Medical Laboratory Science Major
Saint Joseph’s University's medical laboratory science program is one of the few hospital-based programs in the region directed by a certified medical laboratory scientist. And unlike many health sciences programs, our medical laboratory science major requires only four years of study. With a versatile curriculum taught by the Department of Biology’s expert faculty at our University City campus and a year-long competitive clinical rotation in a medical or clinical lab, you’ll learn the biological, physiological and pathological basis of disease, gaining an unparalleled understanding of the medical science field.
Goal 1: Collaborate with diverse healthcare team members to provide patient care and perform quality, cost-effective laboratory procedures.
Outcome 1.1: Students will be able to use appropriate communication skills with other healthcare team members and determine appropriate follow-up actions.
Outcome 1.2: Students will be able to meet the MLS clinical practicum affective objective: “The student must demonstrate appropriate values, attitudes and ethical standards of practice held by members of the profession.”
Outcome 1.3: Students will be able to meet appropriate clinical practicum objectives related to results reporting and documentation.
Goal 2: Incorporate concepts learned through classroom instruction and clinical practice to ensure accurate, meaningful laboratory results that reflect current standards of care.
Outcome 2.1: Student will be able to utilize analytical, interpretive, and problem-solving skills to demonstrate knowledge of theory underlying laboratory testing.
Outcome 2.2: Students will be able to apply academic preparation to entry level performance expectations.
Goal 3: Practice responsibly in compliance with ethical, social, legal and regulatory requirements of Medical Laboratory Science professionals.
Outcome 3.1: Students will be able to demonstrate responsibility and integrity in practice.
Outcome 3.2: Students will be able to utilize the required techniques to safely handle patient specimens to avoid contamination of the specimen and self or others.
Outcome 3.3: Students will be able to apply knowledge of ethical standards to practical situations.
Goal 4: Utilize appropriate methods for the basic operation and troubleshooting of laboratory instrumentation and information systems.
Outcome 4.1: Students will be able to meet the clinical chemistry practicum objective: “Demonstrate competence in the operation of instruments in the chemistry lab.”
Outcome 4.2: Students will be able to use the microscope competently.
Goal 5: Recognize the importance of continuously integrating new technologies and procedures into clinical practice.
Outcome 5.1: Students will be able to identify, research, and present new technologies.
Outcome 5.2: Students will be able to adapt to changing healthcare environments.
Goal 6: Demonstrate a commitment to maintain competency and promote development through participation in professional activities.
Outcome 6.1: Students will be able to identify MLS professional organizations by participation in the MLS 102 MLS Orientation II during their freshman year.
Outcome 6.2: Students will be able to maintain competency in knowledge of theory by participation in continuing education events after graduation.
Outcome 6.3: Students will be able to pass the registry exam on the first attempt (within 1 year).
To meet requirements for successful completion of the Medical Laboratory Science program, students must complete all MLS prefix courses with a grade of “C” (74%) or higher.
The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas1:
- Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
- Ethics Intensive
- Writing Intensive, and
- Diversity
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Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements
General Education Signature Courses
See this page about Signature courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Seminar Requirement | ||
| BIO 150L | Bio I: Cells Lab Phage | 0 |
| Students can apply to take BIO 150L in place of the BIO 101L. The Phage Safari lab fulfills the First Year Seminar requirement in the signature core. | ||
General Education Variable Courses
See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | ||
| MAT 155 | Fundamentals of Calculus | 3 |
| Natural Science | ||
| BIO 101 & 101L | Bio I: Cells and Bio I: Cells Lab | 4 |
| or BIO 150L | Bio I: Cells Lab Phage | |
General Education Overlays
General Education Integrative Learning Component
See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | ||
| CHM 125 & 125L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II 1 | 4 |
| CHM 215 & 215L | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Lab II 2 | 4 |
| English | ||
| ENG 206 | Public Speaking & Presentation | 3 |
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Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 102 & 102L | Bio II: Genetics and Bio II: Genetics Lab | 4 |
| or BIO 151L | Phage Lab | |
| BIO 230 | Basic Concepts & Proc MLS | 4 |
| BIO 260 & 260L | Anat&Physiol for Al Hlth I and Anatomy & Physiology Lab I | 4 |
| BIO 261 & 261L | Anat&Physiol for Al Hlth II and Anatomy & Physiology Lab II | 4 |
| BIO 270 & 270L | Clinical Micro and Clinical Microbiology Lab | 4 |
| BIO 402 & 402L | Advanced Cell Biology and Advanced Cell Biology Lab | 4 |
| BIO 404 | Biochemistry 1 | 3 |
| BIO 415 & 415L | Immunology and Immunology Lab | 4 |
| Medical Lab Science Elective: 2 | 4 | |
| BIO 218 & 218L | Hematology and Hematology Lab | 4 |
| BIO 348 & 348L | Clinical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology Lab | 4 |
| BIO 433 & 433L | Parasitology and Parasitology Lab | 4 |
| Additional Science Requirements: | ||
| MLS 102 | MLS Orientation II | 1 |
| MLS 201 | Med Lab Science Seminar | 1 |
| CHM 120 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 210 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| MLS Clinical Rotation | 32-38 | |
| MLS 401 | Fund Oper of Clinical Lab | 2 |
| MLS 402 | Clin Parasitology and Mycology | 2 |
| MLS 411 | Clinical Microbiology I | 4 |
| MLS 412 | Clinical Microbiology II | 4 |
| MLS 421 | Clinical Hematology I | 4 |
| MLS 422 | Clinical Hematology II | 4 |
| MLS 431 | Medical Lab Chemistry I | 4 |
| MLS 432 | Medical Lab Chemistry II | 3 |
| MLS 441 | Med Lab Immunology/Serology | 2 |
| MLS 442 | Med Lab Immunohematology | 3 |
| MLS 451 | Clinical Lab Practicum I | 3 |
| The exact titles of the clinical rotation courses may vary from site to site, but students will receive all of the required training in their fourth year rotations. Students must have completed at least 97 credits towards the MLS degree before they can enter the Clinical Rotations | ||
| Total Hours | 122-128 | |
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Students may also take any of the biochemistry courses (300 level or higher) offered through the Biochemistry & Chemistry Department. Students who plan to seek certification in NY should also take a biochemistry lab.
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Students must take at least one course from the three Medical Laboratory Science electives listed below. Students may take more than one, but at least one is required.