Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science

This program prepares students to pursue career opportunities in hospital and private pathology laboratories as qualified medical laboratory technicians.

Students develop technical skills in general pathology, pathophysiology, haematology, histology, biochemistry, clinical chemistry, blood banking and medical microbiology. They undertake industry placements supervised by experienced medical scientists to develop practical skills in laboratory medicine. On graduation, the opportunity exists to complete the Bachelor of Biomedical Science with one further year of full-time study.

Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast <strong>code:</strong> 013131
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 14 Rank - 69
UniSC program code
SC211
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2 (part-time) *
Duration
2 years full time or equivalent part time
Recommended prior study
English; Maths A, B or C; and at least one science subject, preferably Chemistry
Fee type 2014
  • Commonwealth supported places
  • Fee paying places
Total units
192
Footnotes
  • * Duration note: Students commencing in Semester 2 will take 2.5 years, some semesters can only be taken part-time.

Students develop technical skills in general pathology, pathophysiology, haematology, histology, biochemistry, clinical chemistry, blood banking and medical microbiology. They undertake industry placements supervised by experienced medical scientists to develop practical skills in laboratory medicine. On graduation, the opportunity exists to complete the Bachelor of Biomedical Science with one further year of full-time study.

Post-admission requirements

Before undertaking industry placement courses, students must obtain and provide evidence of hepatitis B immunisation and a BlueCard. Refer to Program requirements.

Career opportunities

Medical laboratory technician positions in pathology services and laboratory technicians in scientific and educational technical services.

Membership

Australian Institute for Medical Scientists.

Program structure

Program requirements

In order to graduate from this program you must complete the courses as listed below in the program structure.

In order to commence industry placement you must:

  • Show evidence of complete Hepatitis B vaccination (3 inoculations over a period of 6 months).
  • Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority)
Program notes
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
  • Courses within the program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
  • As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
  • When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan.

Program structure

Core courses

1 required course:

COR109 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility

Introductory courses

7 required courses:

LFS100 Leadership in Clinical Practice
MLS101 Learning and Teaching in the Practice Environment
SCI105 Research in Health Care
LFS112 Qualitative Research: Approaches and Practice
MLS110 Quantitative Research Methods
MLS121 Simulation in Practice Education
MLS131 Community and Primary Health Care

Advanced courses

9 required courses:

HLT221 Co-ordinating Care in Community and Primary Care Contexts
LFS251 Infant Care
LFS261 Responding in the Emergency Context
MLS210 Coordinating Complex Emergency Situations
MLS231 Global Emergency Issues
LFS262 Professional Internship
MLS211 Independent Study
MLS212 Mental Health Contexts of Care
MLS232 Assessment in Mental Health

TOTAL UNITS 192

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Total units: 192