The BMLS degree programme runs for 5 years for Joint Matriculation entry candidates and 4 years for direct entry candidates.The BMLS programme is being handled by the professional Medical Laboratory Scientists in the cadres of Professor to Lecturer II's cadre. The first two years of the programme will partly be handled by other Departments of Basic Sciences.
The Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Babcock University was established as a full-fledged Department in 2008 having secured an approval from the NUC. Medical Laboratory Science programme offers the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science Degree (BMLS), which is currently run as a Department and will later metamorphose into a School setting (Faculty).
i. Major aspects of the basic sciences including Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bio-statistics, Computer programming up to advanced levels.
ii. Major general students courses including use of English language to ensure that students are conversant with the English Language function, writing skills, texts, letters and memorandum, speech writing and term papers, etc; other general studies including Social Sciences and Humanities.
iii. The Basic Medical Science courses including Gross Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology.
iv. Core subjects of medical laboratory sciences including: Clinical chemistry; Medical Microbiology (Virology, Bacteriology, Mycology), Hematology and Blood group Science, Histopathology, Parasitology etc.
v. Laboratory postings are conducted at specified and regular intervals in all core Medical laboratory science courses. Students are posted to specific hospital based laboratories for professional experience under the supervision of senior medical laboratory scientists/lecturers as part of the students’ clinical experience.
vi. Field trips are conducted and students are taken for further professional experience/exposure in utility departments (e.g. water treatment plants); industries (e.g. Breweries, food and beverage especially for quality assurance and control); community health centers for epidemiological studies; special clinics and bays e.g. leprosaria, tuberculosis/HIV units; sickle cell anemia clinics, renal units, etc. for further experience/ factories to acquire some entrepreneur skills.
Instructions by structured course system and clinical practice both within and outside the department shall be provided. During the course of training, at the end of each year, student is expected to write and pass series of comprehensive examinations constituting pre-requisite to the professional examination.
- A total of 215 semester credits for Histopathology.
- A total of 217 semester credits for Haematology/Blood Group Science.
- A total of 218 semester credits for Chemical Pathology.
- A total of 220 semester credits for Medical Microbiology.
- All 300 and 400 level core courses are required for 1st professional examination
- All 100 – 500 level core courses are required for final professional examination.
- Failure in first professional examination will prevent the student from taking the Laboratory posting course of 500 level as well as undertaking final year project (see policy statements on professional examination).
- To be awarded the degree of BMLS of Babcock University, a student must pass all courses offered by the University in addition with all the professional examinations conducted in collaboration with the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN)
- The class of degree awarded will be in line with the University grading policy. All results are subjected to the University’s Senate approval.
- Each student is expected to score at least a minimum grade (50%) in all the 100 level and 200 level courses before attempting any of the 300 level courses irrespective of whether they are compulsory or elective. The minimum grade is 50% and resist is not allowed at any point in time.
- Candidates are required to be presented at the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) professional registration examination and successful candidates would be registered and licensed to practice as professionals.
- A total of 215 semester credits for Histopathology, 217 semester credits for Haematology/Blood Group Science, 218 semester credits FOR Chemical Pathology, and 220 217 semester credits for Medical Microbiology major and general education courses are needed for graduation.
