Biology Major: Pre-Laboratory Science Track, B.A.

(59 credits)

The pre-Laboratory Science major is a four-year course of instruction designed to provide the student with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in biology pre-Laboratory Science and an emphasis in either Cytotechnology or Medical Laboratory Science.

Cytotechnology emphasis

Saint Mary’s University is affiliated with the cytotechnology training program at the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, Rochester, MN. Prior to a clinical year of internship, the student must complete the general education requirements as well as the pre-requisite courses listed below at Saint Mary’s University (approximately three years of coursework).  Of the credits taken at Saint Mary’s, 30 must be upper-division credits. Acceptance to the clinical program at Mayo is contingent upon the student’s academic achievement. While completing the clinical program, the student will be enrolled at Saint Mary’s and will be required to pay a special course fee.  Upon successful completion of the clinical program, the student receives a certificate in cytotechnology and is eligible to take the National Registry Examination of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

Medical laboratory science emphasis

Saint Mary’s University is affiliated with the medical laboratory science programs at the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences in Rochester, MN and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Hines, IL.

Prior to a clinical year of internship, the student must complete the general education requirements as well as the pre-requisite courses listed below at Saint Mary’s University (approximately three years of coursework). Of the credits taken at Saint Mary’s, 30 credits must be upper-division credits. Acceptance to the clinical program at Mayo or the Veterans Administration Hospital is contingent upon the student’s academic achievement. While completing the clinical program, the student will be enrolled at Saint Mary’s and will be required to pay a special course fee. Upon successful completion of the clinical program, the student receives a certificate in medical laboratory science or medical technology and is eligible to take the certification exam of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel, or any approved certifying agency.

For both the cytotechnology emphasis and the medical laboratory science emphasis, students may choose to fulfill all biology major degree requirements prior to entering the clinical program (and would need to complete Section E).