Medical Laboratory Science (B.MLS)

College of Basic Medical and Allied Sciences (CBMAS)

Course Overview

The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (B.MLS) program is designed to deliver high-quality theoretical education and practical training in medical diagnostics and laboratory science. The program produces graduates who are clinically competent, scientifically curious, ethically upright, and capable of supporting disease diagnosis, monitoring, and public health interventions.

Students develop expertise in clinical laboratory disciplines through evidence-based practice, rigorous laboratory training, and meaningful research, preparing them to contribute to healthcare diagnostics, public health, and biomedical innovation.

The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science is an intensive four-year undergraduate program structured across eight semesters of comprehensive study. Students enter the program at the 200 level and pursue full-time studies designed to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical expertise in medical laboratory sciences.

Operating on a two-semester academic calendar, the program emphasizes clinical relevance through mandatory hospital attachments that provide students with real-world laboratory experience. This clinically-focused approach ensures graduates are workplace-ready upon completion of their studies.

The program’s unique strength lies in its integration of field investigation training and industry partnerships, offering students exposure to public health laboratories, diagnostic centers, and research institutions. A capstone research project is required for graduation, enabling students to contribute original research to the field while demonstrating their mastery of laboratory science principles. These distinctive features position graduates for immediate employment in clinical diagnostics or advanced study in specialized laboratory sciences.

Course detail

AWARD TITLE

B.MLS

START DATE

September 2025

DURATION

5 years

STUDY MODE

Full-time

CAMPUS

Nigeria, Lokoja

Teaching and Learning

The program emphasizes hands-on learning and practical competency through:

Learning Methods:

  • Classroom lectures and small-group tutorials
  • Laboratory-based practical sessions
  • Clinical attachments in university and teaching hospital laboratories
  • Supervised field/outbreak investigations and industrial training
  • Research seminars and capstone project work
  • Group-based practical problem solving and peer-led presentations

 

Assessment Structure:

  • Continuous assessment: quizzes, assignments, and practical performance
  • Written examinations: multiple-choice, essays, and diagnosis-based case questions
  • Laboratory practical tests and competency assessments
  • Group reports, research project defense, and oral presentations
  • Comprehensive lab logbooks and professional conduct evaluations

Modules

Students will study comprehensive laboratory science disciplines:

Core Subject Areas:

  • Anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry fundamentals
  • Haematology and blood transfusion science
  • Clinical chemistry and metabolic diagnostics
  • Diagnostic microbiology and parasitology
  • Immunology, serology, and virology
  • Histopathology and cytology methods
  • Molecular biology and genetics applications in diagnosis
  • Laboratory management, quality control, and safety
  • Research methodology and biostatistics
  • Scientific communication and documentation

 

Key Course Modules:

  1. Haematology & Blood Transfusion Science Comprehensive study of blood formation, erythrocyte and leukocyte morphology, haemostasis, coagulation pathways, platelet function, blood grouping (ABO, Rh), antibody screening, transfusion principles, blood bank management, and quality issues in transfusion.
  2. Clinical Chemistry Biochemical tests for liver, kidney, lipid, endocrine, and enzyme markers. Principles of spectrophotometry, chromatography, and autoanalysis. Disease interpretation including diabetes, renal failure, cardiovascular disorders. Coverage of porphyrin metabolism, haemoglobin synthesis, glycosylated haemoglobins, liver function tests, clinical enzymology, endocrine functions, and neurochemistry.
  3. Medical Microbiology & Parasitology Study of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites of clinical relevance. Comprehensive training in specimen processing, culture techniques, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, microscopy, antigen detection, molecular methods, and outbreak investigation techniques.
  4. Immunology & Serology Immune system fundamentals, antigen-antibody reactions, ELISA techniques, immunofluorescence, immunoelectrophoresis, complement system assays, autoantibody tests, blood grouping systems (MNS, Duff, Kell, Kidd), compatibility procedures, transfusion reactions, and disease screening protocols.
  5. Molecular Diagnostic Techniques Advanced training in nucleic acid extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, electrophoresis, sequencing basics, molecular detection of pathogens and genetic abnormalities, and quality assurance for molecular testing.
  6. Histopathology & Cytology Tissue processing, microtomy, staining techniques (H&E, special stains), cytology preparations, microscopic diagnosis of neoplastic and non-neoplastic changes, quality control, tissue culture techniques, chromosome analysis, and electron microscopy principles.
  7. Research Methods & Laboratory Management Study design, ethics, sample size calculation, data analysis, laboratory safety, quality management, accreditation processes, lab information systems, personnel management, inventory control, quality control theory and practice, instrumentation principles, and supervised research project with comprehensive reporting.

Career

Graduates are qualified for diverse career opportunities in:

Primary Career Paths:

  • Clinical diagnostic laboratories (public/private)
  • Blood transfusion services and blood banks
  • Public health and epidemiology laboratories
  • Forensic, histopathology, and molecular diagnostic centers
  • Pharmaceutical R&D and production laboratories
  • Academia and laboratory-based research institutions
  • Regulatory, QA/QC, and laboratory management roles

 

Recent Employers and Partners Include:

  • University Teaching Hospitals
  • State and National Public Health Laboratories
  • Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), NAFDAC
  • Red Cross, WHO, and NGO diagnostic programs
  • Pharmaceutical and biotech firms
  • Academic and research institutions

Entry Requirements

Academic Requirements:

  • Minimum of five (5) O’level credit passes at not more than two (2) sittings
  • Required Subjects: English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics

Candidates applying for admission into 100 level undergraduate programmes must possess a minimum of five (5) ‘O’ level credit passes at not more than two (2) sittings in WASC, GCE, NECO or its equivalent. Awaiting result is also accepted.

  1. JAMB UTME result print-out.
  2. SSCE/NECO Result (Awaiting Result Accepted).
  3. Two Passport Photographs.
  4. A Letter of Sponsorship, stating the commitment to pay the prescribed fees.
  5. National Identification Number (NIN)
  6. A Reference Letter from a spiritual mentor, vouching for your character

Candidates applying for Direct Entry into 200 level must possess the following

  1. Jamb direct entry form
  2. A/L, IJMB, OND or NCE in the relevant courses.
  3. SSCE/NECO Result (Awaiting Result Accepted)
  4. Two Passport Photographs.
  5. A Letter of Sponsorship, stating the commitment to pay the prescribed fees.
  6. National Identification Number (NIN)
  7. A Reference Letter from a spiritual mentor, vouching for your character.

Fees and Funding

The course fees you’ll pay and the funding available to you depends on factors such as your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. Visit the links below to find the Undergraduate section.

 
More information

Find out about grants, bursaries, scholarships and living costs in our undergraduate taught fees and funding section.

Get Inspired

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