Your Future in Medical Laboratory Sciences
Medical laboratory scientists perform tests on blood, tissue and body fluids to properly treat 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:
- Blood banks
- Coroner's offices
- Health maintenance organizations
- Independent laboratories serving hospitals and physicians
- Insurance companies
- Laboratories at hospitals or clinics
- Pharmaceutical firms
- Physician’s offices
- Research laboratories
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 laboratory equipment and supply manufacturers.
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:
- Baylor Scott & White in Temple
- Comanche County Memorial Hospital (School of Medical Technology) in Lawton, OK
- Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston
- Parkview School of Medical Laboratory Science in Pueblo, CO
- Tarleton State University at All Saints Hospital in Fort Worth
- United Regional Medical Health Care System (School of Medical Technology) in Wichita Falls
Our laboratory facilities in the Chemistry Building and the Life Sciences Complex feature state-of-the-art equipment that allows you to research cell structure and microorganisms. 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 pursue your degree. You can become a member of Lambda Alpha Beta, a pre-professional student organization for Medical Laboratory Sciences majors.
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; reactions; and 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. Another requirement is enrolling in a clinical training program at a hospital or university lab approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (5600 N. River Road, Suite 720; Rosemont, IL 60018-5119; telephone 847-939-3597). These hospitals and laboratories typically require full-time training for 12 to 16 consecutive months.