Medical Laboratory Science
Medical Laboratory Science Major
Medical laboratory scientists use analytical procedures and the latest biomedical instruments to perform laboratory tests on blood and body fluids that assist physicians in patient diagnosis and treatment, disease monitoring and prevention. Clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology, urinalysis, immunohematology, and immunology are the principle practice areas for an MLS working in a medical laboratory. In addition to laboratory testing and analysis, an MLS may also monitor test quality, supervise personnel, conduct research and develop new tests and methodologies.
A Bachelor of Science degree, major in Medical Laboratory Science, includes three years of academic coursework on campus followed by an 11-12 month full-time professional level class and clinical internship in an affiliated school of medical laboratory science. Graduates are eligible to take a national certification exam administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC).
College academic coursework includes college algebra, biology, microbiology, general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, and statistics, along with general education electives. The full-time professional internship consists of classroom and clinical bench instruction in clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, microscopy/urinalysis, microbiology, serology, phlebotomy, education, management, and research methods.
Students who have completed the prerequisite course work on campus and meet the GPA and grade requirements established by the affiliated hospital program may be eligible to apply for the professional class and clinical internship. Transfer students must complete a minimum of 20 resident credits at NDSU prior to the start of the internship to be eligible to apply. NDSU has affiliation agreements with seven hospital-based MLS programs that provide the necessary internship. Affiliated programs are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). Admission to hospital programs is competitive. Criteria for admission is established by each hospital internship program and generally includes academic performance at the university level, references, related experience, compliance with essential functions, and an interview. Students must also comply with criminal background and student conduct requirements.
During the professional internship, specific letter grades are assigned by the hospital program, recorded on the hospital program’s official transcript, and are not included in calculation of NDSU’s grade point average. Official transcripts are available upon written request from the hospital program. An NDSU grade of 'Pass' is awarded for successful completion of each term of the internship.
Information about the profession, curriculum, internship, and advising contacts are available from the Department of Allied Sciences.
