The course Science Laboratory Technology is a shade that needs illumination. People don’t understand what the course is all about, even students that apply for it don’t really understand what is ahead of them so they become surprise at what they see. Many people call us “Doctors”, some even mistake us for Medical Laboratory Scientists but is that true? Who are we? What do we do? And where do we work?

The Science Laboratory Technology Program provides students with the necessary skills and techniques for standard, everyday science laboratory work. Science Laboratory Technology Program focuses on the fundamental principles of the biological and physical sciences and emphasizes analytical laboratory techniques and applications, specifically in the realms of chemistry and biology. The curriculum enables the student to explore a variety of laboratory testing techniques and to prepare and operate various types of tools and electronic analysis equipment. The Science Laboratory Technology Program prepares graduates for employment in chemical, biological, and associated science laboratories.

The Science Laboratory Technology fields of opportunity include chemical, biology, agricultural and food science, environmental science and prevention, forensic, forest and conservation, geological, and energy technology. This program focuses on chemical and biological concentrations with laboratory experiences that covers a variety of applications in biological, biochemical, chemical, water, environmental, forensic, petrochemical, and agricultural science areas.

Many students have confused Medical Laboratory Science to be Science Laboratory Technology, but these two programs are entirely different. Now let’s digest the differences. Faculty/School Medical Laboratory Science is a medical science course studied in university or college of Health Sciences only. In the university, it is studied in the college of Medicine under the Faculty of Health Sciences. Medical Laboratory Assistant and Technicians are trained in the College of Health Technology while Medical Laboratory Scientists are trained in the universities.

None of the Medical Laboratory Science Professionals are trained in the Polytechnics as many Polytechnic graduates and students of Science Laboratory Technology claim to belong to the Medical Laboratory Science Profession as one can only mistake them to be the same if one does not belong to medical/health profession or has not been admitted to study any of the course. Whereas, Science Laboratory Technology is studied in the Faculty of Biological or Natural Science in the universities and under the school of sciences/technology in the Polytechnics, graduates of Science Laboratory Technology from the Polytechnic are called Technicians while their counter part from the universities are called Laboratory Technologist.

Graduates of Medical Laboratory Science can take up job in teaching and specialist hospital, primary health centres, research and private health centres, private establishments and quality control or reference laboratories, public health laboratories, forensic and law enforcement laboratories. Their graduates can be self employed by establishing their own diagnostic/research laboratories. While graduates of Science Laboratory Technology can work in environmental health institution where they may involve in food analysis to protect public health or water industry where they can be involved in water analysis. They can work in secondary schools and tertiary institutions as science teachers or help in biology or chemistry laboratories as technologists. They can also establish research laboratories for food and water analysis for public health protection. Having pinpointed the major differences between the two, this will help students and parents or guardians in making career choice.

It is said “ignorance is no excuse”, know what you want and stand on it, try all you can, do your best to achieve the plans of your heart. “Guard your heart with wisdom for she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.”