B.S. in Biology - Medical Laboratory Science

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Central Oklahoma

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biology – Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) is designed for students who want to build a career at the intersection of biology, laboratory diagnostics and healthcare. The program develops a strong foundation in biology and chemistry before moving into clinical areas such as microbiology, hematology, immunology and clinical chemistry, with hands-on laboratory training preparing students to contribute to disease diagnosis and patient care.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students begin with the scientific foundations needed for medical laboratory science, including BIO 1204 – Biology for Majors: Principles, BIO 1224 – Biology for Majors: Diversity, and CHEM 1103 – General Chemistry I, alongside the associated chemistry laboratory work. These courses establish core knowledge in biology and chemistry that students will build on throughout the degree.

Year 2:

The second year moves into more specialized biological and chemical concepts through courses such as BIO 2203 – Cell Biology, BIO 2211 – Cell Biology Laboratory, and BIO 2604 – Human Physiology and Lab. Students also progress through CHEM 1223 – General Chemistry II, CHEM 3303 – Organic Chemistry I and CHEM 3403 – Biochemistry I, strengthening their understanding of cellular processes and the chemical basis of human health.

Year 3:

Students develop a stronger laboratory and disease-focused foundation through BIO 3054 – Microbiology for Majors and Lab, BIO 3303 – Genetics, and BIO 4515 – Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology and Lab. The curriculum also includes MATH 2153 – BioCalculus and STAT 2103 – Intro Statistics for Sciences, helping students develop the quantitative skills needed to interpret scientific and laboratory information.

Clinical Year:

After completing the three-year UCO coursework, students undertake an additional year of clinical hospital training through an approved affiliate hospital medical laboratory science program. Clinical coursework includes BIO 4117 – Clinical Microbiology, BIO 4236 – Clinical Hematology, BIO 4246 – Clinical Immunology, CHEM 4125 – Clinical Chemistry I, CHEM 4325 – Clinical Chemistry II, and CHEM 4351 – Topics in Medical Technology, providing direct preparation for professional laboratory practice.

Focus areas:

Clinical chemistry, microbiology, hematology, immunology, human physiology, genetics, cell biology, biochemistry, pathogenic microbiology, laboratory techniques, medical diagnostics and clinical laboratory practice.

Learning outcomes:

Students develop the scientific knowledge, laboratory techniques, analytical precision and practical experience needed to perform laboratory testing, analyze biological samples and contribute accurate information to disease diagnosis and treatment planning.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The UCO curriculum requires students to complete a one-year clinical hospital training program approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). UCO specifically notes that completion of the three-year university coursework does not guarantee acceptance into an affiliated hospital program, as admission to those clinical programs is competitive.

Reputation (employability rankings):

UCO reports that 71% of its graduates are employed or continuing their education within six months of earning a UCO degree. At the university level, UCO was ranked No. 62 among Regional Universities–West and No. 32 among Top Public Schools–West in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biology – Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) places a strong emphasis on practical laboratory experience, allowing students to apply concepts from clinical chemistry, microbiology, hematology and immunology in real laboratory settings. The program culminates in a one-year clinical hospital training experience through an approved affiliate hospital medical laboratory science program, where students develop skills directly relevant to professional laboratory practice. UCO’s Biology Department also supports undergraduate participation in laboratory and field-based research, with faculty mentoring students on research projects and opportunities to present their work to the scientific community.

Students can gain practical experience through:

Clinical laboratory training: Students complete an additional one-year clinical hospital training program approved by NAACLS, with UCO coursework including Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Hematology, Clinical Immunology, Clinical Chemistry I, Clinical Chemistry II and Topics in Medical Technology.
Laboratory-based courses: Courses such as Cell Biology Laboratory, Human Physiology and Lab, Microbiology for Majors and Lab, and Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology and Lab provide hands-on laboratory learning throughout the academic curriculum.
Research opportunities: UCO Biology faculty conduct laboratory and field research projects involving students, with opportunities for undergraduate students to receive faculty mentoring and present research to the scientific community.
Biomedical research: The Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Education and Research (CIBER) provides an interdisciplinary environment where faculty and students can collaborate on biomedical and health-related research and develop hypothesis-driven problem-solving skills.
Research facilities: The Don Betz STEM Teaching and Research Center provides undergraduate research spaces and modern scientific laboratories used across Biology and other STEM disciplines.
Biology facilities: UCO Biology resources include the Natural History Museum, Selman Living Laboratory and John F. Barthell Pollinator Garden, supporting broader biological education and experiential learning.
Computational resources: UCO’s College of Mathematics and Science provides access to high-performance computing resources, including the Buddy supercomputer, which is used for research and education in areas including bioinformatics and disease-spread research.
Professional guidance: UCO provides dedicated pre-health advising for Medical Laboratory Science students, including guidance on career preparation and opportunities for shadowing and volunteering.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biology – Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) prepares students for laboratory-based healthcare careers by combining biological science with clinical laboratory training. After completing the required university coursework and clinical training, graduates can pursue professional roles in diagnostic laboratories, hospitals and related healthcare settings, while the clinical training also provides a foundation for professional certification and further study.

Typical career roles: Medical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Technologist, Clinical Laboratory Technologist.

Students can build their career through:

Career support: UCO’s Career Development Center provides career advising, résumé and cover-letter assistance, interview preparation, career fairs, employer connections and access to employment opportunities through Handshake.
Clinical experience: The program includes a one-year clinical hospital training program through an affiliated hospital medical laboratory science program, giving students direct experience in professional laboratory environments.
Employment outlook: UCO reports that 71% of its graduates are employed or continuing their education within six months of earning a UCO degree. This is a university-wide outcome rather than a Medical Laboratory Science-specific employment rate.
Professional accreditation value: UCO requires the clinical year to be completed through a NAACLS-approved medical laboratory science program. This provides an important professional pathway for students seeking recognized clinical laboratory training and subsequent certification opportunities.
Professional preparation: The curriculum covers clinical areas including Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Hematology, Clinical Immunology, Clinical Chemistry I and II, helping students develop knowledge relevant to diagnostic laboratory practice.
Industry/clinical connections: Students gain their clinical experience through UCO's affiliate hospital medical laboratory science programs, connecting classroom preparation with hospital-based laboratory practice.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the B.S. and clinical training, students can continue into graduate-level study in areas such as biology, biomedical sciences, public health, clinical laboratory science, healthcare administration or related life sciences. The biology foundation can also support students who want to pursue advanced professional education or research-oriented postgraduate programs.