Program Overview

Honors Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (HBS)

The pre-professional requirements of the MLS Program include successful completion of the University of Utah’s foundational courses, as well as pre-requisite courses including at least four semesters of chemistry, three semesters of biology, and two semesters of mathematics.

Overview

Students accepted into the MLS Program begin coursework in Fall semester. For full-time students, the professional phase of the program consists of five consecutive semesters of MLS courses including three semesters of didactic coursework (junior year) and two semesters of clinical rotations at the MLS program’s affiliate clinical sites (senior year). For part-time students, the professional phase of the program consists of seven semesters, including five semesters of didactic coursework and two semesters of clinical rotations.

Curriculum

• Pre-requisite Courses
  • These courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C minus before students can be admitted to full major status with the MLS Program.
  • Total Credits: 41-43
  • BIOLOGY PRE-REQUISITES
    • BIOL1610 - Fundamental Principles of Biology I: Cells, Genetics, and Biochemistry (4) OR BIOL2020 - Principles of Cell Biology (3)
    • BIOL2030 - Genetics (3) OR BIOL2210 - Human Genetics (3)
    • BIOL2325 - Human Anatomy (4)
    • BIOL2420 - Human Physiology (4)
  • CHEMISTRY PRE-REQUISITES
    • CHEM1210 - General Chemistry I (4) OR CHEM1211 - Honors General Chemistry I (4)
    • CHEM1215 - General Chemistry Laboratory I (1) OR CHEM1240 - Honors General Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
    • CHEM1220 - General Chemistry II (4) OR CHEM1221 - Honors General Chemistry II (4)
    • CHEM2310 - Organic Chemistry I (4) (lab not required)
    • CHEM3510 - Biological Chemistry I (3) (lab not required) OR BIOL3510 - Biological Chemistry I (3) OR CHEM1120 - Elementary Chemistry (4)
  • MATHEMATICS PRE-REQUISITES
    • MATH1050 - College Algebra (4) OR MATH1080 - Precalculus (5) OR MATH1210 - Calculus (5)
    • MATH1040 - Introduction to Statistics and Probability (3) OR MATH1070 - Introduction to Statistical Inference (3)
  • COMMUNICATIONS PRE-REQUISITE
    • WRTG3014 - Writing in the Sciences (3) OR WRTG3830 - Professional Communication OR KINES3750 - Introduction to Health Science Research (3)
• Professional Courses
  • Total Credits: 59-62
  • Complete the following didactic courses:
    • MD LB3600 - Basic Techniques in Clinical Laboratory Science (1) (lab included)
    • MD LB3850 - Body Fluids Analysis (2) (lab included)
    • MD LB4100 - Clinical Immunology (2)
    • MD LB4110 - Clinical Immunology Laboratory (1)
    • MD LB4200 - Clinical Chemistry (4)
    • MD LB4210 - Clinical Chemistry Laboratory (1)
    • MD LB4300 - Clinical Hematology (3)
    • MD LB4310 - Clinical Hematology Laboratory (2)
    • MD LB4320 - Clinical Hemostasis (2) (lab included)
    • MD LB4400 - Clinical Immunohematology (3)
    • MD LB4410 - Clinical Immunohematology Laboratory (2)
    • MD LB4500 - Clinical Microbiology I (2)
    • MD LB4510 - Clinical Microbiology Lab I (1)
    • MD LB4511 - Molecular Diagnostics (2) (lab included)
    • MD LB4600 - Clinical Microbiology II (2)
    • MD LB4610 - Clinical Microbiology Laboratory II (3)
    • MD LB4620 - Parasitology and Mycology (2) (lab included)
    • MD LB5100 - Principles of Education and Research Design (1)
    • MD LB5130 - Laboratory Management and Supervision (1)
  • Complete the following clinical rotations:
    • MD LB5200 - Applied Clinical Chemistry I (3)
    • MD LB5210 - Applied Clinical Chemistry II (1)
    • MD LB5300 - Applied Clinical Hematology I (3)
    • MD LB5310 - Applied Clinical Hematology II (1)
    • MD LB5320 - Applied Clinical Hemostasis (1)
    • MD LB5400 - Applied Clinical Immunohematology (3)
    • MD LB5500 - Applied Clinical Microbiology I (3)
    • MD LB5510 - Applied Parasitology and Mycology (1)
    • MD LB5530 - Applied Clinical Immunology (1)
    • MD LB5531 - Applied Molecular Diagnostics (1)
  • Complete at least 1 of the following:
    • MD LB5900 - Clinical Correlations (1)
    • MD LB5910 - International Clinical Correlations (1-4)
  • Complete the Honors Thesis Course:
    • MD LB4999 - Honors Thesis
  • Optional Elective Courses:
    • MD LB5600 - Clinical Electives
    • MD LB5700 - Clinical Research Elective
• Grand Total Required Credits: 100-105 (does not include Honors Core/Elective courses)

Comprehensive Exam

At the end of clinical rotations and before completion of the MLS Program, students must successfully pass a comprehensive exam administered by the MLS program.

Selection Criteria

Admission is dependent upon selection by the MLS Admissions Committee. Requirements include a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and successful completion of pre-requisite courses. Selection is based on review of official transcripts, the applicants' responses to the essay prompts, the applicant's work, leadership, service history, and their references.

MLS Selection Criteria

Completed applications from all qualified applicants will be reviewed by the MLS Admissions Committee, which is comprised of members of the MLS faculty. The selection process for the MLS Program is competitive and is based on a point ranking system.

The following criteria will be used to rank all qualified applicants:

1. Academic achievement (16 points)
2. Essay responses (12 points)
3. Experience (12 points)
4. References (4 points)

Application

Enrollment is limited to ensure adequate space in the teaching laboratory and in the clinical rotations. Applications must be submitted by February 15th to be considered for admission to the program for Fall semester. Late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis if space is available. Applicants will be notified in early April of the admissions committee's decision. Students offered a position in the program must pay a one-time, non-refundable acceptance fee ($75) to hold their position. A mandatory orientation session for conditionally admitted students is held the week before classes begin in the Fall semester.

Offers of admission to the MLS Program are conditional and contingent on the following criteria:

• Maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA and a minimum math/science GPA of 2.5.
• Completion of all pre-requisite courses with a minimum letter grade of C minus, as applicable.
• Provision of documentation of immunization status and/or approved medical or religious exemption, completed health history and physical examination form, and negative screening for tuberculosis.
• Completion of all required safety trainings.

Applicants offered admission to the MLS Program have the option to request a one-year deferral. After payment of the one-time, non-refundable deferral fee ($150), the applicant's position will be held for one year without them having to reapply for admission.