Undergraduate Programs

B.S Biology with a specialization in Medical Laboratory Science

Medical Laboratory Scientists, otherwise known as Medical Technologists, are the personnel that work in medical laboratories processing patient specimens to determine abnormalities during disease processes. They are trained to work in all areas of the hospital laboratory including blood chemistry, urinalysis, blood cross-matching and typing, hematology and microbiology. Jobs in Medical Laboratory Science start at $40-50,000/yr. At this time there is a shortage of clinical laboratory scientists and jobs are plentiful throughout the U.S.

Indiana State University Department of Biology offers a bachelor's degree in Biology with a Specialization in Medical Laboratory (formerly Clinical Laboratory Science) is awarded after completion of the "3-plus-1" program consisting of three years of study at ISU and a one year hospital internship. Acceptance into an internship program at one of five affiliated hospitals must be obtained. The program culminates in an examination by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists to become a registered Medical Laboratory Scientist.  The student must apply to and be accepted for entrance into the 4th year clinical program. Entrance into the program requires maintaining at least a overall 2.5 GPA, though a 3.0 GPA, or above, will greatly increase the chances of being accepted into the competitive hospital program.

ISU is affiliated with five hospital programs in Indiana located in Hammond, Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Fort Wayne and Vincennes. Financial aid and scholarships are available for most of the programs.

The requirements for the Medical Laboratory Sciences program are outlined in the ISU Course Catalog under the Department of Biology. The advisor for this program is Dr. Kathleen Dannelly, 812-237-2413, hdannelly@indstate.edu. Please contact Dr. Dannelly if you are interested to learn more about Clinical Laboratory Science.

Required Biology courses:
101--3 hrs.; 101L--1 hr.; 102--3 hrs.; 102L--1 hr.; 241--2 hr.; 241L--1hr.; 374--3 hrs.; 374L--2 hr.; 380--3 hrs.; 380L--1 hr.; 480--3hrs.; 480L--1hr.

Required Fourth Year Biology Courses (32-34 hours):
470C; 471C; 472C; 473C; 474C; 475C; 476C -- 1-10 credit hours each. Clinical Laboratory

Prerequisites for the required Biology courses include the following:
Chemistry 105--3 hrs.; 105L--1 hr.; 106--3 hrs.; 106L--1 hr.; 351--3 hrs.; 351L--1 hr.; 352--3 hrs.; 352L--1 hr.; Physics 105--3 hrs.; 105L--1 hr.

Note:

Completion of required courses does not guarantee admission to the fourth year clinical courses. To be eligible for enrollment in these courses, a student must:

1. Have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale when applying for the clinical year.

2. Gain acceptance into an affiliate hospital program. In general, acceptance is based on academic performance, letters of recommendation, and a personal interview. Each clinical program has an admissions committee that is responsible for decisions regarding acceptance to the program.

Fourth-year students accepted to the medical courses register as full-time ISU students and, upon successful completion of the 12-month program, receive the 32-34 credit hours that are required for completion of the bachelor of science degree.