To educate integrally the student of Bacteriology and Clinical Laboratory, in a creative and critical spirit, with ethical values, in basic concepts for the formulation, analysis and solution of social problems in different areas of professional performance, through the generation and application of technologies and the development of community and research projects.

According to Resolution No. 044 of April 19, 2007, which updates the Regulations for Enrollment and Admission to Undergraduate Academic Programs at the Universidad del Valle, the following is required for enrollment:

• Hold a bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent.
• Take the State Examination for access to higher education (ICFES).

Professional Profile

The graduate of Bacteriology and Clinical Laboratory of the Universidad del Valle is a university professional with scientific and research training, with ethical principles, integrated to multiprofessional teams, with a reflective and leadership attitude, committed to the community and the needs of their environment.

Occupational Profile

The occupational duties of Bacteriologists and Clinical Laboratorians involve the direction and execution of diagnostic and research work in the various areas of their professional training, as well as the development of community actions aimed at health promotion and disease prevention.

The Academic Program of Bacteriology and Clinical Laboratory has defined three thematic areas as the basis of its curricular organization, which are:

• Scientific-Natural Area: groups those subjects that facilitate the understanding of organisms and the biological, physical and chemical processes that occur in them. These subjects also promote the understanding of the interaction of organisms with the environment that surrounds them (ecological interaction).
• Scientific-Technological Area: allows students to learn and put into practice the knowledge related to the methodological principles, equipment and instruments necessary for the optimal performance of the professional as a Bacteriologist and Clinical Laboratory Technician.
• Scientific-Community Area: it is crucial for the student not only to receive a scientific-empirical and technological training, but also to know and master the sociocultural and ethical principles that underlie human relations and particularly the Colombian General Social Security Health System. For this reason, this thematic axis introduces the student to conceive man in an integral way as an individual and social being that is existentially framed in a particular socio-political and cultural context. The future professional becomes aware of his rights, duties and responsibilities within the "professional-community" relationship through an ethical and humanistic vision of his work and citizenship, responding to the problems of the communities in a contextualized and coherent manner, with the aim of contributing to the construction of a more dignified, humane and just society in the political, economic, social, cultural and ecological aspects.
• Complementary subjects: these are subjects that contribute to the holistic formation of the student to lead him/her to a full existence as a person and professional. Subjects are offered in basic areas of knowledge such as: science, technology and society; art and culture; health and physical culture; Colombian problems and institutions; and language, communication and expression.

 See Curriculum Structure (Spanish)

• Fulfillment and approval of the Curricular Plan and the respective credits for the culmination of the professional training.
• Format "Grade application".
• Enlarged photocopy of the identity card.
• Photocopy of the Military ID card.
• Photocopy of high school diploma or transcript.
• Format "Application for graduate card".
• Receipt of payment of degree fees.
• Evidence of Saber Pro exam presentation.
• Certificate of good standing from the Academic Coordination of the Faculty of Health.
• Financial clearance certificate.
• Library clearance.
• Certificate of good standing with University Welfare.

The current Bacteriology and Clinical Laboratory studies program is the result of an evolutionary process that originated in the School of Medical Laboratory Technology, created by Ordinance No. 9 of July 25, 1957 and approved by Resolution No. 3241 of the Ministry of National Education in the same year.

Dr. Alberto Zuleta, Director of the Laboratory of the Hospital Universitario del Valle Evaristo García, was in charge of the initial direction of the curriculum. The purpose of the School of Medical Laboratory Technology was to prepare, in a period of two years, trained technical personnel to perform the laboratory tests frequently requested by the physician to confirm the clinical diagnosis and guide the treatment of people who required this service.

Initially, this program of studies lasted two years, a period of time that allowed it to respond to the needs of the time. Graduates received the title of "Medical Technologist".

In accordance with scientific and technological advances and the demand for more responsible work, it was necessary to increase the curriculum to three years, in order to allow students to broaden their knowledge. A change of title to "Clinical Laboratorian" was approved here (1970), under the direction of Dr. Nohra Villegas de Merino.

However, the University, aware of the difficulty that the graduates of this career had in pursuing graduate studies and detecting the need to have personnel prepared to meet the demands of participation in teaching, research and administration, established the complementary program for the "Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Laboratory", which placed its graduates at a professional level and allowed them to compete with professionals from other universities in the country. The higher level was achieved thanks to the efforts of professors Marlene Amézquita Meneses and Nydia Salazar Gallego, who prepared the document that formulated the proposal for change. 

On December 16, 1980, the Board of Trustees of the Universidad del Valle issued Resolution 362 establishing the four-year professional program in Clinical Laboratory, subsequently approved by the ICFES (Agreement 214 of August 4, 1981).

In order to unify the title with the one issued by other universities in the country and thus benefit our graduates, a change was requested. The ICFES, after verifying compliance with all the requirements, issued agreement 313 of November 1981, authorizing the Universidad del Valle to issue the title of "Bacteriologist and Clinical Laboratorian", thus unifying the title for professionals in this discipline throughout the country.