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 internship 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.
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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CHM 120 and CHM 120L are prerequisites for CHM 125
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CHM 210 and CHM 210L are prerequisites for CHM 215
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 Nurs/Al Hlth I and Anat&Physiol Lab I | 4 |
| BIO 261 & 261L | Anat&Physiol Nurs/Al Hlth II and Anat&Physiol Lab II | 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 | 3-4 | |
| Microbio Nurse/Allied Health and Microbio Nurse/Allied Hlth Lab | ||
| Hematology and Hematology Lab | ||
| Parasitology | ||
| 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 Clinicals | 32-38 | |
| Students must have completed at least 97 credits towards the MLS degree before they can enter the Clinical Rotations | ||
| Total Hours | 70-77 | |
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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.