Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Pathology)
Are you a problem solver who wants to work at the forefront of healthcare to positively impact the world through the investigation and diagnosis of diseases, that will enable improvements in health outcomes and quality of life? UniSC’s new Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Pathology) program can prepare you to become a medical scientist investigating existing health conditions and researching new breakthroughs.
The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Pathology) program focusses on preparing graduates to enter the profession of medical laboratory science, so they are equipped with the education and professional standards (knowledge, competencies, skills and attributes) for safe, ethical and effective contemporary professional practice.
Students will develop the analytical, technical and cognitive abilities that allow them to respond to the changing demands of medical laboratory science, whose key disciplines include Anatomical Pathology, Chemical Pathology, Genomic Pathology, Haematology, Immunopathology, Medical Microbiology and Transfusion Science. Students will graduate with the skills for, and commitment to, continuous improvement and lifelong learning. They will understand how to strengthen their competence and advancement of knowledge through professional development and research. The program has been developed according to the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) Accreditation Standards and Procedures for Bachelor Degree, and is seeking AIMS accreditation.
Students undertaking UB001 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Pathology) program may be eligible to be awarded SC211 Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science as an integrated qualification during the study of their full degree.
In this program you will:
- Conduct laboratory investigations on a range of human samples
- Develop technical skills in anatomical pathology, chemical pathology, haematology, genomic pathology, medical microbiology and transfusion science
- Undertake industry placements
- Receive training by experienced medical laboratory scientists to handle human specimens, use a range of scientific instruments and work safely in an accredited laboratory environment
Location
Entry threshold
ATAR/RankDuration
Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.Indicative fees
Indicative 2025 fees (A$)
CSPQTAC code
Start
- Semester 1
First year only offered at this location.
Program to be rolled out. 1st year 2024, 2nd year 2025, 3rd year 2026, 4th year 2027
- Start
-
- Semester 1
- Delivery mode
-
- Blended Learning
- Total courses
- 27
- Total units
- 336
- Duration
- 3.5 years 3.5 years
- UniSC program code
- UB001
Introductory courses (9) 108 units
MLS101 Foundations in Medical Science
HLT140 Think Health
SCI105 Introductory Chemistry
MLS100 Haematology
MLS121 Histology
MLS131 Medical Laboratory Placement 1
LFS112 Human Physiology
LFS122 Human Anatomy
LFS100 Cell Biology
Developing courses (8) 96 units
MLS200 Clinical Microbiology I
MLS201 Advanced Haematology
HLT221 Human Pathophysiology
LFS251 Biochemistry
MLS211 Medical Biochemistry
MLS231 Medical Laboratory Placement 2
BIM200 Blood Banking and Transfusion Sciences
BIM202 Medical Genetics
Graduate courses (10) 132 units
MLS300 Clinical Microbiology II
MLS302 Molecular Diagnostics
BIM331 Immunology
BIM341 Biochemical Pharmacology
MLS301 Histopathology
BIM371 Clinical Embryology
MBT353 Microbial Pathogenesis
MLS400 Case-based Laboratory Practice
MLS401 Laboratory Quality Systems
MLS402 Medical Laboratory Placement 3
Minimum entry threshold
Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank.
| Location | ATAR/Rank |
|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast | 60.00 |
Additional entry information
Non-standard English language requirements apply.
-
To successfully complete the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Pathology) and meet accreditation requirements of the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) student must:
attend and participate in all on-campus practical classes in the following courses:
- MLS101 Foundations in Medical Science
- MLS100 Haematology
- MLS121 Histology
- BIM200 Blood Banking and Transfusion Science
- MLS200 Clinical Microbiology I
- MLS201 Advanced Haematology
- MLS211 Medical Biochemistry
- MLS300 Clinical Microbiology II
- MLS301 Histopathology
- MLS302 Molecular Diagnostics
- MLS400 Case Based Laboratory Practice
- MLS401 Laboratory Quality Systems
pass both the theory and laboratory practical assessments in the following courses:
- MLS200 Clinical Microbiology I
- MLS201 Advanced Haematology
- MLS211 Medical Biochemistry
- MLS300 Clinical Microbiology II
- MLS301 Histopathology
- MLS302 Molecular Diagnostics
- MLS400 Case Based Laboratory Practice
- MLS401 Laboratory Quality Systems
and
attain at least 50% in the theory assessment and at least 80% in the final practical assessment in
- BIM200 Blood Banking and Transfusion Science
WIL notes
UniSC still strongly recommends that all students undertaking placement are fully vaccinated and provide evidence of this vaccination status to the University.
It is a Queensland Government requirement that students undertaking a placement within a clinical setting are fit tested annually for an approved respirator. Clinical settings include hospitals, residential aged care facilities, residential disability care facilities, prison health services, youth detention health services, community health care settings, and vaccination clinics). If the Fit Testing requirement applies to placement activity within your Program it will appear in your mandatory checks on Sonia Online (our UniSC Work Integrated Learning system). In accordance with Australian Standards, you must be clean shaven for your fit test. Facial hair that lies along the sealing surface of a tight-fitting respirator prevents an effective seal. Therefore, it is a requirement that there is no hair growth between the skin and the facepiece sealing surface in order to achieve a fit. At this stage, there is no exemption in Queensland to this requirement for religious or other reasons and UniSC is unable to waive this requirement.
In order to commence industry placement you must:
- Before undertaking industry placement courses, students must provide proof of vaccination against Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Pertussis and Varicella (Chickenpox) etc.
- Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority).
- Hold a valid USC Blue Card for working with children.
- Students must undertake mandatory online orientation courses for the organisations where they will be placed, and will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement regarding patient information.
- Students will be required to complete placement(s) in rural/regional locations. Students will be required to fund the cost for travel, accommodation, fuel etc. associated with placement. USC scholarships and bursaries are available for students to apply to supplement these costs.
- For information about how to complete Post-admission requirements, visit Medical Laboratory Science (Placements) - Mandatory requirements.
- This program includes placements in settings that may require COVID-19 vaccination with limited placement in settings that do not require full vaccination.