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Medical Laboratory Science

College of Health Sciences

Medical & Molecular Sciences

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Experiential learning and exciting career prospects in healthcare

Medical laboratory science encompasses the essence of biology, chemistry, and medicine. It is associated with the prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of disease through the understanding, application, and performance of clinical laboratory analyses. Medical laboratory scientists perform laboratory tests on blood and other body fluids to aid in the maintenance of health and the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The medical laboratory science major prepares students for national certification as medical laboratory scientists through the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC).

Freshmen enter as medical laboratory and diagnostics interest majors. In order to enter the medical laboratory science major at the end of the sophomore year certain criteria are required: a minimum 2.00 GPA for the first 4 semesters, minimum 2.00 GPA for prerequisite courses in chemistry and biological sciences (science index), and completion of at least 60 credit hours, including the prerequisite courses. Admission to the MLS-BS major is competitive and is determined by academic achievement.

AREAS OF STUDY

Clinical Diagnostics
Hematology and Hemostasis
Immunohematology or Transfusion Medicine
Microbiology and Infectious Agents

CAREER OPTIONS

Hospital and private clinical laboratories
Public health agencies
Industrial medical and biomedical laboratories
Research and forensic laboratories
Educational institutions
Pharmaceutical companies
Fertility centers
Physicians’ office laboratories
Veterinary laboratories
Technical sales
Instrument service
Management
Teaching
Medical writing

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Public Health
Pathologist's Assistant
Hospital or Business Administration
Molecular Diagnostics
Perfusion Medicine
Education

What’s special about this program?

Students engage in experiential learning through clinical laboratory education at the program’s affiliated hospitals and medical centers. Graduates in Medical Laboratory Science are highly sought after by employers in hospitals, fertility centers, industry, private laboratories and public health organizations. Through excellent advisement, Medical Laboratory Science students can complete prerequisite coursework during their undergraduate curriculum which, combined with the MLS specific coursework, prepares them for success in graduate and professional education programs including: medical or dental school, physician’s assistant programs, pathologist’s assistant programs, forensic science programs and other medical-related careers.

Medical Laboratory Science major at the University of Delaware: youtube.com/watch?v=yHNI7w8Aw7M

Sample curriculum

FRESHMAN

FALL		SPRING

BISC207	Introductory Bio I with Lab	BISC208	Intro Bio II with Lab
CHEM103/133	General Chemistry I with Lab	CHEM104/134	General Chemistry II with Lab
MATH114	College Math and Statistics	MMSC200	Language of Medicine
MMSC100	Introduction to Medical and Molecular Sciences	ENG110	First-Year Writing
UNIV101	First Year Experience I
	Breadth Requirement

SOPHOMORE

FALL		SPRING

BISC306	General Physiology	BISC300	Introduction to Microbiology
CHEM213/215	Elementary Organic Chemistry with Lab	CHEM214/216	Elementary Biochemistry with Lab
MMSC250	Communication, Education and Ethics in Healthcare		Breadth requirements
	University Breadth Courses

JUNIOR

FALL		SPRING

MMSC415	Clinical Immunology and Medical Virology	MMSC493	Cellular and Molecular Diagnostics Techniques
MMSC416	Clinical Immunology and Medical Virology Lab	MMSC407/417	Clinical Physiological Chemistry I with Lab
MMSC370	Phlebotomy and Specimen Processing	MMSC423/424	Hematology I with Lab
MMSC375	Biostatistics for the Biological and Health Sciences	MMSC428/429	Medical Microbiology and Parasitology with Lab
MMSC491	Human Molecular Genetics	MMSC409/419	Immunohematology I with Lab
MMSC402	Body Fluid Analysis
MMSC412	Body Fluid Analysis Laboratory
	Second Writing Course

SENIOR

FALL		Winter (Off campus)

MMSC436	Clinical Physiological Chemistry II	MMSC472	Clinical Urinalysis Practicum
MMSC437	Clinical Lab Instrumentation
MMSC433/434	Hematology II with Lab	SPRING
MMSC420/421	Immunohematology II with Lab	(Off campus) MMSC471	Laboratory Practice and Leadership II
MMSC438/439	Diagnostic Bacteriology and Medical Mycology with Lab	MMSC473	Clinical Chemistry Practicum
MMSC418	Senior Seminar I	MMSC475	Clinical Hematology Practicum
MMSC461	Laboratory Practice and Leadership I	MMSC477	Clinical Microbiology and Immunology Practicum
		MMSC479	Clinical Immunohematology Practicum
		MMSC480	Senior Seminar II