• Before you enrol
• Observation skills
• Communication skills
• Motor skills
• Behavioural and social skills
• Intellectual - conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
• Sustained performance

Committed to equity and diversity

At UniSC, we are committed to facilitating the integration of all students into the University Community.

Reasonable adjustments in teaching and/or assessment methods can be made for students provided those adjustments do not compromise the inherent requirements of the program.

The inherent academic requirements are the fundamental skills and abilities that the student must be able to achieve in order to demonstrate the essential learning outcomes of the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Pathology), Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Accelerated) and Bachelor of Medical Science programs at UniSC.

This Statement provides realistic information about the inherent academic requirements that you must meet in order to complete your chosen program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand these requirements so you can make an informed judgement about your ability to fulfil them.

Skills you need

The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Pathology), Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Accelerated) and Bachelor of Medical Science programs at UniSC have inherent academic requirements in nine categories:

• Observational skills
• Communication skills
• Motor skills
• Intellectual, such as conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
• Behavioural and social skills
• Sustained performance 
• Ability to follow instructions and work conscientiously and accurately with minimal supervision after careful instruction.
• Capable to accurately interpret patient request forms and samples, follow prescribed procedures for specimen processing and competently perform data entry.
• High level interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively and work productively in a team environment.

Before you enrol

If you intend to enrol in the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Pathology), Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Accelerated) or the Bachelor of Medical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast, look carefully at the inherent academic requirements listed in this statement and think about whether you might experience challenges in meeting them.

If you think you might experience challenges related to your disability, health condition or for any other reason, you should discuss your concerns with a University Ability Adviser or School staff.

Students who wish to enrol in the Bachelor of Medical Science with the intention of pursuing a graduate degree in Medicine (e.g. Griffith University's Doctor of Medicine program) should also examine the Inherent Requirements for Studying Medicine: 

Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand : Inherent requirements for studying medicine in Australia and New Zealand

Reasonable adjustments

Students with disabilities or other special circumstances may be provided with reasonable adjustment to enable them to meet the inherent academic requirements of these programs if the adjustment is:

• logistically reasonable.
• likely to result in the student being able to perform the skills adequately and in a timely manner.

Support and further information is available from UniSC

• Ability Advisers

• Career Advisers

• Relevant academic contacts

Observational Skills

The core observational requirements are the capacity to demonstrate adequate hearing and vision to safely and effectively complete tasks during laboratory practical classes, field trips, field or lab-based research activities, and/or Work Integrated Learning placements.

Justification

Adequate vision and hearing are required to safely and effectively complete various tasks during laboratory practical classes, field trips, field or lab-based research activities and Work Integrated Learning placements.

Adjustments

Adjustments must address the need to perform the full range of tasks required to complete the degree. Any strategies to address the effects of vision or hearing impairment must be effective, consistent and not compromise completion of assessment tasks or safety.

Exemplars

As a student you must be able to:

• Make observations, accurately take measurements, handle materials, and operate equipment using instrumentation with visual and/or auditory outputs such as microscopes, laboratory equipment etc.
• Participate in and understand work, health and safety briefings.
• Observe visual and auditory alarms, warnings and directions to ensure the safety of yourself and others during laboratory work, field trips, field or lab-based research activities, and Work Integrated Learning placements.
• Observe non-verbal information and cues within a multi-disciplinary group context.
• Enter and access information from computer systems such as Microsoft Office applications, data analysis software and databases.

Communication Skills

Students must be able to interpret information and communicate effectively in spoken and written English with language use and style appropriate to the audience.

Justification

Students require adequate English language skills to understand lectures, reading materials and verbal and written instructions, to participate in group activities and to complete assessment tasks.

Adjustments

Adjustments must address effectiveness, timeliness, clarity and accuracy issues to ensure appropriate support.

Exemplars

As a student you must be able to:

• Write and present clear, concise and accurate reports, essays, oral presentations etc.
• Read and understand a range of literature and information, including spreadsheets and graphs.
• Read and understand instructions, conditions, and procedures for handling materials, undertaking experiments and fieldwork, operating equipment, taking measurements, and interpreting displays and outputs.
• Integrate and summarise information in a meaningful manner.
• Actively participate in and contribute to group assessment tasks, tutorial and/or laboratory discussions and activities.
• Comprehend spoken English delivered at conversational speed, and written English in a variety of styles and formats common to academic and workplace settings.

Motor skills

Students must demonstrate adequate gross and fine motor skills to safely and effectively complete tasks during laboratory practical classes, field trips, field or lab-based research activities, and Work Integrated Learning placements.

Justification

Gross motor function and fine motor dexterity is required to complete various tasks in the laboratory, field and/or Work Integrated Learning placements.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must facilitate functional effectiveness and safety of self and others. Such adjustments may include adaptive equipment, assistive technology, practical assistant personnel or modifications to the task which do not impact upon the academic knowledge and skills required to complete it.

Exemplars

As a student you must be able to:

• Accurately manipulate equipment, instruments and materials in tests and measurements for laboratory and field data collection, experimentation and analysis.
• Travel to, and participate in, field trips and work placements in off campus locations within reasonable timeframes.

Intellectual skills, such as conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities

Students must be able to collect, organise, analyse and interpret numerical and qualitative data meaningfully. Students must be able to critically analyse various forms of scientific evidence and employ logical reasoning to arrive at independent conclusions.

Justification

Conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities are essential for the acquisition and application of knowledge in academic and professional environments.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must support the student’s ability to acquire, analyse and apply knowledge.

Exemplars

As a student you must be able to:

• Conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge to fulfil academic assessment tasks.
• Read, interpret, synthesize and comprehend information from multiple sources.
• Perform accurate calculations.
• Accurately interpret data.
• Correctly apply data, measurements and numerical criteria.
• Comply with the policies of placement providers e.g. Occupational Health and Safety and mandatory requirements such as a Blue Card (Working with Children Check).

Behavioural and social skills

Students must be able to:

• work with others and share responsibility for outcomes in a range of roles and contexts.
• demonstrate behavioural stability and adaptability in environments which may be at times challenging and unpredictable.
• demonstrate cultural, environmental and social awareness and ethical and reflective practice – e.g. in tutorials, workshops, field and laboratory practical classes, field trips and Work Integrated Learning placements.

Behavioural and social skills are used to facilitate professional behaviours in practice as evidenced by compliance with academic and non-academic codes of conduct, and codes of conduct of industry partners and discipline specific competency requirements relating in academic and professional settings. See:

• Student Conduct - Governing Policy
• Student placement agreement (login to SONIA WILS online required).
• Code of Conduct - Queensland Public Service 

Justification

• Students must be able to work constructively and ethically in socially and culturally diverse academic and professional environments. These may include tutorials, laboratory classes, in the field and during Work Integrated Learning placements.
• Students must comply with professional standards and requirements.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must comply with standards and maintain ethical behaviour.

Exemplars

As a student you must be able to:

• Respond appropriately and professionally to stressful situations and issues.
• Work constructively in culturally and socially diverse groups while dealing with challenging practical and theoretical issues.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and behave ethically.
• Maintain the integrity of data that is collected in experimental work.
• Adhere to any animal or human ethics requirements, where applicable.

Sustained performance

Students must be able to demonstrate the ability to maintain physical, mental and emotional performance over extended and/or specified periods of time:

• Physical skills and energy are required to perform tasks in a timely manner or over an extended period.
• Mental and emotional skills are required to concentrate on multiple tasks for an assigned period of time.
• Concentration skills are required to perform repetitive activities until a task is completed appropriately.

Justification

Students must be able to undertake and complete multiple tasks and activities that require both physical and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level. Activities may occur over extended periods of time.

Adjustments

Adjustments must ensure that performance is consistent and sustained over a given period.

Exemplars

As a student, you must be able to:

• Take responsibility for personal learning and work effectively, efficiently and consistently in fast-paced, time-dependent environments.
• Perform multiple tasks in an assigned period of time, throughout classroom learning activities, field trips or while on Work Integrated Learning placement, with a level of concentration that ensures a capacity to focus on the activity until it is completed appropriately.