Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science

Fast-track your career as a medical laboratory technician.

This two-year program offers you the perfect pathway to become a medical laboratory technician and work in hospital and private pathology laboratories. You’ll develop technical skills in physiology, pathophysiology, haematology, histology, biochemistry, clinical chemistry, blood banking, and medical microbiology. There are great opportunities for industry placements where you’ll be trained by experienced medical scientists and technicians. Learn how to handle human specimens, use modern laboratory equipment and conduct pathology testing. The best news is you’ll earn credit towards the Bachelor of Biomedical Science which you can complete with one additional year of study.

Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 013131
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 14 Rank - 69
UniSC program code
SC211
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2 (part-time) *
Duration
2 years full time or equivalent part time
Recommended prior study
English; Maths A, B or C; and at least one science subject, preferably Chemistry
Fee type 2016
  • What will I pay?
Total units
192
Footnotes
  • * Duration note: Students commencing in Semester 2 will take 2.5 years, some semesters can only be taken part-time.
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This two-year program offers you the perfect pathway to become a medical laboratory technician and work in hospital and private pathology laboratories. You’ll develop technical skills in physiology, pathophysiology, haematology, histology, biochemistry, clinical chemistry, blood banking, and medical microbiology. There are great opportunities for industry placements where you’ll be trained by experienced medical scientists and technicians. Learn how to handle human specimens, use modern laboratory equipment and conduct pathology testing. The best news is you’ll earn credit towards the Bachelor of Biomedical Science which you can complete with one additional year of study.

Post-admission requirements

Before undertaking industry placement courses, students must obtain and provide evidence of hepatitis B immunisation and a BlueCard. Refer to Program requirements.

Career opportunities

Medical laboratory technician positions in pathology services and laboratory technicians in scientific and educational technical services.

 

Program structure

For students commencing in the current semester. All other students please refer to previous handbooks.
Introductory courses

8 required courses:

COR109 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
LFS100 Communication and Thought
MLS101 Cell Biology
SCI105 Foundations in Medical Science
LFS112 Chemistry
MLS110 Human Physiology
MLS121 Haematology
MLS131 Histology

Advanced courses

8 required courses:

BIM203 Medical Laboratory Placement 1
HLT221 Blood Banking and Transfusion Sciences
LFS251 Human Pathophysiology
LFS261 Biochemistry
MLS210 Microbiology
MLS231 Advanced Haematology
LFS262 Medical Laboratory Placement 2
MLS211 Medical Microbiology

Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

Total units: 192

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate from this program you must complete the courses as listed below in the program structure.

In order to commence industry placement you must:

  • Show evidence of complete Hepatitis B vaccination (3 inoculations over a period of 6 months).
  • Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority)
  • Hold a valid USC Blue Card.

For information about how to complete Post-admission requirements, visit Medical Laboratory Science (Placements) - Mandatory requirements.

Program notes
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
  • Courses within the program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
  • As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
  • When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan.