Fast Facts
Location
Commencing
- Townsville: February
Fees
$9,700.00+
+estimated annual Commonwealth Supported Fee
Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
Duration
4 years full-time
or part-time equivalent
Entry Requirements
OP 15
English (4,SA), Chemistry (4,SA), Maths B (4,SA)
Recommended Knowledge
One of Biology, Health Education, Physical Education or Physics (4,SA)
ATAR 63.15
English (Units 3/4,C). Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C), Chemistry (Units 3/4,C)
Recommended Knowledge
One of Biology, Health, Physical Education or Physics (Units 3/4,C)
Rank 68
QTAC Codes
- 316121
Course detail
Become qualified to work anywhere in Australia with this degree fully accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS).
Understand the relationship between microbiological, haematological and chemical testing in the diagnosis of disease in clinical and health care settings. Gain practical experience in public hospitals and private laboratories and build professional networks to graduate workforce ready.
Combine theoretical studies in fields including microbiology, histology, molecular biology, haematology and transfusion science with essential skills in quality assurance and laboratory management.
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.
Honours
The Honours component of this degree is embedded into the course.
JCU Medical Laboratory Science graduates are at the forefront of rapidly advancing scientific work in diagnostic pathology.
Graduates pursue careers in public and private hospitals, laboratories, clinics, and government agencies.
You could find work as a medical laboratory scientist or continue on to further study.
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours) [Embedded]
Handbook year | 2020 |
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. |
Division | Tropical Health and Medicine |
Award Requirements
Admission Requirements
Course pre-requisites | English, Maths B, Chemistry Recommended: one of Biology, Health Education, Physical Education or Physics |
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. |
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:
|
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
Level 1
Teaching Period 1:
BM1000:03 Introductory Biochemistry and Microbiology
BM1001:03 Introduction to Biomedicine
BM1002:03 Anatomy: Principles and Systems
CH1001:03 Chemistry: A Central Science
Teaching Period 2:
BM1003:03 Biomedicine in the Tropics
BM1004:03 Anatomy: Structure and Movement
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 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
Campus
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
Townsville |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time |
Maximum time to complete | 11 years |
Maximum leave of absence | 3 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 Policy. |
Special assessment requirements | Refer to Review of a Student’s Suitability to Continue a Course Involving Placement policy. |
Professional accreditation requirements | Nil |
Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade | Nil |
Supplementary exam for final subject | Not applicable |
Credit
Eligibility | Students may apply for a credit transfer for previous tertiary study or informal and non-formal learning 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 exit the course prior to completion and have successfully completed 12 credit points of appropriate subjects, may be eligible for the award of Certificate of Higher Education. 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 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 |
Estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee: $AUD9,700.00
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.
An OP or ATAR is the score required for entry into most undergraduate courses. If you are not a Year 12 school leaver or do not have an OP or ATAR, you can be assigned an equivalent rank score. Ranks are calculated from previous study that you might have completed, either secondary, tertiary or vocational, or previous paid employment experience.
JCU offers pathway courses to help you move into a degree. Pathway courses provide you with an individualised study plan and specialised support as you transition to university.
Contact us to find about more.
Note the course QTAC code for the location you've chosen. You'll need to enter it as part of your QTAC application.
OP Score/Rank is indicative only. Entry scores will be finalised in the major offer round.
Real stories
-
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.
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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.
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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.