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What Can I Do With a Major in Medical Laboratory Science?
The medical laboratory science (MLS) major leads to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Courses required for the major include an interdisciplinary blend of classes in chemistry, microbiology, and zoology, followed by a twelve month internship (off campus) in a NAACLS-accredited (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences) hospital clinical laboratory. The internship includes both lecture and laboratory rotations in medical microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, molecular diagnostics, immunohematology, parasitology and virology. Miami University is affiliated with hospitals in OH, IN, FL, KY and TN providing rigorous internships. Miami University's laboratory affiliates include the Cleveland Clinic, Children's Medical Center (Akron, OH), Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville, TN), Southwest General Health Center (Cleveland, OH), Mercy Integrated (Toledo, OH), St. Elizabeth Medical Center (Covington, KY), Parkview Memorial Hospital (Fort Wayne, IN), and St. Francis Hospital and IU Health Methodist (Indianapolis, IN).
Medical laboratory scientists apply their scientific background and skills to the design, performance, and evaluation of an everbroadening range of complex laboratory diagnostic and research activities. Examples of these procedures include biochemical tests for cardiac enzymes, detection of malignant cells microscopically and via immunologic methods, molecular and microscopic identification of parasitic protozoa that may provide the earliest clues to respective diagnoses of heart attack (myocardial infarction), leukemia, and giardiasis.
MLS majors from Miami University have pursued a wide range of avenues following completion of their degree. Graduates may specialize within the clinical laboratory, public health laboratory, forensics, research or industrial laboratories in hematology, chemistry, microbiology and molecular biology. Additionally, the MLS major provides an excellent course foundation for graduate school and medical school.
Interests
A strong aptitude and wide interest in science; a curiosity and eagerness for learning; precision under pressure; a desire to pursue continued learning, often in a particular laboratory specialty; an understanding of the key elements that laboratory scientists contribute in high quality health care, including individual and public health, locally, nationally and globally.
Competencies
- Medical Laboratory Scientist in Diagnostic, Public Health or Research Laboratory
- Performing analyses which require a complex network of steps and variables
Recognizing and identifying problems and synthesizing solutions
Troubleshooting and monitoring sophisticated instruments
Supervising a laboratory
Establishing and monitoring of quality control programs
Teaching or performing administrative duties - Gathering and interpreting data
Confirming/verifying results of laboratory tests
Experimenting with ideas/procedures
Writing reports/articles/grant proposals
Maintaining records
Summarizing data
Testing hypotheses
Problem solving
Thinking critically
Opportunities - Careers
- Medical Center/Hospital/Medical Laboratory
- Medical laboratory scientist
Laboratory supervisor/director
Specialist in:
— bacteriology/microbiology
— chemistry
— hematology
— immunology
— medical mycology
— molecular genetics
— parasitology
— toxicology
— virology
Infection control officer/hospital epidemiologist
Public health community service program - Industry
- Product development/sales
Research laboratory scientist - Government Health Care
- Emerging disease lab specialist
Infection control specialist
Forensic (crime) scientist
Laboratory administrator
Peace Corps MLS volunteer
Public health lab scientist - Education
- Higher education instructor
Note: Some of the listed career options may require additional education and/or training beyond the bachelor's degree.
Opportunities - Graduate/Professional School
Students may choose to continue their education in MLS, microbiology, biochemistry, forensics, hematology, immunology, parasitology, virology or molecular biology. Additionally, the MLS major prepares students for continued studies in medical school or veterinary medicine, dental school, law or business.
Opportunities - Experiential
Independent study or research with a faculty member; summer internship opportunities or volunteer work in a medical laboratory, public health or biomedical research laboratory.
Sources of Additional Information
- Department of Microbiology (032 Pearson Hall., 529-5422)
- * Curriculum Requirements
* Career Opportunities - Career Services (200 Hoyt Hall, 529-3831)
- * Career Resource Center
* Career Counseling
* Career Assistance Center
* Computerized Career Development Program
* Dictionary of Occupational Titles
* Occupational Outlook Handbook - Arts and Science Academic Advising (146 Upham Hall, 529-3031)
- * Miami Plan & College of Arts and Science Requirements
- * Course Selection
* Career Decision Making
Developed by the College of Arts and Science Advising Office and the academic departmental offices with adaptations from Liberal Arts and Sciences - Skills - Career Opportunities, Career Planning and Placement Office, University of Michigan.