When people have medical concerns, they want accurate answers. As a medical laboratory scientist (MLS), you would be the one uncovering what ails them. You’ll test and analyze blood, tissue, and other body fluid samples to confirm mild illnesses or serious diseases, pregnancy, clinical levels of drugs or alcohol in the body, and the effects of drugs on various diseases. UIndy's medical laboratory science major combines on-campus study and clinical training to prepare you to perform diagnostic lab tests in hospital labs and clinics and commercial labs. Behind-the-scenes? Yes. But also invaluable.
The year in the clinical program was by far the most intense learning of my college career. The knowledge I gained in that year is what I use daily in order to be successful in my career as a medical laboratory scientist. I learned not only how to perform the testing, but the meaning behind all of the test results and the reasons for each step in the procedure.
The medical laboratory science degree program is highly competitive, requiring three years of coursework at UIndy and completion of a 12-month clinical training program in a hospital laboratory during the fourth year of undergraduate study. The first three years allow you to build a scientific foundation through course prerequisites in organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, general microbiology, and immunology.
During your junior year, you must apply for admission to one of the clinical training programs offered by our affiliated hospitals. Consideration for acceptance into this program requires the completion of all prerequisite courses with a 2.7 minimum GPA and a personal interview.
Medical Laboratory Scientists, also known as clinical laboratory scientists or medical technologists, can work in a variety of settings:
These curriculum guides outline the different classes you will need to take as a Medical Laboratory Science major. The general education guide provides a list of all the classes you need in order to fulfill UIndy’s general education requirements. The Medical Laboratory Science guide lists all of the classes you will need to take in order to fulfill the major’s requirements. Be sure to take a look at both guides in order to get a complete picture of what your classes will look like at UIndy.