Medical Laboratory Science, major

Owned by Jenni Piper
Last updated: Jun 04, 2024 by Amber Tobey
2 min read

Contact: Stephen Cessna
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Semester Hours: 34 + medical program
Core Intensives: Fulfills CE and TI. May fulfill 2 WI/CI.

A major in medical laboratory science consists of the 34 SH listed below followed by completion of the medical lab training program (usually one year) in an approved school of laboratory science or medical technology. In this program, the student completes three years of study (a minimum of 91 SH) at Eastern Mennonite University and a fourth year at the school of medical laboratory science. EMU has affiliation agreements with clinical laboratory science programs at Sentara RMH Medical Center and Augusta Health Center. Students may also select the Histotechnology option through Sentara RMH.  Alternatively, a student may elect to complete the biology major and enter the clinical program following receipt of the baccalaureate degree. Students should contact the academic advisor to discuss registration and enrollment details for the clinical year.  Grading for the clinical year is only pass/no credit, and clinical instructors are the sole arbiters of these grades. 

Students taking their Medical Laboratory Science or Histotechnology training year with an affiliated program (Augusta Health (AH), Sentara RMH (SRMH)) will be billed $50 per credit hour as well as activity and general services fees. These students will have access to the student support services and activities listed on myEMU.  EMU will not be involved in any payment to the affiliated laboratory science programs for applicable tuition, materials, or fees. The cost of AH or SRMH fees may be included in the student’s cost of attendance for aid purposes; however, this program does not meet EMU requirements for federal and institutional aid eligibility. Students may use a private student load to cover program costs and living expenses (more information here: emu.edu/financial-aid/loans#private) 

Required Courses (34 SH plus medical program)
Biology courses (16 SH):

  • BIOL 173 Concepts in Biology (4) 

  • BIOL 205 Intro to Microbiology (3) OR *BIOL 327 Advanced Microbiology (3) 

  • BIOL 240 Molecular and Cellular Biology (4) 

  • BIOL 337 Immunology (3) or PH 231 Foundations of Public Health Immunology (3)

  • Additional BIOL courses to reach 16 SH

Chemistry or biochemistry courses (16 SH):

  • CHEM 223 General Chemistry I (4) 

  • CHEM 224 General Chemistry II (4) 

  • CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry I (4) OR BIOCH 152 Human Biochemistry (2) 

  • *CHEM 320 Analytical Chemistry I (3) OR *CHEM 340 Analytical Chemistry II (3) 

  • Additional CHEM or BIOCH to reach 16 SH

Choose 2 SH in statistics:

  • STAT 120 Descriptive Statistics (2)

  • STAT 220 Inferential Statistics (2) 

* indicates the course is offered in alternate years

Enrollment in upper-level biology, biochemistry, chemistry and environmental science courses (BIOL, BIOCH, CHEM, ENVS 300s and 400s) requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all science and math courses (BIOL, BIOCH, CHEM, ENVS, MATH, PHYS). Students who fail to earn a C- in any coursework required for their major should promptly schedule a meeting with their advisor.