Laboratory Animal Science MLAS
Major: Laboratory Animal Science
Degree Awarded: Master of Laboratory Animal Science (MLAS)
Calendar Type: Semester
Minimum Required Credits: 34.0
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 01.8102
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-1011
About the Program
The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies offers the Master of Laboratory Animal Science (MLAS) degree. The MLAS program is designed for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree in animal science or a related field and are seeking advanced career positions in laboratory animal science and laboratory animal facility management. Alternatively, the MLAS degree is a powerful means to enhance students' credentials for admission to veterinary medical school.
The MLAS program is a full-time, two-year program that begins in August of each year. The first two years of the program consist primarily of classroom instruction, while the last semester is reserved for experiential learning. The program is flexible for traditional and nontraditional students alike due to the availability of evening courses.
Available Online
For individuals who are currently working in the laboratory animal science field, the MLAS program is available 100% online. Students can work full time while completing the program part-time (6 semesters). The majority of courses are completely asynchronous, thus allowing maximum flexibility for the working professional. Please review our website for specific details about the online program.
Curriculum
The MLAS curriculum consists of basic science courses, laboratory animal science courses and a practicum. The basic science courses were designed to build a solid foundation required for a successful career in laboratory animal science. The laboratory animal science courses focus on all aspects of laboratory animal science, including facility management. The practicum provides the student with the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge they have learned to the field of laboratory animal science. The outcome is a highly trained laboratory animal science professional with a solid foundation in the sciences.
Pre-veterinary Graduate Minor
Students desiring to attend veterinary medical school may elect to complete a pre-vet minor within the MLAS program. The addition of these courses to the MLAS program will help to further enhance the student's application to veterinary medical school by providing additional rigorous and relevant graduate-level coursework.
Practicum
MLAS faculty and administration assist the students in identifying and securing practicum placements at universities, biotechnology organizations and pharmaceutical companies. Practicum sites are available in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Texas. The list expands every year. In many instances, the practicum sites have offered our students a permanent position within their organization upon completion of the MLAS degree. Students currently working in a laboratory animal facility, with a minimum of two years' experience are exempt from the Laboratory Animal Practicum (MLAS 801S) - 4.0 credits.
Career Opportunities
MLAS graduates hold positions in laboratory animal facilities of universities, biotechnology companies, government agencies and pharmaceutical companies. There they serve as veterinarians, supervisors, managers, IACUC administrators, trainers, educators, consultants and sales representatives.
Veterinary Medical School
Successful completion of the MLAS program can also significantly improve a student’s academic credentials for application to veterinary medical school. Please review our website for a comprehensive list of veterinary medical schools that have been attended by MLAS alumni.
Additional Information
Erin Vogelsong
Program Director, MLAS
Assistant Professor
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies
60 N. 36th Street, Room 10W16
Health Sciences Building
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Tel. 267.359.2329 | Fax: 215.762.7961
eev25@drexel.edu | drexel.edu/medicine
Admission Requirements
Students will be selected on the basis of adequate educational background and veterinary/research/animal care experience.
Candidates for admission must provide the following credentials:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred
- Those with a lower GPA are encouraged to apply, but should ensure that relevant professional experience is included on their resume for evaluation
- Current employment in a laboratory animal facility, with a minimum of two years hands-on experience
- Official transcript from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Three professional letters of recommendation. Examples of eligible recommenders include:
- Current or previous workplace supervisor
- Previous science professors
- Veterinarian
- Resume
- Personal statement stating the applicant's academic and professional goals
- Additional requirements for International Students
Additional Information
For more information, please contact:
Erin Vogelsong
Program Director, MLAS
Assistant Professor
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies
College of Medicine
Drexel University Health Sciences Building (HSB)
60 N 36th St., Room 10W16
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Tel: 267-359-2329 | Fax: 215-762-7961
eev25@drexel.edu | drexel.edu/medicine
Degree Requirements
The MLAS degree can be completed full-time in two years, or part-time in three or less years. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 34.0 credit hours for graduation. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required for graduation as well as grades of "C" or better.
| Required Courses | ||
| MLAS 501S | Laboratory Animal Seminar | 2.0 |
| MLAS 503S | The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee’s (IACUC) Role in Animal Research | 3.0 |
| MLAS 504S | Public Outreach for Animal Research | 3.0 |
| MLAS 510S | Clinical Orientation In Laboratory Animal Facilities | 1.0 |
| MLAS 520S | Financial Mgmt In Lab Anim Sci | 3.0 |
| MLAS 521S | Arch Eng & Plan For Anim Fac | 4.0 |
| MLAS 523S | Organizational Management | 3.0 |
| MLAS 525S | Animal Anatomy | 2.0 |
| MLAS 535S | Biology & Care Of Lab Animals | 4.0 |
| MLAS 536S | Animal Models for Biomedical Research | 1.0 |
| MLAS 606S | Clinical Laboratory Techniques and Concepts | 1.0 |
| MLAS 610S | Diseases of Laboratory Animals | 3.0 |
| Electives | ||
| Students must select a minimum of 4.0 credits from the following: | 4.0 | |
| Molecular Biology & Biochemistry of the Cell | ||
| Animal Nutrition | ||
| Occupational Safety and Health in Laboratory Animal Care and Use Programs | ||
| LAT Certification Prep | ||
| LATG Certification Prep | ||
| Hematopoiesis (Upenn) | ||
| Molecular Genetics | ||
| Biostats In Vet Science | ||
| Embryology | ||
| Fundamentals of Histology | ||
| Laboratory Animal Practicum * | ||
| Medical Terminology | ||
| Medical Microbiology I | ||
| Concepts in Biochemistry and Cell Biology | ||
| Graduate Physiology | ||
| Graduate Pharmacology | ||
| Total Credits | 34.0 | |
- *
Students without field experience must take this course as a part of their elective requirements.
Sample Plan of Study
Online MLAS Plan of Study
| First Year (Part-Time) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MLAS 510S | 1.0 | MLAS 520S | 3.0 |
| MLAS Elective(s) | 4.0 | MLAS 523S | 3.0 |
| 5 | 6 | ||
| Second Year (Part-Time) | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MLAS 525S | 2.0 | MLAS 535S | 4.0 |
| MLAS 503S | 3.0 | MLAS 504S | 3.0 |
| 5 | 7 | ||
| Third Year (Part-Time) | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MLAS 606S | 1.0 | MLAS 501S | 2.0 |
| MLAS 610S | 3.0 | MLAS 521S | 4.0 |
| MLAS 536S | 1.0 | ||
| 5 | 6 | ||
| Total Credits 34 | |||
On Campus (Face-to-Face) MLAS Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MLAS 510S | 1.0 | MLAS 520S | 3.0 |
| MLAS 523S | 3.0 | MLAS 535S | 4.0 |
| MLAS 536S | 1.0 | MLAS 504S | 3.0 |
| MLAS Elective* | 2.0-4.0 | ||
| 7-9 | 10 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MLAS 525S | 2.0 | MLAS 501S | 2.0 |
| MLAS 606S | 1.0 | MLAS 521S | 4.0 |
| MLAS 610S | 3.0 | MLAS 503S | 3.0 |
| MLAS Elective* | 2.0-4.0 | ||
| 8-10 | 9 | ||
| Total Credits 34-38 | |||
- *
Students receiving FT federal financial aid will need to register for 9 credits
Program Level Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:
- Demonstrate mastery of the laboratory animal science field (local and federal regulations, laboratory animal care, facility management, veterinary care and research).
- Summarize the importance of animal research in biomedical science.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the basic sciences in the laboratory animal field (microbiology, genetics, statistics, biology, chemistry, biochemistry and physics).
- Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in changing environments.
- Collaborate with others to achieve shared goals.
- Participate in local and national professional laboratory animal science organizations and contribute to biomedical research outreach efforts through volunteerism.