Overview
Medical laboratory scientists are health professionals who supervise and conduct laboratory diagnostic tests on patients’ body fluids and/or tissues, assisting the physician with diagnoses and treatments. An education in this field will prepare the student for a variety of career opportunities.
The Medical Laboratory Science major prepares students to transfer in three years to an MLS program outside of University of Jamestown. Acceptance into the off-campus program is independent from University of Jamestown. Students should consult with the program director, registrar, Business Office, and Financial Aid Office early in their course of study to ensure a clear understanding of the MLS program, application procedure, and financial aid implications for the off-campus portion of the course of study. (There is one prerequisite course, Hematology with lab, that must be taken online from UND or from another institution at the student’s own expense.)
Students must apply for admittance to an affiliated MLS program during the fall semester of the junior year. Minimum GPA is 2.8. There can be no more than one "D" in any math or science course, and the student must be recommended by the University of Jamestown MLS program director. The senior year is spent exclusively in professionally-oriented courses in the twelve-month clinical program; therefore, all general education requirements must be completed before attending. Grades and credits earned at the affiliated program are transferred to the University of Jamestown. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the bachelor's degree is granted by the University of Jamestown.
Two options are available in preparing for a career in medical laboratory science (MLS) Students can plan programs so that they need not decide immediately which option they will choose. Each includes a year of clinical internship in an accredited medical laboratory science (medical laboratory science) program and prepares the student for the medical laboratory scientist certification exam from the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. As a member of the Western College Alliance for Medical Laboratory Science, a cooperative education program between several universities and colleges in the Midwest, University of Jamestown is affiliated with the medical laboratory science program at the University of North Dakota (UND). The final professional year begins with a summer semester at the University of North Dakota. Fall and spring semesters are then spent at one of the many possible clinical sites. There are currently more than twenty-five clinical affiliates in North Dakota, Minnesota, and other western states.
Plan of Study
Students who have a strong academic background that includes preparation in chemistry and/or math, and who are fairly confident in pursuing a career in Medical Lab Sciences are encouraged to follow the first 4-year plan.
Students who have a weaker academic background with less preparation in chemistry and/or math, and who are less confident in pursuing a career in Medical Lab Sciences are encouraged to follow the second 4-year plan.
Freshman Year
Fall
| BIOL 150 | Introduction to Biology I (Lec/Lab) | 3/1 |
| CHEM 133 | General Chemistry I (Lec/Lab) | 3/1 |
Spring
| BIOL 151 | Introduction to Biology II (Lec/Lab) | 3/1 |
| CHEM 134 | General Chemistry II (Lec/Lab) | 3/1 |
Junior Year
Fall
Spring
Senior Year
Summer
| | 12-Month UND Clinical Program | |
Fall
| | 12-Month UND Clinical Program | |
Spring
| | 12-Month UND Clinical Program | |
Sophomore Year
Fall
| BIOL 208 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I (Lec/Lab) | 4/1 |
| CHEM 343 | Organic Chemistry I (Lec/Lab) | 3/1 |
Spring
| BIOL 209 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II (Lec/Lab) | 4/1 |
| BIOL 216 | Microbiology (Lec/Lab) | 3/1 |