Send me a PDF copyHighlights
- Explore specialised concepts in biochemistry, haematology, transfusion and transplantation science, microbiology, pathology, immunology, cytogenetic and molecular pathology, histopathological techniques, quantitative medical science, quality assurance systems, and health informatics.
- Gain practical experience in our teaching laboratories using equipment and analysers used in industry practice.
- In your final year undertake a semester-long work integrated learning internship in a recognised laboratory.
- Longest running course of its kind in South-East Queensland where graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.
Highlights
- Explore specialised concepts in biochemistry, haematology, transfusion and transplantation science, microbiology, pathology, immunology, cytogenetic and molecular pathology, histopathological techniques, quantitative medical science, quality assurance systems, and health informatics.
- Gain practical experience in our teaching laboratories using equipment and analysers used in industry practice.
- In your final year undertake a semester-long work integrated learning internship in a recognised laboratory.
- Longest running course of its kind in South-East Queensland where graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.
Why choose this course?
This degree was the first of its kind in Queensland and is taught by registered industry professionals with established careers working in pathology laboratories.
Our graduates are successful in securing positions nationally and overseas. Your studies will incorporate all areas of clinical pathology including haematology, transfusion science, cytology, biochemistry, microbiology, histology, molecular pathology and immunology, providing you with increased career opportunities.
Real-world learning
During this course, you will complete a 16-week professional placement where you will work alongside practising medical scientists and clinical researchers in accredited pathology labs and research facilities.
Your studies will incorporate all areas of clinical pathology including haematology, transfusion science, cytology, biochemistry, microbiology, histology, molecular pathology and immunology, providing you with increased career opportunities.
Hands-on experiences in the Q Block laboratories at Gardens Point and the H Block laboratories at Kelvin Grove begin during first semester of first year, and are embedded throughout the course.
We are recognised for delivering graduates who are confident with advanced techniques and able to conduct appropriate investigations to a professional standard.
Explore this course
Medical Laboratory Scientists work in clinical diagnostic pathology laboratories and perform and interpret tests on a wide range of human (and veterinary) samples such as blood, bone marrow, urine, and tissue. The results they generate are used to assess health status, diagnose disease and monitor the effects of various treatment/therapies, e.g. chemotherapy used in cancer treatments. 70% of all clinical decisions are either wholly or partially based on the results generated by pathology laboratories. In addition, 100% of cancers are diagnosed by pathology testing, as well as performing 100% of COVID-19 tests in laboratories.
The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science is externally accredited by the peak representative body for medical laboratory scientists in Australia, the Australian Institute for Medical and Clinical Scientists. The program contains all the relevant professional units as well as a 16-week professional placement.
Work Integrated Learning
During this course you will be required to complete 549 hours of professional work placements.
Careers and outcomes
Medical laboratory scientists work in the pathology industry, generally in hospitals or in public or private laboratories. Graduates are also employed in allied health (e.g. assisted fertility clinics) and public health laboratories.
Graduates of this course may choose a role in a multidisciplinary setting or can specialise in an area of particular interest, or complete postgraduate studies for a career in research.
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists and graduates will have completed the academic and work placement requirements for admission as a full member.
Depending on your employment, you will be eligible to apply for membership of various professional organisations including the Australasian Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Australian Society of Microbiology, Australian Society of Cytology, Human Genetics Society of Australasia, Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand, Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion, and Australian Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
Possible careers
- Biochemist
- Cytologist
- Hospital scientist
- Medical scientist
- Microbiologist
- Molecular diagnostics
- Pathology scientist
- Research scientist
Year 1
The course commences by developing a sound knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts that underpin medical laboratory science: cellular and molecular biosciences, anatomy, physiology mathematics, statistics, biophysics and chemistry. You will also be introduced to the local, national and global profession of medical laboratory science, and the Australian Healthcare System in the first of your professionally orientated units in the course.
Year 2
In your second year, you will explore more specialised concepts in pathology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, cytogenetic and molecular pathology, histopathological techniques, quantitative medical science, and quality assurance systems. In your practical classes, you will learn some of the latest techniques used in the clinical diagnostic pathology industry, giving you the opportunity to develop your skills to professional standards.
Year 3
The third year of the program allows you to further develop and refine your knowledge, understanding and practical skills to a more advanced level, and learn how they are applied in the clinical disciplines of molecular diagnostics, microbiology, chemical pathology, diagnostic endocrinology, histopathology, cytopathology, haematology and, transfusion and transplantation science.
Year 4
In your first semester, you will undertake a semester-long work integrated learning internship in a recognised laboratory. During that time you will also complete studies in health informatics and learn how this relates to day-to-day laboratory operations. In your final semester, you will complete an elective of your choice designed to complement your learning, e.g. pharmacology, marketing, management or research techniques. You will also prepare professional plans and identify graduate opportunities, as well as further your clinical discipline specific learning in the context of intercultural health and contemporary issues in medical science.
Students complete 24 credit points of QUT You units made up of:
Core
QUT002 QUT You: Walking on Country and QUT005 QUT You: Seeing Me, Seeing You: Skills for a Diverse World and
Electives
2 x QUT You Elective Units
Year 1
The course commences by developing a sound knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts that underpin medical laboratory science: cellular and molecular biosciences, anatomy, physiology mathematics, statistics, biophysics and chemistry. You will also be introduced to the local, national and global profession of medical laboratory science, and the Australian Healthcare System in the first of your professionally orientated units in the course.
Year 2
In your second year, you will explore more specialised concepts in pathology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, cytogenetic and molecular pathology, histopathological techniques, quantitative medical science, and quality assurance systems. In your practical classes, you will learn some of the latest techniques used in the clinical diagnostic pathology industry, giving you the opportunity to develop your skills to professional standards.
Year 3
The third year of the program allows you to further develop and refine your knowledge, understanding and practical skills to a more advanced level, and learn how they are applied in the clinical disciplines of molecular diagnostics, microbiology, chemical pathology, diagnostic endocrinology, histopathology, cytopathology, haematology and, transfusion and transplantation science.
Year 4
In your first semester, you will undertake a semester-long work integrated learning internship in a recognised laboratory. During that time you will also complete studies in health informatics and learn how this relates to day-to-day laboratory operations. In your final semester, you will complete an elective of your choice designed to complement your learning, e.g. pharmacology, marketing, management or research techniques. You will also prepare professional plans and identify graduate opportunities, as well as further your clinical discipline specific learning in the context of intercultural health and contemporary issues in medical science.
Students complete 24 credit points of QUT You units made up of:
Core
QUT002 QUT You: Walking on Country and QUT005 QUT You: Seeing Me, Seeing You: Skills for a Diverse World and
Electives
2 x QUT You Elective Units
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2025 fees
2025: CSP $9,400 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Additional Costs
There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. Some of these requirements have associated costs. Information is available from the Additional course requirements and costs website.
2025 fees
2025: $52,200 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Additional Costs
There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. Some of these requirements have associated costs. Information is available from the Additional course requirements and costs website.
2024 fees
2024: CSP $9,000 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Additional Costs
There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. Some of these requirements have associated costs. Information is available from the Additional course requirements and costs website.
2024 fees
2024: $48,500 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Additional Costs
There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. Some of these requirements have associated costs. Information is available from the Additional course requirements and costs website.
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
QUT Excellence Scholarship (Academic)
QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding academic achievement.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
QUT Elite Sport Scholarship
QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding sporting achievement.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Sporting excellence
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