Texas Tech University

Pre-Medical Laboratory Science

The Profession

Medical Laboratory Science professionals are highly skilled scientists who discover the presence or absence of disease and provide data that help physicians determine the best treatment for the patient. Laboratory technologists and technicians play a crucial role in the process of providing personalized care. They generate vitally important data for identifying and treating cancer, heart disease, diabetes and many other health conditions.

Medical Laboratory Science professionals examine and analyze body fluids, tissues, and cells to identify bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms. They analyze the chemical constituents of body fluids, cross-match donor blood for transfusions, and test blood for drug levels to measure the efficacy of particular treatments. They also evaluate test results for accuracy and help interpret them for the physician. Every day, new advances in medical and scientific technology are creating more challenges and job opportunities in clinical laboratory settings, generating demand for Medical Laboratory Science professionals.

Professional Schools

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Allied Health Sciences Medical Laboratory Sciences program is a university based 2+2 program, offering the student a Baccalaureate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science within one of the three optional areas of special emphasis.

The Standard Option prepares a student for a career primarily in a clinical setting such as a hospital, physician's office, laboratory or a reference laboratory. The Pre-Medicine Option is for students pursing a graduate medical education through medical school, osteopathic school, veterinary school, or research graduate programs. The Pre-Physician Assistant Option is for students pursuing a graduate education in Physician Assistant studies.

Being Pre-Medical Laboratory Science

Pre-Medical Laboratory Science is an academic designation at Texas Tech University; it is not a degree-granting major. As Pre-Medical Laboratory Science students prepare to apply to MLS programs, they are typically not required to also complete a bachelors degree. They do, however, have the option to major in any area they choose as long as they take the prerequisite courses required to enter a MLS program along with the courses necessary to complete a degree at Texas Tech University.

Regardless of whether or not a Pre-MLS student chooses a degree-granting major at Texas Tech or they remain in the designation, they will always have a PPHC Advisor on their team. If you have any questions whatsoever about being Pre-MLS, contact your assigned PPHC Advisor today!

Standard Option

Prerequisite courses for the TTUHSC School of Health Professions Medical Laboratory Science Program:

COURSE NAME TTU Course Number
Chemistry I and Lab CHEM 1307/1107
Chemistry II and Lab CHEM 1308/1108
Introductory Organic Chemistry I and LAB CHEM 2303/2103
Biology I and Lab OR
Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab
BIOL 1403 OR
ZOOL 2403
Biology II and Lab OR
Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab
BIOL 1404 OR
ZOOL 2404
Genetics OR
4 Hour Science Elective
BIOL 3416
Microbiology OR
Principles of Microbiology (Recommended)
MBIO 3400 OR
MBIO3401 (R)
College Algebra OR Higher MATH 1320
English I ENGL 1301
English II ENGL 1302
US History to 1877 HIST 2300
US History since 1877 HIST 2301
American Government POLS 1301
Texas Politics and Topics POLS 2306
Language, Philosophy & Culture (3 Hours) Texas Core Approved Course
Creative Arts (3 Hours) Texas Core Approved Course
Social and Behavioral Science (6 Hours) Texas Core Approved Course
  • Recommended Social or Behavioral Sciences courses include courses in the Anthropology, Human Development and Family Studies, Psychology, and/or Sociology fields.

Pre-Medicine Option

COURSE NAME TTU Course number
Chemistry I and Lab CHEM 1307/1107
Chemistry II and Lab CHEM 1308/1108
Organic Chemistry I and LAB CHEM 3305/3105
Organic Chemistry II and LAB CHEM 3306/3106
Molecular Biochemistry CHEM 3310
Biology I and Lab BIOL 1403
Biology II and Lab BIOL 1404
Genetics BIOL 3416
Principles of Microbiology MBIO 3401
Physics I and Lab PHYS 1403
Physics II and Lab PHYS 1404
Statistical Methods MATH 2300
English I ENGL 1301
English II ENGL 1302
US History to 1877 HIST 2300
US History since 1877 HIST 2301
American Government POLS 1301
Texas Politics and Topics POLS 2306
Language, Philosophy & Culture (3 Hours) Texas Core Approved Course
Creative Arts (3 Hours) Texas Core Approved Course
Social and Behavioral Science (6 Hours) Texas Core Approved Course
  • Recommended Social or Behavioral Sciences courses include courses in the Anthropology, Human Development and Family Studies, Psychology, and/or Sociology fields.

Pre-Physician Assistant Option

COURSE NAME TTU Course number
Chemistry I and Lab CHEM 1307/1107
Chemistry II and Lab CHEM 1308/1108
Organic Chemistry I and LAB CHEM 3305/3105
Biology I and Lab BIOL 1403
Biology II and Lab BIOL 1404
Genetics BIOL 3416
Microbiology OR
Principles of Microbiology (Recommended)
MBIO 3400 OR
MBIO 3401 (R)
Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab ZOOL 2403
Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab ZOOL 2404
Statistical Methods MATH 2300
English I ENGL 1301
English II ENGL 1302
US History to 1877 HIST 2300
US History since 1877 HIST 2301
American Government POLS 1301
Texas Politics and Topics POLS 2306
Language, Philosophy & Culture (3 Hours) Texas Core Approved Course
Creative Arts (3 Hours) Texas Core Approved Course
Psychology PSY 1300
Social and Behavioral Science (3 Hours) Texas Core Approved Course
  • Recommended Social or Behavioral Sciences courses include courses in the Anthropology, Human Development and Family Studies, Psychology, and/or Sociology fields.

Success Roadmap

PPHC Advisors have created a year-by-year PDF guide to being Pre-MLS (Standard Option).

PPHC Advisors have created a year-by-year PDF guide to being Pre-MLS (Pre-Medicine Option).

PPHC Advisors have created a year-by-year PDF guide to being Pre-MLS (Pre-Physician Assistant Option).

MLS Programs

To learn more about professional degree programs in clinical/medical lab sciences both in Texas and elsewhere, please visit the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) directory here.