- 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
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.
You will develop competencies at a technical level in pathology, pathophysiology, haematology, histology, biochemistry, clinical chemistry, blood banking, and medical microbiology. This two year program 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 will have the opportunity to complete the Bachelor of Biomedical Science with a further year of full-time study, opening up further employments opportunities.
Post-admission requirements
Before undertaking industry placement courses students will be required to 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.
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 [TabLink top Study Plan]Study Plan.
Program structure
Core courses
1 required course:
COR109 Food Safety: Laws, Regulations and Quality Assurance
Introductory courses
7 required courses:
LFS100 Health Promotion Needs Assessment and Planning
MLS101 Environmental Health Risk Management
SCI105 Environmental Health Practicum
LFS112 Epidemiology and Biostatistics
MLS110 Communication and Thought
MLS121 Cell Biology
MLS131 Introduction to General Pathology
Advanced courses
9 required courses:
HLT221 Chemistry
LFS251 Human Physiology
LFS261 Haematology
MLS210 Histology
MLS231 Medical Laboratory Placement 1
LFS262 Human Pathophysiology
MLS211 Biochemistry
MLS212 Microbiology
MLS232 Advanced Haematology
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 Medical Laboratory Placement 2 should be studied in Semester 1 - Seven (7) required courses
Core course (1)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| COR109 Environmental Health Practicum |
Required courses (7)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| LFS100 Communication and Thought | |||
| MLS101 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship | |||
| SCI105 Environment, Technology and Sustainability | |||
| LFS112 Cell Biology | |||
| MLS110 Human Physiology | |||
| MLS121 Environment and Health | |||
| MLS131 Public Health Foundations |
Year 2
- Nine (9) required courses
Required courses (9)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| HLT221 Biodiversity and Ecology | |||
| LFS251 Chemistry | |||
| LFS261 Science Research Methods | |||
| MLS210 Planning and Environmental Law | |||
| MLS231 Participation and Conflict Resolution | |||
| LFS262 Integrated Environmental Management | |||
| MLS211 Microbiology | |||
| MLS212 Medical Microbiology | |||
| MLS232 Professional Practice: Legal Frameworks and Issues |
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.