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.
- * Duration note: Students commencing in Semester 2 will take 2.5 years, some semesters can only be taken part-time.
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 Independent Study
LFS100 Research in Health Care
MLS101 Qualitative Research: Approaches and Practice
SCI105 Simulation in Practice Education
LFS112 Responding in the Emergency Context
MLS110 Global Emergency Issues
MLS121 Assessment in Mental Health
MLS131 Advanced Health Assessment
Advanced courses
8 required courses:
BIM203 Quantitative Research Methods
HLT221 Research Project A
LFS251 Research Project B
LFS261 Research Project C
MLS210 Research Project F
MLS231 Communication and Thought
LFS262 Cell Biology
MLS211 Foundations in Medical Science
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 192
Recommended study sequences
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.