Medical Laboratory Scientists perform diagnostic tests that provide important information to determine the presence, extent, or absence of disease as well as data to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. They work with all types of body tissues and fluids, from blood and urine to cell samples. Major areas of specialization within the laboratory include hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, serology, urinalysis, immunohematology (blood bank) and molecular diagnostics.
Students may apply for specialization standing in MLS after completing the CDS core curriculum, generally at the end of the sophomore year. The junior and senior years consist of the prescribed professional course requirements at Oakland University. A clinical internship is required for national certification as a medical laboratory scientist (certification required for most hospital and private laboratory employment positions). Application to clinical internship (if desired) is made during the summer semester prior to the senior year. Internships are between six and ten months in length (depending on the clinical site), and are done post-graduate. Oakland University is affiliated with the following accredited MLS clinical programs: Detroit Medical Center University Laboratories, Detroit; Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit; and Beaumont Health, Royal Oak. Acceptance into the internship program is competitive and based on grade point average, personal interview, and letters of recommendation.
Medical laboratory science specialization professional course requirements
Students in the medical laboratory science specialization must complete the following courses:
PHY 1080 - Principles of Physics I (4)
PHY 1090 - Principles of Physics II (4)
CHM 2340 - Organic Chemistry I (4)
CDS 4000 - Medical Genetics (4)
CDS 4020 - Molecular Diagnostics (3)
CDS 4140 - Hematology/Hemostasis I (3)
CDS 4150 - Hematology/Hemostasis Laboratory I (1)
CDS 4160 - Hematology/Hemostasis II (4)
CDS 4170 - Hematology/Hemostasis Laboratory II (1)
CDS 4230 - Medical Immunology (3)
CDS 4240 - Immunohematology (3)
CDS 4241 - Immunohematology Laboratory (1)
CDS 4250 - Medical Biochemistry (4)
CDS 4270 - Clinical Chemistry (4)
CDS 4280 - Clinical Chemistry Laboratory (1)
CDS 4300 - Clinical Microbiology (4)
CDS 4310 - Clinical Microbiology Laboratory (1)
CDS 4350 - Clinical Parasitology, Mycology, Virology (3)
CDS 4360 - Clinical Parasitology, Mycology, Virology Lab (1)
CDS 4400 - Clinical Correlations (3)
And three elective credits from the following courses:
BIO 4100 - Advanced Visceral Human Anatomy (4)
BIO 4112 - Advanced Musculoskeletal Human Anatomy (4)
BIO 4620 - Advanced Human Physiology (4)
BIO 4622 - Endocrinology (4)
CDS 4010 - Human Pathology (4)
CDS 4995 - Directed Research (1 TO 4)
CDS 4997 - Apprentice College Teaching (1 TO 3)
CHM 2350 - Organic Chemistry II (4)
EHS 4450 - Introduction to Ergonomics (3)
MTH 1441 - Precalculus (4)
MTH 1554 - Calculus I (4)
NTR 2500 - Human Nutrition and Health (3)
NTR 4100 - Nutrition and Lifecycles (4)
PH 3000 - Introduction to Public Health (3)
PHY 1100 - General Physics Lab I (1)
PHY 1110 - General Physics Lab II (1)
PSY 2250 - Introduction to Life-Span Developmental Psychology (4)
or additional electives as approved.
Note
Some clinical programs may require MTH 1441. Check the individual clinical programs for current requirements.