Pictured | Ameer Abdulhadi | Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science / Minor in Health Care Management | Baghdad, Iraq (hometown)

Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) provides students with the entry-level skills and knowledge needed to become success laboratory professionals and seek employment in a variety of sectors, including medical and diagnostic laboratories, research laboratories, government laboratories, higher education, regulatory agencies, and the manufacturing and sales industries. 

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science program complete courses in clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology (blood banking), immunology, management, microbiology, molecular diagnostics, and urinalysis and body fluids analysis. Lecture and corresponding laboratory courses take place in dedicated classroom and laboratory spaces in Vera Z. Dwyer Hall. Prior to graduation, students participate in clinical rotations to gain hands-on experience in clinical laboratories located in northern Indiana and southern Michigan.

The professional portion of the MLS program occurs during the final three semesters of a traditional bachelor's degree or as a stand alone sequence for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree. Admission to the professional portion of the MLS program is contingent upon completion of all required prerequisite courses. Students may seek admission to the MLS program as: 

• a first-time, bachelor degree-seeking student
• a second degree student with a Bachelor of Science in biology, chemistry, or other related degree
• a certified Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) wishing to advance to a bachelor degree.

Student who enter the MLS program as transfer or second degree students may be required to complete prerequisite courses prior to starting MLS courses. 

Medical Laboratory Science Program Goals

The goals of the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science are to: 

• provide student with extensive preparation to work as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)
• address pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical components of laboratory services
• prepare students to perform diagnostic assays, use troubleshooting techniques, interpret results, and evaluate procedures
• address quality assurance, quality improvement, and continuous assessment of laboratory services
• address the importance of safety and application of government regulations and standards in the clinical laboratory
• foster growth through professional conduct and continuing professional development 

NAACLS Accreditation 

The IU South Bend Medical Laboratory Science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), which allows all students who graduate from this program to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) MLS certification exam and/or the American Medical Technology (AMT) MLS certification exam. 

Degree Requirements (120 cr.)

Degree Map >>

Students receiving the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science must complete 120 credits including:

• IU South Bend Campuswide General Education Curriculum (33 cr.)
• Science Prerequisite Requirements (31 cr.)
• Major Requirements (46 cr.)
• Free Electives (balance of credits needed to equal 120 credit requirement)

• Students are required to apply officially to the program upon completion of their prerequisite courses and the majority of their co-requisite courses, typically during the summer between their sophomore and junior year.
• All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise noted.

Major Requirements (46 cr.)

• CLS-B 399 Human Behavior and Social Institutions
  VT: Clinical Laboratory Management
• CLS-C 405 Clinical Chemistry
• CLS-C 406 Diagnostic Methods (2 cr.)
• CLS-C 407 Hematology
• CLS-C 408 Hematologic Methods (2 cr.)
• CLS-C 409 Hemostasis (2 cr.)
  Pending final approval
• CLS-C 415 Clinical Molecular Diagnostics and Special Chemistry
• CLS-E 401 General Externship I (2 cr.)
  Credit hours pending final approval
• CLS-E 402 General Externship II (2 cr.)
  Credit hours pending final approval
• CLS-E 403 General Externship III (2 cr.)
• CLS-E 404 General Externship IV (2 cr.)
• CLS-I 407 Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine
• CLS-I 408 Blood Banking Methods (2 cr.)
• CLS-I 411 Clinical Immunodiagnostics
• CLS-L 420 Urinalysis (2 cr.)
• CLS-M 403 Clinical Microbiology
• CLS-M 404 Microbiological Methods (2 cr.)
• CLS-M 411 Mycology and Parasitology (2 cr.)
• CLS-M 413 Advanced Clinical Microbiology

Science Prerequisite Requirements (31 cr.)

• BIOL-L 101 Introduction to Biological Sciences I (5 cr.)
• BIOL-L 102 Introduction to Biological Sciences 2 (5 cr.) 
• BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology
• 300 or above biology course 
• CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I 
• CHEM-C 106 Principles of Chemistry II
• CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.)
• CHEM-C 126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.) 
• MICR-M 250 Microbial Cell Biology (or above)
• MICR-M 255 Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr.) (or above)