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Be at the forefront of healthcare research and diagnostics with a degree accredited with the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS). Develop extensive theoretical and medical knowledge across the fields of medical science. You will gain hands-on clinical and laboratory skills with placement opportunities and training in world-class diagnostic medical laboratories and research centres.

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#1 in Queensland

for full-time employment Good Universities Guide 2023, UG Health Services

#2 in Australia

for overall educational experience Good Universities Guide 2023, UG Health Services

5 Stars

for skills development and student support Good Universities Guide 2023, UG Health Services

Townsville

Townsville: February

$37,960.00⁺

⁺estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible

4 years full-time

English (Units 3/4,C). Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C), Chemistry (Units 3/4,C); or equivalent

Recommended Knowledge

One of Biology, Health, Physical Education or Physics (Units 3/4,C)

English language requirements

Band 2

If your native language is not English, you must meet the minimum English language requirements for this course.

View the international entry requirements for this course

094675A

What to expect

Modern medical practice and advancement relies on the work of medical laboratory scientists. Discover how medical and clinical research supports increased capacity for diagnosis, development of new treatments and improved pathology investigation. Be equipped to work at the forefront of healthcare research and make a difference to communities in tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous contexts.

In the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours), you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the relationship between microbiological, haematological and chemical testing in disease diagnosis across clinical and healthcare settings. You’ll explore many fields of medical science including microbiology, histology, molecular biology, haematology and transfusion science. Learn how to become a leader in healthcare contexts as you develop laboratory management, quality assurance and vital communication skills.

Your medical laboratory science studies equip you with both extensive theoretical and medical knowledge as well as practical research and laboratory-oriented abilities. Develop hands-on skills and master advanced diagnostic and research techniques through training in JCU’s world-class research centres such as the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine.

Put your theory into practice with placement opportunities in public hospitals and private laboratories in urban, rural and remote areas. Prepare for work in the real-world as you gain clinical and research training through working alongside expert professionals. You’ll discover firsthand the difference that medical laboratory science makes to individual patients and healthcare settings.

You will be qualified to work anywhere in Australia as this degree is fully accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS).
Additional information

About JCU's Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

Make a difference in the field of medicine, working on the cutting-edge of treatment developments and early disease diagnosis. Prepare yourself for a rewarding career at the forefront of healthcare research with a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours) from JCU.

Prepared for Anything

Be ready today for tomorrow with a world-class education and a degree accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists. Become eligible for the best jobs nationwide when you join AIMS, earning professional membership upon graduation. Prepare your CV for the workforce through practical placements in private laboratories, public hospitals and research settings both on and off the campus.

Gain mastery of the most advanced research techniques at JCU's world-class research centres, like the Centre for Molecular Therapeutics and the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine. Diversify your skills as you learn from some of the finest medical research minds, contributing to research that makes a difference in the lives of remote and rural populations.

A Medical Technologist School With A Solid Foundation for Success

Experience has no substitute, and it begins with a strong foundation in theory delivered in small class sizes by caring lecturers committed to student success. Gain a comprehensive understanding of how haematology, chemical testing, and microbiology interact in real-world settings.

Be ready to work in a range of areas with your comprehensive theoretical studies in histology, molecular biology and transfusion science and experience working in teams or as an individual. Prepare for work in the real world through authentic clinically relevant training by working professionals in your final year and placement in hospital and private medical laboratories in both urban and rural and remote settings. Develop your leadership skills with a strong understanding of laboratory management, quality assurance and through practical experience in communicating to a range of audiences

Study Medical Laboratory Science and Make a Difference

Take meaningful steps to improve the future of the world and study medical laboratory science in various cultural contexts. Make a difference to vulnerable communities as you develop expertise in tropical, remote, and rural medical research and see firsthand how pathology investigation can improve the lives of Indigenous communities.

Inspire positive change through your understanding of the challenges facing Australians' health and Australia's health care systems. Learn practical skills as you study under future-focused working medical students, researchers and network with fellow students, researchers, and industry professionals. Prepare for a career with global significance through a better understanding of tropical microbes, immunobiology and epidemiological studies and genetics and genomes.

A Rewarding Career

Find solutions to complex problems with a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours) from JCU. Move beyond the foundational courses and learn specialised concepts of Clinical Biochemistry and histopathological techniques. Build your skills through clinical placements in the areas that interest you and then leverage those skills into a career at the forefront of diagnostic pathology.

Prepare yourself to innovate through laboratory research. Develop better interventions in private and public hospitals, or impact the health of the community as an advisor to government agencies. Build on the foundation of your medical technologist school degree with further education to enter academia and teach the next generation of scientists and researchers.

Change the Future by Studying Medical Laboratory Science

Master the advanced techniques you need to become a leading medical scientist. Build confidence in your skills through a strong theoretical foundation and practical experience, and open your future to a world of career opportunities with JCU.
Hide additional information

Consult the handbook for immunisation and certificate requirements and further information.

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 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours).

Honours

The Honours component of this degree is embedded into the course and involves a multi-disciplinary final year studying the professional clinical subjects (Haematology, Microbiology, Histology and Clinical Biochemistry) at an advanced (AQF8) level, with the opportunity to practice these skills while on placement. This ensures a smooth transition into the workplace as a medical laboratory scientist.

Career Opportunities

JCU Medical Laboratory Science graduates are at the forefront of rapidly advancing scientific work in diagnostic pathology particularly in regional and remote areas. Graduates are adept at providing advanced diagnostic capacity to support health care in these regions.

Graduates pursue careers in public and private hospitals, laboratories, clinics and government agencies. They seize opportunities across Australia and internationally.

As this degree is accredited with AIMS, you can become a Certified Medical Scientists (CMLS) and work in hospital and private diagnostic pathology laboratories. You may also find employment as a medical laboratory scientist in a variety of settings.

You may also choose to continue on with further coursework or higher degree research by study. You may choose to continue on with further coursework or higher degree research by study with the Master of Public Health.

Handbook

Handbook year	Information valid for students commencing in 2023
Course Code	70309
Course type	Bachelor Honours Degree (AQF Level 8)
Professional accreditation status	This course is accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS). Graduates will be eligible to apply for professional membership with the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.
Owner	Academy
College	Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites	English (Units 3/4,C), Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C), Chemistry (Units 3/4,C) Recommended: one of Biology, Health, Physical Education or Physics (Units 3/4,C)
Minimum English language proficiency requirements	Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 2 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. Students also need to take note that in accordance with the National Registration Board’s requirement, they must hold a valid IELTS (academic module) minimum score of 7.0 in all components within 2 years prior to applying for registration.
Additional selection requirements	Information published by JCU or otherwise made available to students when applying, may specify additional criteria to be considered in ranking applicants in order of merit if the number of applications exceeds a quota or other limit on the places made available for the course. Information provided by applicants during the application process and any other information obtained by JCU in the application process may be used by JCU to rank applicants in order of merit by reference to those additional criteria.
Post admission requirements	This course may have specific admission requirements such as immunisation, a Suitability to Work with Children Card, a federal police check and/or other conditions that students must comply with. Students must complete all professional experience placement requirements by the prescribed deadlines and maintain currency of these requirements in order to stay admitted in the course. You will find your course requirements here: https://www.jcu.edu.au/professional-experience-placement/preparation-checklists

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points	96 credit points as per course structure
Course learning outcomes	The Medical Laboratory Science (Honours) graduate will be able to: Integrate and apply a coherent and advanced body of theoretical and technical knowledge and skills, with depth in the underlying concepts and principles across the range of pathology science disciplines Critically review, analyse, synthesise and apply scientific evidence and processes in a range of social and economic contexts Apply recognised methods and tolls of medical laboratory science in processes of enquiry and discovery in clinical/medical investigative contexts Communicate scientific information and research findings clearly and coherently through advanced English language and numeracy proficiency to a range of audiences using a variety of modes Demonstrate personal and social responsibility and accountability through an awareness of ethical frameworks, by working safely and responsible in individual and/or team environments Critically reflect upon the role of pathology investigation and medical research in tropical, rural, remote, Indigenous communities and/or other contexts Reflect on current skills, knowledge and attitudes in order to plan and implement ongoing personal and professional development needs relevant to a professional medical laboratory scientist Apply knowledge of research principles and methods to plan and execute project work and/or a piece of research and scholarship with some independence

Inherent Requirements

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 visit: Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours).
Reasonable adjustments	All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure.

Course Structure

Core Subjects

Level 1

Teaching Period 1:

BM1000:03 Introductory Biochemistry and Microbiology

BM1001:03 Introduction to Biomedicine

BM1002:03 Anatomy and Physiology 1

CH1001:03 Chemistry: A Central Science

Teaching Period 2:

BM1003:03 Biomedicine in the Tropics

BM1004:03 Anatomy and Physiology 2

CH1002:03 Chemistry: Principles and Applications

HS1401:03 Health and Health Care in Australia

Level 2

Teaching Period 1:

HS2402:03 Health Professional Research 1

MI2011:03 Microbial Diversity

BC2013:03 Principles of Biochemistry

PP2101:03 Medical Physiology 1

Teaching Period 2:

BC2023:03 Molecular Genetics

PP2150:03 Introduction to Pharmacology or BC2024:03 Principles of Molecular Cell Biology

MI2021:03 Introductory Infectious Diseases and Immunobiology

PP2201:03 Medical Physiology 2

Level 3

Teaching Period 1:

BC3101:03 Genes, Genomes and Development

MI3021:03 Clinical Microbiology

MI3061:03 Advanced Immunobiology

PP3151:03 General Pathobiology

Teaching Period 2:

MI3051:03 Mechanisms of Infectious Diseases

ML3102:03 Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance

PP3251:03 Systemic Pathophysiology and Therapeutics

Plus

Select 3 credit points of specified level 3 subjects:

AT3001:03 Advanced Anatomy by Dissection

BC3201:03 Bioengineering

BM3000:03 Advanced Projects in Biomedicine

MI3071:03 Molecular Analysis of Tropical Microbes

Level 4

Teaching Period 1:

ML5305:03 Advanced Immunohaematology

ML5307:03 Advanced Haematology 1

ML5308:03 Advanced Haematology 2

ML5303:03 Advanced Clinical Placement 1

Teaching Period 2:

ML5301:03 Advanced Clinical Biochemistry 1

ML5302:03 Advanced Clinical Biochemistry 2

ML5304:03 Advanced Clinical Placement 2

ML5309:03 Advanced Histology and Cytology Techniques

Location

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
JCU Townsville

Candidature

Expected time to complete	4 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Maximum time to complete	9 years
Maximum leave of absence	1 years

Progression

Course progression requisites	Nil
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure.
Special assessment requirements	Refer to Review of a Student’s Suitability to Continue a Course Involving Placement policy.
Professional accreditation requirements	Nil
Supplementary exam for final subject	Not applicable

Credit

Eligibility	Students may apply for credit transfer for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure.
Maximum allowed	63 credit points
Currency	Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course.
Expiry	Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 21 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed the course of study prescribed for the degree.
Other restrictions	A maximum of 18 credit points of credit may be granted at level 3 or 4.

Award Details

Award title	BACHELOR OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE (HONOURS)
Approved abbreviation	BMedLabSc(Hons)
Inclusion of majors on testamur	Not applicable - this course does not have majors
Exit with lesser award	Students who have completed 24 credit points of their course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Diploma of Tertiary Studies. Students who have completed 48 credit points of their professional course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Associate Degree of Health Sciences. Students who exit the course prior to completion, and have successfully completed 72 credit points of appropriate subjects, may be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Physiology and Pharmacology).
Course articulation	Not applicable
Special awards	Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure

Fees and scholarships

Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD37,960.00

Courses are charged per year of full-time study. International course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.

A Student Services and Amenities Fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.

Student Visa holders must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their Student Visa (except Norwegian, Swedish and Belgian citizens). Costs depend on the length of study and the number of dependants accompanying the student. For more information see Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Scholarships and financial aid are also available for international students.

Pathways to JCU

Consult the admission requirements section in the Handbook for prerequisites and pathways into this course.

How to apply

Application dates vary between courses, whether they're delivered in semester, trimester or carousel study modes. View our Application due dates page for more information.

Gather the documents you need to apply and submit an application via JCU's online application portal.

Student

Blake Hughes

Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

I first started Medical Laboratory Science with a keen interest in the broad range of subjects offered. This interest only increased when I stepped into the lab. The instruments and facilities available at JCU match those of a real medical laboratory, this helped me go into my placements with confidence and experience.
Alumni

Jeremy Naughton

Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

The lecturers, tutors and student mentors were nothing short of amazing; I honestly could not have graduated without their support. Not only did they deliver the material, they went above and beyond; emailing me to see how I was travelling with the degree and taking the time to sit with me one on one if required.
Lecturer

Associate Professor Donna Rudd

Course Coordinator, Medical Sciences

Our focus within Biomedicine at JCU is developing a scientific health workforce for the region and remote areas. We train multidisciplinary scientists capable of working independently to provide a comprehensive service and support.
Employer

Michael Wilhelm

Group Laboratory Manager, Pathology Queensland

The JCU MLS graduates are one of the most highly sought after Medical Scientists for employment in Diagnostic Pathology Services. We have many JCU scientists working for Pathology Queensland over a wide range of roles, ranging from entry level to operations manager.