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

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Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science

In just two years become an entry-level medical laboratory technician and gain employment in Australia’s expanding pathology industry, working in hospital and private pathology laboratories. Learn to perform tests on blood and other bodily fluids and tissues, assisting clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases and clinical disorders. Receive full credit towards the Bachelor of Biomedical Science which you can complete with one additional year of study.

In this program you will:

  • Conduct clinical investigations on human diseases
  • Develop technical skills in haematology, histology, biochemistry, clinical chemistry, blood banking, and medical microbiology
  • Receive training by laboratory scientists and technicians to handle human specimens
Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science

Location

Entry threshold

60.00 ATAR/Rank
ATAR/Rank

Duration

2 years 2 years Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.

Indicative fees

Indicative 2023 fees (A$)

A$8,296 - 2023 Fees CSP
CSP

QTAC code

013131

Start

  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2

Duration note: Students commencing in Semester 2 will take 2.5 years, some semesters can only be taken part-time.

Start
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
Delivery mode
  • Blended Learning
Total courses
16
Total units
192
Duration
2 years 2 years
UniSC program code
SC211
Program coordinator
Program structure
Introductory courses (8) 96 units

HLT140 Think Health
LFS100 Cell Biology
MLS101 Foundations in Medical Science
SCI105 Introductory Chemistry
LFS112 Human Physiology
MLS110 Haematology
MLS121 Histology
MLS131 Medical Laboratory Placement 1

Developing and Graduate courses (8) 96 units

BIM203 Blood Banking and Transfusion Sciences
HLT221 Human Pathophysiology
LFS251 Biochemistry
LFS261 Microbiology
MLS210 Advanced Haematology
MLS231 Medical Laboratory Placement 2
LFS262 Medical Microbiology
MLS211 Medical Biochemistry

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all UniSC courses are available on every UniSC campus.

Study sequences

This study sequence reflects the current program structure. Continuing students must follow their commencing structure, which can be found in the previous student handbooks.

Student profile

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Applicant background No. of students % of all students

Notes
<5 - the number of students is less than 5
N/A - Students not accepted in this category
N/P - Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than five students.

Adjusted ATARs are a calculation of a student's ATAR + eligible adjustment factors and are used to determine admission. The raw ATAR is the student's rank before any adjustments are applied.

Minimum entry threshold

Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank.

Location ATAR/Rank
Sunshine Coast 60.00
Recommended prior study
English; General Maths, Maths Methods or Specialist Maths; at least one science subject (preferably Chemistry)
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
  • Successfully complete 192 units as outlined in the Program Structure
  • Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100) coded courses.
In order to commence industry placement you must:
  • Before undertaking industry placement courses, students must provide proof of vaccination against Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Pertussis and Varicella (Chickenpox).
  • Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority).
  • Hold a valid USC Blue Card for working with children.
  • Students must undertake mandatory online orientation courses for the organisations where they will be placed, and will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement regarding patient information.
  • Students will be required to complete placement(s) in rural/regional locations. Students will be required to fund the cost for travel, accommodation, fuel etc. associated with placement. USC scholarships and bursaries are available for students to apply to supplement these costs.
Program notes
  • Follow the program structure for your year and semester of commencement unless advised otherwise
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence. Please be aware that if commencing in semester 2, the duration will be 2.5 years and some semesters can only be taken part-time.
  • The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
  • It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
  • Courses within this 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 UniSC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider.
  • Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
  • Concurrent study with the Bachelor of Biomedical Science is generally not permitted. However in some special circumstances applications for concurrent study may be considered on a case by case basis for students that have completed at least 144 units (12 courses) of the Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science. Please contact Student Central for application information.
WIL notes
  • It is a Queensland Government requirement that students undertaking a placement within a clinical setting are fit tested annually for an approved respirator. Clinical settings include hospitals, residential aged care facilities, residential disability care facilities, prison health services, youth detention health services, community health care settings, and vaccination clinics). If the Fit Testing requirement applies to placement activity within your Program it will appear in your mandatory checks on Sonia Online. In accordance with Australian Standards, you must be clean shaven for your fit test. Facial hair that lies along the sealing surface of a tight-fitting respirator prevents an effective seal. Therefore, it is a requirement that there is no hair growth between the skin and the facepiece sealing surface in order to achieve a fit. At this stage, there is no exemption in Queensland to this requirement for religious or other reasons and UniSC is unable to waive this requirement.
  • It is no longer a requirement that students in Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

    Please note that some placement host organisations have chosen to continue requiring COVID-19 vaccination. If you are not fully vaccinated, it is important to know that placement opportunities in your program may be limited and may result in a delay to your placement.

    UniSC still strongly recommends that all students undertaking placement are fully vaccinated and provide evidence of this vaccination status to the University.

  • For more information on mandatory requirements refer to Medical Laboratory Science - Placements
Inherent academic requirements

Prospective students must consider the Inherent Academic Requirements before applying to study this program.

Refer to Medical Laboratory Science, Biomedical Science, Medical Science - Inherent Academic Requirements

UniSC strongly supports the rights of all people to pursue studies. The University embraces diversity and endeavours to accommodate all students.

What are Inherent Academic Requirements (IARs)?

The IARs of a program are those fundamental skills, capabilities and knowledge that students must be able to demonstrate in order to achieve the essential learning outcomes of the program, while maintaining the academic integrity of that program.

Students with a disability or chronic health condition may be able to have reasonable adjustments made to enable them to meet these requirements.

UniSC is committed to making reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, placement and other activities to enable students to participate in their program.

Reasonable adjustments must not fundamentally change the nature of the IAR.

Consideration is given to a student's cultural and religious background/beliefs, which may impact on participation in their program or course. For further information contact Student Support.

Why are Inherent Academic Requirements (IARs) important?

IARs ensure the academic integrity of a program is maintained and preserves the University's learning, assessment and accreditation processes. They must be met by all students.

How does this affect you?

To successfully complete a program at UniSC, you need to be able to meet all the Inherent Academic Requirements.

If you are applying for a program, you should read the IAR statement carefully to ensure you are able to meet them.

If you have a disability or chronic health condition, contact a UniSC Disability Advisor to talk about the adjustments that may be put in place so you can meet the requirements.

Career opportunities

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

Headstart Program - Year 11 or 12

The Headstart program lets you study uni subjects while you’re still in high school. If you successfully complete two Headstart courses, you’ll get a selection rank that you could use to get into uni.

Early Offer Guarantee scheme - Year 12

The Early Offer Guarantee scheme enables Year 12 students to be offered a place at USC on the basis of their Principal's recommendation.

Previous qualifications or experience

If you:

  • have completed Year 12 (no matter how long ago)
  • have a TAFE/VET qualification
  • have relevant work experience, or
  • have studied at university before (even if you didn’t complete your studies)

You may be eligible for a selection rank, which can help you get into uni. For more detailed information selection ranks and how applications are assessed, visit Admissions explained.

Tertiary Preparation Pathway

If you don’t have qualifications or experience that will give you a selection rank, you can complete the Tertiary Preparation Pathway as a stepping stone into most degrees. You can also use TPP to complete subject prerequisites.

If you haven’t studied in a while, TPP is also a great way to brush up on essential study skills like critical reading, assignment writing and referencing.

It can also build your knowledge and confidence in the subject areas you’ll need for your degree, like science or maths. TPP courses are fee-free for eligible domestic students.

I identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

You may be eligible for direct entry into a USC degree based on your potential to succeed, under USC’s Indigenous Direct Entry and Access Scheme (IDEAS). All you have to do is complete an online application through our website.

CSP estimate
A$8,296 - 2023 Fees

Commonwealth supported places

Commonwealth supported places are substantially subsidised by the Australian Government so that students only pay 'student contribution" amounts. The student contribution amount will vary depending on the course you are studying and how much funding the Government provides.

If you accept a Commonwealth supported place you are a Commonwealth supported student. As a Commonwealth supported student you must make a contribution towards the cost of your education (unless you are enrolled in Enabling or Tertiary Preparation Pathway courses) with the majority of the cost met by the Commonwealth Government.

Commonwealth supported places are only available to domestic students. As a domestic student you are entitled to a Commonwealth supported place in an eligible program if you:

  • meet the citizenship and residency requirements
  • complete an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF)
  • meet the University's entry requirements for your chosen program.

Domestic applicants apply for admission through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). Some applicants may be eligible to apply direct to USC if they meet certain criteria.

Find out about how to apply and key application closing dates.

QTAC code

Location QTAC code
Sunshine Coast 013131
Fast-track your career with a 2-year program
Pathway to Bachelor of Biomedical Science
8 weeks of work experience and training in pathology labs
Chelsea Gillett
Chelsea Gillett Graduate

Student story

“My studies at USC and the experience I gained through my student placements assisted in my development of not only various scientific processes, but also in problem-solving skills and attention to detail.