Medical Laboratory Science, Bachelor of Science (5004)
Program Coordinator
Kerrie L. McDaniel, kerrie.mcdaniel@wku.edu, (270) 745-3696
The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program leads to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree after four years of study. This specialized degree prepares students for careers in clinical laboratories such as those in hospitals, where specific professional credentials are required – credentials that other majors do not provide. Graduates of the MLS program are eligible to sit for the national certification exam administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCP). Passing this exam qualifies them to work in various diagnostic laboratories, including hospitals and clinical settings. One key advantage of the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) major is that it prepares students to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation, with no additional education or training required.
The job outlook for this career is high and employment opportunities reside in rural, urban or metropolitan areas. Though two-thirds of Medical Laboratory Scientists work in hospital laboratories, new sources of employment include laboratories in physician’s offices, research facilities in universities and industries, public health centers, and veterinary clinics.
Coursework for this major requires a minimum of 82 hours (36 of which are completed at a Medical Laboratory Science school and transferred back to the Department of Biological Sciences) and leads to a B.S. degree in Medical Laboratory Science. No minor, second major, or certificate is required. A student must meet all of the Colonnade Requirements for the bachelor’s degree at Western Kentucky University before admission to the clinical year at the affiliated school of Medical Laboratory Science. Upon satisfactory completion of the course requirements in medical laboratory science, the Bachelor of Science degree will be awarded by Western Kentucky University. The program is affiliated with the following schools of medical technology: Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY; Owensboro Medical Health System, Owensboro, KY; Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, TN; and St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Covington, KY.
Program Requirements (82 hours)
A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.
Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| BIOL 120 & BIOL 121 | Biological Concepts: Cells Metabolism and Genetics and Biological Concepts: Cells, Metabolism, and Genetics Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 122 & BIOL 123 | Biological Concepts: Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology and Biological Concepts: Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 224 & BIOL 225 | Animal Biology and Diversity and Animal Biology and Diversity Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 226 & BIOL 227 | Microbial Biology and Diversity and Microbial Biology and Diversity Lab | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology and Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory | ||
| Genetics and Genetics Laboratory | ||
| BIOL 328 | Immunology | 3 |
| CHEM 120 & CHEM 121 | College Chemistry I and College Chemistry I Laboratory | 5 |
| CHEM 222 & CHEM 223 | College Chemistry II and College Chemistry II Laboratory | 5 |
| BIOL/CHEM 446 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 340 & CHEM 341 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 5 |
| MATH 118 | College Algebra and Trigonometry | 5 |
| or MATH 116 & MATH 117 | College Algebra and Trigonometry | |
| Clinical training at a Medical Laboratory School | 36 | |
| Total Hours | 82 | |
More detailed information including Colonnade (general education) requirements can be obtained from the coordinator. Students must consult the coordinator regarding applying for admission to the medical technology schools. Application is made 9 to 12 months in advance of the beginning date for the medical technology school. Admission to these schools is on a competitive basis, and maintenance of a good academic standing is required. Students are required to have liability insurance for their clinical years.
Finish in Four Plan
| First Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| BIOL 122 & BIOL 123 | 4 | BIOL 120 & BIOL 121 | 4 | ||
| CHEM 120 & CHEM 121 | 5 | CHEM 222 & CHEM 223 | 5 | ||
| MATH 116 | 3 | MATH 117 | 3 | ||
| COMM 145 | 3 | ENG 100 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| BIOL 327 & BIOL 337 or BIOL 319/322 | 4 | CHEM 340 & CHEM 341 | 5 | ||
| BIOL 226 & BIOL 227 | 4 | Upper Division Elective | 3 | ||
| ENG 200 | 3 | HIST 101 or HIST 102 | 3 | ||
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | Explorations Course | 3 | ||
| 14 | 14 | ||||
| Third Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| BIOL 224 & BIOL 225 | 4 | BIOL 328 & BIOL 338 | 4 | BIOL 492 | 8 |
| Colonnade/Free Elective as needed | 3 | CHEM 446 | 3 | ||
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | Elective (Major/Colonnade/Free Elective As Needed) | 3 | ||
| Connections Course | 3 | Elective (Major/Colonnade/Free Elective As Needed) | 3 | ||
| 13 | 13 | 8 | |||
| Fourth Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| BIOL 493 | 14 | BIOL 494 | 14 | ||
| 14 | 14 | ||||
| Total Hours 120 | |||||