Career Skills
Medical Laboratory Science Graduates
Most graduates of this program are prepared to work anywhere in the world. They have an international reputation for their excellent technical and problem solving skills. Combined with their conscientious, positive approach to learning and hard work, they are assets to any employer.
MLS graduates acquire a solid science base in biochemistry, chemistry, genetics and physiology. The four-year MLS program includes a clinical rotation year in laboratories under the supervision of Alberta Health Services, Edmonton Zone, and the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. Disciplines of study include clinical biochemistry, hematology and coagulation, histotechnology, clinical microbiology and transfusion medicine. All graduates are competent phlebotomists as well.
Instrumentation that graduates have used includes the following:
- Centrifuges, microscopes, LIS system, Unicap
- Bayer Atlas, IRIS IQ2000
- Bio-Rad HPLC
- Clinitek 50
- Coulter DxH800
- Coulter LH-750
- Elecsys 2010
- GC/GC-MS/LC-MSMS
- ACL-TOP coagulation analyzer
- STA-R coagulation analyser (Diagnostic Stago)
- IMx
- Immulite
- Nephelometer
- Beckman Coulter DxC, DxI
- Abbott TDxFlx
- Bayer-Advia Centaur
- Osmometer
- Rapid Lab 348
- Atomic absorption spectrophotometry & ICP-MS & flame photometers
- Automated identification and antimicrobial susceptibility system (VITEK 2, Phoenix, Microscan)
- Blood culture instrumentation (BACTEC 9240)
- Ortho gel microtyping system
- Magitration (DNA extraction)
- Sysmex Hematology Analyzer XT2000i
Lectures in senior courses cover background in basic principles of the following:
- Laboratory management
- Toxicology
- Transplantation immunology
- Virology
- Principles of advanced analytical techniques (e.g., mass spectrometry, atomic absorption, gas chromatography)
- Molecular genetics with emphasis on diagnostic applications
In their independent research projects, students find and analyze scientific literature, use computerized databases (e.g.,Medline), design experimental protocols, trouble-shoot, write scientific papers (some papers become published) and present seminars of major findings. Depending on the project, students evaluate or adapt methods, or participate in original research involving such techniques such as DNA sequencing, plasmid preparation, PCR, cell culture, Southern, Northern and Western blots.
For information on projects done by the current graduating class, see Research projects.
Certification: MLS graduates are certified by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). They are also eligible to challenge the MT examinations of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).
To find out more about MLS graduates...
Employers in hospitals, private laboratories, blood banks, research or industry who are seeking technically proficient professionals with a broad academic background and sound skills for ongoing learning are invited to investigate these Canadian graduates.
Contact Roberta Martindale at 780-492-6601; fax your request to 780-492-7794; or send an email to the Division of Medical Laboratory Science at medlabsc@ualberta.ca.