DETROIT - Wayne State University's Mortuary Science Building will host an open house from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5. The annual event, which is free and open to the public, will showcase programs in the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences' Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences. The Mortuary Science Building is located at 5439 Woodward Avenue (at Ferry Street) in Detroit.

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the four-story building, which houses the most advanced teaching and research resources in embalming, anatomy and restorative arts as well as the clinical laboratory science and pathologists' assistant laboratories. They will also participate in hands-on activities that will expose them to academic and career opportunities in clinical laboratory science, forensics, mortuary science and pathology.

"The open house is worthwhile for prospective students, individuals interested in changing careers and the general public" said Peter Frade, chair of the Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences. "Not only will it give them the chance to explore a variety of degree and career options, but it will also give them the opportunity to see and hear about some of the ways we are integrating technology into the curriculum to enhance teaching and learning."

Established in 1939, Wayne State's mortuary science program is the only such accredited undergraduate degree program in Michigan. In addition, it is one of only three programs in Carnegie Research Universities' (very high research activity) core-based accredited programs in the nation.

"Wayne State's mortuary science program is highly respected. Most of the funeral directors in the state have earned their degrees here and are actively engaged in efforts to help prepare and employ the next generation of funeral service professionals," said Mark Evely, mortuary science program director. "We also use the latest technology and distinguished faculty to ensure students develop the knowledge and skills they will need to be successful in funeral service."

The college also offers a pathologists' assistant bachelor's program - the only such program in Michigan and one of only nine across the country accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) - a bachelor's in clinical laboratory science and a post-bachelor certificate in forensic investigation. The NAACLS-accredited clinical laboratory science program, which was established about 80 years ago, prepares students to become certified medical laboratory scientists, a profession recently rated number one for most meaningful college major by PayScale.

"Clinical laboratory science is a diverse and rewarding field, and there are numerous opportunities available to those who are interested in identifying illnesses and diseases," said Karen Apolloni, director of the clinical laboratory science program. "Our program has a solid track record. During the past four years, more than 98 percent of our students graduated, and more than 90 percent of our graduates passed the certification exam on their first try. All of our graduates have found jobs and embarked on successful careers."

Reservations for the open house are not required. Free parking will be available at Wayne State in Lot 33, located on Woodward Avenue between Palmer and Ferry streets.

For more information, call the Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences at 313-577-2050.

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About the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, one of the founding colleges of Wayne State University, is committed to advancing the health and well-being of society through the preparation of highly skilled health care practitioners and to conducting groundbreaking research to improve models of practice and methods of treatment in pharmacy and the health sciences. To learn more, visit cphs.wayne.edu.

About Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution of higher education offering more than 380 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 27,000 students. For more information, visit wayne.edu.