The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours) will qualify you to work as a medical laboratory scientist. You will gain theoretical and technical knowledge in the clinical disciplines of laboratory medicine for application in the diagnostic setting. Throughout your study you will build technical and evaluative skills to assess and implement recommendations for best practice in patient testing, monitoring and education. This course will enable you to develop an advanced level of communication skill to interact positively with patients and other health professionals ready for the clinical or scientific work environment. Clinical decision-making and problem-solving abilities are key skills for the medical laboratory scientist. You will develop these skills through opportunities in professional practice, case-based studies and research projects. This course is accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists and you are able to apply for professional membership upon completion.
A Medical Laboratory Scientist is a health professional who conducts medical laboratory tests to assist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. They require specialised education and skills to prepare tissue sections for microscopic examination, analyse samples to study the effects of microbial infections and develop techniques to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. A Medical Laboratory Scientist has a degree of responsibility in the diagnostic process through the provision of advice to Medical Practitioners on the interpretation of tests, methods for use in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. They can undertake research and prepare scientific papers and reports. They ensure quality management processes and safety standards are followed in medical laboratories and undertake research in their area of expertise. Communication skills and exemplary professional attitude are all critical to success in this field.
Duration | 4 years full-time or 8 years part-time |
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Credit Points that Must be Earned | 192 |
Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | BMedLabSci (Hon) |
AQF Level | Level 8: Bachelor Honours Degree |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Rank Threshold | SR 69 | ATAR 69 |
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.
Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years or:
completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United states of America, which will meet the English proficiency.
If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores as below:
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.
Each student will be assessed individually.
English (4, SA), Maths B (4, SA), Chemistry, Biology, Science
Interim Awards | CG93 - Bachelor of Medical Science (Specialisation) CB25 - Associate Degree of Medical Science |
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Exit Awards | CL13 - Diploma of Health Science CG93 - Bachelor of Medical Science (Specialisation) CB25 - Associate Degree of Medical Science |
Accreditation |
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Compulsory Residential School | Many units in the course have compulsory residential schools in Rockhampton to ensure students acquire the technical skills of the Medical Laboratory Scientist. |
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Click here to view all Residential Schools |
BMSC13012 - 180 hours of work placement. Student learning supported by clinical supervisors on-site and academics at CQUniversity |
BMSC12005 - 180 hours of work placement. Student learning supported by clinical supervisors on-site and academics at CQUniversity |
BMSC14004 - 180 hours of work placement. Student learning supported by clinical supervisors on-site and academics at CQUniversity |
Year | Number of Students |
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2024 | 66 |
2023 | 78 |
2022 | 75 |
2021 | 63 |
2020 | 56 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements apply to this course and as such are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks and are outlined in the health, security and other compulsory requirements sections. Mandatory checks are determined by industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date prior to a WIL placement and maintain current evidence for the duration of the course.
Mandatory health requirements include immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) to the following diseases: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, and Tuberculosis screening. Additional vaccinations and screening are subject to the site or state health authority.
Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories, with the exception of Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare students.
Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance.
Other mandatory requirements include a First Aid and CPR certificate, student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, fitness to participate in WIL student declaration, jurisdictional and site-specific compulsory requirements, and other training modules.
Course Learning Outcomes | ||||
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Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines and knowledge of research principles and methods | ||||
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge to identify and provide solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence | ||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of a body of knowledge and theoretical concepts with advanced understanding in some areas | ||||
4. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in developing new understanding | ||||
5. SKILLS Have technical skills to design and use research in a project | ||||
6. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences | ||||
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in professional practice and/or scholarship | ||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | ||||
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | ||||
10. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Plan and execute project work and/or a piece of research and scholarship with some independence | ||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner |
Number of units: 30 | Total credit points: 192 |
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To be eligible to graduate with the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours) students must complete the 30 core units (192 units of credit) and complete professional placement requirements.
Professional Placement
Prior to placement, each student must satisfy specific pre-clinical health, safety, security and licensing requirements, including a clear criminal record check, and must disclose any condition that may put themselves, or the public, at significant risk whilst on placement. Due to limited availability of placements, some block placements have start and/or end dates that fall outside standard term start and end dates. As placements are located throughout Queensland and availability is limited in each community, students may be placed at locations that are not of their choosing. Students will be required to complete the requisite number of professional placement hours. Students must prepare financially and personally to relocate for placements, and are responsible for any associated costs.
Residential School
There are residential schools in this course which students are required to attend. These are based in Rockhampton so students must prepare financially and personally to attend, and are responsible for any associated costs. Wherever possible, Residential Schools are scheduled back-to-back.
Work Placement
Students are required to undertake work placements in an accredited Pathology Laboratory for a total 560 hours.
Experience in authentic work environments is very valuable as it develops the professional skills and 'work readiness' of graduates.
Work placements are currently required for the following units:
Second Year BMSC12005 180 hours
Third Year BMSC13012 180 hours
Fourth Year BMSC14004 200 hours
Before commencing work placement or Work Integrated Learning units, students must provide evidence of Immunisations as per the CQUniversity Policy for Vaccination of Students in Health Courses.
Laboratory Classes
All students will be required to attend laboratory classes (either weekly or as practical intensive classes) on Rockhampton campus to promote the development of course learning outcomes.
Computing Requirements
It is a requirement of enrolment in this course that students have access to the CQUniversity website. Students may be required to undertake various components of study in the course using email and the Internet.
It is strongly recommended that students have access to a broadband connection or higher to access online student resources that would include but not limited to, email, internet, video streaming, electronic assessment submission.
Recognition of prior learning and application for credit transfer
Course credit may be granted to students who are able to demonstrate appropriate prior learning or experience. Credit transfer will only be granted where a student is able to demonstrate that tertiary studies, equivalent in content and depth to the CQUniversity course, have been successfully completed.
Refer to the Credit Transfer website at http://www.cqu.edu.au/credittransfer for further details on the guidelines and application process.
You can apply for a direct credit against CQUniversity units if an equivalent tertiary level study has been completed. You must supply relevant documentation (Study guides, unit profiles, etc) to do this. If your study was undertaken more than 10 years ago, you may not be eligible for the credit.