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Bachelor's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science

The Bachelor's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science is a program offered by Purdue University Northwest that prepares students for careers in clinical laboratory work, research, public health, forensic work, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Program Overview

Medical technology, or medical laboratory science, involves the clinical tests necessary to evaluate health and diagnose and treat diseases. Certified medical laboratory scientists work in clinical labs in settings as varied as healthcare, research, public health, forensics, teaching, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Why Study Medical Laboratory Science at PNW?

The program provides a rigorous background in biology, chemistry, and other sciences. This foundation guarantees a high likelihood of acceptance into fourth-year clinical training with regional hospitals. With this degree, students can become certified laboratory scientists in only four years and graduate with immediate employment opportunities.

Medical Laboratory Science Curriculum

As a medical laboratory science student, the curriculum includes a balance of general education courses, College of Engineering and Sciences core courses, and courses in microbiology, immunology, and chemistry. The medical laboratory science degree is a 3+1 program, where the first three years (88 credits) of coursework provide a solid foundation in science and all general education courses required for a bachelor's degree. In the fourth year, students complete 32 credits of clinical training in an affiliated hospital.

Yearly Breakdown

• Year One: Develop a foundational knowledge of key concepts in biology and learn essential lab skills.
  • Sample Courses:
    • BIOL 10100 – Introductory Biology
    • BIOL 10700 – Freshman Experience In Biological Sciences
    • CHM 11500 – General Chemistry
• Year Two: Complete 80 percent of the required core in biology.
  • Sample Courses:
    • BIOL 31600 – Basic Microbiology
    • CHM 25500 – Organic Chemistry
    • CHM 25501 – Organic Chemistry Laboratory
• Year Three: Finish PNW coursework and apply for admission to next year's clinical program at affiliated hospitals.
  • Sample Courses:
    • BIOL 24400 – Genetics
    • PHYS 22000 – General Physics
• Year Four: Complete clinical work and take the national exam to become a certified medical laboratory scientist.
  • Sample Courses:
    • BIOL 34200 – Biological Science Practicum

Medical Laboratory Science Degree Program Highlights

In this program, students receive advanced training with state-of-the-art clinical equipment for specimen, protein, and DNA analysis. Over 90 percent of students are hired immediately upon graduation. Labor statistics predict a 13 percent increase in jobs in this field from 2016 to 2026, compared to 7 percent for all other occupations.

Medical Laboratory Science Degree Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students can take the national exam administered through the American Society for Clinical Pathology to become certified as a professional medical laboratory scientist (MLS). This accreditation is recognized nationally and internationally.

Medical Laboratory Science Degree Program Career Paths

PNW graduates from the medical laboratory sciences have career paths in:

• Microbiology
• Lead Analysis
• Medical Lab Science

Medical Laboratory Science Degree Program Beyond the Classroom

As an MLS student, participation in undergraduate research, internships, volunteering in the community, and joining student clubs or organizations is encouraged.

Medical Laboratory Science Degree Program Employers

Graduates of this program are employed in organizations and companies like:

• Community Healthcare Systems
• Franciscan Health
• Alverno Laboratories

Medical Laboratory Science Degree Program Scholarships

Students in this program can apply for a scholarship from the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Medical Laboratory Science Degree Program Accreditation

Clinical training sites for this program are certified by The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science.

Meet the Faculty

• Feng-Song Wang, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, studies how directed growth cone movement guides the pathfinding of a growing neurite during the formation of the nervous system.
• Radmila Sarac Stanic, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and Graduate Program Coordinator, focuses on cellular physiology, animal physiology, and molecular biology.

Related Programs

• Biological Sciences (BS)
• Integrative Human Health (BS)
• Chemistry: Materials Science (BSCH)