The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program is administered by the Department of Pathology, School of Medicine.
Program Office: 5R472 School of Medicine, 581-7913
Mailing Address: Department of Pathology, Medical Laboratory Science, 50 N. Medical Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84132
Web Address: telpath2.med.utah.edu/study/mls/mls.htm
Director of MLS Education, JoAnn Fenn, M.S., M.T. (ASCP), 581-3971
Program Director, Larry E. Schoeff, M.S., M.T. (ASCP), 5R441 School of Medicine, 585-6989, (e-mail) lschoeff@hsc.utah.edu
Medical Director, Joseph A. Knight, M.D.

Faculty
Professors. G. Croft, J. Knight.
Associate Professors. K. Brown, J. Fenn, L. Schoeff.
Assistant Professor. R. Buxton.
Associate Instructor. M. Stuart.
Additional faculty are listed under Pathology elsewhere in this section.

Undergraduate Programs

Degree. B.S. in medical laboratory science. Choice of two programs of study: (1) emphasis in medical technology or (2) emphasis in cytotechnology.

Medical Technology Specialization
The B.S. degree curriculum gives the student early exposure to the profession through professional course work and clinical experience integrated with other University classes. The student typically begins professional course work (lecture and student lab) early summer session of the junior year, and continues fall and spring semesters and early summer session of senior year. Clinical experience occurs during the senior year and utilizes local affiliated institutions.

This program provides students the knowledge and technical skills to work in a modern diagnostic medical laboratory. The performance of laboratory tests and analyses by the medical laboratory scientist aids the physician in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and the maintenance of health. Medical laboratory science is comprised of study in clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, immunohematology, and hematology. A scheduled clinical practicum through each of these areas of the laboratory in a clinical facility is required. Upon completion of the degree program, students are eligible to take a national certification examination.

All students must meet with the program director, Larry Schoeff, for program advising prior to application to the MLS program.

Admission. Pre-medical laboratory science may be selected as a pre major by any student planning to seek admission to the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program major. Applicants must successfully complete the prerequisite courses in chemistry, biology, and mathematics and have cumulative and science GPAs of 2.5 or higher. International applicants must score 45 or higher on the SPEAK examination prior to admission. The number of students admitted to the program is dependent on the number of affiliated clinical laboratories capable of taking students for their senior-year clinical experience. Currently, 15-20 students are accepted each year. The criteria used for selection of students include cumulative and science GPA, three reference letters, essay, and experience. Interviews may be conducted when applicants have equal qualifications.

Students should submit applications to the program between January 1 and March 1 to be considered for summer admission.

Requirements for Graduation. The following are minimum requirements for graduating with the B.S. degree in medical laboratory science:

1. Completion of prerequisite science courses and University general education requirements.
2. Successful completion of all MLS professional courses. All MD LB professional courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
3. Student conduct consistent with professional standards and ethics. Failure to comply could lead to censure, probation, suspension or dismissal.
4. Successful completion of MLS Comprehensive Exam at the end of the MLS Program.

Cytotechnology Specialization
Program Director, Michael C. Berry, C.T. (ASCP), Cytology Laboratory, ARUP, 583-2787, (e-mail) Michael.C.Berry@m.cc.utah.edu
Web Address: telpath2.med.utah.edu/study/mls/cytotech/cytotech.htm
Medical Director, C.J. Marshall

Faculty
Assistant Professor. C.J. Marshall.
Instructors. M. Berry, L. Rowe.
Additional faculty are listed under Pathology elsewhere in this section.

The department also offers a specialization in cytotechnology. The use of diagnostic cytology allows cells from virtually any body cavity or organ to be examined for detection of a wide range of abnormalities, including cancer. Students gain an in-depth understanding of clinical cytology by studying the theoretical and practical aspects of cytopathology in addition to the anatomy, physiology, endocrinology, and histology of each organ accessible to cytologic study.

Cytotechnology graduates can readily fill positions in hospital, reference, and private laboratories as well as in industry and research. Additional education allows graduates to expand their careers into teaching, administration, and advanced research and scientific technology.

Admission. Requirements for admission to the cytotechnology specialization are similar to those for the medical technologist specialization. Students should contact the program director for details and submit applications to the program between September 1 and December 1 to be considered for summer admission. The cytotechnology student typically has finished all preprofessional course work by the end of the junior year and begins professional course work the summer preceding the senior year.

Requirements. Students must successfully complete all cytotechnology program requirements.

The other minimum requirements for the B.S. degree in medical laboratory science with a specialization in cytotechnology are the same as those for the medical technology specialization.

All professional courses must be passed with a grade of C or better.

Requirements for the Major
Total Hours: 79

Pre-Medical Laboratory Science Courses
BIOL 1000 General Biology (4)
BIOL 2320 Human Physiology (4)
BIOL 2315 Human Anatomy (4)
BIOL 2001 Principles of Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics (4)
CHEM 1210/1230 and 1220/1240 General Chemistry I, II (10)
CHEM 2310, 2330 Organic Chemistry I, Lab (5)
MATH 1050, 1070 College Algebra, Elementary Statistics (4,3)

Medical Laboratory Science Courses
MD LB 4450 Diagnostic Cytopathology (3)
MD LB 4460 Clinical Microscopy (3)
MD LB 4470 Cytopreparatory Techniques (1)
MD LB 4480 Diagnostic Cytopathology (3)
MD LB 4550 Diagnostic Cytopathology (3)
MD LB 4560 Clinical Microscopy (3)
MD LB 4570 Cytopreparatory Techniques (1)
MD LB 4580 Diagnostic Cytopathology (3)
MD LB 4650 Clinical Cytopathology (4)
MD LB 4660 Clinical Cytopathology (4)
MD LB 4670 Clinical Cytopathology (4)
MD LB 4950 Medical Writing (1)
MD LB 4980 Clinical Cytopathology (4)
MD LB 4990 Independent Study (2 or 4)
MD LB 5100 Introduction to Education Methodology (1)
MD LB 5130 Laboratory Management (1)

Graduate Program
Master's Program Office: 5R472 School of Medicine, 581-3971
Co-Directors for Master's Program: Joseph Knight, M.D., and JoAnn Fenn, M.S., M.T. (ASCP)
Web Address: telpath2.med.utah.edu/study/mls/grad/grad.htm

Faculty. Instructors are drawn from the regular faculty of the Department of Pathology. For information, see Pathology elsewhere in this section of the catalog.

Degree. M.S. in medical laboratory science
Areas of Specialization. Clinical chemistry, immunochemistry, hematology, immunohematology, cytology, clinical microbiology, clinical virology, immunology, cellular and molecular biology.

Special Admission Requirements. Recommended are a B.S. degree in medical laboratory science or related science, certification by a nationally recognized agency, three letters of recommendation, and clinical experience. For international students, the TOEFL and GRE are required.

MD LB Course Descriptions