Medical technology, also called clinical laboratory science, is an allied health profession. Medical technologists perform laboratory procedures which enable physicians to detect, diagnose and treat disease. These activities include the analysis of body fluids and cells, blood typing, micro-organism screening, cell counts, and chemical analyses. They often use sophisticated automated equipment and instruments that perform a number of tests simultaneously.

Technologists in small labs perform many types of tests while those in large labs often specialize. Those who analyze the chemical and hormonal contents of body fluids are called clinical chemistry technologists. Blood bank technologists collect, type and prepare blood for transfusion. Microbiology specialists examine and identify bacteria and parasites. Cytotechnologists have specialized training in the microscopic screening of cells for abnormalities.

Students typically spend three years on campus completing prerequisite coursework and a fourth year in a clinical internship at one of five approved hospitals. The academic requirements include successful completion ("C" or higher) of general, organic and quantitative chemistry, and general biology, genetics, microbiology and immunology.

Application to the clinical internship program is made in the fall semester of your junior year. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 to be considered; entry is competitive. Satisfactory completion of the 50 week clinical internship leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology and eligibility to take various national certification exams.

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