Fast Facts
Location
Commencing
- Townsville: February, July
Fees
$29,560.00^
^estimated annual tuition fee
Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
Duration
2 years full-time
or part-time equivalent
Entry Requirements
AQF level 7 Biomedical Science or Medical Laboratory Science degree; or equivalent
Course Code
117204
Course detail
Apply and adapt advanced knowledge in biomedical, medical laboratory and clinical measurement science. Learn how to improve human and animal health in rural, remote, and indigenous community settings.
Study a specialised major and learn from industry professionals in JCU’s cutting-edge custom laboratories. Network and form professional relationships with potential future employers.
Conduct an independent research project on a significant topic and present your findings to post-graduate peers, academics and researchers. Integrate your theoretical skills as you complete professional placements*.
Cultivate your commitment to lifelong learning with this dynamic and exciting program. JCU Medical Science graduates are highly sought-after, both nationally and internationally.
View the Handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects, as well as pre-placement requirements.
* Clinical Sciences and Medical Laboratory Science majors only
Majors
You can choose from three Medical Science majors.
Clinical Sciences
Explore fundamental issues of cardiac, respiratory, sleep, renal and neurological measurement, analysis, and interpretation. Undertake a total of 36 weeks of clinical rotation in professional medical or clinical science laboratories. Autonomously collect and interpret clinical research data and present professional scientific and clinical cases to your supervisors.
Future Leaders in Tropical Research
Diagnose 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.
Medical Laboratory Science
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 a total of 12 weeks of professional/clinical placements. 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 scientist 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 science, clinical biochemistry, histopathology, immunology, serology or laboratory management.
Graduates of the medical laboratory science major are eligible to apply for membership with the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS).
Master of Medical Science
Handbook year | 2021 |
Course code | 117204 |
Course type | Masters by Coursework (AQF Level 9) |
Professional accreditation status | The Medical Laboratory Science stream for this course is pending accreditation with the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists. Students studying the Medical Laboratory Science stream will be eligible to apply for membership with the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS). |
Owner | Division of Tropical Health and Medicine |
College | Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences |
Award Requirements
Admission Requirements
Course pre-requisites | Completion of at least an AQF7 biomedical science degree or medical laboratory Science degree at this or another University or equivalent determined by Course Co-ordinator. Students who complete the Graduate Diploma of Medical Science will be eligible for entry. |
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. |
Special admission requirements | Applicants who have graduated with a bachelor (pass) degree from another university may be required to complete coursework or assessment as deemed necessary by the Course Co-ordinator to comply with AIMS minimum requirements for accreditation. |
Post admission | Your 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 you must comply with in order to stay enrolled in your 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 | 48 credit points as per course structure |
Additional course rules | Students must successfully complete the first year of the Master of Medical Science before they are able to progress to the Research/Projects subjects |
Additional completion | Nil |
Course learning outcomes | On successful completion of the Master of Medical Science, graduates will be able to: - Apply and adapt advanced and integrated knowledge, including an understanding of recent developments, in the area of biomedicine, medical laboratory science and clinical measurements science - Demonstrate related professional competencies, behaviours and ethical frameworks - Apply an integrated understanding of biomedical, medical laboratory and clinical measurement science and its application to improve human and animal health in rural, remote and indigenous community settings - Analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in new situations or contexts with creativity and independence - Demonstrate a high level of personal autonomy and accountability for their own future professional development through reflection on current skills, knowledge and attitudes in the biomedical science arena - Interpret and justify scientific propositions, methodologies and conclusions to specialist and non-specialist audiences through high level written and oral communication and numeracy skills. - Plan and execute or critically evaluate a substantial body of novel research with a large degree of independence. - Interpret and justify clinical case studies and interventional action |
Inherent Requirements
| Inherent Requirements | Inherent requirements are the fundamental abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to complete the learning outcomes of a course while preserving the academic integrity of the university’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes. Students and prospective students must be able to demonstrate that they have acquired or have the ability to acquire the inherent requirements for their degree. For more information refer to Inherent Requirements page. |
| Reasonable adjustments | Reasonable adjustments may be made to assist students manage additional circumstances impacting on their studies provided these do not change the academic integrity of a degree. Reasonable adjustments do not alter the need to be able to demonstrate the inherent requirements of the course. |
Course Structure
CORE SUBJECTS
RM8301:06 Research Planning in Tropical Health and Medicine
RM8302:06 Research Project in Tropical Health and Medicine
TM5515:03 Epidemiology for Public Health or TM5516:03 Biostatistics for Public Health
OPTIONS
Select a Major from Table A
PLUS
Select 9 credit points of any Level 5 BC, HS, MI, ML, PP or TM subjects
TABLE A (Majors)
Type of major | Mandatory, single |
Credit points in major | 24 credit points |
MAJOR | AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
JCU Townsville | Available only as a single major. Available mid-year entry for Domestic only. | |
JCU Townsville | Available only as a single major. Available mid-year entry for Domestic and International. | |
JCU Townsville | Available only as a single major. Available mid-year entry for Domestic only. |
Campus
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
JCU Townsville |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 2 years full-time or equivalent part-time |
Maximum time to complete | 5 years |
Maximum leave of absence | 1 years |
Progression
Course progression | 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 | 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. |
Professional accreditation | Nil |
Maximum allowed Pass | Nil |
Supplementary exam for | Not applicable |
Credit
Eligibility | Students may apply for credit transfer for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure. |
Maximum allowed | 24 credit points |
Currency | Credit will be granted only for subjects completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course or equivalent recent work experience |
Expiry | Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 15years 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 | MASTER OF MEDICAL SCIENCE |
Approved abbreviation | MMedSc |
Inclusion of majors on | Any major except the Future Leaders in Tropical Health Research Major may appear on the testamur |
Exit with lesser award | Students who exit the course prior to completion, and have successfully completed 12 credit points of appropriate subjects, may be eligible for the award of: Graduate Certificate of Biomedical Science Students who exit the course prior to completion, and have successfully completed 24 credit points of appropriate subjects, may be eligible for the award of: Graduate Diploma of Medical Science |
Course articulation | Not applicable |
Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD29,560.00
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.
Consult the admission requirements section in the Handbook for prerequisites and pathways into this course.
Complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.
Real stories
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Student
Elizabeth Brimson
Master of Medical Science, majoring in Medical Laboratory Science
Everyone at JCU, from lecturers to technical staff, have been really supportive and shared my enthusiasm about my project. It’s been fantastic to have the flexibility in my course to let me shape it to meet my needs and goals.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.