Academic Programs Catalog

College of Natural Science

Undergraduate Programs

The Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics (BLD) Program offers undergraduate degree programs as a foundation for students planning to enter a career in human medicine.  The program’s majors apply basic science backgrounds in chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics to medical science. The curriculum focuses on courses with a diagnostic medicine emphasis that include topics in hematology, immunology, transfusion, hemostasis, clinical microbiology, molecular diagnostics, and clinical chemistry.  Course work also emphasizes laboratory skills, critical thinking, problem solving, and case-based learning.  As a result, students enrolled in the BLD program have a unique diagnostic background and skillset as they prepare for careers in medical science, research, graduate school, medical school, dental school, veterinary sciences, physician assistant school, forensics, and other health care related fields. 

There are two undergraduate programs offered in the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program.  They are Biomedical Laboratory Science and Medical Laboratory Science.  All students initially select the Biomedical Laboratory Science major.

Students interested in a career as a certified Medical Laboratory Scientist may choose to apply to the limited-enrollment Medical Laboratory Science degree.  Medical Laboratory Science, historically called Medical Technology, is the health profession focused on providing medical laboratory testing on human samples for patient screening, disease diagnosis and monitoring of human health. Medical laboratory test results have a significant impact in healthcare and are utilized in patient treatment decisions.  Medical Laboratory Scientists carry out the testing process from sample collection to reporting results to the health care provider. This includes test method selection, development, assay performance, quality assurance, instrument management, and result analysis in a highly automated and computerized environment.  Medical Laboratory Scientists also manage laboratory operations including marketing, personnel management, regulatory compliance, and finances.  Our Medical Laboratory Science program is designed to meet the professional needs of graduates entering a highly regulated and rapidly changing environment driven by medical discovery. Our Program also prepares students for continuing professional education and advanced study beyond the bachelor’s degree. Students desiring such a career should plan to obtain national certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS). Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program advisors will assist students in this process.

Employment in medical diagnostic laboratories is just one of the many career opportunities available to graduates from the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program. The skills needed in a medical laboratory also translate readily into public health, clinical and biomedical research and other laboratory testing settings. Graduates may additionally find employment in pharmaceutical, laboratory instrument and medical devices sales and development, and technical support. Alumni successfully compete for admission to graduate and graduate professional schools such as medical school, dental school, veterinary sciences and physician assistant school.
 

Biomedical Laboratory Science

The biomedical laboratory science (BLS) academic program (major) is designed to prepare students for careers in a variety of applied biomedical sciences.  These include careers in the medical laboratory, public health, research, industry, human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, graduate school or other human health professional education.  The BLD courses are focused in curricular spirals within six disciplines: Clinical Chemistry, Molecular Diagnostics, Immunology and Immunohematology, Hematology and Hemostasis, Medical Microbiology and Professional Writing (with a research and laboratory medicine emphasis). The medical laboratory experience required for national certification as a medical laboratory scientist is not included in this program, though BLS program advisors help students plan their career pathways. Students desiring Medical Laboratory Science certification are recommended to complete the medical laboratory science concentration and are responsible for securing accredited clinical experiences subsequent to completion of the degree.  The Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program will advise students in securing clinical practicum experiences.  The program will also provide advising and career support for students pursuing career pathways in public health, research, industry, human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or graduate school.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science
  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Biomedical Laboratory Science  major is met by completing Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics 456.  That course is referenced in item 3. b. below.

    Students who are enrolled in the College of Natural Science may complete the alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that is described in item 1. under the heading Graduation Requirements in the College statement.  Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be used to satisfy the alternative track.
  2. The requirements of the College of Natural Science for the Bachelor of Science degree.

    The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. Courses outside Biomedical Laboratory Science (44 to 51 credits):
    (1) All of the following courses (27 credits):
    BS 161 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
    BS 171 Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 2
    CEM 141 General Chemistry 4
    CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
    CEM 162 Chemistry Laboratory II 1
    CEM 251 Organic Chemistry I 3
    CEM 252 Organic Chemistry II 3
    MMG 365 Medical Microbiology 3
    MMG 365L Medical Microbiology Laboratory 1
    PHY 231 Introductory Physics I 3
    PHY 232 Introductory Physics II 3
    (2) One of the following courses (3 credits):
    MTH 124 Survey of Calculus I 3
    MTH 132 Calculus I 3
    (3) One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
    STT 200 Statistical Methods 3
    STT 201 Statistical Methods 4
    STT 231 Statistics for Scientists 3
    STT 351 Probability and Statistics for Engineering 3
    STT 421 Statistics I 3
    (4) One of the following, either (a) or (b) (4 or 6 credits):
    (a) BMB 401 Comprehensive Biochemistry 4
    (b) BMB 461 Advanced Biochemistry I 3
    BMB 462 Advanced Biochemistry II 3
    (5) One of the following, either (a) or (b) (4 or 8 credits):
    (a) PSL 310 Physiology for Pre-Health Professionals 4
    (b) PSL 431 Human Physiology I 4
    PSL 432 Human Physiology II 4
    (6) One of the following courses (3 credits):
    MMG 201 Fundamentals of Microbiology 3
    MMG 301 Introductory Microbiology 3
    b. All of the following Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics courses (24 credits):
    BLD 121 Survive and Thrive Freshman Seminar 1
    BLD 204 Mechanisms of Disease 3
    BLD 213L Clinical Laboratory Methods 2
    BLD 302 Clinical Chemistry 2
    BLD 313 Quality in Clinical Laboratory Practice 3
    BLD 314L Advanced Clinical Laboratory Methods 1
    BLD 324 Hematology and Hemostasis  3
    BLD 430 Molecular Laboratory Diagnostics 2
    BLD 434 Clinical Immunology 3
    BLD 435 Immunohematology 2
    BLD 456 Medical Laboratory Professionalism (W) 2
    c. One of the following concentrations or minor:
      Advanced Biomedical Technologies (11 or 12 credits):
    (1) All of the following courses (8 credits):
    BLD 461 Advanced Biomedical Technologies 3
    BLD 461L Advanced Biomedical Technologies Laboratory 1
    CMSE 201 Computational Modeling and Data Analysis I 4
    (2) One of the following, either (a) or (b) (3 or 4 credits):
    (a)  All of the following courses:
     BLD 439 Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics 1
     BLD 446 Immunobiology Neoplasia 1
     BLD 447 Immunotherapy and Immunomodulation 1
    (b) One of the following courses:
        CMSE 202 Computational Modeling and Data Analysis II 4
      MMG 431 Microbial Genetics 3
      MMG 465 Advanced Medical Microbiology 3
    Clinical Chemistry (12 or 13 credits):
    (1) All of the following courses (7 credits):
       BLD  402 Advanced Clinical Chemistry  4
       CEM  333 Instrumental Methods and Applications  3
    (2) Two of the following courses (5 or 6 credits):
       BE  230 Engineering Analysis of Biological Systems  3
       CEM  255 Organic Chemistry Laboratory  2
       CEM  262 Quantitative Analysis  3
       CEM  311 Inorganic Chemistry  3
       CEM  383 Introductory Physical Chemistry I  3
    PHM 321 Common Drugs 3
       PHM  350 Introductory Human Pharmacology  3
       PHM  430 Human Pharmacology  3
       PHM  450 Introduction to Chemical Toxicology  3
       Medical Microbiology (10 to 12 credits) 
    (1) All of the following courses (8 credits): 
       MMG  465 Advanced Medical Microbiology  3
       MMG  465L  Advanced Medical Microbiology Laboratory  2
       MMG  461 Molecular Pathogenesis  3
    (2) One of the following courses (2 to 4 credits):
       BE  230 Engineering Analysis of Biological Systems  3
       BLD  366 Infectious Diseases of East Africa  4
    BLD 461 Advanced Biomedical Technologies 3
       BLD  861 Emerging Infections, Emerging Technology  2
       EPI  390 Disease in Society: Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health 4
       HM  801 Introduction to Public Health  3
       MMG  413 Virology  3
        MMG  421 Prokaryotic Cell Physiology  3
        MMG  431 Microbial Genetics  3
      Hematology and Hemostasis (7 to 9 credits)
    (1) All of the following courses (3 credits):
       BLD  424 Advanced Hematology and Hemostasis  2
       BLD  424L  Advanced Hematology, Hemostasis and Urinalysis Laboratory  1
    (2) Two of the following courses (2 credits):
       BLD  439 Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics  1
       BLD  446 Immunobiology of Neoplasia  1
       BLD  447 Immunomodulation and Immunotherapy  1
    (3) One of the following courses (2 to 4 credits): 
    BLD  815 Cell Biology in Health and Disease I  2
    IBIO 341 Fundamental Genetics 4
          IBIO  408 Histology  4
       IBIO  425 Cells and Development (W) 4
       IBIO  450 Cancer Biology (W) 3
    MMG  409 Eukaryotic Cell Biology  3
    PHM  350 Introductory Human Pharmacology  3
    Medical Laboratory Science (13 credits)
       All of the following courses: 
       BLD  402 Advanced Clinical Chemistry  4
       BLD  424 Advanced Hematology and Hemostasis  2
       BLD  424L  Advanced Hematology, Hemostasis and Urinalysis Laboratory  1
       BLD  435L  Immunohematology Laboratory  1
       MMG  465 Advanced Medical Microbiology  3
       MMG  465L  Advanced Medical Microbiology Laboratory  2


Medical Laboratory Science

The medical laboratory science major is designed to prepare students for certification in medical laboratory science. The program includes courses in the biomedical laboratory sciences, communications, mathematics and statistics, and medical laboratory sciences coupled with clinical practicum experiences. It is designed to prepare graduates for certification and immediate employment in medical laboratories upon graduation by including a six-month hospital laboratory experience.

The Bachelor of Science degree program in medical laboratory science has been accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, Illinois 60018; phone (773) 714-8880.

Admission

Enrollment in the medical laboratory science major is limited. A new cohort is admitted at the end of the spring semester of the junior year. Applications for admission are due by the end of fall semester of the junior year. Applicant interviews are conducted during the spring semester of junior year. Admission decisions for students admitted to the medical laboratory science major are made following review of final grades from spring semester of junior year. 

To be considered for admission, the applicant must meet the following minimum criteria, in addition to the College of Natural Science admission requirements:

  1. Have an overall grade-point average of 2.50 or better including courses taken at other institutions.
  2. Have a grade-point average of 2.50 or better in the following courses: BLD 204, BLD 213L, BLD 313, and BLD 314L.
  3. Have completed BMB 401, MMG 365, MMG 365L, BLD 324, and BLD 434.
Students who present other exceptional credentials, but do not meet the grade-point criterion noted above, may be considered for admission on a provisional basis.

Applications for admission to the medical laboratory science major are reviewed by a committee of faculty. Factors considered by the Admission Committee in the applicant’s review and admission action are: (1) academic record including grade-point averages in science and non-science courses; (2) grades for selected preclinical courses; (3) laboratory science exposure; (4) interview; and (5) compositions. Students who are admitted provisionally and require additional course work to remedy deficiencies may not count this course work towards the fulfillment of degree requirements.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Science
  1. A minimum of 134 credits is required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science.
  2. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Medical Laboratory Science major is met by completing Biomedical Laboratory Science 456.  That course is referenced in item 4. b. below.

    Students who are enrolled in the College of Natural Science may complete the alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that is described in item 1. under the heading Graduation Requirements in the College statement.  Certain courses referenced in requirement 4. below may be used to satisfy the alternative track.
  3. The requirements of the College of Natural Science for the Bachelor of Science degree. The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 4. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
  4. The following requirements for the major:
    a. Courses outside Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics (52 to 59 credits):
    (1) All of the following courses (35 credits): 
    BS  161 Cell and Molecular Biology  3
    BS  171 Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory  2
        CEM  141 General Chemistry  4
        CEM  161 Chemistry Laboratory I  1
        CEM  162 Chemistry Laboratory II  1
        CEM  251 Organic Chemistry I  3
        CEM  252 Organic Chemistry II  3
        CEM  333 Instrumental Methods and Applications  3
        MMG  365 Medical Microbiology  3
        MMG  365L  Medical Microbiology Laboratory  1
        MMG  465 Advanced Medical Microbiology  3
        MMG  465L  Advanced Medical Microbiology Laboratory  2
        PHY  231 Introductory Physics I  3
        PHY  232 Introductory Physics II  3
    (2) One of the following courses (3 credits):
       MTH  124 Survey of Calculus I  3
        MTH  132 Calculus I  3
    (3) One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
    STT  200 Statistical Methods  3
        STT  201 Statistical Methods  4
        STT  231 Statistics for Scientists  3
      STT  351 Probability and Statistics for Engineering  3
        STT  421 Statistics I  3
    (4) One of the following, either (a) or (b) (4 or 6 credits):
    (a) BMB  401 Comprehensive Biochemistry  4
    (b) BMB  461 Advanced Biochemistry I  3
    BMB  462 Advanced Biochemistry II  3
    (5)  One of the following, either (a) or (b) (4 or 6 credits):
    (a) PSL  310 Physiology for Pre-Health Professionals  4
    (b) PSL  431 Human Physiology I  4
    PSL  432 Human Physiology II  4
    (6) One of the following courses (3 credits):
    MMG 201 Fundamentals of Microbiology  3
       MMG  301 Introductory Microbiology  3
    b. All of the following Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics courses (47 credits):
       BLD  121 Survive and Thrive Freshman Seminar  1
       BLD  204 Mechanisms of Disease  3
       BLD  213L  Clinical Laboratory Methods  2
       BLD  302 Clinical Chemistry  2
       BLD  313 Quality in Clinical Laboratory Practice  3
       BLD  314L  Advanced Clinical Laboratory Methods  1
       BLD  324 Hematology and Hemostasis  3
       BLD  402 Advanced Clinical Chemistry   4
       BLD  424 Advanced Hematology and Hemostasis  2
       BLD  424L  Advanced Hematology, Hemostasis and Urinalysis Laboratory  1
       BLD  430 Molecular Diagnostics  2
       BLD  434 Clinical Immunology  3
       BLD  435 Immunohematology  2
       BLD  435L  Immunohematology Laboratory  1
       BLD  445 Medical Laboratory Management  1
    BLD  456 Medical Laboratory Professionalism (W) 2
       BLD  471L  Advanced Clinical Chemistry Laboratory  3
       BLD  473L  Advanced Clinical Hematology and Body Fluids Laboratory  3
       BLD  475L  Advanced Clinical Immunology and Immunohematology Laboratory  2
       BLD  477L  Advanced Clinical Microbiology Laboratory  3
       BLD  479 Professional Behavior in Medical Laboratory Science 1
       BLD  480 Medical Laboratory Science Examinations I  1
       BLD  481 Medical Laboratory Science Examinations II  1
    During the clinical practicum, usually two semesters, the student may be required to relocate and/or commute to a clinical laboratory in an affiliated clinical facility.
 Academic Standards

To progress to the clinical phase of the curriculum, students must earn a grade-point average of 2.50 or higher in MMG 465, MMG 465L, BLD 402, BLD 424, BLD 424L, BLD 430, BLD 435, and BLD 435L. Students who do not meet this progression standard will be dismissed from the medical laboratory science degree and can graduate with a biomedical laboratory science degree.

A specific statement of the policies for the clinical phase is provided in the Student Policies for Medical Laboratory Science Students. These policies are provided to all students upon acceptance to the major, but may be obtained earlier from the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program, 354 Farm Lane, Room N322, East Lansing, MI 48824. Admitted students are responsible for knowing and adhering to these program policies.