Biology with Medical Laboratory Science Specialization (BS)

Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology with an MLS Specialization at Indiana State?

Medical laboratory scientists are necessary in every medical field. They work in hospitals and labs helping to diagnose and treat diseases through analysis of biological tissue and fluid samples.

As a biology major at Indiana State University with a medical laboratory science specialization, you will prepare for a practical and rewarding career in healthcare.

Our “3+1” program includes three years of study at Indiana State and a one-year hospital internship. The program concludes with an examination by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists to become a registered medical laboratory scientist.  

Learn from Our Excellent Faculty

Indiana State's instructors will encourage you to explore your interest in molecular pathology, medical laboratory research, and other biological sciences. Our small class sizes give you the opportunity to work alongside your professors as they advise on patient care. They have clinical experience and will help you prepare for your clinical year of study.

Your instructors will also encourage you to participate in a number of medically related, ongoing research projects in the Department of Biology, and to become active in activities and organizations, including Indiana State’s chapter of the Tri-Beta Biology Honorary Society.

Conduct Research in Our Labs

Our on-campus laboratory centers for biological sciences include the Center for Genomic Advocacy, with equipment for sequencing genomes and studying molecular microbiology, immunology, and physiology; the Indiana University School of Medicine-Terre Haute, located on Indiana State’s campus; and other on-campus laboratory facilities that facilitate hands-on learning and research activity.   

What You'll Learn in the Biology with Medical Laboratory Science Specialization Program

The BS in biology with a medical laboratory science specialization is ideal for students interested in pursuing a career as a medical laboratory scientist. Courses focus on biological sciences (including human physiology, immunology, microbiology, and genetics), chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Coursework is completed in three years. 

Following your required coursework, you will complete a 12-month senior year in an accredited affiliate hospital in Indiana: Hammond, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, or Vincennes. Financial aid and scholarships are available for most of the clinical programs. During this clinical experience, you will work side-by-side with practicing medical laboratory scientists in hospital laboratories.

You must maintain an overall 2.7 GPA to be accepted into the competitive hospital clinical program.

Career Possibilities for Biology with Medical Laboratory Science Specialization Majors

Our graduates are prepared for careers in healthcare, industry, business, and research. Demand for medical laboratory scientists is growing in hospital labs, community blood centers, medical research centers, public health labs, physicians’ offices, pharmaceutical firms, industrial labs, and university research centers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 17% growth rate for medical scientists from 2021 to 2031.

Many alumni also continue their education in graduate programs, including forensic biology, medicine, and other professional programs.    

Accreditation

Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.