311376 v.2 Bachelor of Science (Laboratory Medicine)
BSc(Curtin), BSc(Hons)(Curtin)
Course CRICOS Code: 064464E
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas:
4 Years
Course Overview
Bachelor honours degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications. The honours component prepares students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional work, research and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.
Laboratory Medicine is divided into six major areas of study: clinical biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion serology, histopathology, diagnostic cytology, medical microbiology, medical biotechnology and immunology. All disciplines involve the study, examination and analysis of body fluids and tissues by physical, chemical, biochemical and biological methods to provide information essential for the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Professional Recognition
This course is the only degree of its kind in Western Australia accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists. This professional body provides recognition for employment in laboratory medicine as a medical scientist.
Career Opportunities
A degree in laboratory medicine offers diverse career opportunities in hospital laboratories, private pathology, the biomedical and biotechnology industries, academic research centres, veterinary pathology and forensic science. Graduates can also take advantage of a wide variety of international employment opportunities..
Additional Course Expenses
Students may also be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Students must obtain an Anatomy License and will require a laboratory coat.
Course Entry and Completion Details
Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au and include flexible entry pathways. Admission to the Honours stream is by invitation and follows high achievement within this bachelor degree.
Chemistry 3A/3B and/or Mathematics 3A/3B and/or Human Biological Science 3A/3B or Biological Sciences 3A/3B recommended. Applicants with relevant TAFE qualifications are encouraged to contact the School to discuss entry qualification and any credit for recognised learning. STAT elements considered are WE and either V or Q.
Credit for Recognised Learning
Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.
Pathway to Further Study
Graduates with a bachelor degree may qualify for entry to some graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and master by coursework degrees. Graduates with a bachelor degree with honours may also qualify for entry to a master or doctorate by research. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.
Course Entry/Completion Note
Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and Clearance section of the faculty website.
Course Organisation
Embedded bachelor honours degrees typically comprise an honours stream equivalent to one year of full-time study undertaken during the last year (or two) of study.
First year of the course provides a foundation in life and general sciences together with attention to communication skills. The first year medical laboratory science units form a basis for the study of individual disciplines in the second year. The second year of the course introduces cellular and tissue aspects of pathology and study of the individual discipline areas of laboratory medicine. In the third year there is opportunity to specialise in three major disciplines along with study of general subjects important across medical sciences. The second half of third year involves full-time clinical placements in a hospital or private pathology laboratory. This clinical placement continues in the first semester of the fourth year. The final semester of the course continues study in the chosen discipline along with opportunity to study core topics and case studies that draw together student knowledge and learning experiences from all discipline areas.
Course Learning Outcomes
A graduate of this course can:
1. apply general and discipline specified knowledge to the performance of laboratory medicine
2. the application of knowledge critically and ethically in the laboratory medicine setting
3. obtain and critically appraise information from a range of resources applicable to the practice of medical science
4. communicate effectively specialised knowledge relevant to laboratory medicine
5. the selection and effective use of appropriate technologies to generate valid data
6. recognition of the need for on-going learning in the Medical Science profession
7. an awareness of global differences in disease patterns and diagnostic medicine
8. recognition of cultural difference and its impact on Medical Science
9. recognition of the necessity for probity and ethical behaviour and a professional approach to medical science
Duration and Availability
This course is four years full-time or equivalent part-time study. International onshore students on student visas are not permitted to study part-time.
Location and delivery Mode
| Year | Location | Period | All* | Internal | Partially Online Internal^ | External | Fully Online# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Bentley Campus | Semester 1 | Y | ||||
| 2014 | Bentley Campus | Semester 2 | Y |
The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.
* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.
^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.
# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.
| Course Structure | Hrs/Wk | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 Semester 1 | |||||
| 313391 | v.3 | Human Structure and Function 100 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 313394 | v.3 | Foundations for Professional Health Practice 100 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 313400 | v.2 | Biomedical Science 100 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 314451 | v.1 | Introduction to Chemistry 180 | 6.0 | 25.0 | |
| OR | |||||
| 314449 | v.1 | Biological Chemistry 110 | 6.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 1 Semester 2 | |||||
| 312649 | v.4 | Indigenous Cultures and Health 130 | 2.0 | 12.5 | |
| 314510 | v.1 | Health and Health Behaviour 130 | 3.0 | 12.5 | |
| 313399 | v.3 | Integrated Systems Anatomy and Physiology 100 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 314512 | v.1 | Evidence Informed Health Practice 130 | 2.0 | 25.0 | |
| 314450 | v.1 | Reactivity and Function in Chemistry 120 | 6.0 | 25.0 | |
| OR | |||||
| 314453 | v.1 | Introduction to Biological Chemistry 190 | 6.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 1 | |||||
| 311378 | v.1 | Histopathology 233 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 311405 | v.1 | Medical Microbiology 235 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 311406 | v.1 | Biochemistry 233 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 311420 | v.1 | Molecular Genetics 233 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 2 | |||||
| 311379 | v.1 | Pathology 232 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 311403 | v.1 | Haematology 234 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 311410 | v.1 | Clinical Biochemistry 234 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 311380 | v.1 | Immunobiology 234 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 3 | |||||
| 311392 | v.1 | Laboratory Medicine Third and Fourth Year Stream | 400.0 | ||
| 400.0 | |||||
* Semester 2 is only available to students who receive Credit for Recognised Learning for the first semester.
** The Laboratory Medicine Third and Fourth Year Stream and Honours Third and Fourth Year Laboratory Medicine Stream are taken over third and fourth year.
Further Information
For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email futurestudents@health.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au
Course Structure Disclaimer
Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.
Handbook Disclaimer
The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.
For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.
