Medical Laboratory Science (B.S.)

82-92 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours

Departmental Requirements (46-55 hours)

• MLS 111 - Introduction to Medical Lab Science
• MLS 328 - Non-Bacterial Microorganisms in Med Lab
• MLS 328L - Lab: Non-Bacterial Microorganisms
• MLS 239 - Advancing Clinical Quality: Turning Data into Decisions ^d
• MLS 239L - Clinical Quality Lab ^d
• MLS 325 - Med Lab Molecular Diagnostics & Genetics ^e
• MLS 331 - Hematology & Hemostasis
• MLS 331L - Lab: Hematology & Hemostasis
• MLS 332 - Med Lab Procedures
• MLS 332L - Lab: Med Lab Procedures

Nondepartmental Requirements (36-37 hours)

• BIOC 310 - Biological Chemistry ^a
• BIOC 310L - Biological Chemistry Laboratory ^a
• BIOL 151 - General Biology I (C) [SGR #6, HSDC] ^b
• BIOL 151L - General Biology I Lab (C) [SGR #6, HSDC] ^b
• CHEM 112 - General Chemistry I (C) [SGR #6, HSDC] ^b
• CHEM 112L - General Chemistry I Laboratory (C) [SGR #6, HSDC] ^b

•  

• CHEM 114 - General Chemistry II (C) [SGR #6, HSDC] ^b
• CHEM 114L - General Chemistry II Laboratory (C) [SGR #6, HSDC] ^b

• Or

• CHEM 116 - Honors Principles of Chemistry [SGR #6, HSDC] ^b
• CHEM 116L - Honors Principles of Chemistry Laboratory [SGR #6, HSDC] ^b

•  

• MICR 418 - Fundamentals of Immunology ^g
• MICR 420 - Microbiology and Infectious Diseases ^g
• MICR 422 - Microbiology and Infectious Disease Laboratory ^g
• PHGY 220 - Human Anatomy and Integrated Physiology I [SGR #6, HSDC] ^f
• PHGY 220L - Human Anatomy and Integrated Physiology Laboratory I [SGR #6, HSDC] ^f
• PHGY 230 - Human Anatomy and Integrated Physiology II [SGR #6, HSDC] ^f
• PHGY 230L - Human Anatomy and Integrated Physiology II Laboratory [SGR #6, HSDC] ^f

•  

• Select one of the following courses with lab: ^c

• CHEM 310 - Fundamental Organic Chemistry
• CHEM 310L - Fundamental Organic Chemistry Lab
• CHEM 326 - Organic Chemistry I (C)
• CHEM 326L - Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (C)
• CHEM 332 - Analytical Chemistry (C)
• CHEM 332L - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (C)

Double Major Options/Course Double Count

^a The combination of BIOC 430 & 431 meets the MLS BIOC 310/L requirement and may count for both the MLS & Biochemistry or the MLS & Medical Biology double majors.

^b Denotes courses that may count for both the MLS & Chemistry, or MLS & Biochemistry, or MLS & Medical Biology, or MLS & Physiology, Cell, & Molecular Biology double majors.

^c Four credit hours of upper-level Chemistry courses may count for both the MLS & Chemistry, or MLS & Biochemistry, or MLS & Medical Biology, or MLS & Physiology, Cell, & Molecular Biology double majors.

^d BIOL 420 & 420L meets the MLS 239 & 239L requirement for MLS & Medical Biology, or MLS & Physiology, Cell, & Molecular Biology double majors.

^e The combination of BIOL 471 & 475 meets the MLS 325 requirement for MLS & Medical Biology, or MLS & Physiology, Cell, & Molecular Biology double majors.

^f The combination of BIOL 428/L and ANAT 411 or BIOL 428/L and BIOL 481/L may meet the anatomy/physiology requirements for MLS & Medical Biology, or MLS & Physiology, Cell, & Molecular Biology double majors.

^g Denotes courses that may count for both the MLS & Medical Biology, or MLS & Physiology, Cell, & Molecular Biology double majors.

Suggested Courses For All MLS Majors

• MLS 415 - Communicable Diseases and Public Health
• BIOL 153 - General Biology II (C) [SGR #6, HSDC]
• BIOL 153L - General Biology II Lab (C) [SGR #6, HSDC]

•  

  Notes:

  • USD Med Lab Science Fee is a per semester fee. The fee is only assessed in the semesters that an MLS student is enrolled in a 200 or 300 level MLS prefix course. 
  • General Biology II can be beneficial, as a recommended elective, particularly for those who may be considering graduate programs such as pre-Medicine, pre-Physician Assistant, pre-Occupational Therapy, or pre-Physical Therapy.
  • Confirm all pre-clinical requirements with a USD MLS program advisor. 

Declaration of Medical Laboratory Science Major

Students may be eligible to declare the Medical Laboratory Science major after successful completion of 12 credits with confirmation of good academic standing defined as a cumulative GPA at or above 2.0  per SDBOR policy 2.8.1.C(4).  
 
Completion of the declaration of MLS major does not guarantee placement for clinical internship. There will be an additional external application process. Each clinical site has their own minimum requirements and application process. Students may apply to any number of USD’s clinical affiliates. Details of affiliates’ requirements can be found on their respective websites which can be accessed via USD MLS website.   

Four-Year Program Guides and Costs

USD encourages students to take 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan. 

• Medical Laboratory Science, B.S. 4-year plan guide

Location Matters in Medical Laboratory Sciences

USD’s Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences prepares graduates to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC) exam. State licensure or certification is not required to work as a Medical Laboratory Scientist in South Dakota, but it may be required to work in other states. If you are planning to apply for licensure/certification in a state other than South Dakota after completion of your program, please review that state and your program on USD’s Licensure-Track Programs webpage.

Additionally, this program is authorized to offer supervised field study placements (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. If you have questions regarding supervised field study, please contact a program representative or visit USD’s State Authorization page.