Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences (BS in MLS) at the University of Minnesota prepares students for professional laboratory practice and eligibility to sit for the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) examination. Students build expertise in areas such as microbiology, hematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, transfusion medicine and laboratory operations, making the program a strong fit for students interested in the science behind diagnosis and patient care.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students strengthen their scientific foundation through subjects such as Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry II, Statistics, Calculus and Physiology, while MLSP 2022: Laboratory's Role introduces them to the role laboratories play in healthcare. This stage combines core science preparation with liberal education requirements and prepares students for the more specialized professional MLS curriculum.

Year 2:

The curriculum moves into biomedical and laboratory science through Genetics, Biochemistry, Immunobiology, Biomedical Laboratory Methods, Biology of Microorganisms and Professional Issues. Students begin developing the scientific knowledge and laboratory skills needed to interpret testing and understand how laboratory results contribute to healthcare decisions.

Year 3:

Students undertake intensive professional laboratory coursework, including Microbiology I & II, Hematology I & II, Clinical Chemistry, Body Fluids and Transfusion Medicine, supported by laboratory components and scholarly inquiry. The year develops practical competence across the major disciplines of medical laboratory science and prepares students for clinical practice.

Year 4 –

Clinical Experience: The final clinical semester connects classroom learning with professional laboratory practice through Laboratory Operations & Management, Applied Microbiology, Applied Hematology/Hemostasis, Applied Clinical Chemistry/Urinalysis and Applied Transfusion Medicine. Students complete clinical experiences in hospital and clinic laboratories, gaining exposure to real laboratory workflows, instrumentation, prioritization and collaboration with healthcare professionals.

Focus Areas:

Medical laboratory science, clinical chemistry, hematology and hemostasis, microbiology, immunobiology, transfusion medicine, urinalysis, body-fluid analysis, biomedical laboratory methods, laboratory operations, clinical diagnostics, quality assurance, professional practice.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop the ability to perform and interpret laboratory testing, critically evaluate information, solve laboratory problems, communicate laboratory findings effectively, apply ethical and professional standards, work collaboratively with healthcare teams, and continue professional development throughout their careers.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The University of Minnesota Medical Laboratory Sciences program is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Graduates are eligible to take the national ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) examination for medical laboratory scientists, supporting progression into professional laboratory practice.

Reputation (Employability/Academic Recognition):

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities highlights strong academic and research recognition, including being ranked No. 11 globally in Medical Technology in the ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. The university also reports that UMN Twin Cities was named among America's Best Colleges 2025 by The Wall Street Journal and highlights its strong graduate outcomes and research profile.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The University of Minnesota’s Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences combines hands-on laboratory training, laboratory simulations, active-learning classrooms and online learning. Students use a dedicated MLS teaching laboratory on the Twin Cities East Bank campus and, during the final clinical semester, move into real clinical laboratory environments where they work with instrumentation, laboratory workflows and healthcare teams.

The program also provides exposure to different workplace settings and clinical systems, including urban and rural environments, large and small hospitals, outpatient settings and public-health laboratories. Partnerships with organizations such as Beckman Coulter and Medtronic also give students opportunities to learn about medical instruments and medical-device development.

Students gain practical experience through:

Dedicated MLS teaching laboratory: MLS laboratory courses are conducted in MCB 3-150, a laboratory classroom dedicated to the Medical Laboratory Sciences program. Students also have access to a dedicated student study room in Moos Tower.
Laboratory simulations: The curriculum incorporates laboratory simulations alongside state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratory instruction and online learning.
Clinical rotations: During the final semester, students complete four three-week rotations in Hematology/Hemostasis, Chemistry/Urinalysis, Transfusion Medicine and Microbiology.
Multiple clinical environments: Students are assigned to at least two clinical sites or systems, allowing them to experience differences between rural and urban laboratories, patient populations and laboratory services.
Real laboratory instrumentation and workflow: Clinical training exposes students to practical activities such as instrumentation, prioritizing laboratory work, workflow management and collaboration with professionals inside and outside the laboratory.
Industry exposure: Students can work with local industry partners such as Beckman Coulter and Medtronic to learn about instrument and medical-device development.
Specialty laboratory learning: The program provides learning modules covering areas such as cytogenetics, forensics, tissue typing, immunology flow cytometry, molecular diagnostics, public health, and toxicology and drug testing.
Clinical education affiliates: Clinical affiliates provide direct education in laboratory practice, allowing students to apply campus-based learning in real-world laboratory settings.
Interprofessional learning: The MLS curriculum emphasizes team-based care and prepares students to collaborate with other members of a patient's healthcare team.
Research and innovation environment: The College of Pharmacy places MLS within the University’s health-sciences environment, where students have access to modern classrooms and laboratories, practice sites and opportunities to learn alongside health-profession students and faculty.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the University of Minnesota’s Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences are prepared for professional laboratory careers across hospitals, clinics, public-health laboratories, research environments and other healthcare settings. The program also prepares students to pursue the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) examination, providing a recognized pathway into professional medical laboratory science.

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

The program supports students' transition from academic study into professional practice through:

Career and professional support: The MLS program provides career guidance and connects students with clinical education partners, while the University of Minnesota offers broader career resources to help students explore employment opportunities and professional development.
Clinical experience: Students complete clinical rotations in areas including Hematology/Hemostasis, Clinical Chemistry/Urinalysis, Transfusion Medicine and Microbiology, giving them experience directly relevant to laboratory employment.
University–industry connections: The program identifies industry partners including Beckman Coulter and Medtronic, giving students exposure to medical instrumentation and medical-device development.
Professional certification: Graduates are eligible to sit for the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) examination, which can support professional recognition as a medical laboratory scientist.
Accreditation value: The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), providing an important quality and professional-recognition framework for graduates entering the laboratory profession.
Employment outcomes: The University does not publish a specific current salary figure or employment rate for graduates of the BS in Medical Laboratory Sciences on the program page, so a program-specific salary figure should not be assumed.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can continue into graduate-level study in areas related to laboratory science, biomedical science, public health, healthcare and research. The degree can also provide a foundation for professional development through certification and advanced specialization in areas such as molecular diagnostics, microbiology, immunology, transfusion medicine and other laboratory disciplines.