Medical Lab Science Degree Program

Explore the Medical Lab Science degree program

If you have a passion for biology, chemistry, and health, medical lab science is an excellent career choice for you. Medical laboratory science is the behind-the-scenes work in diagnosing and treating disease. Health professionals collect samples, while lab scientists run tests to understand what might be going on in a patient. They might discover cancer, infection, or genetic diseases. They might help develop a treatment for an illness.

For these important roles, you’ll need a solid education in biology and health sciences. Wayne State provides just that. In fact, the students that follow our Medical Laboratory Science degree program are well prepared to move on to graduate work at competitive universities such as the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), and they enjoy successful careers in the medical field.

View program courses Download program fact sheet (PDF)

Fast facts

Degree options: B.A. or B.S. in Life Sciences/Medical Laboratory Science

Delivery format: On campus (Wayne); one year at professional school of choice

Program credit hours: 85-86

Life sciences core (12-13 credit hours)
Medical laboratory science concentration (43 credit hours)
Clinical year (30 credit hours)

Note: Students must also take 30 credit hours of General Studies courses. A total of 120 credit hours are needed to graduate from WSC. Additional majors or minors can be added to help meet graduation requirements.

School: Science, Health, and Criminal Justice

Department: Life Sciences

Prepare for your future

Opportunities and outcomes

Medical laboratory science topics covered

Human anatomy and organ systems
Gene action and molecular technology
Physiological processes of the human body
Structure and physiology of microorganisms
Biological, physical, and chemical properties of antigens and antibodies
Chemical processes and reactions
Fundamental aspects of organic chemistry
Biochemistry with emphasis on structure, function, and metabolism

Student learning outcomes

Students will be able to interpret core concepts in biology
Students will be able to apply concepts in biology to internships and/or student research
Students will be able to accurately communicate core concepts in biology

Clinical year

During the clinical year in the Medical Lab Science program, students gain practical skills and apply their theoretical knowledge in a real-world laboratory setting. Guided by experienced medical laboratory scientists, they rotate through various clinical laboratories, including hospitals and diagnostic centers, where they perform diverse diagnostic tests. Throughout their clinical year, students also focus on quality assurance, adhering to strict laboratory protocols to ensure reliable and valid test results. They collaborate with health care professionals, effectively communicating their findings and assisting in the interpretation of laboratory data for accurate diagnosis and treatment. By honing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, students are prepared to handle complex laboratory challenges. Ultimately, the clinical year in the Medical Lab Science program equips students with the necessary skills and experience for a successful career as medical laboratory scientists, enabling them to contribute to patient care through precise and timely diagnostic testing.

Medical Lab Science students typically complete their programs and rotations through the University of Nebraska Medical Center (Kearney or Omaha) or Nebraska Methodist College (Omaha).

Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP)

RHOP is a special partnership between Wayne State College and the University of Nebraska-Medical Center (UNMC) that recruits and educates students from rural Nebraska to become health care professionals who will provide services in rural Nebraska communities. The program offers a full-tuition scholarship at WSC, guaranteed admission to UNMC, job shadowing and internship experiences, one-on-one advising, and early registration privileges.

Learn more about RHOP

Graduates of the Medical Lab Science degree program work in their chosen field using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College. Our outstanding Career Services Office is available to help you find medical laboratory science career opportunities. Each year, eager employers welcome WSC graduates into their organizations.

Jobs of recent graduates:

Medical Laboratory Scientist – Avera McKennan Hospital (Sioux Falls, S.D.)
Medical Laboratory Scientist – Davita Labs (DeLand, Fla.)
Medical Laboratory Scientist – Faith Regional Health Services (Norfolk, Neb.)
Medical Laboratory Scientist / Medical Technologist – Methodist Fremont Health (Fremont, Neb.)
Medical Technologist – Faith Regional Health Services (Norfolk, Neb.)

job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey

Cost of attendance

Most Affordable College in Nebraska

- College Affordability Guide, 2024

Wayne State is considered the most affordable four-year college or university in Nebraska. With same rates for in- and out-of-state students, our tuition guarantee, and our generous scholarship packages, it is clear to see how WSC earned the title. In fact, the average remaining annual cost of attendance for 2024-25 is $2,268 for undergraduate students after financial aid and scholarships.

Life sciences core courses (12-13 credit hours)

Credits: 4
Description: The first course for Biology majors. A grade of C- or better in this course is a prerequisite for all biology courses in the biology concentration. A study of the microscope, basic cell structure and function, DNA replication, mitosis, meiosis, genetics, evolution, population biology, and diversity. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $30 required.
Prerequisite: One year of high school biology or BIO 102 Biology for General Studies
Credits: 4
Description: Emphasis on nomenclature, atomic structure, bonding, gaseous and liquid states, equilibrium, and stoichiometry. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required.
Prerequisite: High school chemistry or CHE 102 Chemistry for General Studies
Choose one of the following:
- PHY 201 General Physics I (3 credits) – An algebra-based general physics course intended primarily for health professions, life science and education students. Topics include vectors, kinematics and dynamics, equilibrium, rotational motion, energy, momentum, oscillations, fluids, and thermodynamics. Prerequisite: 2 years of algebra.
- PHY301 University Physics I (4 credits)– A calculus- based general physics course intended primarily for scientists, pre-engineers, computer and math majors and advanced health professional students. Topics include vectors, kinematics and dynamics, equilibrium, rotational motion, energy, momentum, oscillations, fluids, and thermodynamics. Prerequisite: High school physics and MAT 140 Calculus I or equivalent calculus class.
Plus:
PHY 321 Physics Laboratory I (1 credit) – Concurrent enrollment in PHY 201/301 recommended but not required. This laboratory is a required course for both PHY 201 General Physics I and PHY 301 University Physics I. Experiments, appropriate to the level of lecture, include topics in mechanics, momentum, work and energy, and fluids. 3 hours lab. Physics lab fee of $20 required.

Medical laboratory science concentration courses (43 credits)

Credits: 4
Description: Study of the anatomic structure of the human organism. The 11 organ systems of the human and representative quadrupeds will be examined in detail with lecture, dissection, and other laboratory exercises. Dissection is required of all students taking this course. An understanding of human anatomy is beneficial for students that will ultimately enroll in advanced courses of cell biology, histology, comparative vertebrate embryology and anatomy, and parasitology. Having training in human anatomy is also beneficial for students interested in health-related and biomedical careers. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $30 required.
Prerequisite: BIO 110 Biology Concepts
Credits: 1
Description: Lecture and discussion of topics relevant to the science and practice of biology. Topics vary based on the faculty member leading the course. This course may be repeated up to a total of 4 hours, by advisement, when no duplication of topic exists, but a maximum of only 2 credit hours can count towards any Life Sciences major.
Prerequisite: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts
Credits: 4
Description: A study of the mechanisms of inheritance, the molecular basis of gene action and the use of molecular techniques and molecular technology in biomedical, agricultural, and industrial research. The lab component of this course focuses on hands-on use of molecular equipment and technologies used in graduate and industrial molecular-based research. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $30 required.
Prerequisite: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts, CHE 106 General Chemistry I
Credits: 4
Description: A study of the fundamental physiological processes of the human body. Functions of the 11 organ systems will be studied. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $30 required.
Prerequisites: BIO 220 Human Anatomy, CHE 106 General Chemistry I
Credits: 4
Description: Topics of study detail the structure and physiology of microorganisms including mechanisms of pathogenesis. Beneficial aspects of microorganisms are also discussed with regard to both the human body and the environment. Lab techniques include microbial identification, enumeration procedures and student designed research. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $30 required.
Prerequisites: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts, CHE 106 General Chemistry I
Credits: 3
Description: The topics for this course will include the biological, physical, and chemical properties of antigens and antibodies, host-antigen interaction, humoral and cellular response mechanisms, serologic reactions, mechanisms of antibody formation, hypersensitivity, and the role of the immune response in cancer and organ transplants. 3 hours lecture-lab combined.
Prerequisites: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts; BIO 320 Molecular Genetics is recommended.
Credits: 4
Description: A continuation of CHE 106 with emphasis on kinetics, redox reactions, molecular geometry, hydrolysis, electrochemistry, and solubility products. Qualitative analysis included. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required.
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 106 or by consent of instructor
Credits: 4
Description: Emphasis on nomenclature, functional groups, and organic structures as related to living matter. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required.
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 107 General Chemistry II
Credits: 4
Description: Study of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates with emphasis on their structure, function, and metabolism. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required.
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 208 Introductory Organic Chemistry or CHE 315 Organic Chemistry II
Credits: 3
Description: An introduction to the practice of statistics including sampling, experimental design, data displays, descriptive statistics, binomial and normal probability distributions, sampling distributions, one and two sample confidence intervals, hypothesis tests for means and proportions, and linear regression with analysis. Traditional and resampling/bootstrapping methods are employed. 4 hours of lecture-lab combined.
Prerequisite: C- or better in MAT 121 College Algebra, MAT 130 Precalculus, or MAT 140 Calculus I
Elective courses numbered 300 or above from any department (9 credits) – For a complete listing of courses and their descriptions, view the course catalog.

Popular pairings

Many students at Wayne State will add a second major or a minor to complement their program of study or to focus their studies on a specific topic. Students who recently majored in Medical Lab Science at Wayne State also paired this major with one or more of the following programs:

Chemistry (minor)
Public and Global Health (minor)

View all majors and minors

Related programs

Students interested in the Medical Lab Science program may also be interested in:

Biology (B.A. or B.S.)
Chemical Sciences (B.A. or B.S.)
Chemistry / Health Sciences (B.A. or B.S.)
Mortuary Science (B.A. or B.S.)

Alumni Spotlight on Lindsey Stark '18, Medical Lab Scientist

Lindsey Stark grew up just down the road in Allen, Neb., and chose Wayne State because it was close to home and a great value. Lindsey now oversees medical labs for Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, S.D., and enjoys working “behind the scenes” to help doctors determine the right treatment care plans for patients. To become a medical lab scientist, Lindsey followed the 3+1 route, spending three years studying life sciences and medical laboratory science at Wayne State and then one year at Nebraska Methodist Hospital to complete her medical laboratory science (MLS) certification.

Alumni Spotlight on Lindsey Stark '18, Medical Lab Scientist

Meet the professors

Life Sciences Department faculty

Douglas Christensen, Ph.D.

Professor

Buffany DeBoer, MSE

Instructor

Mark Hammer, Ph.D.

Professor

Michael Mutehart, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Shawn Pearcy, Ph.D.

Professor

Danielle Peekenschneider, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Jillian Wormington, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Explore the Medical Lab Science degree program

Fast facts

Opportunities and outcomes