Master of Laboratory Medicine
Overview
Enhance your clinical decision-making skills, knowledge and experiences as a laboratory scientist, and open up opportunities for research or leadership within your field of expertise with CQU's Master of Laboratory Medicine. Gain advanced discipline-specific knowledge in medical laboratory science and advance your career.
The Master of Laboratory Medicine will qualify you to work as a medical laboratory scientist. You will gain advanced theoretical and technical knowledge in the clinical disciplines of laboratory medicine for application in the diagnostic setting. You will build technical and evaluative skills through laboratory and clinical training to assess and implement recommendations for best practices in patient testing and monitoring.
This course will enable you to develop an advanced level of communication skills 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 clinical decision-making and problem-solving skills through experience in professional practice, clinical case studies and research opportunities.
Practical Training
You will benefit from contextual learning experiences and practical training throughout your course. This course involves a compulsory block practical intensive at CQU's Rockhampton campus or an alternative location in Melbourne. You'll also complete 560 hours (16 weeks) of work placement at a NATA-approved diagnostic pathology laboratory. Your practical training and learning is supported by clinical supervisors on-site and academics at CQUniversity.
Embedded Graduate Certificate in Research
As part of this course, you may also be eligible to study CQU's Graduate Certificate of Research (CL58) embedded within the course structure, providing a pathway to a Research Higher-Degree. To be eligible to undertake the Graduate Certificate in Research, you must have clinical experience in a diagnostic pathology laboratory and will need to arrange a meeting with the Head of Course to confirm your eligibility, the scope of the project and the supervisory team prior to contacting the School of Graduate Research for enrolment.
Delivery
The first year of this course is offered in a full-time mode only, while the second year can be completed in a full-time or part-time mode by domestic students.
Career Opportunities
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.Structure & Availability
The course structure and available locations can change depending on when you want to study. You can choose the intake that best suits you in the drop-down menu below.
Available Locations
Your Course
You must complete 14 units (96 credits):
- 1Seven core units
- 2One clinical placement unit
- 3Two advanced units
- 4Either CQU's Graduate Certificate of Research (four units) OR four units from a specified list.
What You'll Study
Seven core units:
- Chemical Pathology 1 (AIMS discipline Chemical Pathology) (LMED28001)
- Genomic Pathology 1 (AIMS discipline Genomic Pathology) (LMED29001)
- Haematopathology 1 (AIMS discipline Haematology) (LMED28002)
- Infectious Diseases 1 (AIMS discipline Medical Microbiology) (LMED28004)
- Anatomical Pathology 1 (AIMS discipline Anatomical Pathology) (LMED29002)
- Transfusion and Transplantation Medicine 1 (AIMS discipline Transfusion Science) (LMED29003)
- Immunopathology 1 (AIMS discipline Immunopathology) (LMED28003)
One clinical placement unit:
- Clinical Placement in Laboratory Medicine (LMED29013)
Two advanced units from the following:
- Chemical Pathology 2 (AIMS discipline Chemical Pathology) (LMED29005)
- Genomic Pathology 2 (AIMS discipline Genomic Pathology) (LMED29004)
- Haematopathology 2 (AIMS discipline Haematology) (LMED29006)
- Infectious Diseases 2 (AIMS discipline Medical Microbiology) (LMED29009)
- Anatomical Pathology 2 (AIMS discipline Anatomical Pathology) (LMED29010)
- Transfusion and Transplantation Medicine 2 (AIMS discipline Transfusion Science) (LMED29011)
- Immunopathology 2 (AIMS discipline Immunopathology) (LMED29007)
Either the CL58 Graduate Certificate of Research OR four units (24 credit points) from the below list:
- Chemical Pathology 2 (AIMS discipline Chemical Pathology) (LMED29005)
- Genomic Pathology 2 (AIMS discipline Genomic Pathology) (LMED29004)
- Haematopathology 2 (AIMS discipline Haematology) (LMED29006)
- Infectious Diseases 2 (AIMS discipline Medical Microbiology) (LMED29009)
- Anatomical Pathology 2 (AIMS discipline Anatomical Pathology) (LMED29010)
- Transfusion and Transplantation Medicine 2 (AIMS discipline Transfusion Science) (LMED29011)
- Immunopathology 2 (AIMS discipline Immunopathology) (LMED29007)
- Think Big (MGMT20143)
- Innovation and Sustainable Business Development (MGMT20132)
- Business Ethics and Sustainability (MGMT20134)
- Managerial Finance (FINC20018)
- Organisational Change Management (HRMT20028)
Please note that units already selected as part of the advanced or core units cannot be selected from the above optional list.
To be eligible to undertake the Graduate Certificate in Research, you must have clinical experience in a diagnostic pathology laboratory. Before enrolling in the Graduate Certificate in Research, you must arrange a meeting with the Head of Course to confirm eligibility, the scope of the project, and the supervisory team.
Unit details
More information about the units you'll study is available below. Click on a unit to learn more.
Course Planner
To help you plan your studies and see which unit comes first, if one unit should be completed before another and when you will study each unit, check out our course planners.
Additional Information
Clinical Placement in Laboratory Medicine - LMED29013
560 hours (16 weeks) of work placement at a NATA-approved diagnostic pathology laboratory. Student learning supported by clinical supervisors on-site and academics at CQUniversity.
If you have completed prior study relevant to units within this course, you may be eligible for credit for your past studies.
Advanced Standing:
You will be eligible for advanced standing and be required to complete one year of study (48 credit points) to complete the Master of Laboratory Medicine if you meet the following criteria. You are an:
- Applicant with a 4-year AIMS-accredited Bachelor degree in Medical Laboratory Science (or equivalent) and 1 year of postgraduate professional experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.
- Applicant with a 3-year AIMS-accredited Bachelor degree in Medical Laboratory Science (or equivalent) and 2 years postgraduate professional experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.
- Applicant with a non-accredited degree in Medical Laboratory Science (or equivalent) and 5 years of postgraduate professional experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.
Applicants must prove this academic experience and work experience to gain recognition of prior learning of the first-year units and Clinical Placement in Laboratory Medicine.
Visit the Handbook to view the study plan for students entering the course on advanced standing.
Learn more about credit and recognition of prior learning.
Requirements
To Be Eligible
For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements.
During Your Study
While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies.
Fees & Scholarships
Indicative First-Year Fee
The Indicative First-Year Fee for a Full Fee Paying (FFP) Place is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one full-time academic year (this is usually eight units studied over two terms) and should be used as a guide only. Your actual fees may vary depending on the units you study and your study load. Check the cost-per-unit spreadsheet available on our fees webpage for the approved unit fees. Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Understanding your fees.
You may be eligible for FEE-HELP, an Australian Government loan scheme that helps eligible students pay their tuition fees. Provided you meet the FEE-HELP eligibility criteria, you can choose to use FEE-HELP to cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Learn more about paying for university or view the FEE-HELP information booklet on the Australian Government’s Study Assist website.
Part of your course costs will include Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). SSAF is charged in addition to your student contribution or tuition fees and is used to help enhance your study experience. There may also be other costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. Explore other study costs.
How to Apply
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