B.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT): Course Overview and Career Prospects

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc ) in Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) is an undergraduate medical program that is meant to teach students several laboratory techniques which are further used in diagnosing and treating various diseases. It is an integral part of the healthcare system as it provides knowledge, as well as the practical skills necessary for medical laboratory work. This program spans over a period of three years, and is divided into six semesters. Some of the subjects that are taught in this course program are Diagnostic Cytology, Clinical Endocrinology & Toxicology Lab, and many more. 

B.Sc MLT Course Details: An Overview

A degree in Medical Laboratory Training allows students to gain hands-on experience in using Lab equipment, which further help them to perform various tests that are important for diagnosing any disease. Medical Laboratory Technology is a crucial degree because it plays the most integral part in the healthcare system, i.,e, nobody would be able to get treated unless and until one knows the kind of disease a person is suffering from. The graduates of Medical Laboratory Technology degree has a huge scope for pursuing a diverse range of career choices. Some of the key details of Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology are provided in the table below:

Who is Eligible to study MLT?

Students who wish to pursue B.Sc MLT must know whether they are eligible to pursue that particular course or not. Therefore, the eligibility criteria for pursuing B.Sc MLT are as follows:

• Students must pass 10+2 exams with physics, chemistry, math and biology as subjects, with at least 50% of aggregate marks.
• The age limit may vary according to institutions but there are no strict age restrictions in pursuing B.Sc MLT.
• Some institutions may require the students to pass CUET (Common University Entrance Test), while other universities may conduct their own entrance exams. 

Syllabus in detail

The course of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) is divided into six semesters, the syllabus for the same is provided below:

Semester I:

• Human Anatomy I
• Human Physiology I
• Biochemistry I
• PC Software Lab
• Human Anatomy I Lab
• Human Physiology I Lab
• Biochemistry I Lab

Semester II:

• Human Anatomy II
• Human Physiology II
• Biochemistry II
• Communication Lab
• Bio-Medical Waste Management

Semester III:

• Pathology I
• Microbiology I
• Histopathology and Histotechniques I
• Clinical Hematology I
• Immunology and Serology I 

Semester IV:

• Pathology II
• Microbiology II
• Immunology and Serology II
• Histopathology and Histotechniques II
• Clinical Haematology II

Semester V:

• Clinical Enzymology Lab
• Diagnostic Cytology
• Clinical Enzymology and Automation
• Parasitology and Virology
• Immunohematology and Blood Banking
• Research and Biostatistics
• Clinical Biochemistry III

Semester VI:

• Diagnostic Molecular Biology
• Advanced Laboratory Techniques
• Clinical Endocrinology and Toxicology
• Advanced Diagnostic Techniques
• Diagnostic Molecular Biology
• Practical training and Internship project

Top Colleges for MLT in India

These are the top colleges for pursuing Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) in India:

• Banaras Hindu University
• Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER)
• Jawaharlal Institute of PostGraduate Medical Education and Research 
• King George’s Medical University
• Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute
• Christian Medical College
• Jamia Hamdard University
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education
• Sri Ramachandra Medical College
• Chandigarh University
• Guru Gobind Indraprastha University
• Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences

What is the admission process for B.Sc MLT? 

The admission process for Bachelor in Science for Medical Laboratory Technology is based on marks obtained by higher secondary examinations. While some institutions may hold entrance exams on their own, admissions are fully merit based:

• Students must pass 10+2 examination with physics, chemistry, math and biology as subjects and obtain a minimum of 50% marks.
• For merit based admission, colleges set a particular cut-off score based on the marks obtained by students in their class 12 examination, and students meeting or exceeding that cut off score are eligible for admission.
• Some common entrance exams for admission into B.Sc MLT are CUET, KCET, IPU CET.

Career Options and Scope of Medical Laboratory Technology

The scope for a B.Sc degree in Medical Laboratory Technology is indeed very wide as a diverse range of job and career options are available to B,Sc graduates:

• Despite being a challenging course, a career in the Medical Laboratory field is very rewarding as well as satisfying because the learning opportunities are ever increasing, i.e, a laboratory technologist gets to learn something new everyday, which is beneficial for their career.
• Finding employment after completing the B.Sc degree in MLT becomes easier because the demand for Laboratory technologists has been increasing ever since. 
• If a graduate wishes to pursue a career in teaching, they can further become a lecturer or teacher in their line of study, in B.Sc.
• As time has passed, the course of Medical Laboratory Technology has changed tremendously. As compared to before, students are learning much more as their course of study has multiplied and hence, the scope for this course has also expanded, providing a diversified range of job options. 

Multiple job options are available for graduates of Medical Laboratory Technology. Some of them are listed down below:

• Medical Laboratory Technician: A medical Laboratory Technician is responsible for maintaining records operations by following policies and procedures, and also reporting changes necessary. Their average salary ranges from INR 4 lakhs per year
• Research Assistant: The work of a research assistant includes assisting in ongoing research projects in laboratories and pharmaceutical companies. They conduct experiments and analyze data as well. Their salary ranges from INR 2 lakh per year.
• Laboratory Manager: A laboratory manager is responsible for conducting tests according to the scheduled time, reviewing any abnormal results or irregularity, A laboratory manager may also hire and supervise staff, thereby ensuring that all employees receive proper training. Their salary ranges from INR 2.5 lakhs per year.
• Medical Officer: A medical officer or a health officer ensures medical care of patients and oversees the functions performed by the medical staff. They also help in assessing and diagnosing the needs and plans necessary for patients. Their salary ranges from INR 5 lakhs per year.

Other career opportunities include, Lab Assistants, Lecturers, Clinical Laboratory Technologist, Clinical Research Associate, Phlebotomist, Quality Control Analyst, Specialized Technician. 

Future of MLT in India

The future of Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) in India is quite promising as it is driven by an increasing demand for trained and skilled professionals in laboratory practices, in the healthcare industry. As laboratory skills and functions are an integral part of the healthcare industry, the scope and demand for such professionals will never cease to exist. Despite being a career that may be challenging at times, it is rewarding and beneficial career choice as well, because the learning opportunities in this course are plenty. Diverse range of jobs or career options are available in both public and private sectors as graduates may find jobs at private research organizations or work at governments labs and hospitals. MLT professionals are quite in demand at the international level as well, particularly in countries like Canada, Australia and USA, thereby providing the pathway to higher salaries and better working conditions. 

FAQs

• What is the duration for the B.Sc MLT program?

The course of B.Sc MLT spans over a period of three years  and it is divided into six semesters.

• What is the average fee structure for B.Sc MLT?

The fee structure may vary according to different institutions. But the average fee ranges from INR 30,000 to INR 2 lakhs per year.

• What is the average salary for a B.Sc MLT graduate?

The starting salaries typically range from INR 2 lakhs to INR 6 lakhs per year.

• What to do after B.Sc MLT?

Graduates can either pursue their higher studies in M.Sc or they may find job options such as Clinical Research Associates, Laboratory Managers, Phlebotomists, Quality Control Analysts, Laboratory Technician, and many more. 

Unlock your Future in Medicine by contacting PlanEdu now for Medical career counseling as well as admission guidance. We are dedicated to guiding you through every step of admission and help you choose the best course and colleges personally tailored to suit your needs.