Bachelor
Year 12 early offer scheme
If you're a current Queensland Year 12 student you may be eligible to receive an offer for this course on the last day of Queensland Year 12 before receiving your ATAR or selection rank.
Medical Laboratory Scientists work in clinical diagnostic pathology laboratories and perform and interpret tests on a wide range of human (and veterinary) samples such as blood bone marrow urine and tissue. The results they generate are used to assess health status diagnose disease and monitor the effects of various treatment/therapies e.g. chemotherapy used in cancer treatments. 70% of all clinical decisions are either wholly or partially based on the results generated by pathology laboratories. In addition 100% of cancers are diagnosed by pathology testing as well as performing 100% of COVID-19 tests in laboratories.
The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science is externally accredited by the peak representative body for medical laboratory scientists in Australia the Australian Institute for Medical and Clinical Scientists. The program contains all the relevant professional units as well as a 16-week professional placement.
Medical laboratory scientists work in the pathology industry generally in hospitals or in public or private laboratories. Graduates are also employed in allied heath (e.g. assisted fertility clinics) and public health laboratories.
Graduates of this course may choose a role in a multidisciplinary setting or can specialise in an area of particular interest or complete postgraduate studies for a career in research.
This course is accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists and graduates 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.
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 2In 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 3The 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 4In 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.
Course progressions are subject to University approval.