Medical Laboratory Science B.S.

All students must meet the Degree and University Requirements.

All students must meet the Catamount Core Curriculum Requirements.

All students must meet the College Requirements.

Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) are health professionals involved in the development, performance, and evaluation of laboratory tests that lead to assessment of health status, diagnosis of disease, and monitoring of therapeutic treatment.  Students in this major work closely with faculty members and engage in hands-on learning in the classroom, laboratory and clinical environment to develop critical thinking and technical skills.

Students select a concentration in clinical laboratory science or public health laboratory science at the end of their second year. The curriculum provides balance between general and professional education, with coursework in the sciences and liberal arts serving as a foundation for the medical laboratory science courses. In the fourth year, the final semester consists of a full time clinical or public health laboratory practicum at an off-campus affiliate site, which may require additional room, meal, and/or transportation expenses. Site selection for the final semester is determined by a lottery system.

Students in Biomedical and Health Sciences (BHSC) programs must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.3 or higher. Students with a cumulative grade point average below 2.3 will be placed on academic trial. First-year students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher by the end of two subsequent semesters to be removed from trial. Students who fail to raise their cumulative GPA to 2.3 after the trial semesters may be discontinued from the program. Students beyond the first year must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher by the end of the subsequent semester to be removed from trial. Students who fail to raise their cumulative GPA to 2.3 after the trial semester may be discontinued from the program. Students who earn one grade below a C in any non-practicum, non-internship, professional/core course will be placed on “academic warning” and will receive a letter informing them of such. Professional or core courses are identified on each major curriculum sheet. In order to remain in good standing within the BHSC programs, students must also be consistently progressing in the program curriculum. Failure to follow the required sequence of courses outlined in the BHSC program of study for more than one semester is grounds for discontinuation from the major.

Graduates in medical laboratory science are qualified for a national certification exam administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Students in medical laboratory science with a concentration in public health laboratory science may elect to complete a clinical rotation in microbiology to qualify to take the ASCP microbiology-only certification exam. Taking and passing the ASCP Certification Exam is not a requirement for graduation. ASCP certification is required by most clinical diagnostic and public health laboratories. This four-year curriculum leading to the baccalaureate degree is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE CONCENTRATION

Clinical laboratory science students complete course work which prepares them for practica in medical laboratories where they will apply their biomedical knowledge and technical skills and further learn about the health and disease status of patients. 

Practicum sites* have included:

  • Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY
  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
  • Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
  • Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, Plattsburgh, NY
  • Central Vermont Medical Center, Berlin, VT
  • Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH
  • Elliot Hospital, Manchester, NH
  • Glens Falls Hospital, Glens Falls, NY
  • Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
  • NorDx, Portland and Scarborough, ME
  • Rutland Regional Medical Center, Rutland, VT
  • St. Peter’s Hospital, Albany, NY
  • University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT
  • Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT

* Note: Clinical affiliations subject to change.

PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY SCIENCE CONCENTRATION

Public health laboratory scientists work in public health laboratories at the state, federal, and international levels. The curriculum focuses on the use of microbiology and molecular biology in the field of public health, in support of epidemiology, and to monitor health status and disease prevention strategies.

Practicum sites* have included:

  • District of Columbia Health Department, Washington DC
  • New Hampshire Department of Health Laboratory, Concord, NH
  • Vermont Department of Health Laboratory, Burlington, VT
  • Wadsworth Center, New York Department of Health, Albany, NY

* Note: Public health laboratory affiliations subject to change.