The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences provides the following description for medical laboratory scientist: At career entry, the medical laboratory scientist will be proficient in performing clinical laboratory tests in areas such as hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, and molecular and other emerging diagnostics, and will be able to play a role in the development and evaluation of test systems and interpretive algorithms. Graduates will have diverse responsibilities in areas of analysis and clinical decision-making, regulatory compliance with applicable regulations, education, and quality assurance/performance improvement. They will also possess basic knowledge, skills and relevant experience in:
- Communications to enable consultative interactions with members of the health care team, external relations, customer service and patient education.
- Financial operations, marketing and human resource management of the clinical laboratory to enable cost-effective, high-quality, value-added laboratory services.
- Information management to enable effective, timely, accurate and cost-effective reporting of laboratory-generated information.
- Research design/practice sufficient to evaluate published studies as an informed consumer.
Upon graduation and initial employment, the medical laboratory scientist should be able to demonstrate entry-level competencies in the above areas of professional practice. Graduates are eligible to sit for national certification examinations in medical laboratory science after completion of the program.
The Medical Laboratory Scientist performs and makes clinical decisions in urinalysis, hematology, microbiology, transfusion services, and clinical chemistry. This provides valuable patient information to assist in medical diagnosis and treatment. The Medical Laboratory Science program prepares students to become skilled members of the healthcare team.
The Bachelor of Science (BS) Medical Laboratory Science degree articulates with the undergraduate Medical Laboratory Technician degree program. The BS Medical Laboratory Science program is accredited through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Application and Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Programs.
- Complete, or be in the process of completing, the following courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts:
- BIOL A111 and BIOL A111L
- BIOL A112 and BIOL A112L
- CHEM A103 and CHEM A103L, or CHEM A105 and CHEM A105L
- CHEM A104 and CHEM A104L, or CHEM A106 and CHEM A106L and CHEM A321
- Submit documentation of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 including all transfer coursework.
- Submit a Medical Laboratory Science application according to instructions and deadlines on the program website.
- Students may initially be admitted to a pre-major status. Admission to the pre-major status does not guarantee subsequent admission to the major. As a pre-major, students work with an advisor to assist them in completing pre-major requirements and preparing to apply for the full major.
Special Consideration
Prior to beginning practicum courses, student must provide documentation of:
- The following immunizations: Hepatitis B titer showing immunity, Hepatitis A, MMR, TDaP, Varicella, Influenza vaccine within the previous 12 months, and two step PPD test or Quantiferon Gold
- Current Basic Life Support certification
- State of Alaska background check
- Current health insurance (must be maintained throughout time in practicum)
Practicum sites may establish additional requirements including, but not limited to, drug screening and health physicals.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Complete the major requirements listed below with a minimum grade of C:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL A111 & A111L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 4 |
| BIOL A112 & A112L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 4 |
| CHEM A103 & A103L | Introduction to General Chemistry and Introduction to General Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| or CHEM A105 & A105L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | |
| CHEM A104 & A104L | Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry and Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry Laboratory | 4-7 |
| or CHEM A106 & A106L & CHEM A321 | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory and Organic Chemistry I | |
| MATH A151 | College Algebra for Calculus | 4 |
or any MATH course for which MATH A151 is a prerequisite | ||
| PHIL A302 | Biomedical Ethics | 3 |
| or PHIL A305 | Professional Ethics | |
| STAT A200 | Elementary Statistics | 3-4 |
| or STAT A253 | Applied Statistics for the Sciences | |
| MEDT A132 & A132L | Phlebotomy and Specimen Processing Techniques and Phlebotomy and Specimen Processing Techniques Lab | 4 |
| MEDT A133 | Basic Techniques in Laboratory Medicine | 2 |
| MEDT A134 | Immunology and Serology | 3 |
| MEDT A202 | Clinical Chemistry | 4 |
| MEDT A203 | Clinical Microbiology | 6 |
| MEDT A204 | Hematology and Coagulation | 6 |
| MEDT A208 | Urine and Body Fluid Analysis | 3 |
| MEDT A211 | Blood Banking | 4 |
| MEDT A250 | Cultural Diversity in Health Care | 1 |
| MEDT A301 | Molecular and Emerging Diagnostics | 3 |
| MEDT A302 | Clinical Laboratory Education and Management | 4 |
| MEDT A303 | Advanced Clinical Microbiology | 6 |
| MEDT A306 | Advanced Immunology and Blood Banking | 3 |
| MEDT A307 | Clinical Correlations | 2 |
| MEDT A401 | Introduction to Research | 2 |
| MEDT A495 | Medical Laboratory Science Practicum | 22-23 |
| or MEDT A395 & MEDT A495 | Medical Laboratory Technology Practicum and Medical Laboratory Science Practicum | |
| Total | 101-106 | |
A minimum of 122 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 credits must be upper-division.
Honors in Medical Laboratory Science
Students majoring in Medical Laboratory Science are eligible to graduate with departmental honors by satisfying the following requirements:
- Meet the requirements for a BS in Medical Laboratory Science.
- Earn a grade point average of 3.50 or higher in courses applicable to the degree requirements. Only UAA and transfer courses taken within the last seven years will be included in the GPA for departmental honors.
- Obtain approval to enroll in the honors elective from the program director.
- Pass the honors elective course, MEDT A402.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
At career entry, the Medical Laboratory Scientist
- Demonstrate entry-level competencies for medical laboratory scientists in the following disciplines: hematology, chemistry, immunology, blood bank, urine and body fluid analysis, microbiology, and laboratory operations.
- Demonstrate professional behavior including sound work ethics, cultural responsiveness and appearance while interacting with patients and health care professionals.
- Evaluate published studies as an informed consumer.
- Demonstrate continuing competency by certification maintenance.
- Use educator skills to create and deliver an instructional unit.
- Use laboratory management skills to plan, organize, staff and cost out a new clinical laboratory service.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the laboratory profession through active involvement in a professional organization.