Medical Laboratory Science BS
Program Purpose
Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) is a healthcare profession that performs diagnostic testing on blood and other body fluids to diagnose and monitor diseases. The MLS program prepares students to competently perform the full range of medical laboratory diagnostic tests in the areas of hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, and microbiology. These tests provide important data that physicians use to diagnose and treat patients. Successful completion of the program qualifies the student to sit for the national certification exam in medical laboratory science.
Curricular Structure
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (62.0 hours)
Complete the following Prerequisites:
CHEM 105 General College Chemistry 1 4.0
CHEM 106 General College Chemistry 2 3.0
CHEM 107 General College Chemistry Laboratory 1.0
CHEM 285 Introductory Bio-organic Chemistry 4.0
MMBIO 102 Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Techniques 1.0
MMBIO 121 - General Biology: Health and Disease 3.0
MMBIO 221 General Microbiology 3.0
MMBIO 222 General Microbiology Laboratory 1.0
MMBIO 240 Molecular Biology 3.0
MMBIO 241 Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory 1.0
MMBIO 261 Infection and Immunity 3.0
PDBIO 220 Human Anatomy (with lab) 4.0
PWS 340 Genetics 3.0
Complete the following:
MMBIO 405 Basic Laboratory Operations in Medical Laboratory Science 2.0
MMBIO 406 Clinical Chemistry 4.0
MMBIO 407 Clinical Microbiology 4.0
MMBIO 409 Hematology 3.0
MMBIO 410 Hematology Laboratory 2.0
MMBIO 411 Molecular Diagnostics 3.0
MMBIO 412 Immunohematology 4.0
MMBIO 418 Medical Parasitology 2.0
MMBIO 419 Clinical Parasitology Laboratory 1.0
MMBIO 491 Concept Applications in Laboratory Medicine 1.0
Complete internship experience:
MMBIO 496R Clinical Experience 12.0v
Recommended Courses
ENGL 316 Technical Communication 3.0
STAT 121 Principles of Statistics 3.0
Learning Outcomes
Laboratory Tests and Diagnostics
Students will understand and perform clinical laboratory tests in the areas of hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, molecular diagnostics, and other emerging diagnostics.
Students will demonstrate clinical professionalism through a commitment to continuing education, effective communication with members of the healthcare team, and the ethical practice of laboratory medicine.
Students will develop foundational skills in supervising clinical laboratory testing procedures, applying quality assurance principles that comply with CLIA regulations and current industry standards.
Students will consider how the gospel of Jesus Christ influences their practice as medical laboratory scientists. They will also reflect on how the principles of medical laboratory science enhance their understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Evidence of Learning
The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program has a formal plan for continually and systematically reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of the program. The Medical Laboratory Science Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences located at 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119, 773-714-8880. The accreditation is based on compliance with established Standards. During the last accreditation cycle, the program was awarded 7 years which is the maximum accreditation time.
Direct Measures
Upon graduation, students are qualified to sit for the national certification examinations (i.e., ASCP Board of Certification exam). BYU students' scores are compared to the national averages for the following areas: Immunohematology, chemistry, hematology, immunology, laboratory operations, microbiology and urinalysis.
Demonstrates cognitive knowledge for the full range of medical laboratory tests in the areas of hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, molecular diagnostics, laboratory operations, and other emerging diagnostics
Demonstrates the ability to develop and evaluate test systems and interpret algorithms
Demonstrates the basic knowledge and skills in financial operations, marketing, and human resource management of the clinical laboratory to enable cost-effective, high-quality, value-added laboratory services
Indirect Measures
Data for the following measures are collected, analyzed and evaluated two times per year. The information from those assessment tools measure, indirectly, the learning outcomes.
Evaluation of students regarding the clinical facilities learning experience
Exit interviews
One-year post graduation survey
National scholarship recipients
Employment following graduation
Direct Measures
Students are eligible for a national certification examination following graduation. The examination results are available to the program quarterly. The BYU averages and national averages are available for the total score and in seven areas including hematology/coagulation, immunohematology, chemistry, immunology, laboratory operations, microbiology, and urinalysis.
Indirect Measures
Indirect Measures
Data for the following measures are collected, analyzed and evaluated two times per year. The information from those assessment tools measure, indirectly, the learning outcomes.
- Evaluation of students regarding the clinical facilities learning experience
- Exit interviews
- National scholarship recipients
- Employment following graduation
Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement
Suggestions for curriculum and program changes come from employers, the clinical facilities, and university faculty. Proposed changes and problems are discussed at the semiannual student selection and placement meetings. Any proposed changes must in turn be presented to the Microbiology faculty, followed by the College Curriculum Committee and then finally approved by the University Curriculum Committee.
Through the accreditation process, the program's assessment data are analyzed and improvements or changes are made if necessary.
Plans for improvement are shared with representatives from the clinical facilities and the Department Chair. Depending on the nature of the change, the Department Curriculum Committee and Faculty could be involved.
The results of national examinations are especially helpful. Deficiencies in the major laboratory areas can be assessed and comparison of clinical facilities can be made.
The Program submits an annual report to NAACLS listing the number of students enrolled, the number of graduates and the attrition rates. Because of the quality of the students, the attrition rate is very low.
The Program continually monitors the curriculum. Minor changes in the core curriculum have resulted because of the development of molecular biology techniques.
The Program faculty have been active in their professional organization meetings. These meetings have helped in the improvement of all aspects of the Program.