BS in Medical Laboratory Science

The medical laboratory science student at NSU receives a solid understanding of the basic sciences (biology, chemistry and molecular biology) as well as the clinical sciences (immunology, hematology, and microbiology). The four-year program requires three years of study on campus followed by a year in a clinical setting. The senior year is devoted to clinical study and training in a laboratory in one of the following hospitals: Sanford Hospital, Sioux Falls and Marion Health Center, Sioux City, Iowa. The medical laboratory science student may also complete their senior internship with the Western College Alliance as part of an affiliation agreement between NSU and the University of North Dakota (UND), which has approximately 70 clinical sites to choose from. The well-qualified and enthusiastic faculty members in the medical laboratory science program at Northern, combined with small class sizes, personal attention from instructors, and a hands-on policy with laboratory equipment, give Northern students an edge when applying for senior internships. In recent years, the medical technology program at NSU has had 100 percent acceptance of its students into the clinical portions of the programs at these hospitals. The NSU Science Club sponsors special lectures and other programs to encourage appreciation of math and science and to give students a chance for less formal interaction with faculty. The Pre-Health Professionals Network provides a forum for meeting and networking with students, interns and residents, and health professionals. The medical laboratory science students also attend special seminars and presentations relevant to the field of medical laboratory science. As a medical laboratory science major, a student works toward the Bachelor of Science degree. In addition to the courses required for the major, general education requirements must also be completed. A 2.8 minimum grade point average is required of all medical laboratory science students at NSU. Career Directions Medical Laboratory Scientist in hospitals, clinics, veterinarian labs, physicians’ offices, government agencies, industry, armed forces, and research labs Forensic Scientist Teaching in Medical Laboratory Science Field Food, Industrial, or Environmental Microbiologist Quality Assurance Technologist Graduate School Medical School Sales of Technical Service for Biomedical Supply Firms Consulting for Physician’s Office Laboratories Traveling Medical Laboratory Science Positions