Medical Laboratory Science Assessment Results
- Mission Statement
The mission of the MLS Department is to provide the highest standards of education to produce properly trained individuals who are ethical, customer service oriented, and prepared to take and pass appropriate certification exams in order to enter the medical laboratory workforce.
- Student Learning Outcomes
- Certificate
Students completing the Medical Laboratory Sciences Clinical Laboratory (MLA) Assistant Certificate will:
- Knowledge Goal: Demonstrate knowledge of theory underlying laboratory testing using analytical, interpretive, and problem solving skills.
- Knowledge Goal: Apply mathematical calculations to laboratory situations.
- Laboratory Skill: Perform laboratory procedures from simple to complex, including specimen collection and processing, analysis, interpretation, and use of quality assurance procedures.
- Laboratory Skill: Correlate laboratory theory and terminology to practical laboratory work.
- Laboratory Skill: Gather additional laboratory data and apply problem solving skills to solve problems/discrepancies.
- Diagnostic Skill: Relate laboratory findings to common disease processes. Professionalism and Ethics:
- Demonstrate professional conduct and ethical behavior.
- Communication Skill: Demonstrate effective communication skills and behaviors with colleagues in the program and in a laboratory setting for the best new technologies to integrate organization's business processes.
Students completing the Technologies in Microbiology Post Baccalaureate Certificate will demonstrate the following goals and skills:
Program outcomes:
Graduates of our program will be able to:
1. Core concepts: Demonstrate a working knowledge of the core concepts of microbiology: microbial structures and functions, microbial genetics, microbial ecology, evolution, and microbial physiology.
2. Impact of microbes: Evaluate the impact and importance of microbes on human health and the environment.
3. Scientific thinking: Design experiments, and collect and evaluate data from a variety of scientific experiments, using problem solving, quantitative reasoning, graphical representation, and statistical analysis.
4. Laboratory skills: Demonstrate proficiency in laboratory skills needed for the identification, quantification, and analysis of microorganisms and microbial communities, and will be knowledgeable of laboratory safety practices.
5. Career-building skills: Develop important career skills such as oral and written communication, multimedia, collaboration, and application of ethics.
All outcomes are introduced and practiced in the five core microbiology courses. One or more outcomes are practiced and further developed in each elective course. - Associate Degree
The MLS department has developed eight program goals and applied each of the goals to a curriculum map and evidence of learning rubric for each of the program courses. Program goals are as follows: Upon successful completion of the Weber State University Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences , a student in this program will be able to:
- Knowledge Goal: Demonstrate knowledge of theory underlying laboratory testing using analytical, interpretive, and problem solving skills.
- Knowledge Goal: Apply mathematical calculations to laboratory situations.
- Laboratory Skill: Perform laboratory procedures from simple to complex, including specimen collection and processing, analysis, interpretation, and use of quality assurance procedures.
- Laboratory Skill: Correlate laboratory theory and terminology to practical laboratory work.
- Laboratory Skill: Gather additional laboratory data and apply problem solving skills to solve problems/discrepancies.
- Diagnostic Skill: Relate laboratory findings to common disease processes.
- Professionalism and Ethics: Demonstrate professional conduct and ethical behavior.
- Communication Skill: Demonstrate effective communication skills and behaviors with colleagues in the program and in a laboratory setting for the best new technologies to integrate organization's business processes.
Chemistry learning outcomes associated with the AAS:
- Knowledge and comprehension of the core concepts of Chemistry
- Problem-solving skills. Chemistry majors should be competent problem-solvers. They should be able to identify the essential parts of a problem and formulate a strategy for solving the problem. They should be able to estimate the solution to a problem, apply appropriate techniques to arrive at a solution, test the correctness of their solution, interpret their result and connect it to related areas of chemistry.
- Laboratory skills. Chemistry majors should be competent experimentalists. They should be able to design and set up an experiment, collect and analyze data, identify sources of error, interpret their result and connect it to related areas of chemistry.
- Presentation skills. Chemistry majors should be able to express (orally and in writing) their understanding of core chemical principles, the results of experiments, the analysis of problems and their conclusions.
- Computer skills. Chemistry majors should be competent users of basic software, such as word processing, spreadsheet, and graphing programs. Strong presentation and organizing skills are complimented with computer knowledge in graphing and spreadsheets.
Health Sciences learning outcomes associated with the AAS:
- Scientific knowledge and skills in scientific reasoning
- Understanding of medical terminology and fluency in medical English
- Content knowledge of human body systems
- Understanding of the relationship between normal human physiology and disease
Microbiology learning outcomes associated with the AAS:
- Model Systems for Basic Biology
- Role in Disease and Human Health
- Ubiquitous in Nature
- Integration of Science and Society
- Role in Environment and Ecology
- Nature of Science
- Laboratory Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Data Analysis
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Cooperation
- Values
- Bachelor Degree
The MLS department has developed program goals and applied each of the goals to a curriculum map and evidence of learning rubric for each of the program courses. Program goals are as follows: Upon successful completion of the Weber State University Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, a student in this program will be able to:
- Knowledge Goal: Demonstrate knowledge of theory underlying laboratory testing using analytical, interpretive, and problem solving skills.
- Knowledge Goal: Apply mathematical calculations to laboratory situations.
- Laboratory Skill: Perform laboratory procedures from simple to complex, including specimen collection and processing, analysis, interpretation, and use of quality assurance procedures.
- Laboratory Skill: Correlate laboratory theory and terminology to practical laboratory work.
- Laboratory Skill: Gather additional laboratory data and apply problem solving skills to solve problems/discrepancies.
- Diagnostic Skill: Relate laboratory findings to common disease processes.
- Demonstrate professional conduct and ethical behavior.
- Communication Skill: Demonstrate effective communication skills and behaviors with colleagues in the program and in a laboratory setting.
- Supervisory Skill: Demonstrate ability to oversee day-to-day operations to include hiring and technical supervision.
- Research Skill: Demonstrate proficiency in basic research skills and statistical analysis.
- Interprofessional Relations: Understand the role of other healthcare disciplines in patient diagnosis and successfully participate as part of a health care team.
Chemistry learning outcomes associated with the BS:
- Knowledge and comprehension of the core concepts of Chemistry
- Problem-solving skills. Chemistry majors should be competent problem-solvers. They should be able to identify the essential parts of a problem and formulate a strategy for solving the problem. They should be able to estimate the solution to a problem, apply appropriate techniques to arrive at a solution, test the correctness of their solution, interpret their result and connect it to related areas of chemistry.
- Laboratory skills. Chemistry majors should be competent experimentalists. They should be able to design and set up an experiment, collect and analyze data, identify sources of error, interpret their result and connect it to related areas of chemistry.
- Presentation skills. Chemistry majors should be able to express (orally and in writing) their understanding of core chemical principles, the results of experiments, the analysis of problems and their conclusions.
- Computer skills. Chemistry majors should be competent users of basic software, such as word processing, spreadsheet, and graphing programs. Strong presentation and organizing skills are complimented with computer knowledge in graphing and spreadsheets.
Health Sciences learning outcomes associated with the BS:- Scientific knowledge and skills in scientific reasoning
- Understanding of medical terminology and fluency in medical English
- Content knowledge of human body systems
- Understanding of the relationship between normal human physiology and disease
Microbiology learning outcomes associated with the BS:- Model Systems for Basic Biology
- Role in Disease and Human Health
- Ubiquitous in Nature
- Integration of Science and Society
- Role in Environment and Ecology
- Nature of Science
- Laboratory Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Data Analysis
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Cooperation
- Values
- Certificate
- Curriculum Grid
Update in Progress
We are currently transitioning to a different format. Please contact oie@weber.edu to request a copy of the current curriculum grid for this program.Note* The MLS 1001 and 3301 online orientation courses are designed to provide the online MLS student with some keys to online success. The online environment is different than the traditional classroom in many respects. These courses were developed in response to student issues regarding online success. Knowing what to expect and having the resources and contacts available help minimize frustrations and allow the new online student to be successful in their coursework and degree completion. These two courses are specific to getting our online only students started and do not contain any MLS core learning material. These courses are designed to prepare the students for the online environment and specifics of the MLS program. Course components include: study and computer skills, learning styles, MLS student handbook, library tutorial, faculty introductions, contact and troubleshooting information, and academic advisement tailor-made specifically for AAS degree and BS MLS students online. MLS 1001 & MLS 3301 are identical courses, with the exception of academic advisement. MLS 1001 is geared toward the AAS degree, MLS 3301 towards the BS degree.
- Program and Contact Information
Medical laboratory scientists, sometimes referred to as medical technologists or medical laboratory technicians, are vital members of the health care team who play a central role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease. To accomplish this, medical laboratory scientists must have a thorough understanding of a wide range of subjects including hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology (transfusion medicine), clinical microbiology, and immunology. Laboratory scientists appreciate investigative work and problem solving and are counted on to provide physicians with information critical to the successful diagnosis and treatment of patients. Medical laboratory scientists and technicians are employed by hospitals, clinics, research facilities, universities, and in lab-related commercial industry.
Contact Information:
Dr. Matthew Nicholaou , DrPH, MT(ASCP)
Department Chair
Weber State University
3875 Stadium Way, Dept 3905
Ogden, UT 84408-3905
Marriott Health Bldg, Rm 208A
(801) 626-6101Janice Thomas, DHSc, M.Ed., MLS(ASCP)CMProgram Director - MLA and AAS3875 Stadium Way, Dept 3905Ogden, UT 84408-3905Marriott Health Bldg, Rm 209(801) 626-8138Kendal Beazer, MHA, MLS(ASCP)CMProgram Director - BS and Post-BS CertificateWeber State University3875 Stadium Way, Dept 3905Ogden, UT 84408-3905Marriott Health Bldg, Rm 208B(801) 626-6716 - Assessment Plan
The Medical Laboratory Sciences programs at Weber State University consist of a 2+2 structure, in which students first complete the associate-level Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program before advancing into the baccalaureate-level Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program. Both levels share a unified framework of program outcomes that guide curriculum design, assessment, and continuous improvement.
The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program outcomes are represented by Outcomes 1–8, which align with the competencies required and assessed under the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) standards. The Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program builds upon these foundational outcomes and includes all eleven (Outcomes 1–11), with Outcomes 9–11 reflecting advanced skills in analysis, leadership, and research expected at the baccalaureate level.
Graduates of both programs take a national credentialing examination administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC)—the MLT(ASCP) exam for associate-level students and the MLS(ASCP) exam for baccalaureate-level students. Each exam provides an overall score and subscores in individual content areas: hematology, immunology, blood bank, urinalysis, laboratory operations, chemistry, and microbiology. These subscores, among other metrics and assessments as included in the MLS department’s continuous quality improvement (CQI) plan -also included in this report- are analyzed annually and incorporated into the program’s direct assessment process to evaluate student learning and curriculum effectiveness.
For detailed assessment plan tables, including the seven year assessment cycle for AY 25-31, continuous quality improvement tools, and continuous quality improvement plan, please see pages 6-9 of the .
- Assessment Report Submissions
To view assessment report submissions prior to April 2026, please visit our assessment archive here.
- Program Review
This information is part of the cyclical program review process. Details such as mission statements, learning outcomes, etc., are updated as part of the biennial assessment reporting process, an integral component of program review.