UNT Home | Undergraduate Majors and Interests | College of Arts and Sciences | Medical Technology
Biology
emphasizes study of living things.
Cytotechnology
emphasizes examining cell tissue for disease.
Engineering Technology
emphasizes technical skills combined with knowledge.
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University of North Texas
Undergraduate Admissions
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University of North Texas
Department of Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Advisor
P.O. Box 305220
Denton, Texas 76203-5220
Undergraduate Majors and Interests
Medical technologists, also known as clinical laboratory scientists, perform many laboratory tests to help physicians diagnose illness and provide treatment. They conduct chemical tests to determine blood glucose and cholesterol levels, examine tissues to detect diseases, and type and match blood samples for transfusions.
Medical technologists are problem solvers. They use their knowledge as well as technical skills to operate and repair laboratory instruments, monitor quality-control programs, produce patient test results and compare the results with the stages and symptoms of diseases.
By choosing medical technology as a major at the University of North Texas, you may manage laboratory information systems, consult for businesses or forensic cases, help scientists discover disease treatments and cures, or work in or for:
Some medical technologists 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.
A bachelor's degree with a major in medical technology will prepare you to enter most of these jobs. After graduation, you must become certified by passing an examination given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology or the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel. To advance further in this field, you may need to earn a master's degree.
UNT's Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies and interview preparation.
As a medical technology major, you will study:
You also may 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.
Faculty members in the biological sciences and chemistry departments are dedicated to high-quality teaching. One biological sciences faculty member was the only faculty member from a Texas college or university selected to participate in a program sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology. Five faculty members have been named Regents Professors for their outstanding teaching and research. Regents Professors devote at least half of their teaching load to introductory-level courses. Two biological sciences professors received UNT's President's Council University Teaching Award, and two others received the Shelton Excellence in Teaching Award.
The university has several special scholarships for enrolled medical technology majors, including the Gladys Crawford Award in Medical Technology. Medical technology majors can become members of Lambda Alpha Beta, a pre-professional society for students majoring in the clinical laboratory sciences.
As a medical technology major, you must complete a 12- to 15-month clinical training program at a hospital or university laboratory approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, in cooperation with the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. These hospitals and laboratories typically require full-time, 12 to 15 consecutive months of training.
International students on visas are recommended to speak with the program advisor at the beginning of their studies because of special circumstances regarding clinical training and visa status.
UNT's medical technology students complete their training at:
Admission to clinical training is competitive. You must apply for and be accepted into a clinical program.
If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:
You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.
To prepare for the medical technology major while in high school, you should have a strong foundation in science and mathematics. Courses such as general biology, anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, general chemistry, and statistics will be most beneficial.
As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.
If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor/advisor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.
The biological sciences faculty member who directs the medical technology program will help you each semester to select courses necessary to earn your degree and apply for clinical training. The department office is in the Biology Building, Room 210.
Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current
catalog.