Graduate Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science

The Graduate Diploma of Medical Laboratory Science is designed to provide students with the theoretical and practical skills necessary for employment in Medical Pathology Laboratories.  The program will provide a formal qualification in Medical Laboratory Science for students with an undergraduate background in Science or Health Science.  The programme will equip students to sit the examination for membership of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists when they have the appropriate practical laboratory experience.

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the course will be eligible to sit the examination for membership of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.

A Medical Scientist carries out laboratory investigations which assist in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Students will gain knowledge and a variety of skills in professional areas such as: clinical chemistry, endocrinology, haematology, blood transfusion science, histopathology, microbiology, human molecular biology, and immunology

There are various career options open to medical scientists, especially in hospital clinical and pathology laboratories, private pathology services, blood transfusion services and public health laboratories. Other areas of employment are found in universities, veterinary laboratories and diagnostic companies.

Admission requirements

Successful completion of a first degree in Biochemistry or a Medical Science, Health Science, Science or other related discipline, with a credit average, including studies of Biochemistry/Physiology at second year and some introductory understanding of immunology and microbiology.

Anticipated professional recognition

AIMS do not currently accredit postgraduate programs; but they may do so in the future.  The units used are all part of an AIMS accredited undergraduate degree.

Graduates will be eligible to sit for membership of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS), once they have completed the relevant work experience.

Course Structure

Professional steams are taken over three semesters

1. Haematology stream
2. Clinical Chemistry stream
3. Medical Microbiology stream

^ Students without a Histology unit or background, who wish to do CXA222 Histopathology, must complete CXA121 Histology

• Applicants must have a Credit average degree in Science/Health Science (with mostly Biomedical Science units), Biomedical Science or equivalent, with biochemistry at second year level, some anatomy and physiology units, and some introductory immunology/microbiology understanding.
• Students must complete eight units to fulfill the requirements of the program.  Students must do a minimum of 7 units from the core units.  Students with previous equivalent study in the core units should choose elective units to complete a total of eight units.
• Students must include the three introductory major units (Clinical Chemistry 1, General & Medical Microbiology and Haematology 1) in their program, plus Pathology of Common Diseases or Histopathology, or have previously studied these areas.  Students who have completed the first or first and second step of a major area in a previous course, may complete that stream.  These students should select from the elective choices to complete the requirement to study eight units.

Sample programs

(See University Handbook Entry)

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