Medical Laboratory Sciences
Sample Course Sequence&
Medical Laboratory Sciences Program
Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) is a diagnostic branch of healthcare and the instruction within our program provides students with all of the didactic coursework and clinical laboratory training required by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). By successfully completing the program outlined below, students are eligible to sit for the national examination offered by the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and become a certified Medical Laboratory Scientist.
The Medical Laboratory Sciences major is a professional program offered to students in their junior and senior years. For entry into the competitive program, students should complete the following prerequisite coursework by the beginning of the spring semester of your junior year:
- General Chemistry (CHEM 1127Q & CHEM 1128Q – or – CHEM 1124Q & CHEM 1125Q)
- Organic Chemistry (CHEM 2241 – or – CHEM 2443 & CHEM 2444)
- Biochemistry (MCB 2000)
- Principles of Biology (BIOL 1107)
- Statistics (STAT 1000Q – or – STAT 1100Q)
- Math (MATH 1060 or higher)
- Genetics (MCB 2400 – or – MCB 2410)
- Medical Terminology (AH 2001)
- Microbiology (MCB 2610 – or – PATH 2710)
- Immunology (AH 3121 – or – PATH 3401 – or – MCB 4211)
- Research for Health Professionals (AH 4241)
Some flexibility with pre-requisite courses is available. Please contact Bruce Blanchard, MLS Program Director, at bruce.blanchard@uconn.edu with questions.
Additionally, students should meet the following criteria:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is considered competitive
- Clarity of written communication
- Quality of references
- Completed all general education/common curriculum requirements
- Completed one W course and one E course (if under general education requirements)
In addition to these pre-requisites, specific graduation requirements for all University students may be found in the University’s catalog. Applications are accepted in the fall ad spring semester of the sophomore year for program entry the following fall Following is the suggested course sequencing in the program:
UConn Graduation Requirements – including major and Common Curriculum requirements – can be found at UConn’s Undergraduate Catalog.
Students normally average 15 credits per semester over a 4-year period (fall/spring only) to meet the 120 academic credits required.
First Year
Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| CHEM 1124Q OR CHEM 1127Q – General Chemistry (TOI-6L) | 4 |
| MATH 1060Q – Precalculus* (or above) | 3-4 |
| ENGL 1007, 1010, or 1011 | 4 |
| TOI/Gen Ed (Recommended: TOI 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5)* | 3 |
| UNIV 1800 – First Year Experience course | 1 |
| Total Credits: 15-16 | |
Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| CHEM 1125Q OR 1128Q – General Chemistry II (TOI-6L) | 3-4 |
| BIOL 1107 – General Biology I (TOI-6L) | 4 |
| TOI/Gen Ed (Recommended: TOI 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5)* | 3 |
| TOI/Gen Ed (Recommended: TOI 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5)* | 3 |
| Total Credits: 13-14 | |
Second Year
Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| CHEM 2241 – Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| STAT 1000Q OR STAT 1100Q – Statistics | 4 |
| TOI/Gen Ed (Recommended: TOI 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, W course) | 3 |
| ELECTIVE* | 3 |
| Total Credits: 13 | |
Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| MCB 2000 – Biochemistry | 4 |
| ELECTIVE* | 3 |
| TOI/Gen Ed (Recommended: TOI 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5)* | 3 |
| TOI/Gen Ed (Recommended: TOI 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5)* | 3 |
| Total Credits: 13 | |
Admission into the junior/senior year requires separate application
Third Year
Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| MCB 2400 – Human Genetics | 3 |
| AH 2001 – Medical Terminology | 2 |
| AH 3121 – Immunology | 3 |
| MCB 2610 – Microbiology | 4 |
| AH 4241 – Research for the Health Professional | 2 |
| Total Credits: 14 | |
Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| MLSC 3301 – Fundamentals of Medical Laboratory Sciences | 3 |
| MLSC 3333 – Mycology, Parasitology, and Virology | 3 |
| MLSC 4500 – Laboratory Operations and Professional Practice | 2 |
| DGS 4234 – Diagnostic Molecular Techniques | 3 |
| DGS 4235 – Lab in Molecular Diagnostics | 2 |
| AH 3025 – Human Physiology in Health and Disease | 3 |
| Total Credits: 16 | |
Summer Session
MLSC 4321 – Clinical Immunology – 2 credits
MLSC 4341 – Clinical Microbiology – 4 credits
Fourth Year
Fall
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| MLSC 3365 – Theory of Phlebotomy | 1 |
| MLSC 4301 – Clinical Chemistry and Instrumentation | 3 |
| MLSC 4311 – Hematology | 4 |
| MLSC 4351 – Transfusion Services | 3 |
| MLSC 4371 – Urinalysis & Hemostasis | 2 |
| MLSC 4094W – Seminar in MLS | 2 |
| Total Credits: 15 | |
Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| MLSC 4302 – Clinical Chemistry Lab | 3 |
| MLSC 4312 – Hematology Lab | 3 |
| MLSC 4322 – Clinical Immunology Lab | 1 |
| MLSC 4342 – Clinical Microbiology Lab | 4 |
| MLSC 4352 – Transfusion Services Lab | 3 |
| MLSC 4372 – Urinalysis Lab | 1 |
| Total Credits: 15 | |
Total credits depend on electives selected; a minimum of 120 credits are required for graduation.
&This plan of study is a sample. Actual plans of study are subject to change based on advising and student goals.
*These courses need not be taken in the semester indicated; however, it is strongly recommended that they be completed prior to the third year.
- Electives – The total number of elective courses needed to meet 120 credits for graduation will vary depending on the number of credits assigned to each course. Students may need to take additional electives. Students should track credits for graduation carefully and take elective credits accordingly.
- This plan assumes the foreign language requirement is completed prior to admission to the University. If a language is required, students may elect to take these courses as electives.
- W course requirement: Students are required to take two “W” skill coded courses. MLSC 4094W satisfies the “W” in the major. Students MUST take the second “W” as a TOI/Gen Ed or as an elective.
- TOI-4 (Environmental Literacy): Students may complete the Environmental Literacy (TOI-4) requirement as either a general education/common curriculum requirement, elective, or MLS major requirement.
Students can elect to enroll in Summer/Winter sessions. Course options can be found at the Summer Session and Winter Session sites.
Students interested in Education Abroad should discuss options (semester, winter or summer) with major advisor.
All students beginning in Fall 2025 will be taking courses that fall into six Topics of Inquiry (TOIs) and three Competencies, while students who matriculated prior to Fall 2025 will continue to follow the General Education Curriculum. Transfer students will have the option to follow either the TOI requirements or the General Education Curriculum. Please consult with your advisor if you have questions.
Your academic advisor will work with you every semester to help determine the best sequencing of courses specific to your career goals.