Master of Medical Science

Build on your existing medical, biomedical or clinical studies, knowledge and experience with JCU’s Master of Medical Science. You’ll study advanced theories and techniques and learn how to apply them for improving human and animal health in regional, rural, remote and Indigenous community settings.

This Master of Medical Science is flexible and allows you to choose from three majors: Clinical Physiology, Future Leaders in Tropical Research and Laboratory Medicine. You will have the flexibility to choose your study pathway leading to a career as a Clinical Physiologist, Medical Laboratory Scientist or as a medical research scientist. On your journey you will gain an in-depth understanding of medical science areas such as haematology, clinical biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, bioengineering, pathobiology and pathophysiology and the clinical sciences such as cardiac, respiratory and neurophysiology. You will learn how to apply biostatistics and the principles of epidemiology to public health measures in your chosen discipline/major/career.

During your studies, you’ll investigate an area of medical science by planning, proposing and implementing a small-scale research project relevant to tropical health and medicine. You will also put your knowledge and skills to the test through professional placements in clinical and medical laboratory settings* such as private or public hospitals and JCU’s state-of-the-art medical laboratory facilities.

As you complete the Master of Medical Science, you will work alongside experts in the clinical physiology and laboratory medicine field; the connections that you make and professional relationships that you form will have the potential to lead to future employment opportunities.

Become a medical researcher, clinical physiologist or medical scientist with the knowledge and skills to make a difference to communities in the Tropics. JCU Medical Science graduates are highly sought-after, both nationally and internationally, for their strong skills in promoting health in regional, rural and remote areas.

View the Handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects, as well as pre-placement requirements.

* Clinical Physiology and Laboratory Medicine majors only

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Master of Medical Science.

Work Integrated Learning

This course requires work-integrated learning (WIL) activities, such as placements, fieldwork, internships or industry-partnered projects for the following majors:

• Laboratory Medicine major 560 hours;
• Clinical Physiology major up to 1200 hours.

Majors

You can choose from three Medical Science majors.

Clinical Physiology

Explore fundamental issues of cardiac, respiratory, sleep, renal and neurological measurement, analysis, and interpretation. Undertake a full year of clinical rotations in professional clinical measurements laboratories. Autonomously collect and interpret clinical research data and present professional scientific and clinical cases to your supervisors.

Future Leaders in Tropical Research

Make a contribution to the medical sciences by studying and researching your area of interest in medical science for example major parasite groups, develop immunology experiments, and design research proposals in this flexible major. Choose between a specialisation in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, or Physiology and Pharmacology, plus electives based on your professional interests. Autonomously collect and interpret research data and present professional scientific research results to your supervisors and the broader community.

Laboratory Medicine

Become a multidisciplinary scientist and study clinically specialised streams - Haematology, Clinical Biochemistry, Histology and Cytology, Microbiology and Immunology and Immunohaematology. Apply your theoretical knowledge by completing professional/clinical placements in diagnostic medical laboratories. Autonomously collect and interpret clinical research data and present professional scientific and clinical cases to your supervisors.

JCU Master of Medical Science graduates are equipped with specialist skills and are employed in a variety of medical laboratory settings.

You could work as a research scientist in all areas or as a clinical physiologist working in areas such as cardiac scientist, respiratory scientist, sleep scientist, neuroscientist or renal physiology. You could also work as a medical laboratory scientist working in areas of pathology, clinical microbiology, haematology, transfusion medicine, chemical pathology, histopathology, immunology, serology or laboratory management.

Graduates of the laboratory medicine major are eligible to apply for membership with the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS).

Graduates of the clinical physiology major may be eligible for membership with Australian Council of Clinical Physiologists (ACCP) or with Professionals in Cardiac Sciences Australia (PICSA).

A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.

Learn more about fees and financial support

Complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.