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

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Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science

In just two years become an entry-level medical laboratory technician and gain employment in Australia’s expanding pathology industry, working in hospital and private pathology laboratories. Learn to perform tests on blood and other bodily fluids and tissues, assisting clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases and clinical disorders. Receive full credit towards the Bachelor of Biomedical Science which you can complete with one additional year of study.

In this program you will:

  • Conduct clinical investigations on human diseases
  • Develop technical skills in haematology, histology, biochemistry, clinical chemistry, blood banking, and medical microbiology
  • Receive training by laboratory scientists and technicians to handle human specimens

Location

Entry threshold

60.00 ATAR/Rank
ATAR/Rank

Duration

2 years 2 years 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.
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$)

A$8,296 - 2023 Fees CSP
CSP

QTAC code

013131

Start

  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2

Duration note: Students commencing in Semester 2 will take 2.5 years, some semesters can only be taken part-time.

Start
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
Delivery mode
  • Blended Learning
Total courses
16
Total units
192
Duration
2 years 2 years
UniSC program code
SC211
Program structure
Introductory courses (8) 96 units

HLT140 Understanding Cultural Diversity
LFS100 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
MLS101 Social Research
SCI105 Gender and Culture
LFS112 Professional Health Communication
MLS110 Contexts of Practice: The Older Person and Family
MLS121 Contexts of practice: child, youth and family
MLS131 Introductory Bioscience

Developing and Graduate courses (8) 96 units

BIM203 Practice Foundations
HLT221 Health Care and the Professions
LFS251 End of Life Care
LFS261 Anatomy and Physiology
MLS210 Preparation for Practice 1
MLS231 Research Foundations for Health Practice
LFS262 Health, Law and Ethics
MLS211 Nursing Practice 1

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all UniSC courses are available on every UniSC campus.

Study sequences

Minimum entry threshold

Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank.

Location ATAR/Rank
Sunshine Coast 60.00
Recommended prior study
English; General Maths, Maths Methods or Specialist Maths; at least one science subject (preferably Chemistry)
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
  • Successfully complete 192 units as outlined in the Program Structure
  • Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100) coded courses.
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).
  • 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.
Program notes
  • Follow the program structure for your year and semester of commencement unless advised otherwise
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence. Please be aware that if commencing in semester 2, the duration will be 2.5 years and some semesters can only be taken part-time.
  • The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
  • It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
  • Courses within this 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 UniSC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider.
  • Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
  • Concurrent study with the Bachelor of Biomedical Science is generally not permitted. However in some special circumstances applications for concurrent study may be considered on a case by case basis for students that have completed at least 144 units (12 courses) of the Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science. Please contact Student Central for application information.
WIL notes
  • 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. 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.
  • It is no longer a requirement that students in Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

    Please note that some placement host organisations have chosen to continue requiring COVID-19 vaccination. If you are not fully vaccinated, it is important to know that placement opportunities in your program may be limited and may result in a delay to your placement.

    UniSC still strongly recommends that all students undertaking placement are fully vaccinated and provide evidence of this vaccination status to the University.

  • For more information on mandatory requirements refer to Medical Laboratory Science - Placements

CSP estimate
A$8,296 - 2023 Fees