Four Year Practitioner Track Requirements
The Bachelor of Health Science in Medical Laboratory Science is designed to facilitate students’ acquisition of knowledge, analytical skills and technical expertise in clinical chemistry, medical microbiology, immunohematology, hematology and clinical immunology. The traditional degree program includes two years of general education requirements and biology and chemistry prerequisites. Students apply for the Medical Laboratory Science program in their sophomore year and enter during their junior year for two years of specialized study including a clinical practicum at an affiliated Louisville-area hospital. Upon successful completion of the degree program, graduates are eligible for national Board examinations.
MLS graduates are employed primarily in hospital laboratories, but also enjoy career opportunities in research, forensics, biotechnology, toxicology, medical research, health care administration, pharmaceuticals and other industries. Students who are interested in medical, dental, veterinary or graduate school are well advised to consider earning a degree in Medical Laboratory Science. The degree program provides an excellent foundation in diagnostic medicine and pathophysiology. The many Medical Laboratory Science graduates who have pursued further education enthusiastically attest to the intellectual and experiential advantages they enjoyed over their fellow medical, dental, or graduate students.
The Department of Medical Laboratory Science also offers a visiting student program, a medical sciences track for students interested in medical school and an accelerated second-degree option for those who already have a bachelor’s degree. For information about any of the curriculum options, contact us at cls@bellarmine.edu or 502.272.8357.
Admission Requirements
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- A minimum science-math grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Official transcripts for all college course work.
- An application for admission to the Medical Laboratory Science degree program, two letters of recommendation and personal statement. (Note: admission to Bellarmine University does not automatically admit a student into the Medical Laboratory Science Program.)
- A personal interview, if requested by the MLS Admissions Committee.
Curriculum
Freshman Year - Fall - IDC 100 Freshman Focus (1)
- ENGL 101 Expository Writing (3)
- MATH 116 Precalculus (3)
- BIOL 108 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
- CHEM 103 General College Chemistry I (4)
Freshman Year - Spring - MDLS 110 Pre-MLS Seminar (1)
- IDC 101 Freshman Seminar (3)
- PHIL 160 Introduction to Philosophy (3)
- BIOL 109 Human Anatomy and Physiology II ( (4)
- CHEM 104 General College Chemistry II (4)
Sophomore Year - Fall - MDLS 250 Cellular and Molecular Basis of Disease and Laboratory (4)
- THEO 200 Ultimate Questions (3)
- IDC 200 Sophomore US Experience(3)
- General Education Social Science (3)
- CHEM 205 Organic Chemistry I (4)
Sophomore Year - Spring - General Education Fine Arts (3)
- ENGL 200 Reading Literature (3)
- HIST 116 The Western World I, 1450 to 1870 (3) OR
- HIST 117 The Western World II, 1870 to Present (3)
- General Education Theology (3)
- PHIL 301 Ethics (3)
Junior Year - Fall - MDLS 310 Orientation to Medical Laboratory Science (1)
- MDLS 300 Immunology (3)
- MDLS 315 Hematology (3)
- MDLS 316 Hematology Lab (2)
- MDLS 317 Hematopathology (3)
- IDC 301 Junior Transcultural Experience (3)
Junior Year - Spring - MDLS 320 Seminar I (1)
- MDLS 325 Medical Microbiology (3)
- MDLS 326 Med Microbiology Lab (3)
- MDLS 327 Mycology, Virology and Parasitology (4)
- MDLS 328 Immunohematology (3)
- MDLS 329 Immunohematology Lab (3)
Junior Year - Summer - MDLS 430 Seminar II (1)
- MDLS 435 Leadership and Management (3)
- MDLS 436 Body Fluids (3)
- MDLS 437 Clinical Molecular Immunology (3)
- MDLS 438 Clinical Molecular Immunology Lab (1)
Senior Year - Fall - MDLS 440 Seminar III (1)
- MDLS 445 Clinical Chemistry I (3)
- MDLS 446 Clinical Chemistry Lab (1)
- MDLS 447 Clinical Chemistry II (3)
- MDLS 423 Molecular Techniques (1)
- MDLS 424 Molecular Diagnostics (3)
- IDC 401 Senior Seminar (3)
Senior Year - Spring - MDLS 480 Capstone Project (2)
- MDLS 485 Internship (14)
- MDLS Comprehensive Exam (1)
Essential Functions for Admission and Retention
Since a degree in Medical Laboratory Science attests to the mastery of knowledge and skills, graduates must possess the essential knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and render a wide spectrum of patient care in a safe and effective manner. Learn more here.
Program Start Dates
Fall and Spring
Medical Laboratory Science Program Accreditation
The Bachelor of Health Science in Medical Laboratory Science is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science, 8410 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, IL 60631-3415. Telephone: 773.714.8880; Fax: 773.714.8886; naaclsinfo@naacls.org.