Master of Laboratory Animal Science (MLAS) Program

Download the MLAS application.

Program Overview

The Master of Laboratory Animal Science (MLAS) degree is a full-time, two-year program (or up to four years part-time) designed for students who want to pursue advanced careers in laboratory animal science or laboratory animal facility management. Most classes are scheduled in late afternoon and early evening to accommodate working professionals.

The MLAS degree is also a proven enhancement to your veterinary school application. Students take a combination of graduate and first-year medical school courses ito enhance their applications to schools of veterinary medicine.

The MLAS program is the right choice if:

  • You want to enhance your veterinary school application with the specialization a master’s degree provides.
  • You are interested in pursuing career alternatives in animal science other than veterinary medicine.
Curriculum 

FIRST YEAR REQUIRED COURSES—FALL SEMESTER

Course Number
Course Description           
Credits
MLAS 505
Microbiology with laboratory
4.0
MLAS 523
Organizational Management
3.0
MLAS 510
Clinical Orientation to Laboratory Animal Facilities
1.0
MLAS 536
Animal Models in Biomedical Research
1.0
 
TOTAL
9.0


FIRST YEAR ELECTIVE COURSES – FALL SEMESTER

Course Number
Course Description           
Credits
PHYS 503
Graduate Physiology
4.0
PHARM 512
Graduate Pharmacology
3.0

 
 
FIRST YEAR REQUIRED COURSES – SPRING SEMESTER

Course Number
Course Description           
Credits
MLAS 520           
Financial Management in Laboratory Animal Science
3.0
MLAS 535
Biology and Care of Laboratory Animals
4.0
MLAS 529
Molecular Genetics
2.0
 
TOTAL
9.0


SECOND YEAR REQUIRED COURSES– FALL SEMESTER

Course Number
Course Description           
Credits
MLAS 525
Animal Anatomy
2.0
MLAS 610
Diseases of Laboratory Animals
3.0
MLAS 531
Embryology
3.0
MLAS 606
Clinical Laboratory Techniques and Concepts
1.0
 
TOTAL
9.0


SECOND YEAR ELECTIVE COURSES – FALL SEMESTER

Course Number
Course Description           
Credits
PHARM 512
Graduate Pharmacology
3.0
MLAS 545
Fundamentals of Histology
2.0
MLAS 513
Biochemical Basis of Disease (Offered at UPenn Vet School)
2.0
MLAS 514
Hematopoiesis (Offered at UPenn Vet School)
1.5


SECOND YEAR REQUIRED COURSES – SPRING SEMESTER

Course Number
Course Description           
Credits
MLAS 521
Architecture, Engineering, and Planning of Animal Facilities
4.0
MLAS 501
Laboratory Animal Seminar
2.0
MLAS 530
Biostatistics in Veterinary Science
3.0
 
TOTAL
9.0


SECOND YEAR – SUMMER SESSION

Course Number
Course Description           
Credits
MLAS 801
Laboratory Animal Practicum
12.0
 
TOTAL
12.0

 MLAS Admission Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university.
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • General Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores at or above the 50th percentile in all areas obtained within the last 5 years. The student must request that these scores be sent directly to University School Code 2285 and Department Code 0609.
  • Official transcript from all post-secondary institutions attended.
  • Three letters of reference, two must be from science professors.
  • Personal statement stating the applicant’s academic and professional goals.

Office of Professional Studies in the Health Sciences
245 North 15th Street, Mail Stop 344, Room 4104 NCB
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Telephone: 215-762-4692
Email:  medicalsciences@drexelmed.edu