Program Overview

Medical Laboratory Sciences Degree

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.S.M.L.S) is a four-year program that teaches students to perform tests on blood, tissue, and body fluids to determine proper treatment for illnesses and diseases. The program combines classroom instruction with lab and practical experiences, providing students with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities.

Program Details

• Program Type: Major
• Format: On Campus
• Estimated Time to Complete: 4 years
• Credit Hours: 120

Requirements

Coursework covers topics including:

• Amino acids, carbohydrates, enzymes, proteins, and vitamins in humans
• Bacteria and disease
• The immune system
• Organic chemistry
• Scientific methods for analyzing chemical reactions
• The structure and function of cells, tissues, and organ systems in animals and humans
• Animal parasites
• Genetics
• Techniques for examining cells and body fluids under a microscope
• Management
• Technical writing
• Statistics

Marketable Skills

• Oral and written communication
• Quantitative data analysis
• Plan, organize, and prioritize work
• Operate modern clinical instrumentation
• In-depth knowledge of clinical science

Career Outlook

Medical laboratory scientists perform tests on blood, tissue, and body fluids to properly treat illnesses and diseases. Their technical skills may be used in operating and repairing laboratory instruments and monitoring quality control programs. Medical laboratory scientists work in:

• Blood banks
• Coroner's offices
• Health maintenance organizations
• Independent laboratories serving hospitals and physicians
• Insurance companies
• Laboratories at hospitals or clinics
• Pharmaceutical firms
• Physician’s offices
• Research laboratories

Some medical laboratory scientists work for the armed forces, Peace Corps, Red Cross, U.S. Public Health Service, or Veterans Affairs hospitals. Others provide educational programs, work in quality control, or pursue product development or sales jobs for laboratory equipment and supply manufacturers.

Courses

• Cell Biology (3 hrs)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology I (3 hrs)
• Immunology (3 hrs)
• Parasitology (3 hrs)
• Principles of Biochemistry (3 hrs)
• Medical Bacteriology (3 hrs)

Additional Information

The curriculum has been developed in cooperation with some of the state’s top hospitals and medical centers. Our affiliations are with:

• Baylor Scott & White in Temple
• Comanche County Memorial Hospital (School of Medical Technology) in Lawton, OK
• Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston
• Parkview School of Medical Laboratory Science in Pueblo, CO
• Tarleton State University at All Saints Hospital in Fort Worth
• United Regional Medical Health Care System (School of Medical Technology) in Wichita Falls

Faculty members in the biological sciences and chemistry departments are dedicated to high-quality teaching and have earned recognition for their work. We support several scholarships, including the Gladys Crawford Award, to help you pursue your degree. You can become a member of Lambda Alpha Beta, a pre-professional student organization for Medical Laboratory Sciences majors. Additional research and learning opportunities are provided through our student chapters of the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society or the Alpha Epsilon Delta Health Pre-Professional Honor Society. Our collaborative program with the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth combines college and medical school if you’re interested in a medical career. Our laboratory facilities in the Chemistry Building and the Life Sciences Complex feature state-of-the-art equipment that allows you to research cell structure and microorganisms.