During the first three years, emphasis is on general education and on basic courses in the biological, chemical, and quantitative sciences. The courses of the senior year are taught off campus by staff from affiliated hospital schools of medical laboratory science. These schools are accredited by the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. The senior year is an 11-month clinical internship that begins in late July. It is taken at one or more of the following clinical agencies: Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital, Fatima Hospital, and the Rhode Island Blood Center. The clinical program includes lecture and laboratory instruction in clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematology, immunology, immunohematology, and molecular pathology, and prepares the student for national certification examinations and state licensure.Applicants to this curriculum should have completed 60 credits and taken most of the required courses by the end of the sophomore year. Students are selected for clinical internships by the departmental curriculum committee and by program officials of the hospital schools. Since the number of students is limited, interested students should consult with the program director early in their college career, so they will be familiar with the requirements and application procedures. Flexibility in the curriculum permits students who are not admitted to the program to fulfill requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in one of several other concentrations in the department. Students with a degree in a health profession, life science, or related field may apply to the clinical internship as a fifth year of study.Biotechnology Manufacturing Option. This option is designed to prepare students for professional careers in the biotechnology and biomedical industries in the areas of manufacturing, processing, operations, and technical support. This option is based at the Providence Campus and includes a 12-credit clinical internship at a regional biotechnology or biomedical company. Students should be aware that internships may be limited in number and are awarded on a competitive basis. Students are selected by the departmental curriculum committee and by program officials of affiliated companies. Students interested in this option should consult with the program director early in their college career, so that they will be familiar with the requirements and application procedures. Flexibility in the curriculum permits students who are not admitted to the program to fulfill requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in one of several other concentrations in the department.