Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

Overview

• Explore specialised concepts in biochemistry, haematology, transfusion and transplantation science, microbiology, pathology, immunology, cytogenetic and molecular pathology, histopathological techniques, quantitative medical science, quality assurance systems, and health informatics.
• Gain practical experience in our teaching laboratories and during your internship using equipment and analysers used in day-to-day clinical practice.
• In your final year undertake a semester-long work-integrated learning internship in a recognised laboratory.
• Longest running course of its kind in SE Queensland where graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.
• As a medical laboratory scientist, you will perform, interpret and report on analyses in the areas of immunology, haematology, transfusion science, microbiology, histopathology, cytology, biochemistry and molecular biology.

Details

Why choose this course?

As the only medical science degree in Queensland currently accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists, this course offers you opportunities for employment in the pathology industry as a medical laboratory scientist. Your learning will be multidisciplined and will extend beyond one specific area and will incorporate advanced knowledge in all areas of clinical pathology. As part of your professional diagnostic development, you will complete a work-integrated learning internship that allows you to network with, and be mentored by, practising medical scientists and clinical researchers. You may be able to complete part of your work  placement in regional Australia, interstate or in an international laboratory.

Course summary

This course has been designed in consultation with managers and academics from pathology and research laboratories to ensure you gain advanced knowledge of the latest  diagnostic techniques used in the industry. In addition to a semester-long work-integrated learning internship, you will develop practical skills in our laboratories, which means you are  familiar with techniques, equipment and instruments used daily in industry and research.

During first year you will develop a sound knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts that underpin medical laboratory science: cellular  and molecular biosciences, anatomy, physiological mathematics, statistics, biophysics and chemistry. You will be introduced to the local, national and global profession of medical laboratory science and the Australian healthcare system in the first of your professionally oriented units in the course.

In your second year you will explore more specialised concepts in pathology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, cytogenetic and molecular pathology, histopathological techniques, quantitative medical science, and quality assurance systems. In your practical classes, you will learn some of the latest techniques used in the clinical diagnostic pathology
industry, giving you the opportunity to develop your skills to professional standards.

The third year of the program allows you to further develop and refine your knowledge, understanding and practical skills to a more advanced level, and learn how they are applied in the clinical disciplines of molecular diagnostics, microbiology, chemical pathology, diagnostic endocrinology, histopathology, cytopathology, haematology, and transfusion and  ransplantation science. In your first semester of final year, you will undertake a semester-long work-integrated learning internship in a recognised laboratory. You will also complete studies in health informatics and learn how this relates to day-to-day laboratory operations.

In your final semester, you will complete an elective of your choice designed to complement your learning, for example, pharmacology, marketing, management, or research techniques. You will also prepare professional plans and identify graduate opportunities, as well as further your clinical discipline-specific learning in the context of intercultural health and contemporary issues in medical science.

Career outcomes

As a medical laboratory scientist, you will perform, interpret and report on analyses (or conduct research) in the areas of immunology, haematology, transfusion science, microbiology (bacteriology, mycology, virology, and parasitology), histopathology, cytology, biochemistry and molecular biology. After graduating you may decide to specialise in areas such as cytological diagnosis, transplantation science, celluar therapies, forensic testing, molecular diagnostics, cytogenetics and health informatics, or proceed to a managerial position within a private laboratory or hospital.

You may also choose to complete further studies leading to a career in medical research. Graduates of this course are currently researching in the areas of cancer diagnosis, malaria, virology, stem cells, infectious diseases, immunology, transfusion science, eye disease, reproductive medicine and molecular biology.

Professional recognition

As a graduate, you are immediately eligible for graduate membership with the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists and will have completed the academic and work placement  requirements for admission as a full member. Depending on your employment, you will be eligible to apply for membership of various professional organisations including the  Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists, Australian Society of Microbiology, Australian Society of Cytology, Human Genetics Society of Australasia, Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand, Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion, and Australian Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

Course requirements

See the Entry Requirements tab for further information.

Units

Your course

Year 1

The course commences by developing a sound knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts that underpin medical laboratory science: cellular and molecular biosciences, anatomy, physiology mathematics, statistics, biophysics and chemistry. You will also be introduced to the local, national and global profession of medical laboratory science, and the Australian Healthcare System in the first of your professionally orientated units in the course.

Year 2

In your second year, you will explore more specialised concepts in pathology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, cytogenetic and molecular pathology, histopathological techniques, quantitative medical science, and quality assurance systems. In your practical classes, you will learn some of the latest techniques used in the clinical diagnostic pathology industry, giving you the opportunity to develop your skills to professional standards.

Year 3

The third year of the program allows you to further develop and refine your knowledge, understanding and practical skills to a more advanced level, and learn how they are applied in the clinical disciplines of molecular diagnostics, microbiology, chemical pathology, diagnostic endocrinology, histopathology, cytopathology, haematology and, transfusion and transplantation science.

Year 4

In your first semester, you will undertake a semester-long work integrated learning internship in a recognised laboratory. During that time you will also complete studies in health informatics and learn how this relates to day-to-day laboratory operations. In your final semester, you will complete an elective of your choice designed to complement your learning, e.g. pharmacology, marketing, management or research techniques. You will also prepare professional plans and identify graduate opportunities, as well as further your clinical discipline specific learning in the context of intercultural health and contemporary issues in medical science.

Entry requirements

Minimum academic requirements

Did you complete secondary school in Australia?

Course fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. All fees are based on current fixed fee prices. We review fees annually.

Scholarships and financial support

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

These scholarships are available for this course:

View all scholarships