Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics, BS
Professionals in the field of biomedical laboratory diagnostics act as disease detectives, performing routine and specialized testing on fluid or tissue samples. Through their work, they play a critical role in the laboratory diagnoses that support 70% of medical decisions.
The BS in Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics offers 2 tracks: medical laboratory science and histotechnology.
You can be admitted into the major directly out of high school or later in your undergraduate career. You’re then admitted into 1 of the 2 tracks after completing the prerequisite courses at a WVU System campus (Morgantown, Beckley, or Keyser) or an accredited college or university.
Your Degree Plan
Medical Terminology
PALM 200
General medical terminology with emphasis on clinical and anatomic pathology terminology.
Introduction to Pathology
PALM 300
A study of principles and processes of pathology from cellular to system, including etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical features of representative or commonly occurring disorders and diseases.
Introduction to Immunology
PALM 380
Lectures in basic immunology, with emphasis on its structure and function. antigens, antibodies, and complement will be discussed and related to immune disorders and simple immunological tests.
Molecular Diagnostics
PALM 410
Principles and procedures of molecular biology that aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of disorders and disease states.
Histotechnology
Histotechnologists are integral to the success of the anatomic pathology department. They perform routine and complex procedures to preserve and process tissue specimens, detect the presence or absence of disease in tissue specimens, and provide data to aid pathologists in determining the diagnosis, prognosis, and best treatment for the patient.
Medical Laboratory Science
Medical laboratory scientists discover the presence or absence of disease in blood and body fluids and provide data that help healthcare providers determine the best treatment for the patient. They generate critical data for identifying and treating cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other health conditions.
Honors
Expand your curiosity and enhance your curriculum through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations and Honors in Action.
The WVU Difference
What sets this program apart?
- Every student, regardless of track, completes a full-time practicum or clinical rotation during their final semester.
- Our accredited histotechnology program is 1 of only 5 at the baccalaureate level in the U.S. and the only HTL program in the Middle Atlantic, Northeast, and Midwest regions.
- The WVU School of Medicine is also home to 1 of 12 graduate Pathologists’ Assistant programs in the U.S. We are the only university in the U.S. to house both an undergraduate histotechnology and a graduate Pathologists’ Assistant program.
- The unique 2 + 2 major structure allows you to be directly admitted from high school or apply to the major after completing prerequisite courses (either at WVU or another 2- or 4-year college or university).
- Due to a nationwide shortage of clinical laboratory professionals, graduates have had a 100% placement rate for the last 3 years, meaning they found a job in the field or went to graduate or professional school within 1 year of graduation.
Learn by Doing
Get involved outside the classroom.
View all of the student organizations you can join.
Careers and Outcomes
How does this degree prepare students for a career?
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Median Salary: $61,890
Possible Job Titles: Laboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant), Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech), Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), Medical Laboratory Technicians (Medical Lab Technician)
Histotechnologists
Median Salary: $61,890
Possible Job Titles: Histology Lab Manager (Histology Laboratory Manager), Histology Specialist, Histology Technologist, Histotechnologist
Career options
Many graduates work in hospital or doctor’s office laboratories where they provide information to physicians necessary to make diagnoses, treat patients, and monitor patient conditions.
Others work in veterinary clinics, forensic pathology, public health, or research, to name a few of the many career pathways possible with a degree in biomedical laboratory diagnostics.
Our graduates also have the skill and education to pursue managerial positions within the professional setting of their choice.
Where our grads are working
Biomedical laboratory diagnostics graduates have gone to work at:
- Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC)
- Merck Pharmaceuticals
- Mon Health
- Quest Diagnostics
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
- WVU Medicine
Further your education
Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics equips you with a unique body of knowledge that provides excellent preparation for:
- medical school
- dental school
- physician’s assistant programs
- pathologists’ assistant programs
- graduate research in cancer cell biology and other areas
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.
Tuition and Aid
How much does Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics at WVU cost? And how can you save?
Tuition and Fees
Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.
Ways to Save
Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.
Financial Aid
The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics, BS is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
Start at Another WVU Campus
You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.
Transfer Articulation Agreements
To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.
Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.
Request Info
Want to know more about Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.
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