Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences (BS) Medical Laboratory Science

Summary

The medical laboratory science profession involves the analysis of blood, body fluids, tissues, and cells to aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. A Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) is a vital member of the healthcare team with employment opportunities in hospital, clinic, research, and pharmaceutical laboratories. 

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Credits

72

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

Career Cluster

Health Science

Update Your Major

Program Requirements

Required General Education

Study of biological processes at the suborganismal level including cell chemistry, metabolism, reproduction, genetics, and complex tissue physiology. Laboratory and discussion sessions stress problem solving and experimental design.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-03

Introduction to the basic principles of chemistry including atomic and molecular structure, bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, thermodynamics and states of matter. Laboratory will reinforce lecture concepts. Prereq: C or higher in MATH 112 or the equivalent; high school chemistry or C or higher in CHEM 104

Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in MATH 112 or the equivalent; high school chemistry or "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 104.

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03

Choose 4 Credit(s).

Concepts of algebra (real numbers, exponents, polynomials, rational expressions), equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices and determinants, conic sections, sequences and series, probability, and binomial theorem.

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.

Goal Areas: GE-04

This course will cover topics of precalculus mathematics. Topics covered will include functions, graphs of functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, conic sections, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices, trigonometric functions, circular functions, vectors and complex numbers, induction, series and probability.

Prerequisites: Satisfy Math Placement Table in this section, or grade of P in MATH 098.

Goal Areas: GE-04

Limits, continuity, the derivative and applications, transcendental functions, L'Hopital's Rule, and development of the Riemann integral.

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, MATH 115 or both MATH 112 and MATH 113 with "C" (2.0) or better.

Goal Areas: GE-04

Major Common Core

Study of biological processes at the organismal level including a survey of life forms (viruses, bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, and animals), their evolution, and ecology. Laboratory and discussion sessions stress problem solving and experimental design.

Prerequisites: none

Introduction to genetic analysis. Topics covered will include those of both classical and modern genetics: population genetics, molecular genetics, genetic manipulation of organisms and selection. Central to this course will be the primacy of the trait as the object of genetics and the development/refinement of the concept of the gene. Lab included.Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, and MATH 112

Systems and regional approach to the structure of the human body. Primary emphasis on gross anatomy supported by 3-dimensional models and animal dissections, with additional emphasis on cell and tissue-level anatomy supported by histological examination. The course is designed for students majoring in biology programs. Lab included.

Prerequisites: BIOL 105

Principles of functions of human cells, organs, and systems with an emphasis on organ/system interactions. This course is designed for students majoring in biology, chemistry, or related sciences, and medically-related areas. Includes a laboratory with a research and medical emphasis.

Prerequisites: BIOL 220, CHEM 104 or CHEM 106 or CHEM 111 or CHEM 201

Continuation of the basic principles of chemistry including properties of solutions, kinetics, acids and bases, equilibria, buffers, precipitation reactions, electron transfer reactions, electrochemistry, entropy and free energy. Laboratory will reinforce lecture concepts.

Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 201

Emphasis Common Core

Choose 13 Credit(s).

An introduction to the health care profession with special emphasis on clinical laboratory personnel. Course includes presentations by professionals in some of the major health care fields, especially medical technology. Includes lectures, field observations.

Prerequisites: none

This course is a comprehensive introduction to the structure, biochemistry, phylogeny, molecular biology, pathobiology, immunology, and ecology of microbes, with an emphasis on bacteria. Lab will include classical and contemporary techniques for the identification and characterization of bacteria.

Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, CHEM 201

Fundamental principles of humoral and cell mediated immunity and the application of these principles. Current experimental work in the different areas of immunology will be discussed. Lab included.

Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, and BIOL 270

Introduction to organic nomenclature, structure, bonding, chemical reactivity, organic acid-base reactions, mechanisms and stereochemistry. IR, MS, and NMR spectroscopy will be introduced. The chemistry of alkanes, alkyl halides, alkenes, alkynes, and alcohols will be covered. Laboratory illustrates synthetic techniques and the preparation and reactions of functional groups discussed during lecture.

Prerequisites: CHEM 202, "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202.

Analysis of the structure and metabolism of biologically important compounds. This intermediate-level course is designed for students in the medical technology, food science, chemistry education, chemistry and pre-professional health majors. The laboratory teaches basic biochemical techniques.

Prerequisites: CHEM 322. CHEM 324 is strongly recommended.

Emphasis Restricted Electives

Internship credits are determined in consultation with advisor. - Choose 32 - 36 Credit(s).

Theory of blood cell formation; disease states; hemostasis, microscopic examination of blood/bone marrow films; practical experience with instruments and techniques which determine major hematologic and clotting parameters; quality control.

Prerequisites: none

Major blood group systems; principles and procedures for antigen/antibody detection, identification; donor blood collection, preservation, processing; component therapy; transfusion reaction evaluation; Rh immune globulin; quality control.

Prerequisites: none

Antigen/antibody structure function and interaction; basic principles and procedures of humoral and cellular immunology; performance and clinical correlation of serological testing; quality control.

Prerequisites: none

Identification and quantification of specific chemical substances in blood and body fluids by analytical techniques; clinical correlation with disease states; principles of instrumentation; data processing; toxicology; quality control.

Prerequisites: none

Theory and techniques of cultivation, isolation and identification of bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses; determination of sensitivity to antimicrobial agents; clinical correlation to disease states, asepis; environmental monitoring; quality control.

Prerequisites: none

Theory of renal function in health and disease; renal function tests including chemical and microscopic examination of urine; analysis of fecal specimens, gastric, spinal fluid and other body fluids; quality control.

Prerequisites: none

A continuation of Clinical Hematology I

Prerequisites: none

A continuation of Clinical Immunohematology I.

Prerequisites: none

A continuation of Clinical Chemistry I.

Prerequisites: none

A continuation of Clinical Microbiology I.

Prerequisites: none

A continuation of Clinical Microscopy I.

Prerequisites: none

Related topics in medical technology.

Prerequisites: none

Statistics Requirement - Choose 3-4 Credits

Statistics Requirement

Introduction to statistical analysis as applied to the health sciences. Examines concepts and methods of statistical procedures applied to health problems and issues.

Prerequisites: MATH 110, STAT 154, Or any other mathematics course higher than MATH 110.

An introduction to statistical concepts and methods that is applicable to all disciplines. Topics include descriptive measures of data, probability and probability distributions, statistical inference, tests of hypotheses, confidence intervals, correlation, linear regression, and analysis of variance. The use of statistical software will be emphasized. Prereq: ACT Math sub-score of 19 or higher, successful completion of MATH 098 or appropriate placement scores (see Placement Information under Statistics) Fall, Spring, Summer GE-4

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-04

CHOOSE 1 CLUSTER - Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN

Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN

Basic understanding of the principles of immunohematology applied to the area of blood blanking including major blood group systems, principles for antigen/antibody detection and identification, donor blood collection, transfusion evaluation, theory of renal function in health and disease, specimen collection, handling, and processing, and components of routine urinalysis.

Prerequisites: none

This course will cover bacterial, fungal, and viral human pathogens: what diseases they cause, how they cause disease, and how humans defend against and prevent those diseases. In the laboratory the student will isolate and identify pathogenic microorganisms using microbiological, biochemical, and immunological techniques.

Prerequisites: BIOL 270

St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, IA / St. Luke's College, Sioux City, IA / Mercy College of Health Science, Des Moines, IA / Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls, SD / New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY / Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, Rochester, MN

This course will cover bacterial, fungal, and viral human pathogens: what diseases they cause, how they cause disease, and how humans defend against and prevent those diseases. In the laboratory the student will isolate and identify pathogenic microorganisms using microbiological, biochemical, and immunological techniques.

Prerequisites: BIOL 270

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN and Rochester, MN

This course is a continuation Chem 322 and includes organic nomenclature, structure, bonding, chemical reactivity, organic acid-base reactions, and reaction mechanisms; the chemistry of ethers, aromatic and heterocyclic compounds, polyenes, ketones, aldehydes, amines, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, and alpha carbonyl compounds and synthetic transformations is covered.

Prerequisites: CHEM 322 with a "C" (2.0) or higher.

Laboratory will highlight common techniques including recrystallization, melting point determination, simple and fractional distillation, extraction, gas and thin layer chromatography, and chemical and spectroscopic qualitative analysis. Single and multi-step syntheses illustrating aromatic and carbonyl chemistry will be performed.

Prerequisites: CHEM 324

Limits, continuity, the derivative and applications, transcendental functions, L'Hopital's Rule, and development of the Riemann integral.

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, MATH 115 or both MATH 112 and MATH 113 with "C" (2.0) or better.

Goal Areas: GE-04

Policies

Students should contact the director of the Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences program early in their college career for academic and career counseling and for information on the process and standards for admission to the professional curriculum including registration procedures. Because enrollment in the fourth year is limited by the size of classes in the affiliated MLS schools, admission to the program does not ensure admission to the fourth year of the curriculum. Admission into the fourth-year clinical internship is competitive.

Advising: Students majoring in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences have an advisor from their area of interest assigned to them. Questions and concerns pertaining to advising and the assignment of advisors can be answered the CSET Advising Center (csetadvising@mnsu.edu).

Residency Requirement for the Major. At least 50% of courses 300 level and up that are required for the major, excluding internship credit, must be taken at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Graduation requirements. A GPA of 2.0 or above is required for graduation. Completion of the programs requires the completion of an internship.

P/N Grading Policy. No P/N grades are accepted toward the major except BIOL 175.

Agencies and clinical sites: For information about the agencies and clinical site adjunct faculty participating in the Medical Laboratory Science please contact the Department of Biological Sciences (507-389-2786).

Students accepted into the clinical internship are responsible for:

  • Proof of Medical/Hospitalization/Health Insurance
  • Health Physical Exam
  • Tuberculosis (TB) testing
  • Proof of Immunization which may include the following: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Tetanus, Chickenpox (Varicella), and Influenza

Drug Screen Testing and Background Checks:

  • Students may also be required to submit to Drug Screen Testing.
  • Internship sites are required by law to do Background Checks on all students admitted to their medical laboratory science programs.