Biomedical Science: Medical Laboratory Sciences

The Biomedical Science: Medical Laboratory Science (BMS:MLS) program provides you with the medical knowledge and understanding of diagnostic testing needed for a fulfilling career in the biomedical sciences, including as an American College of Clinical Pathology-certified Medical Laboratory Scientist.

As a Biomedical Science: Medical Laboratory Science major, you will:

• learn to determine the presence, extent, or absence of human disease through understanding the diagnostic testing that medical professionals use to make these determinations (70% of physician decisions are based on diagnostic testing results)
• obtain hands-on experience by performing immunological, biochemical, molecular, and microbiological procedures that aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease

Unique features of the MLS option include:

• the only 4-year degree program in NH that includes a path for students to become certified as Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and that is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
• Certified Medical Laboratory Scientists are in high demand and easily find employment in hospitals and medical centers throughout the country
• the MLS program is affiliated with Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and NorDx/Maine Medical Center

Careers or post-baccalaureate education of previous Medical Laboratory Science graduates include:

• certified medical laboratory scientists (ASCP) in diagnostic testing  laboratories in hospitals and industry
• research scientists/laboratory technicians
  • biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies
  • biomedical research facilities
  • forensic laboratories
  • hospital reference laboratories
  • government public health laboratories
• secondary school educators (with additional coursework in education)
• diagnostic product development
• sales and marketing
• state and federal government agencies (e.g., U.S. Food and Drug Administration).
• professional health programs
  • medical school
  • allied health programs (physician assistant, pathologists' assistant, pharmacy)
• graduate programs
  • microbiology
  • biomedical science
  • biochemistry
  • nursing
  • public health
  • business administration

SLO: Core Knowledge

Students will demonstrate an understanding of core knowledge in biochemistry, molecular biology,
cell biology, genetics & biomedical sciences.

Biomedical Science: Medical Laboratory Science option

• Students will be able to correlate patient history, symptoms and laboratory test results with the diagnosis and treatment of clinical disease state
• Students will be able to interpret, analyze, and identify clinical laboratory results.
• Students will be able to define the mechanisms that give rise to human diseases and/or organ system dysfunction, including hypersensitivity, renal disease, acid-base disorders, etc.
• Students will be able to recognize risk factors for the development of disease
• Students will be able to identify and explain the underlying principle(s) of appropriate testing methodologies and assays for diagnosis of clinical diseases and organ system dysfunction.

SLO: Quantitative Literacy, Inquiry & Analysis

• Students will be able to apply the scientific method to examine experimental evidence and draw informed conclusions.
• Students will be able to use graphs to represent scientific data.
• Students will be able to apply statistical methods to interpret scientific data.

SLO: Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

• Students will be able to use data to troubleshoot an unexpected outcome.
• Students will be able to apply core knowledge to critically interpret scientific data.

SLO: Written Communication

• Students will demonstrate written skills to communicate scientific knowledge and experimental data.

SLO: Oral Communication

• Students will be able to demonstrate oral presentation skills to communicate scientific knowledge and experimental data.

Secondary and/or university transcript(s) of any coursework taken prior to applying to UNH, with English translations, are required. International documents received by UNH Admissions are verified, scanned, and confidentially destroyed. Official documents submitted will not be returned to the student.

Ideally, the letter should be from a student's school counselor or teacher. UNH does not require more than one recommendation and our preference is to receive no more than two. Excess recommendations may delay the admissions review process.