Pre-Medical Laboratory Science
Bennion
Center
Office of
Undergraduate Research
298
Declared
Majors
50
Average
Class Size
Courses
Getting Started
Begin prerequisites:- BIOL 1610 - Fundamental Principles of Biology
- CHEM 1210/1215 - Gen. Chemistry I + Lab
- MATH 1050 - College Algebra
Making Progress
- Use degree audit to track progress on Gen Eds & MLS prerequisites
- Meet with advisor to stay on track with your BS admissions plan
- BIOL 2325 - Human Anatomy
- BIOL 2420 - Human Physiology
- BIOL 2030 or BIOL 2210
- MATH 1070 or MATH 1040
- CHEM 1220/1225 - Gen. Chemistry II + Lab
- CHEM 2310 - Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 3510 - Biological Chemistry
- One COMM course
Finishing Up
- Complete remaining MLS prerequisites and GEs with a cumulative and math/science 2.5 GPA
- Apply for 2+2 Traditional Track to obtain BS in Medical Laboratory Science
- Complete MLS professional courses and Certification Exam
Community
Getting Started
- Join the MLS Professional Club to volunteer and explore careers
- Join a LEAP health-related learning community
- Visit the MLS website for info on events & how to get involved
Making Progress
- Start consistently volunteering; options include student-directed programs through the Bennion Center and the U of U Hospital
- Get to know the students in your classes, form study groups, and volunteer together
- Check out the bi-monthly MLS digital newsletter for upcoming events/opportunities and other updates
- Follow MLS on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn
Finishing Up
- Reach out to local hospitals and healthcare clinics to get a tour of their clinical lab facilities
- Attend events and activities put on by MLS Division
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Check out the Writing Center, Math Center, and Learning Center
- Explore the profession - American Society for Clinical Pathology and American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
- View the MLS Student Handbook to learn about program policies and procedures
Making Progress
- Regularly check admissions requirements on the MLS website
- Attend the MLS Admissions Workshop the year before you apply to the program
- Consider applying for entry level laboratory positions to gain experience needed for the MLS application
- Consider becoming an Orientation Leader
- Identify and engage with an organization (on or off campus) for leadership experience
- Pursue undergraduate research with UROP
Finishing Up
- Attend professional meetings from the ASCP and/or ASCLS
- Present research at the Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Reflect on your beliefs & values as they relate to healthcare professions
Transformation
Getting Started
- Attend a Learning Abroad 101 session to begin the process of cross-cultural learning
- Visit the Utah Dept of Health website to learn about health issues and potential solutions in Utah
Making Progress
- Connect with student support on campus such as Student Success Coaches and the Counseling Center
- Consider becoming a Bennion Scholar
- Go on a learning abroad trip
- Take on a leadership role in a club, organization, or lab
- Attend a social or cultural event you haven't experienced before (e.g., sports, museums, concerts, theatre productions, etc.) with the Arts Pass or other UCard benefits
Finishing Up
- Meet with your MLS advisor to go over how to improve admissions application
- Consider participating in MD LB 5600 and/or MD LB 5910
Impact
Getting Started
- Participate in a Hinckley Institute internship to learn about healthcare-related legislative issues
- Evaluate and identify your strengths as well as opportunities for growth
Making Progress
- Begin to refine your career plan (while also considering a parallel plan)
- Organize study groups or facilitate group learning experiences with classmates
- Apply to go on an Alternative Fall or Spring Break through the Bennion Center
- Identify a community or topic where you want to make an impact
Finishing Up
- Take on a leadership or mentor role in your student groups, volunteer spaces, or the MLS Professional Club
- Consider applying to be a student leader for an Alternative Break trip
Careers
Getting Started
- Draft a resume
- Meet with a pre-professional advisor if you're exploring healthcare careers
- Meet with MLS advisor for info on how to gain experience in the field
Making Progress
- Consider becoming a Lab Assistant or Phlebotomist
- Learn about the MLS Certification Exam process
- Visit the CPDC to identify and learn about your strengths, learning style, and values
- Create a LinkedIn profile
- Build relationships with your professors, supervisors, and mentors so they can effectively serve as references and/or write letters of recommendation in the future
Finishing Up
- Join the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science and/or the American Society for Clinical Pathology as a student member
- Update your resume with the help of a Career Coach
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) perform laboratory analyses on blood and body fluids. Results of these analyses are used by physicians in diagnosing, treating, monitoring, and preventing diseases. Accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), the U’s Medical Laboratory Science program provides you with the knowledge and technical skills to work in a modern diagnostic laboratory.
As a pre-MLS student, you take prerequisite courses in biology, anatomy, physiology, chemistry, genetics, and math. As you prepare to apply for admission to the MLS B.S. program, take advantage of opportunities to gain experience through volunteer work, internships, undergraduate research, and employment in healthcare-related positions. Once accepted to the program, you will complete coursework in urinalysis, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, immunohematology (blood banking), hematology, laboratory operations, molecular diagnostics, education, and research design. You learn procedures to collect, process, and analyze biological specimens, to properly maintain laboratory equipment and instruments, and to support health care providers in the interpretation of laboratory findings. In your final year, you gain experience and further develop your knowledge and skills through clinical rotations in local clinical laboratories. Medical Laboratory Science is an exciting program that prepares you for a number of careers in science and medicine that make a difference in the lives of others.
As a pre-MLS student, you take prerequisite courses in biology, anatomy, physiology, chemistry, genetics, and math. As you prepare to apply for admission to the MLS B.S. program, take advantage of opportunities to gain experience through volunteer work, internships, undergraduate research, and employment in healthcare-related positions. Once accepted to the program, you will complete coursework in urinalysis, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, immunohematology (blood banking), hematology, laboratory operations, molecular diagnostics, education, and research design. You learn procedures to collect, process, and analyze biological specimens, to properly maintain laboratory equipment and instruments, and to support health care providers in the interpretation of laboratory findings. In your final year, you gain experience and further develop your knowledge and skills through clinical rotations in local clinical laboratories. Medical Laboratory Science is an exciting program that prepares you for a number of careers in science and medicine that make a difference in the lives of others.
Learning Outcomes
- Collect and prepare human samples for analysis. Store or transport samples for analysis using appropriate preservation methods.
- Follow prescribed procedures, and with adequate orientation, perform routine testing in different areas of the laboratory.
- Conduct established quality control procedures on analytical tests, equipment, reagents, media, and products; evaluate results of quality control and implement corrective action when indicated.
- Assess laboratory results and correlate data with common physiological conditions and recognize potential discrepant results.
- Comply with applicable regulatory statutes.
- Communicate in a professional, ethical manner with members of the healthcare team, external relations, and patients.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.