Undergraduate
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
2020
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Medical Laboratory Scientists work in a range of areas in pathology, including haematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, histology and serology. They are skilled in performing tests on both human and veterinary specimens, such as blood, tissues and bodily fluids to assist in the diagnosis of disease and provide information about the treatment options. The results of these tests provide physicians with the essential information they need to treat and prevent disease.
This professionally oriented four-year full-time course (or part-time equivalent), combines theoretical and laboratory-based study along with industry placements in world leading institutes. This course is recognised by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS), providing graduates with employment opportunities in the identification and diagnosis of disease and pathogens, medical research, forensic pathology, public health and the pharmaceutical industry, both within Australia and Internationally.
Course fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) Australian Citizenship; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident visa holder who will be resident within Australia for the duration of the unit.
2019 and 2020: Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study of 80 credit points (1.0 EFTSL) for commencing students in 2020 is AUD $31,000.00.
These fees are subject to annual increases each year of your study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Career opportunities
Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities in the identification and diagnosis of disease and pathogens, medical research, forensic pathology, public health and the pharmaceutical industry.
Professional recognition
The Australian Institute of Medical Science (AIMS)
Credit transfers & pathways
Pathways for VET to Higher Education
Guaranteed credit transfer arrangements are available to students commencing a Bachelor degree at Charles Darwin University with completed Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree qualifications in the same field or discipline at Charles Darwin University. Students who hold completed qualifications should refer to the additional information provided about Advanced Standing and Credit Transfer and Pathways using the links below:
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Assumed knowledge
Stage 2 Chemistry or equivalent
International applications
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This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
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Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
Course structure
In the first year, you will study foundation sciences providing you with the knowledge and skills required to excel in the subsequent years. The second year includes biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, haematology, histology and biotechnology.
In third year, you will study transfusion medicine, clinical biochemistry, clinical microbiology and cell pathology, gaining the required knowledge and skills of the major disciplines of a diagnostic laboratory, before commencing clinical placements in diagnostic, forensic and world leading research laboratories within Darwin in your fourth year.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 320 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (25 units) |
290cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 260 credit points as per the list of units detailed below.
MLS101 Haematology 1 |
| Electives (3 units) |
30cp | Elective units totalling 10 credit points selected from undergraduate units offered by the University |
| 320cp | Total Credit Points |
Students who commenced in or after 2013
No more than 20 credit points shall be counted with a grade of "PC" in a Bachelor AQF Level 7 course award and no more than 10 credit points at "PC" may be received at the highest level of the program of learning.
Of the total 320 credit points: (unless specified in the specific course structure above)
* not more than 120 credit points may be taken from 100 level units
* a minimum of 80 credit points must be taken from 300 level units or above
Students should refer to the current Grading Policy and Common Course Rules for further information.
Study plan
Students commencing in Semester 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- ensure Common Units are completed in the first year of study;
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| MLS110 Introduction to Diagnostic Pathology | CO | SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO |
| SBI150 Cellular Biology | CO | SBI173 Microbiology | CO |
| SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | SCH102 Organic and Inorganic Chemistry | CO |
| SCH101 Chemical Concepts | CO | SBI283 Immunology | CO |
| Year 2 | |||
| MLS101 Haematology 1 | CO | MLS202 Haematology 2 | CO |
| HSC230 Cultural Safety in Health | CO | PHA214 Biotechnology and Pharmacogenomics | CO |
| MLS245 Medical Biochemistry | CO | SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies | CO |
| SBI282 Clinical Microbiology 1 | CO | SBI284 Histology and Histochemistry | CO |
| Year 3 | |||
| MLS300 Cell Pathology | CO |
MLS401 Laboratory Placement 1 (20 cp) |
CO |
| MLS301 Transfusion Medicine | CO | ||
| SBI302 Clinical Microbiology 2 | CO |
MLS402 Laboratory Placement 2 (20 cp) |
CO |
| PHA311 Clinical Biochemistry | CO | ||
| Year 4 | |||
|
MLS411 Laboratory Placement 3 (20cp) |
CO | MLS415 Laboratory Placement 4 (20cp) | CO |
| MLS410 Professional Practice Consolidation | CO | Elective | E |
| Elective | E | Elective | E |
Students commencing in Semester 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- ensure Common Units are completed in the first year of study;
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO | ||
| SBI173 Microbiology | CO | ||
| SCH102 Organic and Inorganic Chemistry | CO | ||
| SBI283 Immunology | CO | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| SBI150 Cellular Biology | CO | SBI209 Design and Analysis of Biological Studies | CO |
| SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | SBI284 Histology and Histochemistry | CO |
| SCH101 Chemical Concepts | CO | PHA214 Biotechnology and Pharmacogenomics | CO |
| MLS110 Introduction to Diagnostic Pathology | CO | Elective | E |
| Year 3 | |||
| MLS245 Medical Biochemistry | CO | MLS202 Haematology 2 | CO |
| SBI282 Clinical Microbiology 1 | CO | Elective | E |
| MLS101 Haematology 1 | CO | Elective | E |
| HSC230 Cultural Safety in Health | CO | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| MLS300 Cell Pathology | CO | MLS401 Laboratory Placement 1 (20 cp) | CO |
| MLS301 Transfusion Medicine | CO | ||
| SBI302 Clinical Microbiology 2 | CO | MLS402 Laboratory Placement 2 (20 cp) | CO |
| PHA311 Clinical Biochemistry | CO | ||
| Year 5 | |||
|
MLS411 Laboratory Placement 3 (20cp) |
CO | MLS415 Laboratory Placement 4 (20cp) | CO |
| MLS410 Professional Practice Consolidation | CO | ||