Online Courses Handbook 2003

173299 v.4 Bachelor of Science (Medical Science)

BSc(Curtin)

Introduction
Medical science 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.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites
None. Chemistry, Applicable Mathematics and Human Biology or Biology are desirable. Applications may be considered without some of these subjects.

Specific Requirements
Applicants with TAFE qualifications should contact the School to arrange an interview. The STAT is not accepted for entry to this course. Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening/Clearance Section of this publication.

Note
Applicants without some of these TEE subjects will be considered but may be required to do extra work in first semester.

Recognition of Prior Learning
Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability
This course is three years full-time or equivalent part-time study.

Course Organisation
The 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 the individual disciplines in the second year. In the third year of the course, there is specialisation in three major disciplines, plus a requirement to complete four weeks (or 160 hours) of work experience. Students will have completed all prescribed units in the year before proceeding to subsequent years. Students are advised that maximum and minimum student enrolment quotas will apply in third year units.

Professional Recognition
The Australian Institute of Medical Scientists and other appropriate professional societies recognise the bachelor degree as fulfilling academic requirements for membership. However, before admission to full membership of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists, graduates must complete a professional component of postgraduate employment in an approved laboratory.

Career Opportunities
A degree in medical science offers a diversity of career opportunities in hospital laboratories, academic and research centres, private pathology, veterinary pathology, State Health Laboratory Service, the biomedical and biotechnology industries, as well as employment opportunities overseas.

Additional Course Expenses
Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other vital study materials. In addition, students may also need to contribute some of the cost of consumables, which varies depending on the area of study.

Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit

Year 1 Semester 1

1643 v.6 Human Biology 133 4.0 25.0

302364 v.1 Measurement in Laboratory Science 131 1.0 12.5

4715 v.5 Medical Laboratory Science 131 5.0 25.0

7076 v.5 Chemistry 123 5.0 25.0

7713 v.7 Health Science Communication 180 2.0 12.5

100.0

Year 1 Semester 2

1373 v.5 Statistics 121 2.0 12.5

1644 v.7 Human Biology 134 4.0 25.0

302467 v.2 Introduction to Microbiology 132 3.0 12.5

7077 v.5 Chemistry 124 5.0 25.0

7842 v.5 Medical Laboratory Science 132 4.0 25.0

100.0

Year 2 Semester 1

10076 v.2 Molecular Biology 231 2.0 12.5

302422 v.1 Histopathology 231 4.0 12.5

302430 v.1 Haematology 231 5.0 25.0

302466 v.1 Medical Microbiology 231 5.0 25.0

8804 v.8 Biochemistry 231 7.0 25.0

100.0

Year 2 Semester 2

302426 v.1 Histopathology 232 5.0 25.0

302431 v.1 Haematology 232 3.0 12.5

302436 v.1 Immunobiology 232 3.0 12.5

302477 v.1 Clinical Microbiology 232 5.0 25.0

8054 v.8 Clinical Biochemistry 232 5.0 25.0

100.0

Year 3 Full Year

302495 v.1 Professional Practice 331 11.0 50.0

SELECT 3 OPTIONS 150.0

200.0

Optional Units to Select From in Year 3 Full Year Hrs/Wk Credits

9076 v.7 Clinical Biochemistry 331 7.0 50.0

9078 v.6 Haematology 331 7.0 50.0

9080 v.6 Histopathology 331 7.0 50.0

9082 v.6 Medical Microbiology 331 7.0 50.0

11923 v.2 Diagnostic Cytology 331 7.0 50.0

Optional Units to Select From in Year 3 Semester 1 Hrs/Wk Credits

4713 v.4 Medical Biotechnology 331 8.0 25.0

Optional Units to Select From in Year 3 Semester 2 Hrs/Wk Credits

8856 v.4 Immunology 332 7.0 25.0

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