What is diagnostic science?

Diagnostic science sits at the intersection of clinical laboratory technology and patient care, preparing students to analyze biological samples that inform critical medical decisions. Students complete coursework in clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, and various other disciplines while developing the analytical thinking essential to modern healthcare. This course of study is ideal for students interested in better understanding the field of medical diagnostics but plan to pursue careers outside the clinical laboratory setting.

Why study diagnostic science at UNH?

UNH's program emphasizes both scientific rigor and real-world application, with coursework in quality control and assurance that translates across multiple disciplines and industries. Students also benefit from interdisciplinary education that builds problem-solving skills valued by employers in healthcare administration, pharmaceutical companies, research organizations, and regulatory agencies. The curriculum prepares graduates to adapt to evolving healthcare technologies and industry demands.

Potential careers areas

Quality control and assurance specialist
Healthcare administrator
Pharmaceutical sales representative
Clinical Research associate
Regulatory affairs specialist
Medical device representative

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

The Diagnostic Science program aims to develop the next generation of diagnostic professionals who demonstrate innovation and compassion to advance healthcare. Through interdisciplinary education and a commitment to critical inquiry, our graduates will become pioneers in identifying and solving complex health challenges, driving better outcomes for individuals and communities.

This is the pre-clinical option for students who wish to have a background in diagnostic science but whose goals are to work in roles outside of the clinical laboratory.

Graduates from this program are prepared for a variety of careers due to the clinical laboratory and quality control/assurance principles learned through this curriculum. Additionally, the knowledge gained in quality control and assurance provides graduates of this option with ample skills needed in varying industries.

Degree Plan

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credits
MCBS 401	Professional Perspectives in Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences	1
BIOL 411	Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular	4
BMS 507	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
ENGL 401	First-Year Writing	4
CHEM 403	General Chemistry I	4
	Credits	17
Spring
BMS 508	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	4
CHEM 404	General Chemistry II	4
BIOL 528	Applied Biostatistics I	4
Discovery Course		4
	Credits	16
Second Year
Fall
BMS 503 & BMS 504	General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory	5
GEN 604	Principles of Genetics	4
Discovery Course (Writing Intensive)		4
Discovery Course		4
	Credits	17
Spring
BMS 602 & BMS 603	Pathogenic Microbiology and Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory	5
BMS 560 & BMS 561	Body Fluids and Body Fluids Laboratory	4
CHEM 545 & CHEM 546	Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory	5
Major Elective		2-4
	Credits	16-18
Third Year
Fall
BMS 650	Molecular Diagnostics	4
BMCB 658 & BMCB 659	General Biochemistry and General Biochemistry Lab	5
BMS 644 & BMS 645 & BMS 646	Clinical Hematology and Clinical Hematology Laboratory and Clinical Hemostasis	6
	Credits	15
Spring
BMS 642 & BMS 643	Clinical Immunology and Serology and Clinical Serology Laboratory	4
BMS 720 & BMS 721	Mycology, Parasitology, and Virology and Mycology, Parasitology, and Virology Laboratory	5
Major Elective		4
Discovery Course		4
	Credits	17
Fourth Year
Fall
BMS 658 & BMS 659	Medical Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry Laboratory	5
BMS 656 & BMS 657	Immunohematology and Blood Banking Laboratory	4
Major Elective		4
Discovery Course		4
	Credits	17
Spring
Major Elective		4-5
Elective		4-5
Elective		4-5
Elective		4-5
	Credits	16-20
	Total Credits	131-137

Requirements for the Program

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits

Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH

Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*

Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements

Foreign Language Requirement: No

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
Foundation Courses
CHEM 403	General Chemistry I	4
CHEM 404	General Chemistry II	4
CHEM 545 & CHEM 546	Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory	5
BIOL 528	Applied Biostatistics I	4
Bioscience Core Courses
BMS 503 & BMS 504	General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory	5
BIOL 411	Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular	4
BMS 507	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
BMS 508	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	4
BMCB 658 & BMCB 659	General Biochemistry and General Biochemistry Lab	5
GEN 604	Principles of Genetics	4
Diagnostic Science Core Courses
MCBS 401	Professional Perspectives in Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences	1
BMS 560 & BMS 561	Body Fluids and Body Fluids Laboratory	4
BMS 602 & BMS 603	Pathogenic Microbiology and Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory	5
BMS 642 & BMS 643	Clinical Immunology and Serology and Clinical Serology Laboratory	4
BMS 644 & BMS 645 & BMS 646	Clinical Hematology and Clinical Hematology Laboratory and Clinical Hemostasis	6
BMS 650	Molecular Diagnostics	4
BMS 656 & BMS 657	Immunohematology and Blood Banking Laboratory	4
BMS 658 & BMS 659	Medical Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry Laboratory	5
BMS 720 & BMS 721	Mycology, Parasitology, and Virology and Mycology, Parasitology, and Virology Laboratory	5
Major Electives
Select a minimum of 16 credits from the below list of approved electives for the major.		16
Total Credits		97

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Approved Elective Courses
BMS 610	Biomedical Lab Management ¹	4
BMS 623	Histology: Microscopic Cellular Structure and Function	4
BMS 640	Phlebotomy Theory ¹	2
BMS 641	Phlebotomy Clinical Internship	1
BMS 702	Endocrinology	4
BMS 704	Pathologic Basis of Disease	4
BMS 711	Toxicology	4
BMS 719	Host-Microbe Interactions	4
BMS 740	Human Microbiome	4
BMS 749	Case Studies in Hematology and Immunology	2
BMS 750	Case Studies in Microbiology	2
BMS 751	Advanced Clinical Microbiology Internship ²	5
BMS 752	Advanced Hematology Internship ²	5
BMS 753	Advanced Immunohematology Internship ²	5
BMS 754	Advanced Clinical Chemistry Internship ²	5
BMS 790	Undergraduate Teaching Experience ³	1
BMS 799H	Senior Honors Thesis ⁴	1
BMS 799	Senior Thesis ⁴	1
BMCB 760	Pharmacology	4
GEN 706	Human Genetics	4
SOC 635W	Medical Sociology	4

¹: Required for Clinical Internship Courses.
²: Students must complete this course to be eligible for MLS (ASCP) examination.
³: To be considered a capstone, students must complete two semesters of this course after acquiring 90 credits and senior status.
⁴: Students must complete a minimum of 4 credits for this course to count as an elective.

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate an understanding of foundational knowledge in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and clinical science
Apply scientific and statistical methods to critically evaluate and draw conclusions from experimental evidence or clinical data
Use evidence-based strategies to troubleshoot unexpected experimental outcomes or problem solve in clinical scenarios
Evaluate the reliability of laboratory results using pertinent quality control and quality assurance data
Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate scientific and clinical data
Correlate clinical and laboratory data to patient diagnosis and prognosis
Perform procedures routinely completed in clinical laboratories within acceptable limits of precision and accuracy.
Exhibit attitudes, behaviors, and ethics expected of entry-level medical professionals