Back

Learn from industry professionals in JCU’s cutting-edge custom laboratories. Network and form professional relationships with potential future employers.

Save

Download brochure

#1 in Queensland

for median graduate salary Good Universities Guide 2023, PG Health Services

Enhance your expertise

Build the skills to progress your career

#1 in Queensland

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

Townsville

Townsville: February, July

$11,800.00⁺

$31,200.00^{^}

⁺estimated annual Commonwealth Supported Fee for a full-time study load

^{^}estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible

1 year full-time

or part-time equivalent

AQF level 7 bachelor degree in biomedical sciences or cognate degree; or equivalent

116107

What to expect

Build on your existing medical, biomedical or clinical knowledge and experience with JCU’s Graduate Diploma of Medical Science. This one-year degree has two pathways for students, one as a Medical Laboratory scientist (MLS) and the other as a Clinical Measurements scientist (CMS). You’ll have extensive opportunities to apply your theoretical skills as you complete clinical placement at public and private Clinical Measurements or Medical Science Laboratories.

Through this graduate certificate, you will gain advanced skills that will enable you to work in high-demand areas including regional, rural, remote, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Throughout your placement, you will apply recognised methods and tools of medical science to the process of enquiry and discovery, particularly in a clinical/medical investigative context. You will develop strong skills in communicating information to those with and without a medical or scientific knowledge base.

As you complete the Graduate Diploma of Medical Sciences, you will transition to work alongside experts in the clinical and medical laboratory science field; the network connections that you make and professional relationships that you form will have the potential to lead to future employment.

Course pre-requisites and admission requirements

This Graduate Diploma of Medical Sciences requires completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in biomedical sciences or an equivalent related degree.

Students wishing to complete the Graduate Diploma of Medical Science with a Medical Laboratory Science major will be admitted on a case-by-case basis following discussions with the academic advisor for biomedical sciences. This will ascertain their completion of subjects in their undergraduate degree which fulfil the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) requirements for accreditation.

This course may have specific admission requirements such as immunisation, the requirement to obtain a Suitability to Work with Children Card, federal police check and/or other requirements that students must comply with. Students must complete all Professional Experience Placement requirements by the prescribed deadlines and maintain currency of all certifications in order to stay admitted in the course.

You will find your course requirements on the JCU Professional experience placement website.

Hide course pre-requisites and admission requirements

View the Handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects.

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 Graduate Diploma of Medical Science.

Career Opportunities

As a JCU Medical Science graduate, you will be equipped with specialist skills that enable employment in a variety of medical settings.

By choosing the Clinical Sciences major you could work as a clinical scientist, cardiac scientist, respiratory scientist, sleep scientist, or neuroscientist. By choosing the Medical Science major you could specialise in areas of diagnostic pathology such as clinical microbiology, haematology or transfusion science. Alternatively, you could find opportunities in clinical biochemistry, histopathology, immunology, serology, or laboratory management. Some graduates also go on to study the Master of Medical Science.

Graduates may be eligible for membership with the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS).

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

Handbook

Handbook year	Information valid for students commencing in 2023
Course code	116107
Course type	Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8)
Professional accreditation status	TBA
Owner	Academy
College	Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites	Completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in biomedical sciences or cognate degree or equivalent from this or any other university, at the discretion of the Dean, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences. Students wishing to complete the Graduate Diploma of Medical Science (Medical Laboratory Science) will be admitted on a case-by-case basis following discussions with the academic advisor for biomedical sciences to ascertain completion of subjects in their undergraduate degree which fulfil the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS) requirements for accreditation.
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.
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.
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.
Post admission requirements	This course may have specific admission requirements such as immunisation, the requirement to obtain a Suitability to Work with Children Card, federal police check and/or other requirements that students must comply with. Students must complete all Professional Experience Placement requirements by the prescribed deadlines and maintain currency of all 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	24 credit points as per course structure
Course learning outcomes	On successful completion of Graduate Diploma of Medical Science, graduates will be able to: Demonstrate advanced integrated theoretical and technical knowledge and skills, with depth in the underlying concepts and principles in chosen disciplines of medical science Critically review, analyse, synthesise and apply scientific evidence and process to a range of social and economic contexts Apply recognized methods and tools of medical science to the process of enquiry and discovery, particularly in a clinical/medical investigative context Communicate scientific information and philosophies clearly and coherently through well-developed English language and numeracy proficiency, to a range of audiences for a range of purposes using a variety of modes Demonstrate personal and social responsibility and accountability through an awareness of ethical frameworks, by working safely and responsibly in individual and team environments Critically reflect upon the role of medical scientific investigation and medical research in tropical, rural and remote and indigenous communities Reflect on current skills, knowledge and attitudes, in order to plan and implement ongoing personal and professional development needs, relevant to the chosen discipline of medical science

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: Postgraduate Medical Science.
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

BM5001:06 Professional Placement 1

BM5002:06 Professional Placement 2

OPTIONS

Select a major from Table A

Table A (MAJORS)

Type of major	Mandatory, single
Credit points in major	12 credit points

MAJOR	AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
Clinical Sciences	JCU Townsville	Available only as a single major
Medical Laboratory Science	JCU Townsville	Available only as a single major

Location

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
JCU Townsville

Candidature

Expected time to complete	1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Maximum time to complete	3 years
Maximum leave of absence	1 year

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 Preparing for Professional Experience Placement
Special assessment requirements	At the discretion of the College Dean, students may be required to undertake a prescribed English language test to ensure that they have an acceptable level of English language proficiency, including at least at the level required to be admitted to the course, to safely participate in professional experience placements. 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	12 credit points
Currency	Credit will be granted only for subjects completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course
Expiry	Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 13 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed this course.
Other restrictions	Studies and/or professional experiences undertaken to fulfil the entry requirements to JCU awards may not be used for credit transfer.

Award Details

Award title	GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
Approved abbreviation	GDipMedSc
Inclusion of majors on testamur	Any major may appear on the testamur
Exit with lesser award	Nil
Course articulation	Students who complete this course are eligible for entry to the Master of Medical Science, and may be granted credit for all subjects completed under this course.
Special awards	Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure

Fees and scholarships

Estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee: $AUD11,800.00

Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD31,200.00

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

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

Pathways to JCU

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

How to apply

Complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.

Student

Eva Birosova

Graduate Diploma of Medical Science (Medical Laboratory Science)

This course has perfectly met my need for acquiring new clinical skills and knowledge as well as further development and refreshment of those skills I had in past. The course offers very relevant content, including authentic industry work experience.
Alumni

Boni Sebayang

Master of Medical Science, majoring in Future Leaders in Tropical Research

When I wanted to study tropical health research, James Cook University was my first choice. I made the best decision of my life! Meeting and learning from JCU lecturers who write the journal articles that you read has been an exceptional experience.
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.
Employer

Megan Harbourne

Statewide Clinical Education Program Manager, Department of Health, QLD

JCU graduates have a really strong focus on the patient journey, probably because they have developed interpretation and analysis skills across multiple sciences. They are great at understanding the pathophysiology of the various chronic diseases that impact our patients.