-
Katie Cook
Clinical Assistant Professor -
Thomas Foxall
PROFESSOR -
Michele Gauthier Hope
Clinical Assistant Professor -
Michelle Labbe
CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR -
Aaron Margolin
EMERITUS PROFESSOR -
Davida Margolin
LECTURER -
Adele Marone
Emeritus -
David Needle
CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSORDVM, Dipl. ACVPSenior Veterinary PathologistPathology Section Chief -
Paul Tsang
PROFESSOR
Biomedical Science Major: Medical Laboratory Science Option (B.S.)
Biomedical Science Major: Medical Laboratory Science Option (B.S.)

WHAT IS MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE?
Medical laboratory science relies on the use of diagnostic tools to detect the presence, extent or absence of human disease, and to provide the valuable data needed to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Based on solid foundational and advanced courses in chemistry and the biological sciences, this degree program prepares students for a fulfilling career in the biomedical sciences, including as a certified medical laboratory scientist, and for further study in medicine or for entry to graduate programs.
WHY STUDY MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE AT UNH?
UNH has the only four-year, NAACLS-accredited medical laboratory science program in New Hampshire, giving students a path to become certified medical laboratory scientists with the American Society of Clinical Pathology. Students gain hands-on experience performing immunological, biochemical, molecular and microbiological procedures and have excellent internship opportunities through affiliations with Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, NorDx/Maine Medical Center and other regional hospitals, medical centers and diagnostic facilities. In 2022, the clinical program within the Medical Laboratory Science option had a pass rate of 92% on the American Society of Clinical Pathologists Board of Certification exam, a placement rate of 100%, and a graduation rate of 100%. In 2021, the exam pass rate was 87%, the placement rate 100%, and the graduation rate 100%. In 2020, the exam pass rate was 94%, the placement rate 100%, and the graduation rate 100%.
Potential careers
- Certified Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP)
- Diagnostic product developer
- Federal or state regulator
- Healthcare administrator
- Laboratory technician
- Physician
- Physician assistant
- Research scientist
Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences
Rudman Hall
46 College Road
Durham, NH 03824
603-862-3757
mcbs.dept@unh.edu
Curriculum & Requirements
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
SAMPLE Course Sequence for Medical Laboratory Science
First Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
BMS 401 | Professional Perspectives in Biomedical Sciences | 1 |
ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
BMS 507 or BIOL 411 |
Human Anatomy and Physiology I or Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular |
4 |
CHEM 403 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
Discovery Course | 4 | |
Credits | 17 | |
Spring | ||
BMS 508 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
CHEM 404 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
Statistics | 4 | |
Discovery Course | 4 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Second Year | ||
Fall | ||
BMS 503 & BMS 504 |
General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory |
5 |
GEN 604 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
Discovery Course | 4 | |
Discovery Course | 4 | |
Credits | 17 | |
Spring | ||
BMS 602 & BMS 603 |
Pathogenic Microbiology and Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory |
5 |
BMS 560 & BMS 561 |
Body Fluids and Body Fluids Laboratory |
4 |
CHEM 545 & CHEM 546 |
Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory |
5 |
Major Elective | 4 | |
Credits | 18 | |
Third Year | ||
Fall | ||
Major Elective with lab | 4-6 | |
BMCB 658 & BMCB 659 |
General Biochemistry and General Biochemistry Lab |
5 |
BMS 650 | Molecular Diagnostics | 4 |
Credits | 13-15 | |
Spring | ||
BMS 642 & BMS 643 |
Clinical Immunology and Serology and Clinical Serology Laboratory |
4 |
BMS 720 | Mycology, Parasitology, and Virology | 3 |
Major Elective with lab | 4-5 | |
Elective (any course) | 4 | |
Credits | 15-16 | |
Fourth Year | ||
Fall | ||
Major Elective (WI) | 4 | |
Major Elective (Capstone) | 4 | |
Discovery Course | 4 | |
Elective (any course) | 4 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
Four Electives (any courses) or BMS 751, BMS 752, BMS 753, and BMS 754 | 16-20 | |
Credits | 16-20 | |
Total Credits | 128-135 |
The Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program is NAACLS accredited and follows accreditation requirements. Students in this option take four Foundation courses, five Bioscience Core courses, six BMS:MLS core courses, and five Major Elective courses. One capstone experience, supervised and approved within the major, is required of all seniors. The capstone explores areas of interest based on the integration of prior learning. In addition, all other University academic requirements must be completed, including those for Discovery Program and the University Writing Requirement.
A grade of C-minus or above is required in BMS:MLS Core Courses.
Foundation Courses
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
CHEM 403 | General Chemistry I 1 | 4 |
CHEM 404 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
CHEM 545 & CHEM 546 | Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2 | 5 |
Select one of the following statistics courses: 3 | ||
BIOL 528 | Applied Biostatistics I | 4 |
or PSYC 402 | Statistics in Psychology | |
or SOC 402 | Statistics | |
or MATH 439 | Statistical Discovery for Everyone |
Bioscience Core Courses
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
BMS 508 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
GEN 604 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
BMCB 658 & BMCB 659 | General Biochemistry and General Biochemistry Lab | 5 |
Select one of the following: | ||
BMS 503 & BMS 504 | General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory | 4-5 |
or BMS 501 | Microbes in Human Disease | |
Select one of the following: | ||
BMS 507 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
BIOL 411 | Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular 2, 4 | 0 or 4 |
- 1
CHEM 403 fulfills the Physical Science Discovery requirement.
- 2
Students applying to health profession schools need a full year of Organic Chemistry, a full year of Introductory Biology, and a full year of English. CHEM 651/CHEM 653 and CHEM 652/CHEM 654 should be taken in place of CHEM 545/CHEM 546; ENGL 502 or ENGL 503 is suggested in addition to ENGL 401. See Pre-Professional Health Program Advising.
- 3
Statistics fulfills the Quantitative Reasoning Discovery requirement.
- 4
BIOL 411 fulfills the Biological Science Discovery requirement, Discovery Laboratory requirement, and the Discovery Inquiry requirement
BMS-MLS Core Courses
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
BMS 401 | Professional Perspectives in Biomedical Sciences | 1 |
BMS 560 & BMS 561 | Body Fluids and Body Fluids Laboratory | 4 |
BMS 602 & BMS 603 | Pathogenic Microbiology and Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory | 5 |
BMS 642 & BMS 643 | Clinical Immunology and Serology and Clinical Serology Laboratory | 4 |
BMS 650 | Molecular Diagnostics | 4 |
BMS 720 | Mycology, Parasitology, and Virology 5 | 3 |
- 5
If BMS 721 is taken concurrently with BMS 720, it may count as one of the two required Laboratory Electives. However, BMS 721 is not a Major Elective course, so five Major Electives must still be completed, at least one of which includes a lab component, plus four additional Major Electives with or without lab.
BMS-MLS Major Electives
A total of five unique Major Electives is required. Two courses must have a laboratory component.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Choose TWO Major Electives with a Laboratory | ||
BMS 623 | Histology: Microscopic Cellular Structure and Function | 4 |
BMS 644 & BMS 645 | Clinical Hematology and Clinical Hematology Laboratory 6 | 5 |
BMS 656 & BMS 657 | Immunohematology and Blood Banking Laboratory 6 | 4 |
BMS 658 & BMS 659 | Medical Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry Laboratory 6 | 5 |
BMS 706 & BMS 708 | Virology and Virology Laboratory | 5 |
BMS 721 | Mycology, Parasitology, and Virology Laboratory 5,6 | 2 |
BMS 725 | Cell Phenotyping and Tissue Engineering Laboratory | 4 |
BMS 740 | Human Microbiome | 4 |
BMCB 753 | Cell Culture | 5 |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Choose THREE Major Electives from the list below (FOUR if BMS 721 is counted as a Laboratory course) | ||
BMS 610 | Biomedical Lab Management 6 | 4 |
BMS 623 | Histology: Microscopic Cellular Structure and Function | 4 |
BMS 635 | Preceptorial in Prehospital Care | 2 |
BMS 640 | Phlebotomy Theory 6 | 2 |
BMS 641 | Phlebotomy Clinical Internship 6 | 1-2 |
BMS 644 | Clinical Hematology 6 | 3 |
BMS 644 & BMS 645 | Clinical Hematology and Clinical Hematology Laboratory 6 | 5 |
BMS 644 & BMS 646 | Clinical Hematology and Clinical Hemostasis 6 | 4 |
BMS 656 & BMS 657 | Immunohematology and Blood Banking Laboratory 6 | 4 |
BMS 658 & BMS 659 | Medical Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry Laboratory 6 | 5 |
BMS 702 | Endocrinology | 4 |
BMS 703 | Infectious Disease and Health | 4 |
BMS 704 | Pathologic Basis of Disease | 4 |
BMS 706 & BMS 708 | Virology and Virology Laboratory | 5 |
BMS 711 | Toxicology | 4 |
BMS 719 | Host-Microbe Interactions | 4 |
BMS 725 | Cell Phenotyping and Tissue Engineering Laboratory | 4 |
BMS 730 | Ethical Issues in Biomedical Science | 4 |
BMS 735 | Molecular and Cellular Parasitology | 4 |
BMS 740 | Human Microbiome | 4 |
BMS 749 | Case Studies in Hematology and Immunology | 2 |
BMS 750 | Case Studies in Microbiology 6 | 2 |
BMS 751 | Advanced Clinical Microbiology Internship 6 | 5 |
BMS 752 | Advanced Hematology Internship 6 | 5 |
BMS 753 | Advanced Immunohematology Internship 6 | 5 |
BMS 754 | Advanced Clinical Chemistry Internship 6 | 5 |
BMS 761 | Clinical Microbiology Internship | 20 |
BMS 790 | Undergraduate Teaching Experience | 1-4 |
BMS 795 | Investigations in Biomedical Science | 1-8 |
BMS 795W | Investigations in Biomedical Science | 1-8 |
BMS 799 | Senior Thesis (4-credit minimum) | 1-4 |
BMS 799H | Senior Honors Thesis (4-credit minimum) | 1-4 |
BMCB 605 | Principles of Cell Biology | 4 |
BMCB 753 | Cell Culture | 5 |
BMCB 760 | Pharmacology | 4 |
GEN 706 | Human Genetics | 4 |
GEN 721 | Comparative Genomics | 4 |
SOC 635W | Medical Sociology | 4 |
Other Internships 7 |
- 6
Required for students interested in MLS clinical generalist internship
- 7
A 20 credit Clinical Hematology Internship covering advanced instruction in hematology and hemostasis at a local hospital or reference laboratory is also available. Please see your advisor for information.
Approved BMS:MLS Capstone Courses
The capstone explores areas of interest based on the integration of prior learning. The capstone requirement may be satisfied through a course, created work or product, or some form of experiential learning (e.g., honors thesis, mentored research project, or other special student activity). Students may take more than one capstone course. Capstone completion is never displayed on Degree Works; your advisor will certify capstone completion at the time of graduation. Students must have 90 credits or more when completing their capstone requirement. See your advisor for questions about capstones.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
BMS 635 | Preceptorial in Prehospital Care | 2 |
BMS 656 | Immunohematology | 3 |
BMS 658 | Medical Biochemistry | 3 |
BMS 719 | Host-Microbe Interactions | 4 |
BMS 725 | Cell Phenotyping and Tissue Engineering Laboratory | 4 |
BMS 740 | Human Microbiome | 4 |
BMS 747 | Case Studies in Bloodbanking | 1 |
BMS 748 | Case Studies in Medical Biochemistry | 1 |
BMS 749 | Case Studies in Hematology and Immunology | 2 |
BMS 750 | Case Studies in Microbiology | 2 |
BMS 751 | Advanced Clinical Microbiology Internship | 5 |
BMS 752 | Advanced Hematology Internship | 5 |
BMS 753 | Advanced Immunohematology Internship | 5 |
BMS 754 | Advanced Clinical Chemistry Internship | 5 |
BMS 761 | Clinical Microbiology Internship | 20 |
BMS 790 | Undergraduate Teaching Experience (2 semesters, including lab presentation or instruction) | 1-4 |
BMS 795 | Investigations in Biomedical Science | 1-8 |
BMS 795W | Investigations in Biomedical Science | 1-8 |
BMS 799 | Senior Thesis (4-credit minimum) | 1-4 |
BMS 799H | Senior Honors Thesis (4-credit minimum) | 1-4 |
BMCB 753 | Cell Culture | 5 |
INCO 790 | Advanced Research Experience (4-credit minimum) | 1-4 |
Other Internships 7 |
For a Capstone experience not listed above, such as an internship, submit a Capstone Experience Approval form prior to beginning the experience.
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.
Explore Program Details
How long is the clinical internship?
- The clinical internship is a 16-week unpaid clinical experience where students train alongside laboratory technologists in the areas of hematology, chemistry, microbiology and blood bank.
- Following the completion of the clinical internship, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam offered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) to become certified Medical Laboratory Scientists.
What is the benefit of completing the clinical internship?
- Graduates who complete the clinical internship are eligible to sit for the ASCP certification exam. Passing the ASCP certification exam makes students eligible to be hired as nationally certified Medical Laboratory Scientists.
- Medical Laboratory Scientists are in high demand: job growth is currently projected to be above average for many years.
- All clinical internship graduates since 2014 have had a 100% employment rate upon graduation from the program.
What is your first-time pass rate on the ASCP certification exam?
- The first-time pass rate on the ASCP certification exam was 97% from 2013-2015 and 92% from 2016-2018.
- The national first-time pass rate for hospital-based programs during these times was 79% and 84%, respectively.
Where do students go to participate in their clinical internship?
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is our primary clinical affiliate, taking approximately 9 students each year.
- Other clinical sites include Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Catholic Medical Center, Lahey Clinic, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Portsmouth Regional Hospital and NorDx/Maine Medical Center.
What are the eligibility requirements for the clinical internship?
- A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and a minimum 2.5 GPA in the required Medical Laboratory Science courses.
- Positive recommendation and evaluation from three out of the four Medical Laboratory Science faculty.
- A minimum average of 70% on all lecture exams in the required Medical Laboratory Science courses.
Where are your program graduates employed once they complete the clinical internship?
- Graduates can be found in virtually every hospital in NH!
- NH sites include Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Exeter Hospital, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Concord Hospital.
- Sites outside of NH include Gifford Hospital, Lahey Clinic, Boston Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Hospital (Bangor, ME) and Fletcher-Allen Medical Center.
What other career options are there for students in the major who may not be interested in the clinical internship?
- Students have a wide variety of career options when graduating with a degree in Biomedical Science: Medical Laboratory Science.
- Many of our students that do not complete the clinical internship pursue careers as physician assistants or enroll in accelerated nursing programs.
- Students also pursue careers in public health, as research scientists in the biomedical industry, in technical writing, in business and marketing and many, many others.
- Faculty advisors work individually with students to determine their career goals and select the courses that best prepare that student to be a competitive entry-level applicant in their chosen field.
Where are your program graduates employed that do not complete the clinical internship?
Program graduates who do not earn certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist work in a variety of places based on their career choices, including Lonza, Cell Signaling Technologies, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Toxikon, Idexx, Joslin Diabetes Center and Thermo-Fisher Scientific amongst many others.
How does the phlebotomy internship work?
- The phlebotomy internship is an 80-hour unpaid clinical experience at a hospital or outpatient draw facility, typically performed over the summer between sophomore and junior year.
- Students are placed at sites local to their home and are frequently offered per-diem employment upon successful completion of their internship.
Is it possible to study abroad in this major?
- Absolutely! It is easier for students to study abroad if they are not pursuing the clinical internship because the courses the students need are only available on the UNH campus.
- Students who are interested in studying abroad work with their advisor to carefully map out their coursework and typically plan to study abroad through one of UNH’s many sponsored programs in the spring of their junior year.
- Often, coursework taken during the semester abroad fulfills Discovery requirements but does not typically fulfill any major requirements.
Can I complete a minor?
- Definitely! Again, it is easier to complete a minor if a student is not completing the clinical internship because there is greater flexibility in course selection but even for the clinical track students it can be done.
- Faculty typically encourage students to pursue a minor starting in their sophomore or juniors years, once they have a better idea about their career interests.
The clinical program within the Medical Laboratory Science option has had a 3-year pass rate on the American Society of Clinical Pathologists Board of Certification exam of 85% between 1/1/2018 and 5/31/2021. There is 0% attrition and a 100% graduation rate for all students beginning the 2nd half of the program. One hundred percent of the clinical students find employment within a very short period of time after graduation and many are hired before they even complete the program.
As part of the University of New Hampshire’s Discovery Program requirements, all students must complete a Capstone experience.
Advising is available for UNH students, alumni, and post baccalaureates pursuing health professional careers.
The Pre-Health Advising Office provides support throughout the process of preparing for health professions school from advising on the courses they should take to helping navigate through the complex steps of the application process.