Program Description
The Michigan State University (MSU) Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics (formerly Medical Technology) Program is pleased to offer a Certificate Program in Immunodiagnostics and Clinical Flow Cytometry. Completion of the three course sequence is required for the certificate, though individual course enrollment is possible with appropriate prerequisites. The didactic courses are taught via computer on the worldwide web through MSU's Virtual University. The laboratory component is taught in an intensive one week format on MSU's East Lansing, Michigan campus. Participants can also arrange to complete this segment at a remote site where proper equipment, instrumentation and supervision are available.

Who should take these courses?
This program is designed for working medical laboratory professionals in need of updating their skills and knowledge to meet the demands of modern immunodiagnostics laboratories. Individuals working in veterinary, forensic, industrial, and pharmaceutical laboratories will also find the content pertinent. Individuals seeking specialist certification in immunology from the National Credentialing Agency (NCA) or American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) will find the courses to provide solid preparation for national credentialing examinations. However, these courses are not a prerequisite or a requirement for the certifying exams. To determine your eligibility contact the Agency of your choice by clicking on the links above. The courses will also be applicable to those requiring continuing education credits for relicensing or recertification. The program also provides valuable preparation for work in modern medical and biological laboratories for graduate and upper-level undergraduate students in the biological sciences.

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The Courses
The two on-line courses are organized into modules. There are approximately 15 modules in each course. The instructor expects that you will complete one module per week. This may vary, depending on your schedule. The time spent with the on-line module and assigned readings (see link at top of page to order your books) should take approximately 4-5 hours per week. There are also on-line chat rooms with other course participants and the instructor or you can post questions to a bulletin board if you are on-line at a time when other participants are unavailable. The grading for the on-line courses is based on an “open book” midterm and final exam. The third course in the certificate program takes place on the campus of Michigan State University during the summer semester so that inexpensive on-campus housing can be offered to participants. The course is offered as a one-week intensive format (e.g. 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday). It is also possible to make special arrangements with the instructor to complete the laboratory requirements in a laboratory in your local area, as long as proper equipment and supervision are available.

Concepts in Immunodiagnostics (BLD 850). This course will review basic immunology, including B and T cell development, innate immunity, adaptive immunity, immunity in health and disease, pathogen/host relationships, immunogen structure/function, immunoglobulin structure/function, immunomodulation, and will then emphasize the applications of immunological methods in medical diagnosis.

Clinical Application of Immunodiagnostic Principles (BLD 851). This course will examine the principles of diagnostic immunoassays including antigen/antibody reactions, diffusion assays, immunochromatography, ELISAs, RIST/RAST, immunoselection, cellular assays, bioassays, molecular assays, and flow cytometry.

Immunodiagnostics Laboratory (BLD 852). This course is a laboratory offering all participants exposure to the methods described and taught in BLD 850 and BLD 851. Prerequisites include BLD 850 and BLD 851 (or you can take BLD 851 concurrently with the lab) or documented immunodiagnostics and flow cytometry experience. Laboratories will include various forms of antigen/antibody reactions, diffusion assays, immunochromatography, ELISA, and flow cytometry.

The Faculty of the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program
John A. Gerlach, PhD, MT(ASCP), CLSp(MB), dip ABHI;
Professor and Director, Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program and Histocompatibility Laboratory
Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program/Department of Medicine

The Books

Immunobiology, 7th edition Janeway, Charles, A Garland Publishing, Co. ISBN Number: 0815341237
Flow Cytometry First Principles 2nd edition Longbardi-Givan, Alice Wiley-Liss ISBN Number: 0471-38224-8
You can also place an order at the MSU Spartan Bookstore . When you click on the MSU Spartan Bookstore link and are on the website, you need to make choices in the drop down boxes - Select Fall semester 2009 or Spring semester 2010, Select the Department - BLD - Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics, then the course number BLD 850, BLD 851, or BLD 852 and click on the sections - 730, 731, 732. This will bring up the book and you can add it to your basket and then proceed to checkout. If they do not have the book on hand to put in your basket, you can call their toll free number 1-877-267-4700 and ask for Cathy. She will take your order and credit card number and the course pack will be mailed to you within two days. One additional note - for course packs being mailed out of the country - the shipping charge listed on the website does not apply. The website gives shipping costs within the United States ONLY. For books shipped out of the country, a sales representative will call you to discuss shipping options. These books can alsso be obtained through the Student Bookstore in East Lansing, MI (1-800-968-1111) on Grand River. Just call or click on this link, enter the Semester as explained above, find the course and you can place an order over the internet using your credit card - they will ship the books to you. If you prefer, use the ISBN Numbers and order them from a bookstore near you.

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Recognition of completion
Participants will earn 2 semester hour credits for each course completed. Individuals completing the 3-course sequence will be awarded a Certificate in Immunodiagnostics and Clinical Flow Cytometry from the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program, Michigan State University.

Scheduling
BLD 850 - For Fall Semester 2010 - the course will be available on-line starting on Wednesday, September 1, 2010; students must complete the course work by December 10, 2010. This course will also be offered during Spring Semester 2011; those dates are January 10, 2011 - April 29, 2011.

BLD 851 - This course will be offered during Spring Semester 2010; those dates are January 11, 2010 - April 30, 2010. An offering during the full Summer session beginning May 17 - August 19, 2009.

BLD 852 - This course may be taken concurrently with BLD 851 during the Summer Session. It will be offered Summer session B. Dates for summer 2010 are between July 6, 2010 and August 19, 2010.  You will see the week long schedule listed below.  Class times to be arranged. On-campus housing can be arranged for participants at a reasonable cost.

SCHEDULE FOR SUMMER 2010 - JULY 12 - July 16 - on the East Lansing campus.
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Housing
On-campus housing in a graduate dormitory can be arranged for participants at a reasonable cost (The 2009 cost is $37.50/night). MSU Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program has discounted rate agreements with several local hotels in the immediate area.  Some of these hotels even have free shuttle service from the airport and to and from class each day.  For more information, please contact the Curriculum Assistant.

Program cost
Participants beginning the program in the 2009-2010 academic year as out-of-state lifelong education students will pay a cost of $1241.50 for each 2 credit course; in-state lifelong education students will pay a cost of $1056.50 for each 2 credit course. Lifelong education students may withdraw from a course before one-quarter of the course is complete and receive a full refund. International Students living in the United States must also pay a $25.00 international student fee. International students living in the United States will also automatically be charged a fee for health insurance, UNLESS they provide proof of health insurance by filling out a Health Waiver Form by clicking on this link (Note, you will have to use your newly established MSU Net ID to login to the waiver form).

Registration
Participants can register directly on line as a lifelong education student (either domestic or international). You will need to know the course number (either BLD 850, BLD 851 or BLD 852). When you click on the link below a new page will open for you to apply to the University. There are two "drop down" boxes - one that says I am a "Domestic" student and then it says "Freshman". You need to drop down the two boxes and choose the correct options. If you are a US citizen you are a "domestic" student; otherwise choose "international". For the box that says "Freshman" drop it down and and choose "Lifelong". That way you will not have to pay an application fee or provide transcripts. The other information you need to fill out the application is biographical in nature (e.g. name, address, high school and other schools attended, etc.) It is not necessary to submit any transcripts, since you will not be pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Once you fill out the on-line application, you will receive an email from the Registrar’s Office with a Personal Identification Number (PID) and a Personal Access Number (PAN) - and a link to go to a designated website where you will establish your own MSU Net ID and your own MSU email address. All future communication from MSU will come to your MSU email account - including the bill for the course. You can forward email from your MSU account to another email account (e.g. hotmail, or aol, etc.) - or you can leave your MSU email separate. It is important to set these up as your bill for the course will come via email and the payment options will be on line (e.g. use a credit card, have it paid directly from your bank account) or you can send a check to pay your bill. If you do not pay your bill, you will be dropped from the course.
To register for the course and fill out the online application click here.

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Computer Needs
ANGEL works with Macintosh, Windows, and other platforms and is accessible through almost any Internet browser. However, for best results we recommend using Internet Explorer 5.0 or Netscape Navigator version 7.0 (or higher).
For 24-hour assistance, contact the ANGEL Help Line at 1.800.500.1554.

Contact Information
For additional information, contact the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program at:
Michigan State University
322 N. Kedzie Hall
E. Lansing, MI 48824-1031
517-353-9225
fax 517-432-2006
bld@msu.edu

For 24-hour assistance, contact the ANGEL Help Line at 1.800.500.1554.
Handicapper accommodations may be requested by calling the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program at 517.353.9225 or by e-mail to bld@msu.edu.

How to Print A Grade Report
1.) Go to the MSU Student Information website http://stuinfo.msu.edu
3.) Sign in with your MSUnet ID & password then hit submit
4.) Welcome To STUINFO Menu
5.) Look under "Academic" and Select "Grade History: Grade Report"
6.) Select the term & type in student number then press enter
7.) Grade History Screen - select Create Grade Report
8.) Grade Report - scroll down the screen and click on Print Grade Report
9.) Close the window

How To Begin The Course Once Registered
You must activate your MSUnet ID and email account and then choose a password. For Directions on Activating your MSUnet ID use this link: http://netid.msu.edu. Your email account must also be activated since all subsequent communication from MSU will be sent to your MSU email account (including billing information). To activate your email account, use this link:
If you have set up you MSUnetID and want to start the course CLICK HERE and then enter your MSUnet ID and password. Click on your course when it comes up.

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