Undergraduate Program

Degree Offered

Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.S.M.L.)

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.S.M.L.) degree is offered at the University of New Mexico through the Department of Pathology in the School of Medicine. The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119, (773) 714-8880. Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination given by the Board of Certification (ASCP).

The Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program may be taken as part of a four-year curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences from the UNM School of Medicine OR as part of a degree from another four-year academic institution. The program follows a prescribed curriculum which requires two and one half years of pre-professional academic study and one and one half years in the MLS program.

Students earning a B.S. degree from an academic institution other than the University of New Mexico must meet the degree requirements established by that university in addition to the minimum educational requirements specified below for entering the UNM MLS program. Students register through UNM for all MEDL courses.

Admission Requirements

Minimum education requirements are 69 credit hours of acceptable coursework from a college or university approved by a recognized accrediting agency including the required courses listed below. All credit hours must be acceptable towards a baccalaureate degree. A minimum grade of "C" or better in all subjects and a grade of "C" or better in each prerequisite biology, chemistry and math course is required. All students are required to meet with the Medical Laboratory Sciences Program advisor on North Campus if they are interested in applying for the program.

Students coming from other universities or colleges who will earn their baccalaureate degree from their parent institutions or students who already have a baccalaureate degree must have the following prerequisites for admission to the Medical Laboratory Sciences Program at the University of New Mexico.

Total of 69 credit hours including:

Biological Sciences: approximately 16 credit hours including courses in anatomy and physiology and microbiology.
Chemistry: approximately 12 credit hours including one course in organic or biochemistry.
Mathematics: a minimum of one course in college-level algebra or a higher math course.

NOTE: Remedial and survey courses are not acceptable. Other recommended courses are: anatomy and physiology, cell biology, parasitology, pathogenic bacteriology, biochemistry, psychology, sociology, computer science, communications, management and education.

Students can be admitted to the program at the beginning of the Spring semester or Fall semester. An application must be submitted to the Office of Medical Laboratory Sciences by the October 15 deadline for January admission or June 15 for August admission. Application may be made while completing the final semester of prerequisites. Official transcripts of all college course work must be sent directly from each institution unless all course work was completed at UNM. Admission is limited, with selection based on cumulative grade point average, grade point average in chemistry, math, and science courses, letters of recommendation, and a personal interview. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required. Selection of applicants is made by the Medical Laboratory Sciences Admissions Committee. All applicants are notified of their admission status. Selection is given to qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, qualified handicap or military involvement. Residents of New Mexico receive preference in admission.

Students earning their B.S. degrees from the School of Medicine at the University of New Mexico must follow the prescribed curriculum outlined below.

Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences program begins each Spring semester or Fall semester. Courses may be taken as a part-time student allowing up to three years instead of the normal one and one half years to complete the program. Students are assigned to an affiliated clinical laboratory for practical experiences in the rotation courses. Hospital and reference laboratories currently used are: Quest Diagnostics, TriCore Reference Laboratories, and VA Medical Center and hospitals located throughout the state of New Mexico.

Pre-Admission Curriculum

		Credit Hours
	Biological Sciences:
	Approximately 14-18 credit hours to include:
(BIOL 1140 -and- BIOL 1140L) -or- (BIOL 2110C -and- BIOL 2410C)	Biology for Health Sciences Biology for Health Sciences Laboratory Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Lecture and Laboratory Principles of Biology: Genetics Lecture and Laboratory	4 -or- 8
BIOL 2210	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	3
BIOL 2225	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	3
BIOL 2305 -or- (BIOL *351 -and-* BIOL **352L)	Microbiology for Health Sciences General Microbiology General Microbiology Laboratory	4
	Chemistry:
	Approximately 12 credit hours to include:
(CHEM 1215 -and- CHEM 1225) -or- (CHEM 131 -and- CHEM 132)	General Chemistry I for STEM Majors General Chemistry II for STEM Majors Principles of Chemistry Principles of Chemistry	6
CHEM 1215L	General Chemistry I for STEM Majors Laboratory	1
CHEM 1225L	General Chemistry II for STEM Majors Laboratory	1
CHEM 2120 -or- (CHEM *301 -and-* CHEM 303L)	Integrated Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Organic Chemistry Organic Chemistry Laboratory	4
	Mathematics:
	Minimum of 2 courses to include a choice of:
MATH 1220	College Algebra	3
MATH 1350	Introduction to Statistics (recommended)	3
	Higher-level math or statistics
	English:
	Competence in writing English as determined by the English Department or the following two English courses:
ENGL 1110 -or- ENGL 1110Y -or- ENGL 1110Z	Composition I Composition I: Stretch II Enhanced Composition	3
ENGL 1120	Composition II	3
	Interpersonal Communicative Skills:
	One course from the following:
COMM 2120	Interpersonal Communication	3
COMM 2140	Small Group Communication	3
	Management Theory:
	One course on general management theory:
BUSA 1110	Introduction to Business	3
	Computer Science:
	One course:
BCIS 1110	Fundamentals of Information Literacy and Systems	3
	General Education Curriculum
	Courses must be taken to fulfill General Education curriculum requirements in the following areas listed. Refer to the Undergraduate Program section of this Catalog for information on courses that meet General Education curriculum and U.S. and Global Diversity and Inclusion requirements.
	Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences	6
	Area 5: Humanities	6
	Area 6: Second Language	3
	Area 7: Arts and Design	3

Major Requirements

		Credit Hours
MEDL 234	Introduction to Clinical Immunology	3
MEDL 300L	Introduction to Medical Laboratory Sciences	2
MEDL 310	Introduction to Clinical Chemistry	3
MEDL 311L	Introduction to Clinical Chemistry Lab	2
MEDL 315L	Clinical Serology	2
MEDL 320	Introduction to Clinical Hematology/Hemostasis	4
MEDL 321L	Clinical Hematology/Hemostasis Lab	2
MEDL 330	Introduction to Microbiology	3
MEDL 331L	Introduction to Microbiology Lab	2
MEDL 340L	Introduction to Immunohematology	2
MEDL 350L	Clinical Urinalysis	2
MEDL 410L	Advanced Clinical Chemistry	3
MEDL 420L	Advanced Clinical Hematology/Hemostasis	3
MEDL 430	Advanced Clinical Microbiology	3
MEDL 431L	Advanced Clinical Microbiology Lab	2
MEDL 432L	Clinical Parasitology	2
MEDL 440L	Advanced Clinical Immunohematology	2
MEDL 445	Clinical Lab Management and Education	2
	Subtotal	44
	Clinical Rotation Courses
MEDL 351	Basic Clinical Chemistry Rotation	3
MEDL 352	Basic Hematology/Hemostasis Rotation	3
MEDL 355	Clinical Urinalysis Rotation	1
MEDL 451	Advanced Clinical Chemistry Rotation	1
MEDL 452	Advanced Hematology and Hemostasis Rotation	2
MEDL 453	Clinical Microbiology Rotation	5
MEDL 454	Clinical Immunohematology Rotation	4
	Subtotal	19
	Total	63

Information Requests

Communications regarding information and applications should be addressed to Medical Laboratory Sciences, MSC09 5250, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001.

NOTE: Changes in the MLS program could occur. Therefore, students should remain in touch with the MLS program advisor.

Keys and Symbols Reference