Medical Laboratory Sciences


Your future in Medical Laboratory Sciences

Are you a good problem solver? Do you have strong technical skills? Do you want to work in the health services field? Then you should pursue a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences degree at the University of North Texas.

Medical laboratory scientists perform tests on blood, tissue and body fluids to determine proper treatment for illnesses and diseases. Their technical skills may be used in operating and repairing laboratory instruments and monitoring quality- control programs. Medical laboratory scientists work in or for a(n):

  • Blood bank
  • Coroner
  • Health maintenance organization
  • Independent laboratory serving hospitals and physicians
  • Insurance company
  • Laboratory of a hospital or clinic
  • Pharmaceutical firm
  • Physician's office
  • Research laboratory

Some medical laboratory scientists work for the armed forces, Peace Corps, Red Cross, U.S. Public Health Service or Veterans Affairs hospitals. Others provide educational programs, work in quality control, or pursue product development or sales jobs for companies that manufacture laboratory equipment and supplies.

What we offer

You'll combine classroom instruction with lab and practical experiences. The curriculum has been developed in cooperation with some of the state's top hospitals and medical centers. Our affiliations are with:

  • Tarleton State University Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences in Fort Worth
  • Methodist Hospital in Houston
  • Scott & White Hospital in Temple
  • Texas A&M University — Corpus Christi
  • United Regional Medical Health System in Wichita Falls
  • The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas
  • The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston

Our laboratory facilities in the Chemistry Building and the new Life Sciences Complex feature state- of-the-art equipment that allow you to examine cell structure and microorganisms and conduct other related research. Faculty members in the biological sciences and chemistry departments are dedicated to high-quality teaching and have earned recognition for their work.

We support several scholarships, including the Gladys Crawford Award, to help you pay for your education. You can become a member of Lambda Alpha Beta, a pre-professional society for students majoring in the medical laboratory sciences.

What to expect

As a medical laboratory sciences major, you will study:

  • Amino acids, carbohydrates, enzymes, proteins and vitamins in humans
  • Bacteria and disease
  • The immune system
  • Organic chemistry
  • Scientific methods for analyzing chemical reactions
  • The structure and function of cells, tissues and organ systems in animals and humans

You may also study animal parasites, genetics and techniques that laboratory professionals use to examine cells and body fluids under a microscope. You will also take general courses in management, technical writing and statistics.

A degree requirement is enrolling in a clinical training program at a hospital or university laboratory approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. These hospitals and laboratories typically require full time, 12 to 15 consecutive months of training.

Our Career Center and professional academic advisors are among the many valuable resources that are available to you at UNT. The Career Center can provide advice about internships, future employment opportunities and getting hands-on experience in your major. Academic advisors will help you plan your class schedule each semester.

How to enroll at Unt

High school students

We encourage you to fulfill the graduation requirements for the Recommended Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program in high school.

In your junior year, take the SAT or the ACT and have your scores sent to UNT.

In your senior year, apply for admission at www.applytexas.org by March 1 and request that your high school transcript be sent to the UNT admissions office.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses can count toward college credit at UNT. For details, visit www.unt.edu/credit.

Transfer students

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult our Transfer Articulation web page, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor/advisor to review your degree plan. Proper planning allows you to receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Our Transfer Center will help you make a successful transition to college life at UNT by connecting you to a peer mentor and other campus resources. Each year, we welcome more transfer students than any other institution in the state. The center is in the University Union, Room 320. More information is at transition.unt.edu.