Master of Laboratory Medicine
| Duration | 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time |
| Location | Melbourne and Rockhampton |
| Next start term | Term 1, 2024 |
| Study mode | On Campus |
| Course code | CM18 |
| CRICOS | 107331C |
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
Throughout your course, you will benefit from contextual learning experiences and practical training through a combination of a block practical intensive in our Rockhampton medical laboratory and two clinical placements totalling 560 hours. Travel and accommodation costs for the compulsory block practical intensive at the Rockhampton campus are provided for students admitted to the Melbourne and Sydney campuses.
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.
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
Course structure
You are required to complete a total of 15 units.Unit information
For information on the units, you could study as part of this course, visit the Handbook and select the "Course Structure" tab.
Credit transfer information
If you have already completed a study relevant to the course you have enrolled in, you may be eligible for credit transfer. Students eligible for advanced standing will be required to complete one year of study (8 units) to complete the Master of Laboratory Medicine if they meet the following criteria:- Applicants with a four-year AIMS-accredited bachelor degree in medical laboratory science (or equivalent) and one year postgraduate professional experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.
- Applicants with a three-year AIMS-accredited bachelor degree in medical laboratory science (or equivalent) and two years postgraduate professional experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.
- Applicants with a non-accredited degree in medical laboratory science (or equivalent) and five years postgraduate experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.
Visit the Handbook to view the study plan for students entering the course on advanced standing.
On-Campus Availability
| Intake | Locations |
|---|---|
| Term 1, 2024 | Melbourne, Rockhampton |
| Term 2, 2024 | Melbourne, Rockhampton |
Majors and minors are not applicable to this course.
Clinical Placement 2 - LMED29012
350 hours (10 weeks) of work placement at a NATA-approved diagnostic pathology laboratory. Student learning supported by clinical supervisors on-site and academics at CQUniversity.
Clinical Placement 1 - LMED29008
210 hours (6 weeks) of work placement at a NATA-approved diagnostic pathology laboratory. Student learning supported by clinical supervisors on-site and academics at CQUniversity.
Requirements
Recommended study
A 3 year Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised tertiary institution that includes foundational Human Biology and Chemistry.
To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must hold:
-
A completed 3 year Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent Bachelor degree in a Health, Medical or Biomedical discipline.
Applications will also be assessed in regard to content in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics. Foundational supplementary content will be available in these fields in the 1st year of study to support learning experiences.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
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 of:
- A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
- Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA of 4.0
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:
- An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) with an overall band score of at least 6.5 with a minimum 6.0 in each subset, or
- A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet Based only with an overall score of at least 79, with no sub-score less than 21, or
- A Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) with an overall band score of 62 with no communication score less than 54, or
- An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components
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.
Advanced Standing
Some applicants may be eligible for a shorter course duration of 1 year (48 credit point or 8 units equivalent), please refer to the More Details section for further information.
The COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory to be eligible to attend a WIL placement for this course. Students will be required to provide evidence of having completed a COVID-19 vaccination schedule by the closing date prior to a WIL placement. The vaccine received must be a vaccine approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia.
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: COVID-19, 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.
Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance. A Working with Children Check (WWCC) may also be required if on clinical placement where interaction with minors (<18 years) is likely.
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.
Fees & Scholarships
2023 Indicative Fees
| Fee Type | Fees |
|---|---|
| International Indicative First Term Fee | A$15,000 |
| International Indicative First Year Fee | A$30,000 |
2024 Indicative Fees
| Fee Type | Fees |
|---|---|
| International Indicative First Term Fee | A$15,720 |
| International Indicative First Year Fee | A$31,440 |
Please note the following important information:
- Fees are in Australian dollars (A$).
- Fees are indicative only and do not cover additional costs such as textbooks, accommodation, visa applications, OSHC, general living etc.
- Fees are based on a full-time study load and the final fee payable will be determined by your selection of units and if any credit was awarded for recognition of prior learning.
- The University reserves the right to amend fees at any time during the course. Fees are reviewed yearly and may increase in the following year to enable CQUniversity to continue to provide quality services and facilities to students.
- Courses are subject to change at the discretion of the University.
- It is your responsibility to make yourself aware of the entry requirements and prerequisites of the courses you wish to undertake.
- The typical annual fee shown provides an estimate of the tuition fees for the first year of the course in the same academic year. This estimate assumes a full-time study load of 4 units per term (based on two terms).
- Students not on an Australian student visa can only undertake courses online from an overseas location.
- Courses undertaken online may be studied on a full-time or part-time mode.
- International students studying on-campus in Australia may take no more than 33 per cent of their entire course by online education, and this option cannot be taken in its entirety during a compulsory term (Term 1 and Term 2).
Please refer to our international course fees page.
We offer a range of scholarships to support international students and encourage you to apply for one that's right for you.
How to apply
Our easy to use online application system for international students will guide you through the process of applying for a course at CQUniversity Australia.
