- Develop technical skills in a range of areas in laboratory medicine that meet pathology industry requirements for employment
- Complete a program in two years (full-time) to graduate as an entry-level medical laboratory technician
- Equivalent to the first two years of a Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree
Program summary
Program title: Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science
Award abbreviation: AssocDegMedLabSc
QTAC code: 013131
OP/Rank for 2012 entry: OP-15 / Rank-69
Duration: 2 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 only
Study mode: on campus
Recommended prior study: English; Maths A, B or C; and at least one of the sciences, preferably chemistry
Fee type 2012: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places
Total units: 192
USC program code: SC211
CRICOS code: Not available to international students on a Student Visa.
Graduate as an entry-level medical laboratory technician and gain employment in hospital and private pathology laboratories.
In this program you develop competencies at a technical level in general pathology, pathophysiology, haematology, histology, biochemistry, clinical chemistry, blood banking, and medical microbiology. It includes industry placements during which you will be trained by experienced medical scientists to develop practical skills in laboratory medicine.
On completing the associate degree you have the opportunity to complete the Bachelor of Biomedical Science with a further year of full-time study. Entry to other programs may be possible in consultation with the faculty.
Post-admission requirements
Before undertaking industry placement courses you must obtain and provide evidence of Hepatitis B vaccination and undergo a Criminal History check. Refer to Program requirements.
Career opportunities
Medical laboratory technician positions in public and private pathology services and laboratory technicians in scientific and educational technical services.
Scholarships
Equity scholarships are available to students enrolled in the Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science. For more information contact Student Administration on Tel: +61 7 5430 2890 or email scholarships@usc.edu.au.
Professional recognition
Graduates can become members of the Australian Institute for Medical Scientists (AIMS).
Enquiries
- Contact Student Administration for application and admission information
- Contact the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering for program advice
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)
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 participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program 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.
Program structure
Core courses
1 required course:
COR109
Introductory courses
7 required courses:
LFS100 Cell Biology
MLS101 Foundations in Medical Science
SCI105 Introductory Chemistry
LFS112 Human Physiology
MLS110 Haematology
MLS121 Histology
MLS131 Medical Laboratory Placement 1
Advanced courses
9 required courses:
HLT221 Human Pathophysiology
LFS251 Biochemistry
LFS261 Microbiology
MLS210 Advanced Haematology
MLS231 Medical Laboratory Placement 2
LFS262 Medical Microbiology
MLS211 Medical Biochemistry
MLS212
MLS232
TOTAL UNITS 192
The Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science Study Plan is for students commencing in the current Semester.
Year 1
- One (1) core course:
COR109 should be studied in Semester 1 - Seven (7) required courses
Core course (1)
Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites | |
---|---|---|---|---|
COR109 |
Required courses (7)
Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
---|---|---|---|
LFS100 Cell Biology |
| 12 | Anti: SCI103 or LFS101 or LFS103 |
MLS101 Foundations in Medical Science |
| 12 | Pre: Enrolled in Program SC211, SC355, SC357, SC385, SC201, SC301 or UB001 |
SCI105 Introductory Chemistry |
| 12 | Anti: SCI505 |
LFS112 Human Physiology |
| 12 | Anti: LFS201 or LFS202 or LFS203 |
MLS110 Haematology |
| 12 | Pre: Enrolled in Program SC385, SC211, SC357 or SC355 |
MLS121 Histology |
| 12 | Pre: LFS100 and enrolled in Program SC211, SC385 or UB001 Co: LFS112 |
MLS131 Medical Laboratory Placement 1 |
| 12 | Pre: MLS101 and MLS121 and enrolled in Program SC211 or UB001 Co: MLS100 or MLS110 |
Year 2
- Nine (9) required courses
Required courses (9)
Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites | |
---|---|---|---|---|
HLT221 Human Pathophysiology |
| 12 | Pre: LFS112 or HLT100 and enrolled in Program SC211, SC304, SC306, SC367, SC391, SC392, SC394, SC395, SC346 or UB001 Anti: LFS203 or LFS303 or NUR221 or PAR221 | |
LFS251 Biochemistry |
| 12 | Pre: SCI105 and (LFS100 or LFS103) Anti: MBT251 | |
LFS261 Microbiology |
| 12 | Pre: SCI103 or LFS100 or LFS103 Anti: MEP263 or MBT263 | |
MLS210 Advanced Haematology |
| 12 | Pre: MLS110 and enrolled in Program SC211, SC355 or SC357 | |
MLS231 Medical Laboratory Placement 2 |
| 12 | Pre: MLS131 and enrolled in Program SC211 or UB001 | |
LFS262 Medical Microbiology |
| 12 | Pre: MBT263 or LFS261 or MEP263 Anti: MEP252 or MEP253 or MBT253 | |
MLS211 Medical Biochemistry |
| 12 | Pre: LFS251 | |
MLS212 | ||||
MLS232 |
Students should note the Medical Laboratory Placement courses (MLS131, MLS231 and MLS232) will be offered in a variety of sessions to allow for flexibility with available industry placements.