2015-2016 University Catalog
Medical Laboratory Science, BS
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Banner Code: SC-BS-MLAB
This program of study is offered by the Department of Biology in the College of Science .
This program requires the equivalent of three years of full-time preprofessional study at the college level preceding a senior year of professional education in an affiliated school of medical laboratory science. All affiliated schools are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Responsibility for applying to schools of medical laboratory science and gaining admission rests with the student; however, guidance is provided by the medical laboratory science program director. Admission to medical laboratory science schools is selective, so candidates should strive for strong academic standing. Students who fail to gain admission to an affiliated NAACLS-approved school are unable to complete the degree program. Such students may transfer to the biology major without loss of credits.
Application to medical laboratory science schools should be initiated about a year before the desired entrance date. This fact, coupled with the large number of required courses in the preprofessional curriculum, makes it imperative that students in the program consult regularly with the medical laboratory science program coordinator. All medical laboratory science majors and prospective majors are urged to enroll in MLAB 200 as early as possible. This course provides information on the profession, as well as the educational demands placed on candidates.
Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees including the Mason Core* . In addition:
- Students must complete MLAB 200 and present the following courses in their biology coursework and supporting requirements with a minimum GPA of 2.00.
- A grade of ‘C’ or better must be earned in BIOL 213 in order to advance to other major requirements. Students may repeat BIOL 213 once and a second time only with permission of the Department of Biology .
- Medical laboratory science majors must earn a minimum of ‘C’ in all biology core courses listed below.
- Through the coursework below, majors satisfy the Mason Core requirements in ‘Natural Science’, ‘Quantitative Reasoning’, and ‘Information Technology’.
- Taking MLAB 300 fulfills this major’s writing intensive requirement.
- *Note: Because of the extensive preprofessional education requirements stipulated by NAACLS, students majoring in medical laboratory science are exempt from the Mason Core ‘Arts’ requirement.
Senior students are registered at the university through special procedures. For details, consult the medical laboratory science program coordinator.
Students should be aware that the senior year spent off campus requires the following special interpretation of university policies: transfer students must present at least 16 credits of 300 to 400-level biology or chemistry coursework taken at Mason; no unsatisfactory grades (less than ‘C’) may be presented for courses in the senior year of professional study. Transfer students entering with more than 45 transfer credits are often unable to complete the preprofessional phase of their program in the usual three years of full-time study.
Important information and departmental policies are listed in the Department of Biology section of this catalog.
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