Histotechnologists perform a variety of diagnostic and research procedures in the anatomic sciences. During the clinical internship, students learn histological techniques that involve processing, sectioning and staining of tissue specimens that have been removed from humans or animals by biopsy, surgical procedures or autopsy. Advanced techniques include muscle enzyme histochemistry, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and immunoenzyme procedures, molecular pathology techniques including hybridization and image analysis, and medical photography. Students may apply for specialization standing in histotechnology after completing the CDS core curriculum and acceptance to a hospital internship. Application to the hospital-based internship is typically made during the winter semester of the sophomore year. The junior year consists of the prescribed professional course requirements at Oakland University. The senior year consists of a 12-month internship at the Beaumont Health School of Histotechnology. Acceptance into the internship program is competitive and based on grade point average, personal interview and letters of recommendation.