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Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    BMedLabSc

  • Course code

    3007322

  • Credit points

    384

  • Equivalent units

    32

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science provides foundational knowledge in medical diagnoses and disease management. Students will gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience in laboratories, using modern technologies to analyse and inform the diagnosis of medical conditions.
 
The course covers foundational medical science topics such as anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, genetics, microbiology, histology, biochemistry and haematology. It then progresses to advanced studies in immunohaematology, infectious disease, histopathology and genetic pathology.
 
Students will acquire practical skills and knowledge to prepare them for work in pathology and clinical laboratories. Graduates will be capable of performing clinical testing, analysis, and reporting accurate results to physicians for their patients, supported by critical and clinical reasoning.
 

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Apply evidence-based concepts to explain the physiological, environmental and social determinants of human health and disease, in individuals and as applicable to public health matters.

Demonstrate the highest standard of scientific and academic integrity, ethical conduct and legal requirements in the medical science profession.

GA2: Creativity

Adapt to unpredictable and complex problems through critical reasoning and problem-solving skills in all professional disciplines of medical science, individually and in collaboration.

GA3: Ethical practice

Critically evaluate scientific investigations, and safely and accurately generate, analyse, interpret and report results in all professional disciplines of medical science.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate professional knowledge, efficiency and attributes in health states, disease diagnosis and research across all professional disciplines of medical science.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Demonstrate well-developed judgement and responsibility in self-directed learning and reflective practice for professional development in the medical science profession.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Communicate in verbal and written forms effectively and professionally in all disciplines of medical science and broader health field.

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate social and cultural diversity and respect for the identity of all people in all professional settings.

To practice as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, students must successfully complete the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, including 560 hours of medical laboratory placement embedded in the second and fourth years of the program.

Students progress to clinical and advanced studies in biochemistry, immunohaematology, infectious disease, histopathology and genetic pathology.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Term 1, Term 3 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

The University is seeking accreditation from the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) in 2025.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.0
Listeningminimum 5.5
Readingminimum 5.5
Speakingminimum 5.5
Writingminimum 5.5

Credit for prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available for this course. For more information please view the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science RPL Guide.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:

  • 27 core units (348 credit points); and
  • 2 option units (24 credit points); and
  • 1 elective unit (12 credit points).

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement.   All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity and Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

HLTH1004 The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
HLTH1001 Introduction to Science for Health Professions
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Anti-requisites Cannot be taken if already completed or enrolling in SCIN1001 - Nature of Science.
HBIO1009 Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
Term2,5
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2,5
Term2,5
Gold Coast
Term2,5
Term2,5
Lismore
Term2,5
Term2,5
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7. Details will be provided closer to the time.
CHEM1001 Chemistry
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
Enrolment information There will be a 2-day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore Campus (Terms 2 and 4) or the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour (Term 2 only). Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.
HBIO1010 Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
Summer Term
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Summer Term
Term3
Summer Term
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites HBIO1001 - Human Anatomy AND HBIO1007 - Human Physiology I; OR HBIO1009 - Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
BIOL1006 Introduction to Medical Science
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Enrolment information This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that requires students to meet mandatory fit to practice obligations prior to attending. Failure to comply by the fit to practice deadline will result in the cancellation of your WIL and you will not be permitted to continue in this unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/health/work-integrated-learning. Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time.
STAT2001 Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners
Term1,4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term1,4
Term1,4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term1,4
Term1,4
Pre-requisites 36 credit points
BIOL2007 Biochemistry
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Pre-requisites HBIO1008 - Human Physiology II OR HBIO1010 - Integrated Anatomy and Physiology

Second Year

CHEM2002 Organic Chemistry
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites CHEM1002 - Chemistry for Health Sciences OR CHEM1001 - Chemistry
Enrolment information Online students must attend a three-day residential at the Gold Coast Campus. Further details, including dates, will be advised via the Blackboard site.
MICR2001 Microbiology
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites BIOL1006 - Introduction to Medical Science AND BIOL2007 - Biochemistry; OR BIOL1005 - Cells and Molecules
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time.
HBIO2005 Human Pathophysiology
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisites HBIO1010 - Integrated Anatomy and Physiology OR HBIO1008 - Human Physiology II AND; either HBIO1003 - Systemic Anatomy OR HBIO1001 - Human Anatomy OR PHTY1002 - Foundational Physiotherapy Practice
BIOL2002 Molecular Genetics
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
Pre-requisites BIOL1006 - Introduction to Medical Science AND BIOL2007 - Biochemistry; OR BIOL1005 - Cells and Molecules
Enrolment information Online, Lismore and Gold Coast students must attend a three-day residential at the Gold Coast Campus. Further details, including dates, will be advised via the Blackboard site.
BIOL2012 Introductory Histopathology and Cytopathology
Summer Term
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Summer Term
Term3
Summer Term
Term3
Pre-requisites BIOL1006 - Introduction to Medical Science AND HBIO2005 - Human Pathophysiology
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7, which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time.
BIOL2008 Haematology I
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites BIOL2002 - Molecular Genetics AND HBIO2005 - Human Pathophysiology
Anti-requisites BIOL2004 - Haematology
Enrolment information Please note this unit has an assessment scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time. This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that require students to meet mandatory fit to practice obligations prior to attending. Failure to comply by the fit to practice deadline will result in the cancellation of your WIL and you will not be permitted to continue in this unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/health/work-integrated-learning
BIOL2006 Clinical Biochemistry
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites BIOL1006 - Introduction to Medical Science AND BIOL2007 - Biochemistry AND HBIO2005 - Human Pathophysiology
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time. This unit contains laboratory activities that requires students to meet mandatory compliance requirements prior to attending. Failure to comply by the compliance deadline may result in failure of the unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/healthplacements
BIOL3002 Professional Experience in the Biomedical Setting
Dual Term4
12 Note 2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Dual Term4
Dual Term4
Pre-requisites Have completed 168 credit points in 3007312 - Bachelor of Biomedical Science OR 3007322 - Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science including: BIOL2008 - Haematology I OR BIOL2004 - Haematology;
Co-requisites BIOL2006 - Clinical Biochemistry
Enrolment information This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that requires students to meet mandatory fit to practice obligations prior to attending. Failure to comply by the fit to practice deadline will result in the cancellation of your WIL and you will not be permitted to continue in this unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/health/work-integrated-learning.

Third Year

PBHL2001 Epidemiology
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites 48 credit points in any SCU unit
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7, which will require attendance online. Details will be provided closer to the time.
PHAR2001 Introductory Pharmacology
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Lismore
Term3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Pre-requisites Be admitted to 3007303 - Bachelor of Nursing OR 1209320 - Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry); OR HBIO1009 - Introductory Anatomy and Physiology OR HBIO1007 - Human Physiology I
MEDC2001 Immunology
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisites BIOL1006 - Introduction to Medical Science AND HBIO1010 - Integrated Anatomy and Physiology OR HBIO1008 - Human Physiology II AND; either HBIO1001 - Human Anatomy OR HBIO1003 - Systemic Anatomy
Enrolment information This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that requires students to meet mandatory fit to practice obligations prior to attending. Failure to comply by the fit to practice deadline will result in the cancellation of your WIL and you will not be permitted to continue in this unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/health/work-integrated-learning.
Option Units
STAT1002 Scientific Data Management and Analysis
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
Option Units
MICR2002 Clinical Microbiology
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites MICR2001 - Microbiology
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time. This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that requires students to meet mandatory fit to practice obligations prior to attending. Failure to comply by the fit to practice deadline will result in the cancellation of your WIL and you will not be permitted to continue in this unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/health/work-integrated-learning.
INDG2001 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4

Fourth Year

BIOL3003 Haematology II
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites BIOL3002 - Professional Experience in the Biomedical Setting OR BIOL2008 - Haematology I
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that requires students to meet mandatory fit to practice obligations prior to attending. Failure to comply by the fit to practice deadline will result in the cancellation of your WIL and you will not be permitted to continue in this unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/health/work-integrated-learning.
BIOL3004 Advanced Histopathology and Cytopathology
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites BIOL2012 - Introductory Histopathology and Cytopathology
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time.
BIOL3005 Genetic Pathology
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisites BIOL2002 - Molecular Genetics
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7, which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time. This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that requires students to meet mandatory fit to practice obligations prior to attending. Failure to comply by the fit to practice deadline will result in the cancellation of your WIL and you will not be permitted to continue in this unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/health/work-integrated-learning.
MEDC2002 Transfusion Science
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisites BIOL2008 - Haematology I and MEDC2001 - Immunology
Enrolment information Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that require students to meet mandatory fit to practice obligations prior to attending. Failure to comply by the fit to practice deadline will result in the cancellation of your WIL and you will not be permitted to continue in this unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/health/work-integrated-learning.
Elective Unit - select any University-wide Elective
BIOL3006 Integrated Pathology
Dual Term3
36 Note 1, Note 2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Dual Term3
Dual Term3
Pre-requisites 336 credit points in 3007322 - Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science including BIOL3003 - Haematology II AND BIOL3005 - Genetic Pathology AND BIOL3002 - Professional Experience in the Biomedical Setting AND BIOL3004 - Advanced Histopathology and Cytopathology AND MEDC2002 - Transfusion Science
Enrolment information This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that require students to meet mandatory fit to practice obligations prior to attending. Failure to comply by the fit to practice deadline will result in the cancellation of your WIL and you will not be permitted to continue in this unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/health/work-integrated-learning.

Note 1:

Triple-weighted unit

Note 2:

This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL). Please refer to the unit details for more information.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
Core Units
HLTH1004 The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar
HLTH1001 Introduction to Science for Health Professions
HBIO1009 Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
CHEM1001 Chemistry
HBIO1010 Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
BIOL1006 Introduction to Medical Science
STAT2001 Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners
BIOL2007 Biochemistry
MICR2001 Microbiology
BIOL2002 Molecular Genetics
HBIO2005 Human Pathophysiology
BIOL2008 Haematology I
BIOL2012 Introductory Histopathology and Cytopathology
BIOL2006 Clinical Biochemistry
BIOL3002 Professional Experience in the Biomedical Setting Note 2
PHAR2001 Introductory Pharmacology
PBHL2001 Epidemiology
MEDC2001 Immunology
STAT1002 Scientific Data Management and Analysis
CHEM2002 Organic Chemistry
MICR2002 Clinical Microbiology
INDG2001 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
BIOL3003 Haematology II
BIOL3004 Advanced Histopathology and Cytopathology
BIOL3005 Genetic Pathology
MEDC2002 Transfusion Science
BIOL3006 Integrated Pathology Note 1, Note 2

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
Select the Nutrition OR Research units as your option units

Nutrition units
NUTR2001 Nutritional Medicine
NATM2001 Botanical Medicine

Research units
HLTH4001 Literature Review
HLTH4005 Research Design
Elective Unit
Select one (1) unit from the undergraduate university-wide electives