Medical Laboratory Science (B.S.)

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The Medical Laboratory Science major prepares students for successful careers as Medical Laboratory Scientists under the direction of pathologists, physicians, and scientists in the areas of clinical chemistry, microbiology, hematology, and other related clinical fields. Beginning with a highly structured foundational curriculum involving substantial hands-on laboratory experience, students gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to tackle more complex problems. Professional employment typically requires Medical Laboratory Scientists to be certified by passing the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification Examination following completion of a formal training program in a medical laboratory setting accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Students may opt to pursue such training during the senior year through a (3+1) program. Alternatively, students may complete additional coursework and experiential laboratory training at Elizabethtown College in fulfillment of the baccalaureate degree before pursuing the Medical Laboratory Science clinical training upon graduation.

Student Learning Outcomes for Medical Laboratory Science

Students will be able to:

Recall, synthesize, and apply fundamental concepts from multiple disciplines including biology, chemistry, and mathematics.
Effectively research, synthesize, and communicate scientific information.
Effectively conduct a procedure for analyzing a chemical/biological sample with an understanding of the importance of ethical scientific practices.
Effectively demonstrate essential biology and chemistry laboratory techniques, doing so in accordance with accepted safety standards.

The Medical Laboratory Science major requires:

BIO 111 - Molecules, Cells, & Animal Systems 4.00 credits.
BIO 112 - Principles of Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity of Life 4.00 credits.
BIO 200 - NPS Human Anatomy and Physiology: The Basics 4.00 credits.
BIO 211 - Genetics 4.00 credits.
BIO 235 - General Microbiology 4.00 credits.
BIO 310 - Molecular Biology 3.00 credits.
BIO 310L - Molecular Biology Laboratory 1.00 credit.
BIO 322 - Immunology 3.00 credits.
CH 105 - NPS Fundamentals of Chemistry: Introduction to Molecular Science 4.00 credits.
CH 113 - Organic Chemistry I 4.00 credits.
CH 201 - Laboratory Methods in Chemistry 3.00 credits.
CH 214 - Chemical Instrumentation 4.00 credits.
CH 323 - Biochemistry I 3.00 credits.
CH 326 - Techniques of Biochemistry 2.00 credits.
CH 395 - Chemistry Seminar I 1.00 credit.
CH 396 - Chemistry Seminar II 1.00 credit.
MA 250 - MA Sports Analytics 4.00 credits. or
MA 251 - MA Probability and Statistics 4.00 credits.

Elective Courses:

For the (3+1) program, a minimum of ten elective credits must be completed with a minimum of four credits coming from BIO and/or CH courses.

For the four-year program, a minimum of 24 elective credits must be completed with a minimum of 12 credits coming from BIO and/or CH courses, two of which must include labs (indicated with an asterisk below).

BIO 212 - Cell Biology 3.00 credits.
BIO 212L - Cell Biology Laboratory 1.00 credit. *
BIO 324 - General Physiology 3.00 credits.
BIO 324L - General Physiology Laboratory 1.00 credit. *
BIO 336 - Pathogenic Microbiology 3.00 credits.
BIO 336L - Pathogenic Microbiology Lab 1.00 credit.
CH 213 - Organic Chemistry II 3.00 credits.
CH 216 - Synthesis Lab 2.00 credits.
CH 242 - Physical Inorganic Chemistry 3.00 credits.
CH 324 - Biochemistry II 2.00 credits.
CH 402 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 2.00 credits.
CH 414 - Advanced Instrumental Analysis 2.00 credits.
CH 421 - Advanced Organic Chemistry 2.00 credits.
CH 455 - Integrated Chemistry Laboratory I 2.00 credits. *
DAT 200 - Data Analytics 2.00 credits.
DAT 300 - Big Data and Statistical Analysis 2.00 credits.
NEU 125 - NPS Introduction to Neuroscience 4.00 credits.
PBH 111 - NPS Principles of Public Health 4.00 credits.
PBH 335 - Epidemiology 4.00 credits.
PHY 101 - General Physics I 4.00 credits.

Additional elective courses for the four-year degree program may include:

CH 472 - Internship in Chemistry Variable credit. (up to four credits)
CH 495 - Chemistry Seminar III 1.00 credit.
CH 496 - Chemistry Seminar IV 1.00 credit.

Clinical Laboratory Experience (3+1 Program):

Admission to Elizabethtown College does not guarantee admission to a clinical instruction program during the senior year. Students who meet the eligibility criteria may seek admittance to Medical Laboratory Science training programs accredited by NAACLS. Upon successful admittance, students complete a minimum of 30 credits during their senior year through the Medical Laboratory Science Training program on topics including Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology, Hematology/ Coagulation, Immunohematology, Immunology/ Serology, and Clinical Seminar.

Courses are transcribed in fulfillment of the Elizabethtown College degree as:

MLS 490-494 - Special Topics in Clinical Laboratory Sciences Variable credits.
MLS 495 - Clinical Seminar Variable credits.

Affiliated Clinical Laboratory Programs (3+1 Program)

In accordance with admissions deadlines, eligible students apply to Medical Laboratory Science programs accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Students may choose to apply to one or more of our affiliated programs and/or other accredited clinical programs in the United States (https://www.naacls.org/Find-a-Program.aspx). Upon completion of the Medical Laboratory Science program, students are required to pass the Medical Lab Scientist (ASCP) Certification to become a Medical Lab Scientist.

Elizabethtown College has an established academic affiliate agreement with the following:

Geisinger School of Medical Laboratory Science, Danville, PA
Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Penn State Health, Hershey, PA
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Altoona, PA; Jamestown, NY; Williamsport, PA
Reading Hospital School of Heath Sciences, Reading, PA
Saint Joseph’s University, Lancaster, PA
Sentara RMH Medical Center School of Medical Sciences, Harrisonburg, VA
WellSpan York Hospital, York, PA

First Year Suggested Courses:

FYS 100 - First-Year Seminar 4.00 credits.
BIO 111 - Molecules, Cells, & Animal Systems 4.00 credits.
BIO 112 - Principles of Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity of Life 4.00 credits.
CH 105 - NPS Fundamentals of Chemistry: Introduction to Molecular Science 4.00 credits.
CH 113 - Organic Chemistry I 4.00 credits.
EN 100 - PLE First Year Writing 4.00 credits.
MA 251 - MA Probability and Statistics 4.00 credits.
one additional core course

Notes:

To be eligible for the (3+1) program, students must have:

Maintained a minimum GPA of 2.5 in science and mathematics courses and cumulatively overall
Completed a minimum of 95 credit hours
Completed all major requirements except for the Clinical Laboratory Experience
Completed all College Core requirements (40 credits)

Admission to Elizabethtown College does not guarantee admission to an accredited MLS training program and the (3+1) Program.

All preclinical coursework must be completed and letter-graded prior to the start of the Clinical Laboratory Experience.
The exact titles of clinical courses vary by site, but students receive all the required training in their fourth-year through the accredited program. MLS courses such as orientation, laboratory management education, and other offerings unique to the clinical program will be classified as MLS 401 – Clinical Seminar.
Students participating in the (3+1) program maintain their status as full-time students and may choose to live on campus. Standard room and board fees apply.
Tuition and applicable fees for the Clinical Laboratory Experience are determined by the accredited NAACLS program. The College collects an administrative fee of $500 per semester for students participating in the (3+1) program, and students participating in the program should notify the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible.

Further questions about the Medical Laboratory Science major can be directed to Dr. Jeff Rood.