Medical Laboratory Science – Bridge – Advanced Diploma in Biotechnology

General information

Our university’s Medical Laboratory Science Bridge program recognizes the significant and complementary technical skills of the three-year Biotechnology diploma by providing the opportunity for Durham and Fleming College graduates to apply this diploma toward a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science.

Admission requirements

Due to the limited number of Year 2 seats available and the established relationships, this pathway will only be available to graduates of the Durham and Fleming College advanced diploma in Biotechnology. Candidates from these two colleges will apply directly to the university.

Candidates are required to provide documentation of successful completion of an advanced diploma in Biotechnology from Durham or Fleming College with an overall GPA of 3 (73 to 76 per cent) or greater. Candidates must also provide documentation of successful completion of an approved comprehensive human anatomy and physiology course(s). Candidates that have completed a comprehensive human anatomy and physiology course(s) that is not on the approved list (see below) may apply for transfer credit at the university by submitting documentation of successful completion along with the appropriate course outline(s).

Approved anatomy and physiology courses 

The courses listed below have been reviewed by the faculty and are deemed to be suitable prerequisites for the Medical Laboratory Science Bridge program.

Durham College

• ANAT1500; or
• BIO1581 and BIO2582; or
• BIO1502 and BIO2502

Fleming College 

• NRSG163 and NRSG167  

Michener Institute

• AP807

Mohawk College

• HSCI100027  

Trent University

• BIOL 1050H and BIOL 1051H

Ontario Tech University

• HLSC 2202U

Practicum

Starting in second year, students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and get hands-on experience in the simulation laboratories. As the theoretical knowledge expands so does experiential knowledge. In fourth year, students will be placed in a diagnostic medical laboratory for the final two practicum semesters where they will work under the supervision of a medical laboratory technologist and perform increasingly complex procedures on human specimens.

Clinical placements give students hands-on practice, experience in different work environments and the opportunity to network with potential employers. Although some exceptional circumstances may be considered, practicum sites are assigned on a random basis; therefore, students may be placed in any affiliated site within the province of Ontario. Students are responsible for any costs associated with relocation.

Program start dates

In order to accommodate practicum-related course requirements, fourth-year students in the Medical Laboratory Science program will have start dates prior to the first day of lectures that is stated in the academic schedule . The practicum year may begin as early as July 2 each year and may extend until the winter exam period. Students will be advised by the program administration of specific term dates prior to the start of their fourth year.

Course schedules

Practicum placements in the fourth year occur away from the university campus in diagnostic medical laboratories across the province. Students should expect to attend their practicum placement five days per week, approximately eight hours each day. Students taking electives where classes are scheduled on the university campus during their practicum hours must contact the Medical Laboratory Science practicum co-ordinator to make accommodations for their classes.

Exam accommodation

Practicum placements in the fourth year of the Medical Laboratory Science program are 25 weeks and may extend into the stated examination period for the university in each term. Students who are taking elective courses that have exams scheduled during practicum hours must contact the Medical Laboratory Science practicum co-ordinator to make accommodations for their exams.

Professional qualifications

Following successful completion of the degree program, graduates are eligible to write the examinations offered by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) to obtain national certification. CSMLS certification is recognized throughout Canada. For those graduates that choose to remain in Ontario to practice, successful completion of the CSMLS examination allows graduates to register with the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO), which governs license to practice in Ontario. Graduates are also eligible to write the American Society for Clinical Pathology examinations, which are a prerequisite for applying to work as a Medical Laboratory Technologist in the United States.

Program details and degree requirements

To be eligible for a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) degree, students must successfully complete 120 credit hours through credit transfer or completion of courses. Degree and program requirements are subject to change without notice. The following program map is only a guide and is to be used in combination with proper advising. Students wishing to make changes to their program of study should consult their academic advisor. 

Although reasonable efforts will be made to adhere to the following program map, course requirements and term offerings may change. For the most up-to-date list of course offerings, please visit the faculty website at healthsciences.ontariotechu.ca.

Successful candidates enter the program at Year 2, fall semester and follow the program map identified below:

Year 2 (30 credit hours)

• Open elective 
• HLSC 2460U – Pathophysiology I
• HLSC 3800U – Introduction to Statistics for Health Sciences
• MLSC 1010U – Introduction to Medical Laboratory Practice
• MLSC 2140U – Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Bridge Course – Biotechnology to MLS
• HLSC 2461U – Pathophysiology II
• HLSC 3910U – Research Methods for Public Health and Health Care Professionals
• MLSC 2111U – Clinical Biochemistry I
• MLSC 2121U – Clinical Hematology I
• MLSC 2131U – Clinical Microbiology I

Year 3 (27 credit hours)

• MLSC 3111U – Clinical Biochemistry II
• MLSC 3121U – Clinical Hematology II
• MLSC 3131U – Clinical Microbiology II
• MLSC 3200U – Transfusion Science I
• MLSC 3230U – Microanatomy and Histotechnology
• MLSC 3210U – Effective Leadership and Quality Management in the Clinical Laboratory
• MLSC 3220U – Transfusion Science II
• MLSC 3231U – Advanced Histotechnology
• MLSC 3300U – Simulated Clinical Practicum

Year 4 (27 credit hours)

• HLSC 4820U – Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• MLSC 4111U – Clinical Biochemistry III
• MLSC 4121U – Clinical Hematology III
• MLSC 4131U – Clinical Microbiology III
• MLSC 4210U – Professional Practice in the Clinical Laboratory I
• MLSC 4220U – Transfusion Science III
• MLSC 4231U – Histopathology I
• MLSC 4400U – Clinical Project I
• MLSC 4112U – Clinical Biochemistry IV
• MLSC 4122U – Clinical Hematology IV
• MLSC 4132U – Clinical Microbiology IV
• MLSC 4211U – Professional Practice in the Clinical Laboratory II
• MLSC 4221U – Transfusion Science IV
• MLSC 4232U – Histopathology II
• MLSC 4401U – Clinical Project II

Program progression requirements

A student must achieve a minimum grade of C in all professional medical laboratory courses (MLSC) in order to pass the course. Students who earn a grade lower than a C in any of the courses designated MLSC will be put on program probation, regardless of their overall GPA. A second grade of less than C in any repeated MLSC designated course will result in an academic standing of Program Dismissal.

Also, a total of three failures in any combination of required HLSC or MLSC courses will result in an academic standing of Program Dismissal.

In addition, a student who has two withdrawals from a single MLSC course and/or a total of three withdrawals from a combination of required HLSC or MLSC courses will be program dismissed.

Additionally, students who have failed a third attempt of any required program course will be dismissed from the program as per the university’s repeat policy.

Students who are dismissed from the program, but have maintained the academic standing to remain at the university, may apply for a change of program.

Note: Students are advised that there are additional progression requirements for this program which can be found in the Medical Laboratory Science Program Handbook ​​​​​​​

Program progression review

Students who have been dismissed from the program may, with sufficient grounds, request a Review of Academic Standing as outlined in the university’s academic regulations .

Program readmission

See readmission of former students of the university .

Program professional suitability

The safety of students, patients and faculty while in our university’s laboratories and placement settings is of paramount importance for the Medical Laboratory Science program and for the placement setting. The following requirements are in place to ensure the provision of competent, safe and ethical practice while students are registered in MLSC designated courses.

Requirements for safe practice

In order to be eligible to participate in MLSC designated courses students will be required to meet specific requirements for safe practice within established timelines as stated in the Medical Laboratory Science Program and Practicum Handbooks. These requirements include the successful completion of all prerequisite course work, health and safety requirements, and a criminal reference check. Students who do not successfully meet the requirements for safe practice will not be approved to participate in MLSC designated courses and will be required to withdraw from their respective courses until the next time the course is offered and the requirements are met.

Clinical review

A student on placement in a clinical setting, who has exhibited behaviour that is inconsistent with the norms and expectations of the profession, or that places the student, patients or others at risk, may be immediately suspended from the program and subject to a review and possible sanctions, in accordance with the university’s academic regulations .