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Faculty of MedicineBachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc) Program
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    Info Session: How to Apply for Fall 2027 Entry · Thursday, Nov 5, 2026 · in person 3:45 pm, online 5:30 pm Register →

    Pathology laboratory microscope with cellular and diagnostic imagery

    Learn science by
    doing science.

    The BMLSc Program is built around hands-on laboratory learning, giving you the skills, experience, and confidence to pursue careers and further training in research, biotechnology, healthcare, and beyond.

    About How to Apply FAQs Contact
    About the Program

    Preparing Future Leaders in Laboratory Science

    The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc) at UBC offers an immersive, hands-on learning experience in one of North America’s leading laboratory science programs. Students train in laboratories within the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, gaining the practical skills and scientific expertise needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving field.

    Our graduates pursue careers in research, biotechnology, healthcare, and industry, while many continue on to graduate studies, medicine, and other professional programs. With small cohort sizes, personalized mentorship, and intensive laboratory training, the BMLSc Program provides a strong foundation for a wide range of opportunities in the life sciences.

    BMLSc Program faculty and staff gathered in front of the program banner at UBC Hospital The Faces of BMLSc

    Message from the Director

    “The BMLSc Program is shaped not only by curriculum, but by the people within it — especially our students. We work alongside you to build a supportive, inclusive learning community where your curiosity, voices, and experiences matter, and where together we define what it means to learn, grow, and thrive in science while laying the foundation for an exciting career path.”
    Añuli C. Uzozie, PhD Program Director
    UBC Vancouver campus at sunset
    4:1 Student–Faculty Ratio
    Since 1980
    2-Year Program
    700+ Alumni

    Where Science
    Meets
    Patient Care

    Prospective Students

    Start your BMLSc Journey

    Everything you need to know about joining the program — from requirements to financial support.

    • Entrance Requirements

      Prerequisites, GPA requirements, and what you need to qualify for the program.

    • Curriculum

      Course structure, lab components, and what you’ll learn in Year 3 and Year 4.

    • How to Apply

      Step-by-step application process, deadlines, and required documents.

    • Tuition & Financial Aid

      Program costs, scholarships, and financial support options available.

    • Career Opportunities

      Where our graduates work—healthcare, research labs, biotech, and more.

    • Student Experience

      Hear from current students and alumni about life in the BMLSc Program.

    • Co-op Program

      Add paid, career-building lab work terms to your degree through Science Co-op.
    Learning in the Lab

    Hands-on training in well-equipped, expert-guided environments

    Students learn in laboratories within UBC’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, in a program that emphasizes practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge.

    • Master advanced laboratory techniques and scientific methods through extensive hands-on training
    • Develop skills to analyze data, solve problems, and make evidence-based decisions
    • Learn to design experiments, interpret results, and communicate scientific findings with confidence
    • Work closely with faculty mentors in a collaborative and supportive learning environment
    • Build professional, ethical, and teamwork skills that prepare you for research, healthcare, and biotechnology careers

    View Program Learning Outcomes →

    BMLSc students working in laboratory
    Student Voices

    The best part of the BMLSc? Our students.

    Hear it straight from our graduates — the small cohorts, the mentorship, and the hands-on learning that shaped where they are today.

    Read more student stories
    “The small class size provided for an enriching and rewarding experience. The BMLSc Program is excellent preparation and academic background for medicine, my current career.”
    — Ananta
    “I enjoyed the diverse group of instructors, which allowed us to network with amazing researchers and instructors and learn about their cutting-edge research.”
    — Jason
    “The program gave me a well-rounded background to pursue anything that I want — and with the background I have now I am sure I will be able to do just that.”
    — Tafline
    “I especially enjoyed the curriculum and the small class size. Not only did I make great friends, I also got to meet a lot of faculty members. I don’t believe there is any undergrad program like this at UBC.”
    — Elsie
    “I’ve gained a lot of knowledge regarding medical care for patients, and I improved my team and group skills, which is valued in any profession, especially in healthcare.”
    — Harwinder
    “I really appreciate all the staff for their passion for the program and their thoughtfulness for the students. It made the two years of study enjoyable and meaningful.”
    — Winnie
    “I learned not only theoretical knowledge and technical skills, but also a lot about myself — to balance my time, work in groups, think critically, and be an effective teacher.”
    — Krista
    “The BMLSc Program gave me a skill set that is a solid foundation for graduate studies and the working world. It taught me to be a critical thinker with a broad knowledge base.”
    — Challayne
    “The small class size provided for an enriching and rewarding experience. The BMLSc Program is excellent preparation and academic background for medicine, my current career.”
    — Ananta
    “I enjoyed the diverse group of instructors, which allowed us to network with amazing researchers and instructors and learn about their cutting-edge research.”
    — Jason
    “The program gave me a well-rounded background to pursue anything that I want — and with the background I have now I am sure I will be able to do just that.”
    — Tafline
    “I especially enjoyed the curriculum and the small class size. Not only did I make great friends, I also got to meet a lot of faculty members. I don’t believe there is any undergrad program like this at UBC.”
    — Elsie
    “I’ve gained a lot of knowledge regarding medical care for patients, and I improved my team and group skills, which is valued in any profession, especially in healthcare.”
    — Harwinder
    “I really appreciate all the staff for their passion for the program and their thoughtfulness for the students. It made the two years of study enjoyable and meaningful.”
    — Winnie
    “I learned not only theoretical knowledge and technical skills, but also a lot about myself — to balance my time, work in groups, think critically, and be an effective teacher.”
    — Krista
    “The BMLSc Program gave me a skill set that is a solid foundation for graduate studies and the working world. It taught me to be a critical thinker with a broad knowledge base.”
    — Challayne
    Common Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    It’s the study of the scientific principles behind the work of hospital and medical research labs — spanning pathology, histology, medical microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, toxicology, and immunopathology. The BMLSc focuses on science from a human-health perspective and bridges these fields so you learn to work across disciplines.
    Through lectures, seminars, small-group problem-based tutorials, medical case analysis, and hospital-lab site visits. Many courses pair an hour of lecture with an hour of hands-on lab; others have a dedicated lab period for techniques like sectioning, embedding, and staining tissues. With just 24 students a year, you work closely with classmates and instructors.
    Over two years: medical microbiology (e.g. bacterial ID), tissue culture, molecular biology (PCR, gel electrophoresis, Western blotting), chromatography including FPLC, light and electron photomicrography, immunohistochemistry, and lab safety — plus oral presentation, critical appraisal of papers, and professional scientific communication.
    It’s challenging, but students with a genuine interest in human health and disease tend to thrive — on average, students raise their GPA by about a letter grade between entry and graduation.
    In the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UBC Hospital on the Vancouver campus, taught by department faculty and other UBC experts — many of them practising pathologists engaged in current research.
    Since 1980 the program has graduated over 700 students who’ve gone on to careers in healthcare, research, and biotechnology, and to further study in medicine, dentistry, and graduate programs. Explore career opportunities.
    No. Credentials, equivalencies, and transfer credits are assessed only once an application is submitted — that evaluation is part of the process. It’s each applicant’s responsibility to confirm they meet the minimum eligibility requirements beforehand.
    Yes — all courses listed as entrance requirements must be finished before you enter the program. If you have questions about a missing prerequisite, reach out through the Contact Us link.
    Yes. If you haven’t completed CHEM 211 before entering, you’ll take it in term one of Year 3, as it’s a prerequisite for the CHEM 315 lab in term two. Because of seating limits in CHEM 211, you’re strongly encouraged to finish it before entering the program.
    No — BMLSc Pathology (PATH) courses are restricted to students enrolled in the program, and they aren’t offered during the Summer session.
    The Year 3 curriculum follows a standard timetable with no room for electives. In Year 4, you may take additional courses that fit the standard timetable.
    Yes — provided you’ve completed all first- and second-year prerequisites, you can apply from your second, third, or fourth year.
    You’re eligible if you’ve completed the prerequisites, but enrolment is limited and qualified applicants usually exceed the seats. Priority goes to qualified applicants who don’t yet hold an undergraduate degree, and to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Degree holders and international applicants are considered only if seats remain.
    Applications range from about 50 to 125 each year, and facility limits cap admission at a maximum of 24 students.
    No. There’s no minimum GPA requirement — each applicant is assessed individually on their academic record.
    The minimum accepted GPA shifts each year with the applicant pool. Previous years’ figures aren’t published, since they don’t indicate what may be accepted in the year you apply.
    Applicants are contacted in early to mid-May. You can check your status any time through the Applicant Service Centre (ASC).
    An MLT is a member of the healthcare team who performs laboratory investigations used to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease — analysing specimens such as blood, urine, and tissue. They’re the people who take your sample at a lab when you have medical tests.
    No. Completing an MLT diploma lets you write the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) certification exam. UBC’s BMLSc does not award the MLT diploma and does not prepare you to write that exam — MLT diploma programs are offered separately at institutions across BC.
    See all FAQs on the BMLSc site
    Join us

    Think the BMLSc might be your fit?

    Applications for Fall 2027 open early October 2026. Have questions before then? We’re here to help — reach out anytime.

    Apply Now Contact Us
    UBC
    BMLSc Program

    UBC’s Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science Program — where clinical training meets discovery science. Part of the Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

    About

    • Program Overview
    • Learning Outcomes
    • Student Experience
    • Career Opportunities

    Apply

    • Entrance Requirements
    • Curriculum
    • How to Apply
    • Tuition & Aid
    • International Applicants

    Contact

    • FAQs
    • bmlsc@pathology.ubc.ca
    • UBC Hospital, Koerner Pavilion
      G110 – 2211 Wesbrook Mall
      Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5
    BMLSc Program | Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
    Faculty of Medicine
    UBC Hospital, Koerner Pavilion
    G110 - 2211 Wesbrook Mall
    Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 2B5
    Website bmlscpathology.med.ubc.ca
    Email bmlsc@pathology.ubc.ca
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