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About The Program

College of Arts and Sciences

Medical Laboratory Science

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The medical laboratory scientist is a key member of any health care team, performing diagnostic testing on which health care professionals rely to best treat a patient.

Medical laboratory science (MLS) students at NSU study chemistry, hematology, immunology, immunohematology, molecular biology and microbiology in preparation for careers as medical laboratory scientists.

Your first three years of study will be on NSU��s campus, completing a variety of courses to prepare you for clinical experience. Your senior year will be devoted to hands-on clinical study and laboratory training at one of NSU's partnering hospitals.

Careers

Students who complete an MLS degree often are immediately employed in hospitals, clinics, medical research facilities, government agencies, veterinary labs, industry, the armed forces and other specialty facilities.

Medical laboratory scientists are consistently in high demand. Graduates who desire to stay close to home have no problem finding employment options at our numerous regional hospitals. Students who prefer a change of scenery will find numerous job opportunities across the country or around the globe.

For more information on careers in MLS, visit the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.?

For more information on careers in your major or help choosing a major, contact the NSU Career Center.

Internships

MLS majors at NSU receive a very personal education. Our class sizes are small, allowing ample opportunity to interact directly with faculty of diverse specialties. This personal attention from well-qualified and enthusiastic professors, combined with our hands-on policy with laboratory equipment, give Northern students an edge when applying for internships.

NSU's MLS program is unique in that it offers two options for your senior internship:

The Western College Alliance of Medical Lab Science, or

The Committee on Medical Laboratory Education

Both are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science. Together, they provide a list of more than 70 hospitals across the country in which you can complete your clinical training.??

Scholarships

Arts and Sciences Scholarships

NSU Scholarships

Courses

Medical Laboratory Science (BS)?Course Requirements and Student Learning Outcomes

Plans of Study

Medical Laboratory Science (BS)?Plan of Study

Program Success/Outcomes

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��When I came to NSU in 2013 I was excited but nervous that I wouldn��t make it through college because of the language barrier. Now, five years later, I wish I could go back in time and worry less because the amount of help I have received here is beyond what I could have ever expected! In 2017 I went through a hard time. My father passed away and my child was born with a health issue and was hospitalized for an entire month. I was way behind in school and without the help of my professors and the NSU writing center team I wouldn��t have been able to pass my classes. I am very grateful for a lot of people at NSU. What I like is that it is a very welcoming place. There is something for everyone. Personally, I like to go to the English Corner in my free time and enjoy participating in events like Culture Fest and being a part of the many volunteering opportunities that NSU offers its students. To other student parents:parenting is a 24/7 job and I truly know that raising a baby is not easy at all. It takes most of your time and energy. Above all things, however, do not forget about yourself and do not let that hold you back from reaching your goals. Having a baby should motivate us to do our best, not only for ourselves, but for our children!��- Abdullah Algharaqan #beNORTHERN #unleashYOURpotential

A post shared by Northern State University (@northernstateu) on Nov 2, 2018 at 1:31pm PDT

Contact Information

For more information about this degree, contact?Jessica Ness,?or call 605-626-2272 or?605-626-7900.?Or, contact NSU Admissions at 605-626-2544 or?admissions@northern.edu.

Our Faculty

Alyssa Kiesow

Department

College of Arts and Sciences

Office of Sponsored Projects

Science and Mathematics

Programs

Biology

Biology Education

Medical Laboratory Science

Pre-Chiropractic

Pre-Dentistry

Pre-Engineering

Pre-Medicine

Pre-Mortuary Science

Pre-Nursing

Pre-Occupational Therapy

Pre-Optometry

Pre-Pharmacy

Pre-Physical Therapy

Pre-Physician��s Assistant

Pre-Veterinary Sciences

Ph.D. University of South Dakota

M.S. South Dakota State University

B.S. South Dakota State University

A.A. Winona State University

Dr. Alyssa Kiesow joined Northern��s faculty in August 2007. Born in Little Falls, Minn., and raised in St. Cloud, Minn., she is?Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, assists with sponsored grants and research, and serves on the South Dakota Academy of Science Executive Committee. She received multiple degrees from state institutions. Dr. Kiesow earned her Ph.D. in biological sciences with a research focus in genetics from the University of South Dakota.

Research Interests

Dr. Kiesow's primary research interests range from genetic structure of animal?populations to epigenetics of developing embryos. Recent research focuses on the?effects of various toxins on embryonic development in sea stars, sea urchins, and?Xenopus laevis.

Courses Taught

Anatomy

Developmental Biology

Genetics

Physiology

Selected Publications

*Denotes undergraduate student research

Rowland, P., A. M. Kiesow, M. Redlin, C. Anderson, A. Liebl, and A. Surovek.? Accepted, publication date pending.? Salaries in Higher Education Systems: A System-wide Perspective on Career Advancement and Gender (Sex) Equity.? ADVANCE journal.?

Surovek, A., Rowland, P., A. M. Kiesow, M. Redlin, M. Emery, C. Anderson, and A. Liebl.? 2020.? A statewide policy driven approach to gender equity.? Paper for?American Society for Engineering Education Conference. DOI: 10.18260/1-2-34054, URL: https://per.asee.org/34054.

*Keryakos, J., *A. VanOosbree, and A. M. Kiesow.? 2019.? The association of TAS1R2 to dental and cardiovascular health.? American Journal of Undergraduate Research 16: 47-54.

Kiesow, A. M., and H. B. Britten.? 2018.? Comparison of...

Terry Piatz

Department

College of Arts and Sciences

Rising Scholars Program

Programs

Medical Laboratory Science

M.S., University of North Dakota

B.S., South Dakota State University

Ms. Piatz joined Northern State University in 2009 and has a bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science and microbiology from South Dakota State University, and a master's degree in medical laboratory science from the University of North Dakota. She completed a medical laboratory science internship at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Ms. Piatz is director of the?NSU Rising Scholars Program, which is an NACEP-accredited concurrent enrollment program.?She?assists with the medical laboratory science (MLS) program.? Ms. Piatz has worked in the MLS field for many years, and has taught MLS-related courses since 1995.

Courses Taught

BIOL 312 Hematology

Andrew Russell

Department

College of Arts and Sciences

Science and Mathematics

Programs

Biology

Biology Education

Medical Laboratory Science

Pre-Chiropractic

Pre-Dentistry

Pre-Engineering

Pre-Medicine

Pre-Mortuary Science

Pre-Nursing

Pre-Occupational Therapy

Pre-Optometry

Pre-Pharmacy

Pre-Physical Therapy

Pre-Physician��s Assistant

Pre-Veterinary Sciences

Ph.D., Indiana University

B.S., Hillsdale College

Dr. Andrew Russell joined NSU's faculty in 2014.

Courses taught

Microbiology

Cell and Molecular Biology

Immunology

Medical Microbiology

Parasitology

Biology of Beer

Research Areas

Microbial biofilm formation

Host-microbe interactions

Disease resistance mechanisms

Genetic and molecular basis of host specificity

Intersection between symbiosis and pathogenicity

Summary of Research Interests

For several years, I have been researching the molecular mechanisms underlying host-microbe interactions. Specifically, my work has focused on two main questions: 1.) How do pathogens use molecular weaponry to promote virulence on susceptible hosts, and 2.) How do resistant hosts detect pathogen molecules to trigger an immune response?

My research has shown that the answers to these questions often go hand-in-hand; a pathogen protein that promotes growth on a susceptible host frequently activates defenses in a resistant host. Consequently, a pathogen must have the right combination of molecular weapons to evade host defenses. Not enough fire power and you will be overwhelmed by the host?'s arsenal. Too many weapons and you lose your ability to fly under the radar of host detection mechanisms.

Most of the focus in my field has been on studying how a single molecular weapon can influence pathogen growth. While it is...