Medical Laboratory Science is the application of scientific techniques and methods in the analysis of body fluids, tissues and human waste products as it relates to the state of health of individuals. It deals with the production of biological reagents and vaccines. Also, it involves the recovery of microorganisms from human and animal specimens, the identification of changes in the body that are characteristic of specific diseases, identification and quantitation of toxic substances in the body and determination of appropriate therapeutic agents for treatment.
The introduction of the medical laboratory service as a component of the hospital establishment furthered the use of scientific approach in health care delivery. New approaches to the diagnosis of human diseases such as gene mapping and the use of molecular probes have extended the effectiveness of diagnosis and management of disease conditions. The B.MLS. degree programme will prepare the candidates for effective service in Diagnostic Laboratories in hospitals and private laboratory establishments, University Research Institutes, Food Laboratories and other allied fields or be self-employed. On the successful completion of the five-year degree programme, candidates will be registered as Associate Members of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (AMLSCN) subject to meeting other prescribed requirements.
The inclusion of Community Based Education and Service (COBES) component at 400 Level and Basic Communication in French skill at 500 Level makes this curriculum unique and shall integrate B.MLS. graduates to the community and the West African sub-region.
The establishment of Bachelor’s programme in Medical Laboratory Science was approved, to commence in the 2011/2012 session, by the Senate of the University of Ilorin at its 207th meeting held on Tuesday 16th February 2010. Curriculum for the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (B.MLS.) degree programme was then prepared and processed to Senate; which approved it at its 254th meeting held on Tuesday 30th June 2016.
The Department of Medical Laboratory Science consists of Department members with expertise in all aspects of laboratory medicine namely : Chemical pathology, Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Virology, Histopathology and Molecular Biology. The Department administers Medical Laboratory science undergraduate concentrationleading to award of Bachelor degree in Medical Laboratory Science.
The department is committed to the University’s mission of teaching, learning, research and community development services in the field of Medical Laboaratory science. . It is aimed at producing men and women who are well-trained in all facets of Medical Laboratory science with the main purpose of meeting national and international needs in the area of quality healthcare delivery.