Medical Laboratory Science, B.S.

Department Contact:

Chair: Dr. Justin Merry, 814-471-1105, jmerry@francis.edu
Coordinator: Dr. John Trimble, 814-472-3319, jtrimble@francis.edu

Program Description:

Medical Laboratory Scientists, also known as Medical Technologists or Clinical Laboratory Scientists, are health care professionals who work in laboratories and perform a variety of diagnostic tests on human tissue samples. They have expertise in biology and chemistry, and are trained in the use of state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. This is a “3+1” program; students spend their first three years at Saint Francis University, and then attend an affiliated Medical Laboratory Science hospital training program in their fourth year to complete their B.S. degree and receive specialized training. 

Students must apply directly to affiliated hospital training programs during their third year at Saint Francis University. Admission decisions into the training programs are at the discretion of the hospital training program directors. All requirements for the B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science, aside from the clinical training through the hospital training program, must be completed prior to the student matriculating to the hospital program. Immunizations and background checks will be required for admission into the hospital training programs. Students are responsible for all admission requirements and meeting all deadlines for admission into the hospital training program. Students may be responsible for providing a Certificate of Insurance coverage for professional liability insurance; the University may provide this certificate upon request. Students should consult the affiliated programs’ websites for all admission and retention requirements, which are linked via the SFU MLS webpage: https://www.francis.edu/Medical-Laboratory-Science.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Employ the scientific method, including the use of discipline-specific techniques, to discover and validate biological knowledge;
• Demonstrate scientific literacy through reading, writing, presenting, and discussing research;
• Demonstrate knowledge of how atoms and molecules interact to permit the function of living systems, and how cells sense, control, and respond to stimuli in their environments;
• Demonstrate knowledge of molecular genetics and how this leads to the expression and inheritance of traits;
• Explain how organisms reproduce and develop, how their anatomical structure permits function, how they maintain internal conditions, and how they sense and respond to external stimuli, across the full range of biological diversity;
• Describe how evolution by natural selection explains the unity and diversity of life on earth, and articulate how organisms interact at the population, community, and ecosystem levels.

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically 4 years of full-time study

Capstone Requirement:

The senior capstone requirement is satisfied through graduating from a Hospital Medical Laboratory Science program.

Total Credits Required:

129-130 credits