00 | ||
Second Year
| First term | M Code | Module Title | ECTS |
| 1 | ML2301 | Human Anatomy & Physiology (I) | 6.00 |
| 2 | ML2302 | Bio-safety | 6.00 |
| 3 | ML2303 | Immunology | 3.00 |
| 4 | ML2304 | Genetic & Molecular Biology | 3.00 |
| 5 | ML2305 | Lab. Instruments | 6.00 |
| 6 | ML2306 | Medical Parasitology & Mycology | 6.00 |
| Total | 30.00 | ||
| Second term | M Code | Module Title | ECTS |
| 1 | ML2401 | Human Anatomy & Physiology (II) | 5.00 |
| 2 | ML2402 | Medical Virology | 5.00 |
| 3 | ML2403 | Hematology | 6.00 |
| 4 | ML2404 | Medical Bacteriology | 5.00 |
| 5 | ML2405 | Bio-security | 5.00 |
| 6 | EN2407 | Professional Writing | 4.00 |
| Total | 30.00 | ||
Third Year
| First term | M Code | Module Title | ECTS |
| 1 | ML3501 | Pathology | 6.00 |
| 2 | ML3502 | Basic Nutrition | 4.00 |
| 3 | ML3503 | Clinical Immunology | 4.00 |
| 4 | ML3504 | Antimicrobial Agents | 4.00 |
| 5 | ML3505 | Biochemistry (I) | 7.00 |
| 6 | ML3506 | Elective | 5.00 |
| Total | 30.00 | ||
| Second term | M Code | Module Title | ECTS |
| 1 | ML3601 | Research Methodology & Design | 6.00 |
| 2 | ML3602 | Food & Water Microbiology | 6.00 |
| 3 | ML3603 | Epidemiology & Infectious Diseases | 3.00 |
| 4 | ML3604 | Biochemistry (II) | 6.00 |
| 5 | ML3605 | Biostatistics | 6.00 |
| 6 | ML3606 | Microbial Physiology | 3.00 |
| Total | 30.00 | ||
Fourth Year
| First term | M Code | Module Title | ECTS |
| 1 | ML4701 | Diagnostic Bacteriology (I) | 5.00 |
| 2 | ML4702 | Diagnostic Virology (I) | 5.00 |
| 3 | ML4703 | Diagnostic Parasitology (I) | 5.00 |
| 4 | ML4704 | Diagnostic Mycology (I) | 5.00 |
| 5 | ML4705 | Clinical Biochemistry (I) | 5.00 |
| 6 | ML4706 | Elective | 5.00 |
| Total | 30.00 | ||
| Second term | M Code | Module Title | ECTS |
| 1 | ML4801 | Diagnostic Bacteriology (II) | 6.00 |
| 2 | ML4802 | Clinical Immunology | 3.00 |
| 3 | ML4803 | Bioethics | 3.00 |
| 4 | ML4804 | Genetic & Molecular Techniques | 6.00 |
| 5 | ML4805 | Clinical Biochemistry (II) | 6.00 |
| 6 | ML4806 | Graduation Project | 6.00 |
| Total | 30.00 | ||