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Medical Laboratory Sciences Medical laboratory sciences is a very diversified field. In response to new technologies, many areas of specialization have evolved within the profession to ensure the expertise of individuals performing the required tasks. The medical laboratory sciences program at Oakland University includes programs that offer the student significant patient contact (Nuclear Medicine Technology and Radiation Therapy and Radiologic Technology) as well as science/research-based programs with minimal direct patient contact (Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology, Cytotechnology and Histotechnology). As health care professionals, all play an integral part in patient care. Cytotechnologists and Histotechnologists are involved in the diagnosis of disease based on alterations in cells or tissues. Clinical Laboratory Scientists (medical technologists) perform a wide range of diagnostic tests, including chemical, microscopic, bacteriological and immunological procedures used in the diagnosis and study of disease. Nuclear Medicine Technologists use small amounts of radioactive materials for diagnostic evaluation of the anatomic or physiologic conditions of the body and to provide therapy with radioactive sources. Radiation Therapists use ionizing radiation in the treatment of cancer. Radiologic (X-Ray) technologists are responsible for the administration of ionizing radiation for diagnostic or research purposes. The medical laboratory sciences program is designed to prepare students for professional opportunities in a variety of settings. Graduates may find employment in hospital or commercial clinical laboratories, research laboratories, laboratory consulting services, laboratory administration/supervision, or public health facilities. Positions within biomedical corporations, including research and development, quality assurance and sales or service may also be prospective sources for employment. In addition, the undergraduate curricula provide an excellent biomedical background for students who choose to move into alternate health-related careers (medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, physician assistant, pathology assistant, etc). Generally, employment in a hospital or community clinical laboratory requires certification in a specialization field. Students are eligible to sit for national certification examinations in their specialization upon successful completion of the appropriate internship at an accredited institution. Professional certification is obtained by successfully passing the examination. Students not wishing to pursue professional certification or not accepted by a clinical internship program may complete the medical laboratory sciences degree by following the academic program for the specialization of their choice and substituting adviser-approved electives for the clinical year (internship) course work. Such students will be eligible to apply for clinical internship opportunities either before or after graduation, if desired. However, only those students accepted into the radiation therapy internship program will be allowed to enter the radiation therapy junior year curriculum (hospital-based program). Admissions Students may be admitted as pre-medical laboratory science majors directly from high school or by transfer from other colleges or universities. With the exception of clinical laboratory science, students have the option of earning the medical laboratory sciences degree by completing a hospital-based clinical specialization internship program. Acceptance into the internship programs is competitive and is based on grade point average, personal interview and letters of recommendation. The application process for each of the specializations is unique. Students are advised to read carefully about their chosen specialization. All students should declare their choice of specialization by the end of their sophomore year. They must complete an MLS student profile, plan of work, internship application list and applicant recommendation form at this time. The declaration of and acceptance into a student's chosen specialization shall define specialization standing for course prerequisites and professional course requirements. The junior and senior year curricula will vary depending upon the specialization. MLS Academic Requirements Pre-professional program:
Professional program:
Medical Laboratory Sciences Core Curriculum courses: BIO 111, 205, 206* or 322, 207* (preferred) or 321 *Radiation therapy specialization must take BIO 206 and 207 ** For CT and HI majors - PHY 101 and/or 102 may be replaced by an equivalent number of credits from BIO 341 and/or 409 + Not required for Radiation Therapy nor Radiologic Technology specializations. For a checklist of requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science click here. Grade Point Policy Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 in all course work applied to the medical laboratory sciences major. Students in a specialization will be placed on probation if they earn a grade less than 2.0 in any specialization course or if their cumulative grade point average in major course work falls below 2.50. Students who earn a second grade less than 2.0 must have their programs reviewed by the faculty to determine remediation or termination from the program. In order to remove probationary status, students must raise their major grade point average to 2.50 or higher.
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