Program Overview

Medical Laboratory Science, BS

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) degree prepares students to function as medical laboratory scientists in a wide variety of settings, including hospital laboratories, clinics, research labs, physician office laboratories, public health laboratories, and reference labs.

Program Description

The requirements for the first three years include courses in biology, chemistry, math, social sciences, and humanities. The senior year includes advanced study in the MLS disciplines along with clinical practice in the clinical facilities.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Possess a broad understanding of science and its in-depth applications, techniques, principles, and instruments used to their specific option within the medical laboratory sciences major.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills
• Practice the skills necessary to analyze and interpret test results through knowledge of physiological and pathological conditions that affect testing.

Admission to the MLS Program

Admission to the MLS program is one time per year. Students must complete an application to the MLS program and submit it to the Program Director before May 30. An interview may be requested. Students should consult their Academic Advisor for additional information.

Medical Laboratory Science Certification

The medical laboratory scientist holds a key position in life-and-death matters involving the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Therefore, the practice of medical laboratory science is regulated both from within the profession and, in some states, by law. In addition to the coursework for the baccalaureate degree, employment as a medical laboratory scientist requires professional certification. A student may obtain one of three certifications in medical laboratory science: generalist, clinical chemist, or medical microbiologist.

General Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science degree requires a minimum of 120 semester hours:

• 42 hours are from designated Core Curriculum Program courses
• 20 hours are from medical laboratory core courses
• 12-14 hours are required Foundation courses
• 44 hours are Clinical courses

After their sophomore year (60 semester hours), students must have (and maintain) a cumulative GPA of 2.70 or above in their coursework, with no coursework older than 6 years. No "D" or "F" grades will be accepted as credit within the clinical laboratory core or clinical courses.

Program Requirements

Course List

• Full-time, First-year Students:
  • UNIV 1101 University Seminar I
  • UNIV 1102 University Seminar II
• Core Curriculum Program: University Core Curriculum (42 hours)
• Medical Laboratory Science Core Courses:
  • BIOL 1406 Biology I
  • BIOL 1407 Biology II
  • BIOL 2416 Genetics
  • BIOL 2421 Microbiology
  • CHEM 1411 General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 1412 General Chemistry II
  • CHEM 3411 Organic Chemistry I
• Required Foundation Courses:
  • Although no specific courses are required, students will find familiarity with anatomy and/or physiology, or other science electives, to be extremely beneficial.
  • MATH 1442 Statistics for Life (included in University Core)
  • CHEM 4401 Biochemistry I
  • CLSC 3300 Clinical Immunology and Serology
  • ELECTIVES - to reach 120 hours (4-6 hours)

Clinical Courses

• CLSC 3102 Essentials Laboratory for Clinical Laboratory Science
• CLSC 3200 Essentials for Applied Laboratory Sciences
• CLSC 4182 Seminar Clinical Correlations
• CLSC 4200 Professional Skills for Clinical Laboratory Scientists
• CLSC 4280 Introduction to the Clinical Laboratory Profession
• CLSC 4220 Hematology II
• CLSC 4297 Professional Practicum I
• CLSC 4325 Clinical Chemistry I
• CLSC 4326 Clinical Chemistry II
• CLSC 4370 Clinical Microbiology I
• CLSC 4371 Clinical Microbiology II
• CLSC 4382 Advanced Medical Laboratory Procedures
• CLSC 4598 Professional Practicum II
• CLSC 4420 Hematology
• CLSC 4599 Professional Practicum III
• CLSC 4430 Clinical Immunology

Course Sequencing

Plan of Study Grid

• First Year:
  • Fall: UNIV 1101, ENGL 1301, BIOL 1406, CHEM 1411
  • Spring: UNIV 1102, ENGL 1302 or COMM 1311, CHEM 1412, BIOL 1407
• Second Year:
  • Fall: MATH 1442, CHEM 3411, BIOL 2421
  • Spring: POLS 2306, HIST 1301, BIOL 2416, CHEM 3412
• Third Year:
  • Fall: POLS 2305, HIST 1302, Social and Behavioral Sciences Core Requirement, Creative Arts Core Requirement
  • Spring: CHEM 4401, Language, Philosophy & Culture Core Requirement, CLSC 3300, Elective
• Fourth Year:
  • Fall: CLSC 3102, CLSC 3200, CLSC 4325, CLSC 4430, CLSC 4370, CLSC 4220
  • Spring: CLSC 4297, CLSC 4326, CLSC 4371, CLSC 4280, CLSC 4382, CLSC 4420
  • Summer: CLSC 4200, CLSC 4598, CLSC 4599, CLSC 4182

Notes

• If a student earns a grade of D, F, or W in a CLSC course, that course must be repeated.
• A course in which a grade of less than C was earned may be repeated only once.
• A student who has earned a grade of less than C in two CLSC courses or who has earned a grade of less than C twice in the same CLSC course will be dismissed from the CLSC program.
• Students receiving a grade of D, F, or W (withdrawal) or I (Incomplete) in a CLSC course may not progress to courses for which that course is a pre-requisite.
• Following dismissal, students may apply for reinstatement to the CLSC program. Reinstatement is competitive and is based upon space availability.
• In order for students to progress through the program, they must be in compliance with immunizations and hospital orientation regulations.